^►k^ 







HISTORY 



Monroe County 



MICHIGAN. 



ILLTJSTK/^TBID 



TALCOTT E. WING, Editor. 



NEW YORK: 

MUNSELL & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. 
1890. 



48934 



COPYRIGHT, 1890, 

BY 

MuNSELL & Co., New York. 



/^ 



O 



y 



Bl.ADE Printino & I'apek CO., 
EJigrarers, PriiiUrn and Bookbindtra, 

TOLEDO, OHIO. 



7 tt99 




MONROE COUNTY COURT HOUSE. 

Erected iSSo-iSSi, upon the site of Court House built in 1836-1S37, 

AND destroyed BY FIRE FEBRUARY 27TH, 1S79. 



PREFACE. 



Hon. Talcott E. Wing, the author of this work, in January, 1886, entered into an agreement 
with Messrs. Munsell & Co., publishers, of New York, fo write a histoiy of tiie cit^' and county (»f 
Monroe, and complete the same within a reasonable time. As pri-]i;i rations progressed, the im- 
possibility of gathering all the necessary information and of in-odueing a complete history in a 
limited time became increasingly apparent, the time was extended and the last manuscript was 
completed and read}' for the publisliers only a daj^ befoi-e the author's death, which occurred 
January 25, 1890. 

During this period many have asked whj- the volume was not tinished, and to not a few 
the necessity of expending so much time was not clearly apparent. The labor involved in the 
planning, writing and editing was far greater than the author had anticipated or than any but a 
careful historian can ap])rcciate. 

The editor received valuable aid in special contributions from writers whose names are 
given, except in a few instances where they were omitted by special recpiest of the eontrihutoi-. 
Many others contributed facts and suggestions which were gratefully received, and in writing 
of the explorations and early history of the State and county, Parkman. Camjibell and other 
well-known writers of the early history of the Xortliwest were consulted. 

An exhaustive history of Monroe county, and a full history of all the men, women aixl 
events that have contributed, both directly and indirectly, to its history. ])rospcrity and proirress. 
would require several volumes of the size of this. A judicious selection of material therefore 
became necessarj-, and some pruning, to make publication possible. 

An investigation of citj', county and township records had fi-eqiiently to he made, and a 
research of several days was often nece.s.sary to obtain the material and facts for two or thi'ec 
pages of this volume. 

Not oply was it necessary to emi)ody here, for the present generation, the history of the 
past, but also of the present time for future generations. 

It has been the aim of the author to give also biographies of some of the old settlers and 
the representative men of all professions, and a representative exhibit of the various industries 
of the county. 

This volume, with its excellencies and defects, is committed to the friends who have en- 
couraged its author, and whom he has labored to please, ami to no one with more confidence 
than to the faithful student of history, who will most readil}- appreciate what is good and 
pardon what is bad. 

chari;es r. wing, 



PUBLISHERS' NOTE. 



With heurtfelt siiicorilN', we, in conunon with all intimate frioiuls of the author of this 
niagniticent volume, and citizens of Monroe County srenerally, desire to unite in the richly 
deserved tributes due him l)ecause of the great love, the extraordinary care, the indefatigable 
industry and incessant labor of years, of which this volume is the ripened fruit. 

By none was the fact more vividh' appreciated than the aullior that the history of a 
city and county is inseparable from the history of its representative men, past and present, 
whose lives and achievements form an important factor ; and to this end sketches of such per- 
sonal history are embodied, accompanied by jjortraits whore practicable. It would have lieen 
both a matter of choice and profit to the jjublisliers to have seen this volume completed at 
an earlier day, but the author, true to the thorough completeness of his work and as devoted 
to the best interests of its subscribers as he is ilear to the memory of all. would in no case 
sacrifice intrinsic worth of the finished volume to a saving of time in its completion, 
which course merits and must receive the hearty commendation of all. And this, the 
great and last work of a long and useful life, will thus remain a tit monument to his 

memory. 

MUNSELL & COMPANY. 
New York, April, 1890. 



PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. 



Adams, Kphraiin, 


■Uii 


Adams, James Q. .... 


. 245 


Adams, Tliomas D 


464 


Alford, John, 


. 325 


Allen, Edward I'ayson 


283 


Allen, Seneca 


. 486 


Anderson, John 


106 


Angerer, Charles, .... 


. 355 


Armitage, James, 


347 


Arnold, Silas R 


. 433 


.\selstyne, Isaac, 


475 


.■Vselstyiie, Josiali C 


. 474 


Austin Harvey, 


157 


Bacon, Daniel S 


. 149 


Baker, Seward, 


465 


Baldwin, L 


. 442 


Baldwin. Newton, 


471 




157 


Beaman, Fernando (' 


281 


Beck, Christian F 


. 489 


Benson, Peter, 


149 


Bentley, James 


. 118 


P.ilhiiire, John W 


464 


Bissonette, Gabriel, .... 


. 121 


Bissonette, Joseph, 


121 


Bliss Family, 


. 125 


Bovd, Erasmus James 


500 


Bovd, William H 


. 163 


Bragdon, Alonzo B. .... 


462 


Bruckner, Christopher, 


. 316 


Buck, Cieorge 


488 


Bulklev, Ciershom Taintor, . 


. 311 


Candee Family, 


599 


Cass. Lewis, 


. 90 


Chapman, Austin Bostwick, . 


474 


-Ohoate, Emerson, .... 


. 360 


Christiancv, Isaac P 


24() 


Clark, Robert 


. 144 


Clarke, Stephen G 


478 


Clarke, Walter P 


. 478 


Cole, Tliomas G 


152 


Conant, Harry, 


. 150 


Conant, Harry Armitage, 


347 


Corbin, B. J 


. 465 


Crampton, Darius Ralph, 


495 


Critchett, Otis Adams, 


. 458 


Curtiss, Benjamin H. 


585 


Curtis, D. A. ...... 


. 585 


Custer, George Armstrong, 


319 


Custer, Emanuel Henry, 


. 31S 


Daiber, Anton, 


489 


Damon, Elwin H 


. 444 



Dansard, Benjau)in, 
Darrah, Archibald Baird, 
Darrah, Lewis, 
Davis, John, . 

Dawe, D 

Disbrow, Henry, . 
Dorsch, Edward, 
Dunbar, Addison Edwin, 
Dunbar William, 
Durocher, Laurent, 
Edwards, Thomas Smith 
Egnew, Samuel, 
Eldredge, Nathaniel D. 
Fay, Orion Jonathan, . 
Felch, Alpheus, 
Ferry, Peter Pcyre, 
Fifield, Benjamin F. 
Gale, Joseph B. 
Galloway, Jerome B. 
Gifford,'w. R. 
Gilday, Edwin R. 
Godfrey, James Jacques, 
Golden, Charles A. . 
Golden, Patrick, . 
Gonsolus. K. 
Goodwin, Daniel, . 
Gorman, James S. 
Grant, Alexander, 

Greene, George Henry, 

Greene, Jacob Lyman, 

Grosvenor, Ira R. 

Hackett, Walter, . 

Hardy, Stephen Thurston 

Heath, George Francis, 

Hitchcock, Elisha Bardow, 

Hoffman, Leopold, 

Hogarth, John Packard. 

Humphrey, Levi S. 

Hurd, George Robinson, 

Ilgenfritz, I. E. . 

Jackson, George W. 

Jackson, Samuel P. 

Jaminet, John P. 

Johnson, Oliver, . 

Jones, S. L. 

Joos, Edward, 

Joslyn, Chauncey, 

Kedzie Family. 

Keeney, Andrew Jackson, 

Keeney, .'^almon, . 

Kirby, Restcome R. . 

Knaggs, James, 



PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. 



Knapp, W. F. 
Lacroix, Hubert, . 
LaFontain, Louis, sr., 
Landon, George, . 
Landon, George M. . 
Lanman, Charles, 
Lanman, Charles James 
Lasselle, Antoine, 
Lasselle, Francis, 
Lasselle, Jacques, . 
Lauer, Edward G. J. 
Lawrence, Wolcott, 
Lewis, Isaac, 
Lewis, Samuel Baker, . 
Lockwook, Ezra L. . 
Lockwood, Harry A. 
Loranger, Edward, . 
Loranger, Philip J. 
McCallum, George Barclay, 
McClelland, Robert, 
McMillan, James. 
Man, Harry V. 
Martin, John, . 
Maseoar, Alfred J. 
Mason, John Warner, 
Moore, James, 
Morris, Gouverneur, 
Morrow, P. H. 
MulhoUen, James, sr., 
MulhoUen, James, jr., . 
Mulhollen, Samuel, . 
Munro, Charles E. H. . 
Murphy, Seba, 
Murphy, William Walton, 
Navarre, Francis, 
Navarre, Isadort , 
Navarre, Jacques, 
Navarre, Joseph G. . 
Navarre, Peter, 
Navarre, Robert, 
Noble, Charles, 
Noble, Charles Wing, 
Noble, Conway Wing, 
Noble, Daniel, . 
Noble, David_ Addison, 
Noble, Deodatus, 
Noble, Henry Shaw, 
Noble, William Addison, 
Paquette, Nazarth, 
Parker, Burton, . 
Peabody, John (i. 
Peters, George, . 
Peters, Richard, 



Page. 

439 Randall. Seth C. 

. 106 Ranch, John R. . 

124 Richard, Gabriel, 

431 Richardson, George W. 

460 Robert, Antoine Francis, . 

. 322 Robert, Joseph, . 

.321 Root, Philander Sheldon, 

. 119 Russell, James I. . 

119 Sancraint, John B. . 

. 118 Sawyer, Alfred Isaac, . 

367 Schmittdiel, Benjamin D. 

. 244 Slayton. William Earl. 

525 Smith, Henry, . 

. 420 Smith, Winfield, . 

484 SotTcrs, Bernard G. . 

. 464 Solcau. Alexis, 

108 Southworth, Charles Tracy, 

. 487 Southworth, Charles Tracy, 

437 Southworth, Hartia E. 

. 246 Southworth, Tracy, 

280 Spalding, George, 

. 252 Stevens, John J. . 

423 Stockbridge, Francis B. 

. 438 Stone, Harvey, 

-145 Strong, John, jr., 

. 119 Studdiford, William V. 

455 Stump, John, 

. 442 Thurber, Jefferson Gage. 

116 Tibbetts, Benjamin, . 

. 590 Toll, Philip R. 

471 Tucker, Joseph L. . 

. 441 TuU, John, . 

. 160 Valade, Jerome J. 

161 Valade, Joseph L. 

93 Van Kleeck, James, 

115 Wakefield, Stephen B. 

■ 120 Waldron, Henry, 
358 Weier, Joseph, 

. 125 Wells, Noah M. 

115 West, William C. 

. 151 White, William Tandy, . 

312 Wilkerson, Alfred, 

. 313 Willett. Benjamin T. 

166 Willitts, Edwin, . 
250 Wing, Austin E. 
1<>6 Wing, Charles R. . 

. 464 Wing, Talc<jtt E. 

167 Wing, Warner, 

■ 444 Winney, A. F. . 
461 Wood, James C. . 

. 590 Wood, John, 

484 Zabel, JohnO. 
. 484 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Veterans of the War of 1812, .... 82 

Dredging Machine 177 

First Locomotive, 218 

Store of Ed. G. J. Lauer 370 

Sho-wae-cae-mettes, 391 



Frogging on the Raisin, 410 

Capture of Richmond 529 

Court House, 3 

Map, . . . • 9 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



CHAPTER 1. 



KARLY DISCOVERIES — MISSIONARIES INDIAN VILLAGES CONGEESS OF INDIANS AT ST. MARTS 

FALLS THEIK MODE OF LIVING LIFE OF THE INDIANS IN PEACE AND WAR. 



MICIIIGAX derives its name from two In- 
dian words in the Chippewa language, 
:]fi7c/ta(f, great, and Sagiegan, lake — the land 
of the great lakes. The Territory of Michigan 
was a part of New France, whose boundaries 
were as illusive as its history was romantic 
and mysterious. One historian tells us Michi- 
gan embraced that part of the Mississippi Val- 
lej- north of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois; 
bounded on the east bj' Canada, and on the 
west b}' the great plains west of the Father of 
Waters. The Huron trihe of Indians occupied 
the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, and were 
more civilized and less nomadic than the other 
western Indians. Thej- early formed friend- 
ships with the energetic and adventurous fur 
traders, who had penetrated the wilderness for 
gain and advancement in civil and military 
positions. When the French traders returned 
to Montreal they gave such glowing descrip- 
tions of the countiy, rich in furs and sunny 
and fertile lands, they inspired the slumbering 
spirit of the colonists. As early as 1536, when 
.Jac(|ues Cartier reached Montreal on his second 
voyage, he was told bj' the Indians of "the 
three great lakes ; a sea of fresh water [proba- 
bly Lake Superior], of which no man had 
found an end ; of great stores of gold and 
copper; that there was a river running south- 
west, which required a month's sailing to reach 
a beautiful land where there was no snow or 
ice. where oranges, almonds, nuts of various 
kinds and apples grew in abundance. The 
people in that region dressed as the French [no 
doubt the S))aniards] and lived in walled towns, 
and Were at war vvith the inhabitants con- 
tinually. " 

The Indians were prudent husbandmen and 
cultivated large fields of corn, laid out in sym- 
metrical order, the remains of which can be 
traced in some localities to this day. The 
squaws prejiared the corn with mortars and 
pestles. They made many kinds of pottage with 



corn, pease and beans. Fish were preserved in 
large vessels. Ijike more civilized people they 
depended upon hunting, fishing and farming. 
The villages were sometimes largo and laid out 
regularly, often surrounded with timber anil 
well protected. 

Detroit was visited as early as ItilO, and 
Champlain's maps of 1()12 show the connection 
of the straits between the lakes. On the strait 
the wandering traders established stations, and 
a village of Hurons existed near, or on, the 
present site of the city, and was named by the 
Indians Ka-ron-taen, meaning The Coast of 
the Strait. Thus it seems Detroit can claim to 
have been located befoi-e Boston, New York, 
Philadelphia, or New Orleans. The most relia- 
ble records of the early days of this State are 
derived from the Jesuit missionaries, of whom 
Brebeuf and Daniel were the pioneers. They 
joined a party of Ilurons at Quebec in the year 
1634, and sailed through the Ottawa River to 
Lake Huron, upon whose shores they erected 
the first log house, which served for home and 
sanctuary for many long and weary days. 
They daily rang the church bell and called the 
savages to prayers. Here the}- educated a 
small band of Hurons, and trained them for 
missionary assistants. 

Eaymbault began a mission at St. Mary's 
Falls in 1641, but his strength soon succumbed 
to the rigorous climate and his arduous duties, 
and in the last stages of consumption he re- 
turned to Quebec to lay down his life, worn out 
for his Master. Thus it was with many of the 
early missionai-ies. Their zeal was greater 
than their .strength, and their enthusiasm 
burned with a fervid and unquenchable flame. 
While carrying the cross through the trackless 
wilds, they braved all obstacles; they suffered 
at the hand of the savage every indignity; they 
were scarred with hot irons, covered with 
burning bark, and often tortured to death. 
What wonder Tallemand and other martyrs 



10 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



cried out in dying agony, " We are a spectacle 
unto the world, and to angels and to men." 
The ranks of these devoted men were filled as 
they fell in this century's highways by no less 
ardent followers of the cross, thus testifying 
to the world the wonderful missionary zeal of 
that age. Although they formed no permanent 
mission for over a quarter of a century, who 
can estimate the influence they exerted from 
the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Lawi-ence? They 
taught the Indians to cultivate the soil upon a 
more generous plan ; introduced new seeds and 
plants, as well as fruits; and led them to pro- 
vide against the adverse seasons and failures 
in the chase, thus avoiding the famines which 
had, it is supposed, decimated their numbers 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific shores to an 
alarming extent. These pioneer missionaries 
rendered the only accurate and scientific ac- 
count of the regions they penetrated, and con- 
tributed the earliest geographical knowledge 
of the great Northwest to the world. 

The French explorers engaged these conse- 
crated men upon all important expeditions, and 
it is believed their gentle policy mitigated ma- 
terially the experience of those who fell into 
the hands of men whose ambition for France, 
as well as their own selfish motives, caused 
them to overlook the rights of a weaker and 
less intelligent race. 

The shores of the northern lakes and adja- 
cent lands were explored in 1654 by two young 
fur traders, accompanied by a band of Ottawas 
and Algonquins. They penetrated ihe wilds for 
a distance of fifteen hundred miles, and after 
two years returned to Montreal with such eu- 
coui-aging rejDorts of the richness and beauty 
of the country, that they were granted per- 
mission to fit out an expedition to extend 
French commerce into the Northwest. Gabrielle 
Dreuillettes and Leonard Gareau, former mis- 
sionaries among the Hurons, were selected for 
the enterprise, but the}' met with discourage- 
ment at the outset, owing to the enmity exist- 
ing among most of the Indian tribes at that 
time. They were attacked just below Montreal 
by a band of Mohawks and completely demoral- 
ized. During the following five years various 
companies from Montreal interested in the fur 
trade pushed their waj- into the new regions, 
and eventually formed an alliance with a num- 
ber of western tribes who desired a league with 
the French whereby they might resist the 



Iroquois. The Indians were represented by 
two explorei's, who returned to Quebec in 1660 
accompanied by sixty canoes, laden with rare 
peltries and paddled by three hundred Algon- 
quins; whereupon the Government determined 
to explore tlie territory around Green Bay and 
Lake Superior, and establish at some conven- 
ient point a post for the general rendezvous of 
the tribes. This task was appointed Rene 
Menard, a Jesuit missionary, who entered 
upon his M'ork with a determination to pene- 
trate the Northwest farther than any of his 
predecessors. He left Quebec on the 28th of 
August, 1660, with but few supplies or comforts 
of life, but with the trusting faith of a 
child, saying, " I trust in Providence, which 
feeds the little birds of the air and clothes the 
wild flowers of the desert." Menard reached 
the bay now known as L'Anse, where he re- 
mained eight long months, with no compan- 
ions but the rude, untutored savages. The 
Hurons invited him to visit them on the Island 
of St. Michael, where they had taken refuge. 
He left his converts in the spring, and with 
one Indian pursued his journey to the Bay of 
Che-goi-me-gon. After passing through Port- 
age Lake, his companion moved the canoe and 
its contents across the portage, and the aged 
missionary, who was now quite feeble, strayed 
into the woods and was never seen again. 
Years afterwards his breviary and cassock were 
discovered among the Sioux. 

Father Allouez, undaunted by the fate of the 
aged Menard, and full of the spirit of his 
order, embarked at Three Rivers in company 
with about four hundred Indians, who were 
returning homo fi'om Quebec, where they had 
been for the purpose of trade. The missionary 
with his Indian hordes reached Sault Ste. Marie 
in safety; from there he i)roceeded to Lake 
Sufierior, which he named in honor of M. de 
Tracy, and the first map of Lalie Superior, sup- 
posed to be the work of Marquette and Allouez, 
bears the name o^ Lac Tracy ou Superieur. 

The Indians regarded this lake as a divinity, 
on account of its size and in consequence of its 
furnishing them with fish when hunting failed. 
Allouez reported the existence of copjier in this 
region, and that he had seen pieces weighing 
from ten to twenty pounds in the keeping of 
several savages, who regarded these specimens 
as gods, and kept them wrapped up with their 
most precious articles, some families having 



CONGRESS OF INDIANS AT ST. MARY S FALLS. 



11 



had them in possession fortifty years ; toothers 
" they had deseendcd Irom time oiit of mind, 
presented by the gods wlio dwell beneath the 
waters." At St. Theresa Bay this missionary 
found a tew of the converts of Father Menard, 
" wiiose memories he refreshed with the mys- 
teries of his religion," and pressed on his jour- 
ney'. "After ma n^- discouragements by means 
of famine, storms and great weariness both 
day and night," he landed at Che-goi-me-gon 
(La Pointc) on the first day of October, 1665. 
Here Allouez remained nearly two yeai's, win- 
ning converts to the faith and establishing 
peace between the Chipjiewas and the Sioux. 
Great bands of Indians gathered about the 
mission and listened to his instruction. He 
also visited Fond du Lac, and there the Sioux 
informed him of vast plains farther west where 
roamed immense herds of buffalo. Becoming 
more and more enthusiastic in his mi.ssion,and 
feeling the need of better aid in establishing 
stations among the various tribes, he repaired 
to (Quebec in the fall of 1667. With burning 
words he appealed to his brethren, and was so 
successful in interesting theni that his object 
was accomplished in two days. He imme- 
iliately returned to the Indians with fresh re 
cruitij and augmented zeal. 

Father Marquette and Claud Dablon were 
so thoroughly interested in the project that 
they soon followed, and succeeded in estab- 
lishing the first permanent mission at the Sault 
(le Ste. Marie, and the second was soon begun 
on the Island of Michilimackinac. Both were 
wisely chosen as important points. Marquette 
calls them " the keys or gates for the tribes 
north and south," as they were obliged to go 
thiough ihem in order to reach the French 
settlements. Soon after the establishment of the 
mission the French Government, in May, 1671, 
convened the long-desired congress of the In- 
dians at the Falls of Ste. Marie. Here the}- 
consolidated as far as possible the interests of 
the various tribes of the Northwest. Kepre- 
seiitatives of the Indian nations came in great 
numbers from the St. Lawrence on the north, 
and from as far south as the Eed River. They 
sal in council with the veteran French officers 
and priests. The Governor-General of New 
France was represented by M. de Lusson, who 
took possession of " all lands between the east 
and west, and from Montreal on the north to 
the south where any land existed," in the name 



of his Majesty, the King of France. The tribes 
were assembled upon a hill near the village, 
the standard of the cross was erected with the 
most solemn ceremonies of the church, while 
the soldiers chanted the Vaxilla to the admira- 
tion of the Indians. Then the lilies of France 
were marked upon a cedar post, while the 
French chanted the inspiring Exaiideat, and 
offered prayers for the sacred person of his 
Majesty. The chiefs were informed they were 
under the protection of the French king, and 
guns were fired. After much ceremony Father 
Allouez addressed the savages in their own 
tongue as follows, which is a sample of the ora- 
tory impressive to the Indians of that time: 

" It is a most important affair that calls us 
together. Cast your ey«s on that cross which 
is high above yo\iv heads. It is there where 
the Son of God was willing to be attached and to 
die in order to satisfy His eternal Father for 
your sins. He is the master of j'our lives and 
also of heaven and earth and hell. It is He of 
whom I have often spoken, and whose name 
and words I have borne into these distant 
lands. But at the same time look upon that 
other column, to which are attached the arms 
of that great chief of France whom we call 
King. He lives beyond the sea. He is the chief 
of chiefs, and has not his like in the world. 
All the chiefs of whom you have heard are but 
children compared witii him. He is like a 
great tree, while they are mere shrubs which we 
tread upon. You know Onontio [the Governor- 
General], the renowned chief of Quebec. You 
know that he is the terror of the Iroquois, and 
that his name is sufficient to make them tremble, 
since he has desolated their lands, and carried 
fire among their settlements. There are be- 
yond the sea ten thousand Onontios like him, 
who are but warriors of the great chief, our 
King of whom I speak. When he says ' I go 
to war,' everybody obeys, and these ten thou- 
sand chiefs raise bands of warriors, both for the 
land and the sea. Some embark in ships like 
those you have seen at Quebec. Your canoes 
will hold but four or five men, twelve at the 
utmost. Our vessels carry four or five hundred 
and even a thousand. 

" Another portion go to war on land, but in 
such numbers that when ari-ayed in double 
ranks, they would reach to Mississaquenk, 
which is twenty leagues from here. When he 
attacks he is more fearful than thunder. The 



12 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



earth trembles, and the air and sea are on fire 
from the discharge of his camion. He has 
been seen in the midst of his squadrons 
covered with the blood of his enemies, so many 
of whom has he put to the sword, that he does 
not nuniber their scalps, but merely the rivers 
of blood which he causes to flow. He carries 
such a number of captives with him that he 
does not value them, but lets them go where 
thej^ please, to show that he does not fear 
them. Nobody dares make war on him. All 
nations beyond the sea have sued for peace 
with great submission. They come from 
every quarter of the globe to listen to him, 
and to admire him. It is he who decides upon 
the affairs of the world. 

" What shall I say of his riches? You think 
yourselves rich when you have ten or twelve 
sacks of corn, and hatchets, and kettles, and 
other things of the kind. He has more cities 
than you have men, which are scattered over a 
.space of more than five hundred leagues. In 
each city there are hatchets enough to cut all 
your wood, kettles enough to cook all your 
caribou, and sugar enough to fill all your wig- 
wams. His house extends farther than from 
here to the Sault, is higher than the tallest of 
your trees, and contains more peojile than the 
largest of your settlements ever contained." 

A military jjost was soon established at the 
Sault Ste. Marie, invested with a commandant 
and small garrison. An industry in copper 
articles sprung up. Bracelets and other orna- 
ments were made for the Indians, as well as 
crosses, censers and candlesticks for the church. 
These wore manufactured from masses of pure 
copper brought by the natives from the shores 
of Lake Suj)erior. A large Indian village 
flourished uear. Their dwellings were sur- 
rounded by palisades, sometimes in triple 
rows, with j)latforms built within, where they 
kept supplies of stones to hurl upon intruders. 
The Indian dwellings were sometimes more 
than a hundred feet in length, were thatched 
with bark, and secured on the sides by a net- 
work of poles covered with bark. They con- 
tained several distinct families, who were as- 
signed compartments on the side, like stalls of 
a stable, where their couches were spread with 
the skins of the chase. The ceiling was deco- 
rated with the ripened ears of corn. In these 
comfortable habitations they passed the long 
and bitter winters. A bright fire blazed upon 



the earthen hearth, and the blue smoke curled 
to an outlet in the roof Around these lodge 
fires clustered the warriors, squaws, and little 
children, and listened to the legends of 
ancient chiefs and mighty medicine men, 
whose deeds of valor fired their impulsive 
hearts; or while the pipe was passed from 
hand to hand the story-teller recounted to 
these superstitious children of the forests, the 
mission of the spirits who dwelt in the fire, 
water and air, whose messages came uj^on the 
wings of the wind, were written in the light- 
ning and sfioken in the thunder. 

The life of the Indian was one of contrast — 
from the excitement of the chase, to the long, 
patient fishing days on the ice; from the dan- 
gers on the war-path, to the festivals and 
dance. Political ambition burned with a fervid 
heat within the breast of the red man, and he 
would dare many dangers to be counted among 
the notable men of the tribe. When the great 
chiefs of the confederations had deliberated 
before the council fires and decided on war, 
they sent forth their messengers to call the 
warriors to arms from the East and West, 
wlierever their allies might be found. Their 
warlike natures responded with speed and 
gladness, although first must be consulted the 
omens and dreams of the proi^het, and a prepa- 
ration made to insure success, b}' fasting, and 
prayer to the great war-god, ending in a war- 
dance, during which they chanted the storj^ of 
former exploits, and promised superior feats of 
strength and bravery in the coming expedition. 
When the required rites were concluded, they 
began to steal away through the wilderness, 
carrying their arms, food and canoes with them 
until they reached the rivers or lakes, when 
they paddled rapidly to theirdestination. They 
stormed the strongholds of their enemies, using 
their canoes as scaling ladders. They fell like 
tigers upon the unprepared, and butchered 
them without mere}'. Their victories were 
stained with excess of cruelty, and not until 
they were exhausted in their vengeance did they 
spare the lives of those who remained and adojjt 
them into their tribe. Wives were separated 
from husbands, and children from parents, and 
they were distributed among different villages 
that old affections and associations might be 
obliterated. Thus their losses, which were 
considerable in the jiracti-ce of almost constant 
warfare, were repaired by this means, which the 



LIFE OK THE INDIANS IN PEACE AND WAR. 



13 



Indians designated by a word meaning " flesh 
cut into pieces and scattered among the tribes." 
The Five Nations — or, as the French named 
them, the Iroquois — were the most powerful 
people. Thej- dwelt within the pre.senl limits 
of the State of New York, and owed their tri- 
umphs in part to the importance of their posi- 
tion. The rivers and hikes were highways 
through the regions for their roving and am- 
bitious warriors. They were as a people thor- 
oughly organized. Each of the Five Nations 
had several sachems, who, with subordinate 
chiefs and honorable men, regulated all affairs 
of importance. When a foreign power was to 
be treated with, a general assembly of all the 
chiefs convened at the great council house in 
the Onondaga valley. The order of debate was 
prescribed by custom, and during the fiercest 
arguments they preserved an iron .self-control. 
The Iroquois in boundless pride styled them- 
selves ''the men surpassing all others," and 
their ambition for conquest was insatiable. 
Their war-parties wei'e sent over half America, 
and their victories were so frequent that their 
name was a terror from the Atlantic to the far 
West. They were a superior people intel- 
lectually, and were thoroughly organized. 
Their greatest numerical strength in their 
most prosperous age was not four thousand 
warriors; and yet, in less than a quarter of a 
century, they destroj'ed and scattered four na- 
tions as brave and powerful as any in America. 
The Hurons or Wyandots occupied the pen- 
insula between the lakes Huron, Erie and 
Ontario. Their population has been variously 
estimated at from ten to thirtj- thousand souls. 
They were an agricultural people, and bartered 
their corn to surrounding tribes, receiving in 
exchange fish and other articles tiiey valued. 
The early Fathers called this country the 
granary of the Algonquins, which family sur- 
rounded the powerful Iroquois, and em- 
braced the country on the north fiom Hudson 
Bay to the Cai'olinas, from the Atlantic on the 
east to Lake Winnipeg on tlie west. The Hu- 
rons, like the Iroquois, were divided into tribes, 
but unlike them were not professional warriors. 
The peaceful Hurons met a disastrous fate in 
the depths of the winter of KUO. The Iroquois 
swept down upon them and destroyed all be- 
fore them. Thej- dispersed the whole nation. 
Some found refuge among the French of Can- 
ada, others established themselves upon the 



shores of Lake Superior and (he islands in the 
northern part of Lake Huron, while numbers 
were absorbed in the victorious ranks of the 
Iroquois. Some years afterwards the Hurons 
descended to the Straits of Detroit, where they 
flourished for a time. 

The Neutral Nation inhabited the northern 
shores of Lake Erie as far east as the Straits of 
Niagara. They derived their name from their 
neutrality in the war between the Hurons and 
Iroquois. But they soon met the fate of the peace- 
ful Hurons, and the Iroquois had scai-cely rested 
from their vengeance when they attacked the 
Eries with their usual success. The Andastcs 
received their next siege, and though they had 
resisted their enemies for years, they fell as 
ingloriously as the Hurons, in 1672. The Five 
Nations soon absorbed all the adjacent tribes 
and i-eceived into their ranks as ecjuals the 
warlike Tuscaroras, admitting them as a Sixth 
Nation, and giving their sachems a seat in the 
councils at Onondaga. The wrongs the Tus- 
caroras had sustained at the hands of white 
settlers, in the loss of land and over-reaching 
in trade of various kinds, the Iroquois made 
their own ; and with an intrepid, unreasoning 
vengeance, peculiar to the Indian, they nursed 
a cruel hatred of all white settlers and sought 
to wreak it upon the French in Canada. They 
also had treasured their own wrongs and the 
injury they received at the hands of Cham- 
plain in 1600, when he came into their midst 
with a band of Algonquins and shot with his 
arquebuse two of their chiefs ; and when they 
fled in terror to the woods and caves to escape 
further destruction, Champlain imagined he 
had for all time taught the red man to respect 
the power of France. From that time the Iro- 
quois never ceased to harass them. They 
burned their houses, laid waste their fields. 
The}' kept a vigilant watch upon the route be- 
tween Quebec, Montreal and other points. 
They attacked Montreal with fire and steel, and 
their horrible cruelties were scarcely credible. 
They placed infants on the embers and required 
their own mothers to turn the spit. Others 
suffered torments too barbarous to describe. 
At times the Jesuits would obtain an influence 
over the savages and for some weeks they 
would rest from their raids upon their peaceful 
neighbors. Hope would again cheer the strug- 
gling and afllicted settlers, only to be again de- 
ceived by the treacherous Indians. 



CHAPTER II. 



COUNT FKONTENAC SOUTH SEA PASS M. TALON - 

OF THE MISSISSIPPI LA SALLE — THE GRIFFIN- 



-M. JOLIET FATHER MARQUETTE DISCGVEEY 

— COUREURS DE-BOIS DEATH OF LA SALLE. 



COUNT FKONTENAC was appoiuted Gov- 
ernor-General of New France in the year 
1672, when he was fifty-two years old. He 
was descended from an old and noble house, 
and was the godchild of Louis XIII. Owing 
to the position held by his father in the house- 
hold of the King, Count Frontenac was rapidly 
promoted to positions of importance during 
the stirring times of that age. When merely 
a boy he fought M. Holland and distinguished 
himself for bravery, and before he was twenty- 
one had been actively engaged in several bat- 
tles. Frontenac was made colonel of a regi- 
ment when twenty-three, and at the age of 
twenty-sis was raised to the rank of marechal 
de camp (brigadier-general). His worldly 
prospects were not commensurate with his 
military glory, and his siege to the heart of a 
young lady of sixteen was for a long time un- 
successful. The young lady's guardians op- 
posed the match, as they thought she might do 
better than unite her fortunes to a man who 
had but twenty thousand francs a jear. But 
both were imperious and restive under oppo- 
sition, and soon settled the matter by a secret 
marriage. The union was short-lived. Mad- 
ame Frontenac was ambitious, brilliant in 
society, and utterly worldly. She seemed to 
soon tire of her husband and child. The child 
was placed in charge of a nurse, devoting her- 
self to the society of Mademoiselle de Mont- 
pensier. From time to time various disputes 
(in regard to property) with the Count widened 
the breach and embittered the nature of her 
husband, so he welcomed the appointment to 
Canada ard was glad to escape from his an- 
noyances. In his case, like many others, 
" distance lent enchantment," for during all 
Count Frontenac's exile in the New World, his 
wife constantly exerted an influence for his 
advancement, and succeeded in a great measure 
in counteracting the intrigues of his enemies. 
Frontenac stands a conspicuous figure of the 
age, and was a man of great ability, brave. 



energetic, and peculiarly fitted to administer 
the affairs of a new country. He encouraged 
the establishment of a chain of military posts 
along the lakes and rivers. Exploring com- 
panies were sent forth and treaties made with 
the "Far Indians," as they were called, in the 
vicinity of the great lakes. Two years before 
Frontenac was made Governor- General, in 
1670, Father Marquette removed the mission 
of Miehilimackinac to St. Ignace, where he 
remained three years, engaged in his holy 
office, and also perfecting his plans for the dis 
covery of the Mississippi. The great Father 
of Waters was supposed to bo the direct pas- 
sage to China and the East Indies through the 
mythical South Sea, into which it was believed 
it emptied. Vast wealth was supjjosed to await 
the monarch whose subjects were enterprising 
enough to discover this highway to wealth. 
The ambitious Louis XIV. and his ministers 
schemed to control this passage to Eastern 
treasure, and encouraged their representatives 
in New France to search out this long-hidden 
path. M. Talon, a former Intendant General, 
ambitious for the honor of the discovery, dis- 
patched M. .Toliet, a citizen of Quebec, to 
Father Marquette, whom he found ready and 
anxious to embark in the project, his desire to 
spread his faith equal to that of France for 
treasure. They selected five Frenchmen to ac- 
company them, and left Mackinac the 13th of 
May, 1673, in two canoes, supplied with Indian 
corn and jerked meat. The}- crossed Lake 
Michigan to the Wisconsin Eiver, "a beautiful 
stream, bordered by green banks, groves of 
trees and pleasant slopes." Floating down 
this placid stream they reached the Mississippi 
on the 17th of June. They saw '-great herds 
of buftalo and deer roaming the borders of the 
river. Swans floated before them and great 
fish endangered their canoes." At length they 
discovered footprints in the sand, and leaving 
their bark canoes in charge of the crew they 
followed the trail leading to a meadow, where 



[14] 



LA SALLE COUREURS-DE-BOIS. 



15 



thoy found a large Indian village. Joliel and 
Marquette made known their presence and 
waited to be received. An embassy of four 
old men soon approached and presented the 
pipe of peace. They were informed that the 
tribe belonged to the Illinois, whose country 
thej- were in. The next daj- they were enter- 
tained b}' a feast of four courses ; the first was 
honiin}' cooked in the Indian style, the second 
of fish, the third of dog, and the fourth of 
roasted buffalo. They were treated with great 
consideration, attended through the village, 
and given a lodge where thej' rested comfort- 
ably through the night, and in the morning 
signifying their intention of proceeding on 
tlieir voyage, were escorted to their canoes by 
six hundred Indians. They pursued their 
journey unmolested until the}' reached the 
Arkansas, where they were attacked by a crowd 
of warriors, but Marquette's usual diplomacy 
saved them from any serious trouble. He pre- 
sented a pipe of peace, and, as he quaintly said, 
" God touched their hearts." Their ])rovisions 
wore nearlj- exhausted, and being convinced the 
Mississippi flowed into the Gulf at no great 
distance from that place, they retraced their 
way. Joliet repaired to Quebec to render an 
account of the ex2)edition, and Father Mar- 
quette again entered upon his chosen mission 
among the Indians. The wonderfully glowing 
description of this voyage kindled the ad- 
venturous spirit of Eobert Cavalier de la 
Salle, a native of Normandj-, and a descend- 
ant of a noble but impoverished family. 
His early life had been passed with the 
.lesuits, where the natural tendency of his 
mind was confirmed and strengthened. His 
iron will could brook no obstacle, and 
with great sagacity and penetration into the 
iiearts of men, he possessed sound judgment 
and boundless enterprise. La Salle took coun- 
sel of no man, and was stern and austere toward 
those under his command. He had been among 
the Indians, traders, and bushrangers of Can- 
ada for a number of years, and in various ways 
had been actively engaged in extending the 
interests of France. He found in Count Fron- 
lenac, the Governor General, a friend and 
abettor in his great designs to build a chain of 
forts aU)ng the lakes and rivers, comitlete the 
exploration of the Mississippi, and plant the 
standard of his King upon the shores of the 
Gulf of Mexico. The far-seeing and judicious 



Frontenac advised La Salle to apply directly 
to the King of France, and gave him a letter 
to the Minister of Marine, who proved a valua- 
ble friend to his interests. La Salle was in- 
vested with the title of chevalier, and the seign- 
iory of Fort Frontenac on condition that he 
would rebuild it. Encouraged by the King 
and nobility of France, he with his devoted 
friend and comrade, tlic Chevalier Tonti, and 
thirty men, loft France in July, 1678, and 
reached Quebec the 15th of September. Al- 
though La Salle returned with but little monej- 
he was rich in resources. He soon found means 
to advance his plans. 

Fort Frontenac was to be altered and re- 
paired, a new fort was to be built on Lake 
Erie, and the navigation of Lake Ontario to be 
completed, for which latter purpose a barque 
was to be built. Materials for these objects 
existed in the wilds, and wliat to other men, 
perhaps as practical, would have been insur- 
mountable obstacles, but fired his energy. He 
sent men into the wilderness to gather choice 
furs, from which he hoped to realize enough to 
pay his heavy expenses. These men were also 
commissioned to conciliate and prepare the In- 
dians for his coming. The French traders, or 
as they were then called, coureurs de hois, wore 
often men whose youth had been passed in the 
gay and extravagant court of the King of 
France, or among the excitements of the camp. 
Their lack of fortune and natural restlessness 
led them to seek this life of adventure and 
hardshijD. They were naturally cheerful and 
gay, and always hopeful of a golden reward in 
the service of the fur trade (the chief source of 
income to the colony). The coureur de bois, or 
land loper, lived happ}' in the midst of poverty, 
braved cold and peril of every sort, and his rol- 
licking songs rang over the plains and down 
the rivers to the delight of the Indian. He 
was ever welcome to the wigwam, and mingled 
in the dance. He was often adopted into the 
tribe and became the favorite leader in all 
their sports. Many of these hardy men were 
lured on to explore the farthest confines of the 
wilderness by the hope of niilitar}- or political 
advancement. 

In the latter part of the year 1678 La Salle 
with his command repaired to the western bank 
of the Niagara River, two leagues above the 
cataract, where, protected within a fort of pali- 
sades, he built a vessel of sixty tons burden, 



l(i 



HISTORY OK MONROP: county, MinilCAN. 



wliicli wiiH tlie lir.st lo sail Jjiikc Krio or the 
ii]>)icr liikoH. She was named the Griffin, in 
honor of Llio arms of Frontenac. This ship 
startoel on lior first voyage in August, KiTl), 
amid tlie most imposing ceronionies. The Te 
' i>eu7n was clianted, cannons wore fired, and a 
crowd of curious Indians stood upon the banlc, 
filled with speechless wonder at the size of the 
wooden canoe, and awed by the carved figure of 
a god (a griflin) crouched with expanded wings 
upon the prow. The crew of the Griffin con- 
sisted ofvoyageurs and three priests. The head 
of the mission was Gabriel de la Eobourde, the 
last living nobleman of an aristocratic house 
of Burgundy ; another was Hennepin, who 
wrote a history of tliis expedition. He was 
not a favorite with La Salle, and was also dis- 
trusted by Tonti. The Jesuits' anxiety to 
extend a spiritual kingdom was often met and 
opposed by as great a zeal to extend an earthly 
kingdom, and La Salle was often at variance 
with the nnseions, as tlieir methods were seldom 
one or the same. The Griffin entered the Straits 
of Detroit on the 10th of August, 1679. Hen- 
nepin describes the ])rospect " so well disposed 
that one would not think nature alone could 
have made il." They passed through Lake 
St. Olair on the saint's-day for which it is 
named, and when they reached Mackinaw La 
Salle rebuilt the old fort, after which he sailed 
to (iroon Ray and there met the coureiirs de 
hois ho had sent out the 3ear before, with a 
valuable cargo of furs, which he placed upon 
the tiriffin and despatched her with her valua- 
ble cargo to Niagara to pay the debts he had 
contracted. The Griffin sailed away, but was 
never heard from again. This great misfortune 
detained La Salle many months at Fort Miami 
on tlie St. Joseph River, where ho waited for 
sup])lios the ill-fated Gritlin was lo bring on 
her return. In view of the cold wintry weather 
and the limited supplies, he concluded to con- 
tinue his journey. He left the fort in charge 
of a few men and with a small band and three 
monks proceeded to the Illinois River, upon 
whose banks he built a fort and named it Creve 
Cojur (Broken Heart), to commemorate his 
disappointment at the loss of the Griffin. This 
expedition was badly equipped lor so extended 
a journey, and as thei'o was no hope of further 
aid. La Salle was nearly discouraged. His 
men, worn out with exposure and threatened 
with famine, were deserting him and enterins; 



the camps iif llie Indians, and sjircading sus- 
)iicion and discontent among tliem. La Salle's 
jiacific i)olicy which ho had advocated aniongthe 
warlike Indians was viewed by the Indians 
as a pretense to deceive them, and in formal 
council they sentenced him to death; but he 
who had braved so many dangers was equal to 
the emergency. La Salle, unatten'dcd, i-epaired 
to the camp of the Illinois, and defended his 
conduct. Ho refuted with scorn the charge of 
treachery, and boldly demanded the author of 
the slander. Ho placed before the Indians 
such convincing arguments for maintaining 
peace between the tribes, thej' yielded to his 
eloquence. The calumet was sn\oked and a 
treaty of peace signed. The intrepid La Salic 
determined to return to Canada for re-enfoi-ce- 
ments and a better outfit. The fort was left 
in charge of a few men, and facing a toilsome 
and dangerous journey he pursued his way on 
foot over twelve hundred miles of frozen wil- 
derness. He subsisted on what ho could kill 
with his gun; was thi-eatened continually by 
wild beasts or the lui-king savage. When he 
at last reached his tlestination he met fresh dis- 
couragements. His enemies had circulated 
the report of his death, and all his propertj' 
had been seized for debt. Fi-ontenac proved a 
friend indeed in this dark hour, and joined 
him in a battle against these adversities; and 
soon, with fresh supplies of men, ammunition 
and necessary stores of various kinds, ha em- 
barked for another ex])cdition. When he 
reached the fort on the Illinois Rive not a man 
was there. All had fled before the treacherous 
foe, and sought jieace and safety he knew not 
where. Again the undaunted explorer re- 
paired to Frontenac, with whose credit and 
every available means of his own, he succeeded 
in again being equipjied fur another enterprise. 
He found himself uj)on the waters of the Illi- 
nois in January, l()8i5, and his faithful friend 
and constant companion, Tonti, reported that 
thej' reached the Jlississippi on the 7th of Feb- 
ruary. As they sailed down this long-sought 
stream, thoy marked the shoals by " hanging a 
bear skin on a i)olo driven into the sand." 
They were welcomed by peaceful Indians at 
various times, and once when their provisions 
were well-nigh exhausted, they came upon a 
deserted village of the Illinois and found quan- 
tities of corn hidden in holes under their wig- 
wams. They api>ropriated the sui)plies and 



DEATH or I, A SAI.LE. 



17 



loa<Joil their i-aiious. The never-failing Hiipjily 
of fiHh seasoned their frugal fare. La Salle, 
thoroughly impressed with the right of France 
to all he could pre-empt in her name, took pos- 
session of the Missis.'.ippi valley, lli.'^ own 
notarj- accompanied him from Fort Frontenac, 
and at important j»oint8 as he met the Indiatis 
at his landings, he made public proclamations 
and with imposing ceiemonj- placed tablets or 
rude memorials on trees or rocks. These were 
attested by his notarj-, and the Indians made 
to understand they were under the protection 
of the greatest King on earth. 

The long-sought outlet of the Mississipjd 
was reached on the fUh of April, and the 
aciiievement was celebrated witii many demon- 
strations of joy. The Te JJenm was chanted, 
cannons were fired, and the successful French- 
men shouted Vive le rot. La Salle took formal 
]»ossesslon of the country in the name of Louis 
the Great, King of France and Navarre, and 
Louisiana was named in honor of Louis XIV. 
The chevalier saw at once tlic importance of 
planting permanent colonial settlements in this 
rich and beautiful land, and he determined to 
establish one near, or on, the ])reHont site of 
New Orleans. He returned to France for this 
purpose and again apjjeared before the Court, 
ile met a well-eai-ncd welcome, and presented 
his cause to the willing ears of interested and 
influential men. La Salle [iroposed to his 
government the feasibility of taking all the 
Spanish provinces in America; that they 
were rich in silver and gold mines, and 
were only defended by a few effeminate 
Spanish soldiers;' that he could relj' on four 
thousaml Indian warriors from Fort St. Louis, 
who would respond with alacrity to his sum- 
mons and descend the Father of Waters and 
join him in the expedition. Such prospects of 
untold treasure won the hearts of all who heard 
La Salle, and he was given four shij>s, one 
hundred soldiers were enrolled, Vjesides me- 
chanics and laborers, including a number of 
gentlemen and burgers of distinction. Nor 
were the missionaries wanting. Among them 
were La Salle's brother and two other priests 
of the order of St. Sulpicc,and three Recollects. 
The compan)-, including the families of the 
colonists and the sailors, numbered two hun- 
dred and eighty. They were ordered to stop at 
St. Domingo to take on board fifty buccaneers. 
The largest ship was named the Jolly, and 



carried thirly-si.x guns. All the shijis were 
laden with goods, provisions, farming imple- 
ments, guns and other necessary articles for a 
pioneer's outfit. Thus amply provided with 
men and materials to found a colonj', La Salle 
left his native land full of hope. After the .ships 
were well on their voyage a spirit of rivalry, 
from the captain of the Jolly to the smallest 
officer, became manifest, and one disaster after 
another but added to the discontent. The 
S(iuadron missed the mouth of the river, one 
ship after another was wrecked, and at last as 
the store ship sunk and the worthless captain 
deserting, the men who saw from the land the 
mismanagement disi)laycd in this last priceless 
loss, broke out openly in their reproaches 
againstone who had led them on their ill-starred 
adventure. The spirit of insubordination had 
permeated the hearts of the colonists for so 
long a period, it was impossible to restore con- 
fidence and courage. La Salle shared all their 
hardships, and promised, if necessary, to go on 
foot to Quebec for re-enforcements and sujjplies. 
The half famished men with a few families de- 
pended upon game for food ; their clothing was 
worn to shreds; they protected their feet on 
the rou'^'h way with buffalo-hide, which they 
were obliged to keep moist in order to walk 
without pain. While all about him were dis- 
couraged and reproaching him for the unlooked- 
for and unavoidable disasters that encompassed 
them. La Salle, constant in adversity and un- 
dismayed in the midst of the gravest difficulty, 
pursued his journey to Creve Ca-ur. At times 
he seemed oppressed by a profound melancholy, 
as if warned of his approaching doom, and the 
last day of his weary march on earth expressed 
himself surprised at his want of confidence in 
every one of his followers, as he had never in- 
jured any one, and had not lived for himself, 
but had endured many hardships that he might 
lead his countrymen to a land of plenty, if only 
thej- had the required means to obtain it. 
While he was alone in thefadingday, wrapi<ed 
in meditation, he was assassinated by a vin- 
dictive miscreant on the 19tb of March, 1687. 
Thus perished ingloriously the ardent, self- 
.sacrificing La Salle. Hennepin .said, " He was 
generous, courteous, ingenious, learned, and 
capable of everything." One of the many he- 
roes, who in seeking glory, wealth and domin- 
ion for their country, sacrifice their comfort, 
their own hapjiiness and their life. 



CHAPTER III.* 



EARLY MISSIONARIES IN THE NORTHWEST. 



FROM the time when the footsteps of the 
white man first penetrated the forests of 
our Commonwealth, until the power of France 
on our continent was terminated by the victory 
of Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham, the entire 
Territory of Michigan was under the undis- 
puted dominion of France, and virtually it re- 
mained a part of Canada until 1796, when, 
under the jjrovisions of Jay's treat}', it was 
surrendered to the United States. From 
France we received our first laws, our original 
social polity, our early religious character; and 
although the wave of Anglo Saxon emigration 
has within a third of a century rolled in upon 
us a population of half a million, it has not 
obliterated, and it is to be hoped it never will 
obliterate, the clear and distinct influence upon 
our social character of the era of French do- 
minion. 

We may not forget— we should ever be proud 
to remember — that for the first century of its 
existence the metropolis of our State, the City 
of the Straits, was essentially French in all 
its characteristics. We should never forget 
that the pioneers of civilization and Chris- 
tianity along the shores of the noble rivers and 
mighty lakes that form the boundaries of our 
State, were French .Jesuits. These men, with a 
firm and inti-epid step, in the face of dangers, 
toils, sacrifices and suff'erings which no language 
can portray and no imagination adequately 
conceive, bore aloft the torch of Christian 
truth amidst the moral darkness and desola- 
tion that here reigned in terrible and savage 
grandeur; and, sustained by a mental and 
moral discipline known to few, and hj that 
unfaltering trust in God which, thank heaven, 
is confined to no creed or sect, they met -nay, 
welcomed — torture and death with a calm joy- 
ousness that finds few parallels in the annals 
of mankind. 

The memory of those early .Jesuit mission- 
ai-ies to the Indians has been embalmed in the 



glowing pages of Bancroft. Be mine the far 
humbleitask to call your attention for an hour, 
somewhat more in detail than comports with 
general history, to the labors of these men 
on our own soil, or so immediately adjacent 
thereto as appropriately to form a part of our 
history. 

On the 3d of July, 1608, less than fourteen 
months after the establishment of the first per- 
manent English colony at Jamestown, the gal- 
lant Champlain founded Quebec 
" On the rock whose haughty brow 
Frowned o'er St. Lawrence' foaming tide," 
and for acenturj^ and a half, during which the 
fearful struggle was kept uj) on this continent 
between France and England for its dominion, 
it continued the center of French power in 
America. In 1615 the first priests reached 
New France. They were Recollects, four in 
number, with Father Cari'on, the Superior of 
the Mission, at their head. In 1625 they were 
reenforcod bj- three otiier priests of the same 
order, and at this time the first religions senii- 
nar}' in America was founded by them at 
Quebec. 

In 1625 the first company of Jesuits arrived. 
They «ere sent out under the patronage of the 
Duke de Ventadour, a nobleman of great piety, 
who was Viceroj- of the colony, but who gave 
to Champlain the entire direction of temporal 
affairs, reserving to himself the charge of pro- 
moting the conversion of the Indians to Chris- 
tianity. Up to 1627 the colony of Quebec, 
although founded under the regal sanction, 
had been established and mainly governed by 
a comjiany of traders, many of whom were 
Huguenots ; and, although they were restrained 
b}- royal authoritj' from teaching the Indians 
anything but the Catholic faith, among the 
colonists tiiemselves religious differences and 
dissensions sprang up and disturbed their 
harmony. Cardinal Richelieu, who then with 
an absolute sway governed France in the name 



'From Pioneer Collection, by C. I. Walker. 



[18] 



EARLY MISSIONARIES IN THE NORTHWEST. 



19 



of the King, and whose universal panacea for 
social evils was the harsh exercise of an iron 
power, revoked the privileges of the original 
company, and transferred Canada, its trade 
and its government, to the Company of the 
Hundred Associates, granting to them exten- 
sive powers and privileges. The company' on 
their part were to take out sixteen thousand 
emigrants in fifteen years, none of whom were 
to bo Protestants or other heretics, or Jews. 

In 1(>29 the infant colony, not yet rooted to 
the soil, was captured by an English fleet under 
Sir David Kirk. So feeble was it in numbers 
that in the articles of capitulation Champlain 
|>rovided for a single ship to be furnished to 
take the settlers back to their native bind. 
.^[ost of the ecclesiastics returned to France 
witli Champlain, but the body of the colonists 
remained. The French Government scarcely 
deemed the colony of sufficient value to make 
an effort for its recovery, but the counsels of 
tlie enlightened Champlain prevailed, and 
Canada was restored to France by the Peace 
of St. Germain, in 1()82. In lfi33 Champlain 
returned to Quebec to resume his government, 
and with him came Brebeuf and one other 
Jesuit. 

The Recollects were not permitted to return, 
under the pretense that, being a mendicant 
order, they were not well adapted to a new 
country, nor was it until 1669 that thoj- were 
re-established in the colony. 

Up to this period (1638) but little progress 
had been made in the conversion of the In- 
dians. The Hurons were the first nation that 
cordially opened their hearts to the reception 
of the Christian faith. They occupied a some- 
what anomalous position in ix'lation to the two 
great divisions into which the Indians border- 
ing on the St. Ijawrcnce and its tributaries 
were divided — the Algonquins and the Iroquois. 

When Jacques Cartier ascended the St. Law- 
rence in 1534, he found its banks inhabited by 
tribes of the great Algonquins, and at Hoce- 
laga, or Montreal, he found a very populous 
Indian town. "When Champlain first raised 
the banner of France on the rock of St. Louis, 
the Algonquins gathered arouml him to give 
him welcome. He found them the hereditary 
enemies of their neighbors, the Iroquois, a race 
with similar habits but a radically different 
language, fewer in numbers and occupying a 
country far less in extent of territory; but 



these disadvantages were more than comi)en- 
sated by their compactness, their admirable 
system of government, by their superior 
prowess, and by their haughty ambition. Oc- 
cupying a territory but little larger than the 
State of New York, they arrogantly aspired to 
be the Komans of the western world, the arbi- 
ters of peace and war from the Atlantic to the 
Mississippi, from the great lakes to the ever- 
glades of Florida. Their tomahawks carried 
terror and destruction to the villages of the 
peaceful Illinois on the broad prairies of the 
West, and the fiendlike yell of their war-parties 
was echoed back by the rocks tiiat r.mged 
themselves on the shores of the mighty lake of 
the North. 

The Hurons, or Wyandots, were of the 
.same lingual stock as the Iroquois, and occu- 
pied for a time a sort of neutral position be- 
tween the great contestants for aboriginal 
dominion. They had the intellectual superior- 
ity of the Iroquois without their love of war or 
their lust of power. They had gathered in 
large numbers about Georgian Bay and Lake 
Simcoe, where they sustained themselves b3- 
hunting, fishing, and a more perfect system of 
agriculture than generally prevaileil among the 
Indians. The ^-ear of the settlement of Quebec, 
Champlain joined an expedition of the Algon- 
quins of the St. I^awrence into the country of 
the Iroquois, by way of the beautiful lake that 
bears his name ; and from him in that expedi- 
tion those fierce warriors first learned the terri- 
ble power of firearms. From that moment thej' 
became the bitter enemies of the French, who 
had thus espoused the c:iuse of their hereditary 
foes, and at frequent inlei-vals for a century 
and a half the French colonies suffered from 
their vindictive and cruel wrath. 

The Hurons at a very early day became the 
fast friends of the French. As early as 1615 
Father Carron visited them on an embassy of 
peace and love, and from 1622 to 1625 the 
Recollects had a mission among them. On the 
arrival of Brebeuf they commenced their labors 
amongst the Hurons — labors which were to 
have so tragic an end. Brebeuf acquired a 
knowledge of the language and manners, and 
was adopted into their nation. By the conquest 
of Canada, 1629, the mi.ssion was broken up, 
but it was renewed with increa.sed zeal and 
numbers in 1633, on the restoration of French 
power. Then villages were reached by the 



20 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



circuitous, lalioriotiK nmi ihuigerous route of 
the Ottawa Eiver, the mor6 direct route being 
tln-ough a country occupied by the Iroquois, 
who were found upon tlie war-path. The jour- 
ney was replete with diificulties, havdsiiips and 
dangers, reaching for three hundred leagues 
through dense forests. The rivers were full of 
roclvs and waterfalls, and the missionaries were 
compelled to ply the paddle, draw the canoe 
over rapids, and carry heavy burdens over 
roughest portages. Food was scarce and the 
Indians unfriendly, but after severe toil and 
intense suffering, the sacred envoys, Brebeuf 
and Daniel, reached the heart of the Huron 
wilderness and commenced their labors, soon 
to be followed by Lalemant and many others. 
Here for fifteen subsequent years the Jesuits 
continued with calm, impassive courage and un- 
wearied patience their self-denying labors, in 
the midst of privations, peril, suffering, insult, 
contumely, and danger the most imminent, the 
details of which would make a volume of 
thrilling interest. 

The arm of French power had not yet taught 
the savages the sacred character of the Black 
Coats, as the Jesuits were called to distinguisli 
them from the Recollects, or the Gray Coats. 
The medicine men of the Indians, feeling that 
their craft was in danger, spared no opportu 
nity to arouse against them savage hate. Mis- 
fortune, sickness and death were all charged 
upon them as the fruit of their prayers and 
ceremonies, and the baptism of a dj'ing infant 
was sometimes a source of imminent danger. 
To avoid this they often resorted to stratagem. 
Father Pigart, being rudely repulsed from a 
cabin whose inmates refused to have a dying 
infant baptized, offered to the little sufferer 
a piece of sugar, and unperceived, though 
watched, pressed from a wet cloth a droj) of 
holy water upon his favorite's brow. But ulti- 
mately the patience and loving perseverance of 
the missionaries overcame all opposition, and 
the Huron nation received the truth. But the 
hour of their destruction was at hand. The 
terrihle Iroquois came down upon them like a 
wolf upon the fold. 

In Jul}', 1648, at carl}' dawn, while the men 
were mostl}' absent on a hunting ])arty, the 
populous town of Te-an-an-sta-gue was aroused 
by the fearful war-cry of the Iroquois. The 
few defenders arrive at the feeble palisades, en- 
couraged by the godly Father Daniel. Hastil}', 



as if the salvation of souls hung on each flying 
moment, he confesses, baptizes by asj^ersion, 
pronounces general absolution, and flies to the 
chapel, where many of his flock have gathered' 
for safety He does the same there, exhorts 
them to flee from the rear of the chapel, and 
himself boldlj' opens the front door and faces 
the approaching foe to give a moment's time 
to his flying flock. They recoil at the brave 
man's presence, but soon they rally, his body 
is riddled with aiu'ows, a fatal bullet finishes 
the work — he falls, breathing the name of 
Jesus, and his body is cast into the fire made 
by his burning chapel. 

The following year, in March, other towns 
fell, and the brave and noble Brebeuf and the 
gentle and loving Gabriel Lalemant met death 
bj' tortures that only demons could invent or 
demons inflict. The whole annals of martyr- 
dom scarcely afford a parallel either of the in- 
genious cruelty of the tormentors or the won- 
derful fortitude and Christian heroism of the 
victims. 

The Huron nation was destroyed. Many 
pieri.shed by the hand of the enemy, others sub- 
mitted and became incorporated in their tribes. 
Another portion settled near Quebec; and a 
small fraction, consisting of six or eight hun- 
dred, fled first to the Manitoulin Islands, 
thence to Mackinaw, from there to Bay de 
Noquet, and when the mission at La Pointe 
was established, 1665, they gathered around the 
standard of the cross erected by Father Allouez. 
Driven from thence by the Dacotahs, they 
were established at Mackinaw by Marquette in 
1671. When Detroit was founded in 1701, they 
removed to this point. In 1751 they removed 
mostly to Sandusky, and subsequently, by the 
name of the Wj-andots, took an active and 
conspicuous part on the side of the British 
in the War of the Revolution. They have 
been from the time of their dispersion, wander- 
ers without territory of their own, depending 
for a home upon the hospitalitj' of other na- 
tions. 

It was from the Huron mission that the first 
missionary exjjlorers were sent forth to ex- 
amine the moral desolation of our Territory. 
At a feast of the dead held in Huronia, in early 
summer, 1641, there was in attendance a dele- 
gation from the Chippewas of Sault Ste. Marie. 
The missionaries, with that skill which was 
peculiar to them, soon ingratiated themselves 



EARLY MISSIONARIES IN THE NORTHWEST. 



21 



into their favoi', and were conlially invited to 
return with thoni to their homes on the con- 
tines of the Great Lake, the charms of which 
tliey depicted in glowing colors. The mis- 
sionaries, ever anxious to extend the domin- 
ion of the cross, joyfully accepted the invita- 
tion. Charles IJaj-mbauit, a Father thoroughly 
versed in the Algonquin language and customs, 
and Isaac Jogues, eqnall}' familiar with the 
Huron, were selected, and were the first who 
planted the cross within the limits of our 
State. On the 17th of June, 1641, they started 
upon their adventurous voyage, and for seven- 
teen days plied the paddle on the clear waters 
of the northern lakes and through the channel 
of the Ste. Marie River, gemmed by a thou.sand 
beautiful islands. They were kindly and 
hospitably received by the Chippewas at the 
Saiilt, who urged them to remain with them 
that they might profit by their word. They 
told them of the Great Lake, of the fierce Da- 
cotahs, and of numerous other tribes of whom 
the Fathers had never before heard. But they 
were compelled to return, and after planting 
the cross they left, hoping soon to be able to es- 
tablish a mission at this promising point among 
the docile Chippewas. Eaymbault died with 
consumption the following 3'ear, anil Jogues 
met a martyr's death among the Iroquois. 

No further attempt was made to send the 
gospel to the great Northwest until 1656. 
After the destruction of the Hurons, the 
Iroquois reigned in proud and haughty tri- 
umph from Lake Erie to Lake Superior. Up- 
per Canada was a desolation, and even the 
route by- the Ottawa River was not safe from 
the war-parties of these bold marauders. 
This year some Ottawas made their waj- to the 
St. Lawrence. Two missionaries left to return 
with them, one the celebrated and devout 
Dreuiilettes. They were attacked by the 
Iroquois. Father Gareau was mortally woun- 
ded, and Dreuiilettes lirutally abandoned. An- 
other company of Ottawas and other Algon- 
quius appeared in (Quebec in IGtiO.aiul asked a 
missionary-. 

Missions had now n^ceived a fresh impulse 
from the pious Lalle,the first bishop of Quebec, 
who came out in 1669, and Father Menard was 
selected as the first ambassadoi- of the cause on 
the shores of Gitchie Guraee, the Big Sea 
Water. The choice was a fit one. He had 
been a compeer of the noble men who had en- 



riched Huronia with thoir blood, and had ex- 
perienced every vicissitude of missionary serv- 
ice and suffering. He had rejoiced in bap- 
tizing many a convert on the banks of the 
beautiful Cayuga, and his seamed face attested 
the wounds he had received in the cause of 
truth. The frosts of many winters adorned his 
bi'ow, and severity of toil and suffering had 
somewhat broken his frame, but his spirit was 
still stx'ong and he was ready for the sacrifice. 
Although not buoyed up by the enthusiasm of 
youth or inexperience, he not only did not recoil 
from the labor, peril, suffering and death which 
he felt awaited him, but he cheerfully looked 
forward to a death of misery in the service of 
God as the truest happiness. Alone in August, 
1660, he leaves the haunts of civilization, puts 
himself into the hands of .savage strangers. 
They- treat the aged priest with coar.se bru- 
tality. From morning until night theycompel 
him in a cramped position to j)iy the unwel- 
come paddle, to drag the canoe up the rapids, 
and at portages to carry heavy burdens. He 
is subjected to every form of drudgery, to 
every phase of insult and contempt. AVant, 
absolute and terrible, comes in to enhance the 
horrors of the voyage. Berries and edible 
moss are exhausted, and the moose-skin of 
their dresses is made to yield its scanty and 
disgusting nutriment. Finally, with his bre. 
viary contemj)tuously cast into the water, bare- 
foot, wounded by sharp stones, exhausted with 
toil, hunger and brutal treatment, without 
food or the means »f procuring any, he is aban- 
doned on the shores of Lake Superior to die. 
But even savage cruelty relents. After a few 
days, during which time he supports life on 
pounded bones, his Indian companions return 
and convey him to their winter rendezvous, 
which they reach October 15th, St. Theresa's 
day, and from that circumstance he called it 
St. Theresa's Bay (probably Keweenaw Bay). 
Here, amidst every discouragement and priva- 
tion, and with no white brethren nearer than 
Montreal, he began a mission and said mass, 
which, he says, "repaid me with usury for all 
my past hardships." For a time he was per- 
mitted a place in the dirty camp of Le Bouchet, 
the chief of the band — he who had so cruelly 
abandoned him — but he was soon thrust out, 
and this aged and feeble servant of God spent 
two long, bitter, cold winters on that inliospi- 
table shore in a little cabin of fir branches piled 



22 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



one upon another, throiigli which the winter 
winds whistled freely, and which answered the 
jjurpose, " not so much," says the meek mis- 
sionary', " to shield me from the rigor of the 
season, as to correct my imagination and per- 
suade me that I was sheltered." Want, famine, 
that frequent curse of the improvident tribes 
that skirt the great northern lake, came with 
its horrors to make more memorable this first 
effort to plant the cross by the waters of Lake 
Superior. 

But the good Father found sources of conso- 
lation even here, and desired not to be taken 
down from the adorable wood. " One of my 
fli-st visits," says he, " was in a wretched hut, 
dug out under a large rotten tree, which 
shielded it on one side, and supported by some 
fir branches which sheltered it from the wind. 
I entered on the other side almost flat on mj^ 
face, but creeping in I found a treasure— a fioor 
woman, abandoned by her husband and her 
daughter, who had left her two dying children, 
one about two and the other about three years 
old. I spoke of tiie faith to this poor afflicted 
creature, who listened to me with pleasure. 
' Brother,' said she, ' I know well that our folks 
reject thy words, but for my part I like them 
well; what thou sayest is full of consolation.' 
With these words she drew from under the tree 
a piece of dry fish which, so to say, she took 
from her very mouth to repay my visit. I 
thanked her, however, valuing more the happy 
occasion which God gave me of securing the 
.salvation of these two children, hj conferring 
on them holy baptism. I returned some time 
after to this good creature, and found her full 
of resolution lo serve God ; and in fact from 
that time she began to come to morning and 
evening prayers so constantly that she did not 
fail once, however busied or engaged in gaining 
her livelihood." A pure and noble young man 
also embraced the faith, and a few others gladly 
received "the prayer." 

Spring came and relieved the pressure of 
suffering, and hopefully did the missionai-}' 
labor on. The band of partially Christianized 
ilurons, who on the destruction of their nation 
had sought refuge from the Iroquois in these 
northern fastnesses, were now at Bay de No- 
quet, and sent to Father Menard to come and 
see them and administer to them the rites of 
religion. It was a call that he could not resist, 
although warned that the toil of the journey 



was too great for his failing strength, and that 
danger beset his path. He replied : "God calls 
me thither. I must go if it cost me my life." 
He started, and, at a portage, while his only at- 
tendant was getting the canoe over, on the 10th 
of August, 1661, he wandered into the forest 
and was never more seen. Whether he took a 
wrong path and was lost in the wood, or 
whether some straggling Indian struck him 
down, was never known. 

Thus ended the life of Father Menard, the 
first Christian missionary who labored within 
the bounds of our Commonwealth. Without 
striking qualities, by his fervent piety, by his 
fiiithful and incessant toil, by his calm endu- 
rance of suffering and hardship, by his noble 
Christian courage, by his earnest faith and 
Christian hope, he had become one of the most 
useful missionaries in the New World, com- 
manding the respect of his superiors, the love 
of his equals, and the veneration of the Indians. 
As a pioneer in our own State, Michigan should 
cherish his memory and seek to perpetuate a 
knowledge of his virtues; but as yet, not a 
stream, not a bay, not a headland, bears his 
honored name, and on the shores of the great 
lake where he first raised the cross, that em- 
blem of our faith, even his existence is hardly 
known. 

Hardships, discouragements, persecutions 
and death seemed oulj- to excite the Jesuits to 
renewed and more energetic effort to carry the 
gospel to the poor Indian. In 1665, Claude 
Allouez left Quebec to commence a Christian 
mission on the shores of Lake Superior. He 
may -well be called the founder of the north- 
western missions, the real pioneer of Christian- 
ity and civilization in the region bordering on 
the great northern and western lakes. He 
had not that cultivated intellect, that refined 
taste, that genial heart, that elevation of soul, 
that fbrgetfulness of self, that freedom from 
exaggeration, that distinguished Father Mar- 
quette ; but his was a strong character of daunt- 
less courage, of ceaseless and untiring energy, 
full of zeal, thoroughly acquainted with Indian 
character, and eminentlj- a practical man, and 
for a full quarter of a century he was the life 
and soul of the missionary enterprise into Wis- 
consin and Illinois, and, to some extent, in 
Michigan. 

In his voyage to the Sault he was subjected, 
as was generally the case with the missionaries 



EARLY MISSIONARIES IN THE NORTHWEST. 



23 



until the arm of French power was distinctly 
felt in those remote regions, to keenest insult 
anil coarsest brutality from his Indian conduc- 
tors. He passed on heyond the Sault; for a 
whole month he coasted along the shores of 
the great lake, and in October, at Chegoimegon, 
the beautiful La Pointe of our day, he raised 
the standard of the cross and boldly preached 
its doctrines. The Hurons, in search of whom 
Father Menard lost his life, some of tlic con- 
verts of Father Menard, and many heathen 
bands, gathered around the solitary priest and 
listened to his words, yet they opened not their 
hearts readily to "the prayer." He visited 
remote tribes; and alter seeing how broad 
was the harvest and how ripe for the sickle, 
he descended in 1G67 to Quebec for more 
laborers. Quickly he moved, promptly he 
acted. In two days after his arrival he was on 
his wa}' back to the beautiful northern tield, 
with an additional priest and a lay-brother in 
his company. 

He remained at La Pointe until Father Mar- 
quette took his place in the fall of 1679, when 
he founded the mission of St. Francis Xavier 
at Green Bay. After Father Marquette's death 
he succeeded him in the Illinois mission, and 
afterwards founded the mission of St. Joseph 
on our own beautiful river of that name. It 
does not fall in with our purpose to trace the 
interesting career of this man, and point out 
his abundant labors and untiring zeal as a mis- 
sionary, or his valuable services as an explorer. 
as our own soil was but incidentally the tield 
of his efforts. 

Of all the men whose names ai-e connected 
with the early history of our State, there is none 
toward whom we turn with so warm a love, so 
high a veneration, as to Father Jacques Mar- 
quette. His cultivated mind, his refined taste, 
his warm and genial nature, his tender love for 
the souls in his charge, his calm and im- 
movable courage in every hour of danger, his 
cheerful submission to the bitter privations 
and keen sufferings of the missionary life, his 
important discoveries, his devotion to truth, 
his catholic faith, and last but not least, his 
early, calm, joyous and heroic death, all en- 
title him to that high place in the regard of 
posterity which he has been slowly but surely 
acquiring. 

Marquette was born in 1637, and was of 
gentle blood, being descended from the most 



notable famil}' in the small but ancient and 
stately city of Leon, in the North of France. 
The family have for centuries been eminent for 
devotion to military life, and three of its 
members shed their blood upon our own soil 
during the AVar of the Eevolution. 

Through the instructions of a pious mother 
he became at an early age imbued with an 
earnest desire to devote himself to a religiou.s 
life. At the age of seventeen he renounced the 
allurements of the world, and entered the 
Society of Jesus. As required by the rules of 
the order, he spent two years in those spiritual 
exercises prescribed by its great founder. Then 
for ten long years he remained under the re- 
markable training and teachii-.g of the order, 
and acquired that wonderful control, that quiet 
repose, that power of calm endurance, that un- 
questioning obedience to his superiors, that 
thirst for trial, suffering and death that marked 
the Jesuits in this golden age of their power. 
He took for his model in life the great Xavier, 
and longed like him to devote his da3-s to the 
conversion of the heathen, and like him to die 
in the midst of his labors in a foreign land 
alone. Although he liad not that joyous 
hilarity of soul, that gay buoj-ancy of spirit, 
and that wondei'ful power overmen, that sodis- 
tinguished the Apostle to the Indies, he had 
much of that sweetness of disposition, that 
genial temperament, that facile adaptation to 
the surrounding circumstances, that depth of 
love, and that apostolic zeal, that belonged t-j 
that remarkable man. Panting for a mission- 
ary life, at the age of twenty-nine he sailed for 
New Prance, which he reached September 20, 
1666. Early in October he was placed under 
the tuition of the celebrated Father Dreuil- 
lettes, at Three Rivers, to learn the native lan- 
guage. After a year and a half of preparation 
he left for the Sault Ste. Marie, to plant the 
first permanent mission and settlement within 
the bounds of our State. 

There were then about two thousand Indians 
at this point, the facility with which they could 
live b}^ hunting and fishing making it one of 
the most populous places in the Indian territory. 
They were Algonquins, mostly Chippewas, and 
received the teachings of the good Father with 
great docility and would gladlj- have been bap- 
tized, but the wi.so and ca\itious missionary- 
withheld the rite until he could clearly instruct 
them in Christian duty. In the following year 



24 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



he was joined by Father Dablon, when the first 
Christian church on Michigan soil was erected. 
But he was not long to remain in this first 
field of his labors. In obedience to orders from 
his superiors, in the fill! of 1669 he went to La 
Pointe to take the place of Allouez, who pro- 
ceeded to found a mission at Green Bay. For 
a whole month, through much suffering and in 
constant peril of life, he coasted along the 
shores of the lake, contending with tierce winds, 
ice, and snow. At La Pointe he found four or 
five hundi-ed Hurons, a companj- of Ottawas, 
and some other tribes. The Hurons had mosth^ 
been baptized, and, he says, "still preserve 
.some Christianity." Other tribes were, to use 
his own language, "proud and undeveloped," 
and he had so little hope of them that he did 
not baptize healthy infants, watching only for 
such as were sick. It was onl)' after long 
months of trial that he baptized the fii-st adult, 
after seeing his assiduity in prayer, his frank- 
ness in recounting his past lilo, and his ])rom- 
ises for the future. Here an Illinois captive 
was given to him, and he immediately com- 
menced learning the language from the rude 
teacher, and as he gradually acquired a knowl- 
edge of it his loving heart warmed toward the 
kind-hearted and peaceful nation, and he longed 
to break to them the bread of life. 

" No one," he exclaimed, " must hoj^e to es- 
cape cros.ses in our missions, and the best 
means to live happy is not to fear them, but in 
the enjoyment of little crosses hope for others 
still greater. The Illinois desire us — like In- 
dians — to sliai'e their misery, and suffer all that 
can be imagined in bai'barism. They are lost 
sheep, to be sought through woods and thorns." 
Here it was, in the heart of this northern win- 
ter, surrounded by his Indians, talking in a 
broken manner with his Illinois captive, that 
he conceived the idea of a voyage of discovery. 
He heai's of a great river, the Mississippi, ^vhose 
course is southward. He says this great river 
can hardly empty into Virginia, and he rather 
believes that its mouth is in California. He 
rejoices in the prospect of seeking for this un- 
known stream with one Frenchman and this 
Illinois captive as his only companions, if the 
Indians will, according to their agreement, 
make him a canoe. " This discovery," he says, 
"will give us a complete knowledge of the 
southern or western sea." But his further 
labors at La Pointe, and his plans of present 



discovery, were suddenly terminated by the 
breaking out of war. The fierce Dacotahs, 
those Iroquois of the "West, who inspired the 
feeble tribes about them with an overpowering 
awe, threatened to desolate the region of La 
Pointe. The Ottawas first left, and then the 
Hurons — who seemed to be destined to be wan- 
derers on the face of the earth, without a .spot 
they could call their own — turned their faces 
toward the East. Their hearts fondlj^ yearned 
for that delightful home from which they had 
been .so cruelly driven twenty years before, 
and we may well imagine that the devoted mis- 
sionary longed to labor in that field made 
sacred b}' the blood of Daniel, Brebeuf, Lale- 
mant and others. But the dreaded Iroquois 
were too near and too dangerous neighbors for 
such an experiment, and with their missionary 
at their head they selected for their home the 
point known as St. Ignace, opposite Mackinaw. 
Bleak, barren and inhospitable as this spot 
was, it bad some peculiar and compen.satory 
advantages. It abounded in fish, and was on 
the great highway of a growing Indian com. 
merce. Here, in the summer of 1671, a rude 
church, made of logs and covered with bark, 
was erected, and around it clustered the still 
ruder cabins of the Hurons. Near the chapel, 
and enclosing the cabins of the Hurons, was 
erected a palisade, to protect the little colony 
againstthe attacksofpi'edatory Indians. Thus 
did Marquette become the founder of Macki- 
naw, as he had before been of Sault Ste. Marie. 
Some of the Hurons were still idolaters, and 
the Christians were wild and wayward, but lie 
looked upon them with parental love. " They 
have," he writes in 1672, " come regularly to 
prayers, and have listened more readily to the 
instructions I have given them, consenting to 
what I have required to prevent their disor- 
ders and abominations. We must have patience 
with untutored minds, who know only the 
devil; who, like their ancestors, have been his 
slaves, and who often relapse into the sins in 
which they were nurtured. God alone can fix 
their feeble minds and place and keep them in 
his grace, and touch their hearts, while we 
stammer at their ears." 

A large colony of Ottawas located near the 
mission, and though intractable, received his 
faithful and loving attention. This stammer- 
ing at their ears and trusting that God would 
reach the heart, through privation, suffering, 



I 



EARLY MISSIONARIES IN THE NORTHWEST. 



and incessant toil, subject to every caprice, in- 
sult and petty persecution, the good father 
labored at for two years, cheered by theprivilege 
of occasionally baptizing a dying infant, and 
rejoicing in a simple, mournful, loving faith in 
its death. Hearing of a sick infant he says, " I 
went at once and baptized it, and it died the 
next night. Some of the other children, too, 
are dead, and are now in heaven. These are 
the consolations which God sends us, which 
make us esteem our life more happy as it is 
more wretched." 

Here again his attention was called to the 
discovery of the Mississippi, which he sought 
that new nations might be open to the gospel 
of peace and good will. In a letter to his Su- 
perior, after speaking of his field of labor, he 
says: " I am ready to leave it in the hands of 
another missionary and go on your order to seek 
new nations toward the South Sea who are still 
unknown to us, and teach them of our great 
God, whom they have hitherto unknown." His 
fond wishes in this regard were about to be 
gratified. The news of the great river at the 
westward, running to the South Sea, had 
reached the ears of the great Colbert, and 
through him of the great Louis XIV. himself. 
They did not fail to see the infinite advantage 
of discovering and possessing this great element 
of territorial power. 

The struggle between the English and French 
in America was then pending. If the English 
settlements, then feeble, scattered along the 
Atlantic coast, could be hemmed in by a series 
of French posts from the great lakes to the 
southern sea, France would control the conti- 
nent and the ambitious schemes of Britain be 
nipped in the bud. Colbert authorized the 
expedition, and was abl^- seconded b}- the 
wise energj- and sagacious forecast of Count 
Frontenac, Governor and Inteudant of New 
France. Joliet, a young, intelligent, enter- 
prising merchant of Quebec, and Marciuette, 
were appointed to e.xecute the pioject. In the 
fall of 1672 Joliet arrived at -Mackinaw with 
the joyful news. Marquette had, as he says, 
long invoked the Blessed Virgin that he might 
obtain of God the grace to visit the nations of 
the Mississippi. He was enraptured at the 
good news that his desires were about to be 
accomplished, that he was to expose his life for 
the salvation of those nations, and especially of 
the Illinois .Thev were not to leave until 



spring. During that long, dreary winter on 
that desolate point, he spent his leisure time 
in gathering from the Indians all possible 
information of the unknown region they were 
about to visit, tracing upon the bark of the 
birch maps of the course of rivers, and writing 
down the names of the tribes and nations in- 
habiting their banks and of the villages they 
should visit. 

On the 17th of Maj', 1673, in two bark canoes, 
manned by five men, and stocked with a small 
supply of Indian corn and dried venison, the 
two explorers left JIackinaw. " Our joy at 
being chosen," says the great Father, " for this 
expedition, roused our courage and sweetened 
the labor of rowing from morning till night," 
and merrily over the waters of Lake Michigan 
did they ply the paddles of their light canoe — 

" And the forest's life was in it, 
All its mystery and magic, 
All the lightness of the birch-tree, 
All the toughness of the cedar, 
All the larch's supple sinews ; 
And it floated on the water 
Like a yellow leaf m .Autumn, 
Like a yellow water-lily." 

At Green Bay the Indians did all in their 
power to prevent the further progress of the 
expeilition. They pictured to the explorers 
the fierce Dacotahs with tifeir long black hair, 
their eyes of fire, and their terrible tomahawks 
of stone, who never spared strangers; tiiey told 
of the wars then raging, and the war parties 
on every trail ; they described the dangers of 
navigation — of frightful rapids and sunken 
rocks, of fearful mon.sters that swallowed up 
men and canoes together; of a cruel demon 
who stops the passage and engulfs the navi- 
gator who dares to invade his dominion ; of 
excessive heats that would infallibly cause their 
death. The good Father told them that the 
salvation of souls was concerned, and that in 
such a cause he would gladly lay down his life ; 
that of the dangers they described he had no 
fear. 

On went the travelers, faithfully ascending 
the Fox River, dragging their canoes up the 
rai)ids over .sharp stones that lacerated their 
bleeding and unprotected feet. In ten days 
from leaving Mackinaw they have passed the 
portage and launched their canoes upon the 
waters of the Wisconsin, and commenced their 
descent toward the Mississippi. For seven 



26 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



days they floated down its crystal waters. 
Vineclad islets, fertile banks diversified with, 
wood, prairie and hill, alive with deer and 
moose, delight their vision, but no human 
being is seen. On the 17th of June, 1673, with 
joy, " which," says the good Father, " I cannot 
express," they enter the great river, and the 
longed-for discovery is made, and the Father 
of Waters is given to the civilized world. 

It is true that De Soto, in that fool-hardy and 
uufortuu.ate expedition that has added a thrill- 
ing chapter to American history, had 130 years 
before discovered the lower Mississippi, but it 
seems never to have been revisited, and the 
very knowledge of it had died out. For seven 
days more the jo^'ous adventurers floated down 
its broad bosom, following its gentle curves, 
before they saw a single human being. The 
scenerj' has changed ; the islands are more beau- 
tiful ; there is little wood and no hills. Deer, 
moose, bustards and wingless swans abound. 
As they descend, the turkey takes the place of 
smaller game and the buffalo of other beasts. 

Although the solitude becomes almost insup- 
portable and they long to see other human 
faces beside their own, yet they move with cau- 
tion. They light but little fire at night on the 
shore, just to {)repare a meal, then move as far 
from it as possible, anchor their canoes in the 
stream, and post a sentinel to warn them of 
approaching danger. Finally, on the 26th of 
June, they discover footprints by the waterside 
and a well-beaten trail leading off' through a 
beautiful prairie on the west bank. They are 
in the region of the wild and dreaded Bacotahs, 
and they conclude that a village is at hand. 
Coolly braving the danger, Marquette and Jol- 
iet leave their canoes in charge of the men. 
They take to the trail, and in silence for two 
leagues they follow its gentle windings until 
they come in sight of three Indian villages. 
Having committed themselves to God and im- 
plored His help, they approach so near they 
hear the conversation withoutbeingdiseovered, 
and then stop and announce their presence by 
a loud outcry. The Indians rush from their 
cabins, and, seeing the unarmed travelers, they 
after a little depute four old men to approach 
them, which they do very slowly. Father 
Marquette inquires who they are, and is re- 
joiced to learn that they are Illinois. He can 
speak to them in their own language. They 
offer the pipe of peace, which is here first called 



the calumet. They are most graciously re- 
ceived at the first village. An old man, per- 
fectly naked, stands at the cabin door with his 
hands raised towards the sun, and exclaims : 
" How beautiful is the sun, O Frenchman, when 
thou comest to visit us. Our town awaits thee, 
and thou shalt enter all our cabins in peace." 
There was a crowd o( people.who devoured them 
with their eyes. They had never before seen 
a white man. As the travelers passed to an- 
other village to visit the chief sachem, the peo 
pie ran ahead, threw themselves on the grass 
by the wayside and awaited their coming, and 
then again ran ahead to get a second and third 
opportunity to gaze at them. After several 
days' stay with this kind and hospitable peo- 
ple, our adventurers pass down the sti-eam 
as far as Arkansas, when, finding that they 
could not with safety proceed any farther, 
on the 17th of July, just one month after enter- 
ing the Mississippi and two months after leav- 
ing Mackinaw, they commenced retracing their 
steps. They ascend the beautiful Illinois River, 
which is now for the first time navigated by 
civilized man. They are delighted at the fer- 
tility of the soil, with the beautiful ijrairies 
and charming forests, which swarm with wild 
cattle, stag, deer, bustards, swans, ducks, and 
parrots. They stop at an Illinois town of 
seventy-four cabins, and Father Marquette 
promises to return and instruct them in the 
truths of religion. One of the chiefs with his 
young men escort the company to the lake at 
Chicago, and they return to Green Bay. 

Thus ended that delightful voyage that 
added the region of the Upper Mississippi to 
the geography of the known world, and gave 
to France advantages which, had they not 
been prodigally thrown away in the wicked 
folly of the reign of Louis XV., might have 
given to America a widely difi'erent history. 
Joliet, with his journal and maps, passed on to 
Quebec, but lost all his papers before reaching 
there b^' the capsizing of his canoe. Marquette 
remained at Green Bay to recruit from a dis- 
ease brougiit on by his exhausting toils and his 
many exposures. From here he forwarded a 
i-eport of his journey to his Superior, drawn 
up with admirable clearness and a genuine 
modesty that became his magnanimous soul. 
The maj) accompanying the report, prepared 
as it was without surveys and without instru- 
ments, is wonderful for its accurjlcy of outline. 



EARLY MISSIONARIES IN THE NORTHWEST. 



Indeed, tliis may be said of most of the maps 
of tins period drawn by the Jesuits, who, while 
they seemed to have mainly in view the con- 
version of the savages, yet proved themselves 
to be the most valuable of discoverers and the 
most careful of observers. 

It was not until late in October, 1()74, that 
Marquette was so far recruited as to attempt 
to perform his promise to the Illinois. He then 
left Green Ba}- with two French voyageurs for 
his companions, but before he reached Chicago 
by the slow process of coasting the shores of a 
stormy lake at an inclement season, his disease, 
a chronic dysenteiy, returned upon him with 
its full force. The streams by which he ex- 
pected to reach his mission ground were frozen, 
and he was all too weak to go by land ; and here, 
then a solitude but where now stands a city of 
seven hundred thousand inhabitants, alone with 
his two voyageurs, in a rude cabin which 
atforded but a slender protection from the in- 
clemencies of the season, in feeble health, liv- 
ing on the coarsest food, with a consciousness 
that he was never to recover, he passed the 
long winter of 1674-7.5. 

He spent much time in devotion, beginning 
with the e.Kcrcises of St. Ignatius, saying mass 
daily, confessing his companions twice a week 
and exhorting them as his strength allowed ; 
earnestly longing to commence his mission 
among his beloved Illinois, 3-et cheerfully re- 
signed to the will of God. After a season of 
special prayer that he might so far recover as 
to take possession of the land of the Illinois in 
the name of Christ, his strength increase<l, and 
on the 29th of March he left his solitary and 
desolate wintering-place and in ten da^'s reach- 
ed his destination. He found the Illinois to 
the number of six hundred fires, awaiting his 
arrival. They received him with unbounded 
joy as an angel from heaven come to teach 
them " the prayer," and after much private 
teaching and exhortation to the principal chiefs 
and from cabin to cabin, he gathered them in 
grand concourse, and there, on a lovely April 
day, upon a beautiful open plain, with thou- 
sands of the tawny sons and daughters of the 
prairie hanging upon his lips, the d3'ing man 
preached to them Christ and Him crucified. 
His persuasive words were received with uni- 
versal approbation, but his rapidly failing 
strength warned him that his own days were 
numbered. He desired to reach his fbi-mer 



mission of St. Ignatius at Mackinaw before his 
departure, to die with his religious brethren 
and leave his bones amongst his beloved Hu- 
rons. He promised the Illinois that some other 
teacher of "the prayer " should take his place 
and continue the mission, and bade them a 
loving and regretful farewell. They escorted 
him with great barbaric pomp, contending with 
one another for the honor of carrying his little 
baggage. For many days, accompanied only 
by his two voyageurs, he coasted in his frail 
canoe along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, 
his strength rapidlj' failing and his precious 
life ebbing away. He became helpless, and 
was lifted like a child into and from the canoe. 
His vision, too, failed; but his gentleness, his 
cheerful joy in the prospect before iiim, his calm 
trust in God, never faltered. Dailj- he recited 
his breviary. He encouraged his companions 
and exhorted them to put confidence in the 
God of their salvation, who would not forsake 
them. They read to him, at his request, a med- 
itation on death which he had long before pre- 
pared for this eventful hour. Often did he 
with hopeful voice exclaim; "I know that 
my Redeemer liveth." On the evening before 
his death, with a face radiant with joy, he told 
his companions that on the morrow he should 
die. Calmly and sweetly, as if talking of the 
death of another, he gave directions as to the 
disposition of his body. On the following day 
as he approached the mouth of a river, he 
pointed out the place of his burial on an emi- 
nence on its banks. The weather was propi- 
tious and the voyageurs passed on ; but a wind 
arose, and they were driven back to the river's 
mouth, which they entered. He was carried 
on shore, a fire was kindled, a slight shelter of 
bai-k raised and he was laid upon the sand. 
Here he gave his last instructions, thanked his 
followers for their faithful and loving service, 
administered to them the rites of their religion, 
sent by them his last kind message to his re- 
ligious brethren, and bade them go and take 
their rest until his final hour should come. 
After two or three hours and as he was about 
to enter his agony, he called them, gave them 
a last embrace, asked for the holy water, handed 
one of them his crucifix from his neck, asking 
him to hold it before him, and with his eye 
fixed sweetly upon it pronounced hispi-ofession 
of faith, and thanked God that He had granted 
him the grace to die a missionary of the cross 



28 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



in a foreign land alone. As his spirit was 
about to pass, one of his companions cried 
aloud: "Jesus! Marie!" Aroused by the 
sound he repeated the words, and as if some 
glorious object appeared to him, he fixed his 
dying gaze above and beyond the crucifix, and 
with a countenance all beaming with a holy 
rapture, his soul dei:)arted without a struggle as 
gently as if he had fallen asleep. 

Thus, on the 18th day of May, 1G75, at the 
age of thirty-eight, after nine years of faithful 
service in the missionary field, Father Mar- 
quette departed ; and like his great model, the 
Ajiostle to the Indies, he died upon a desolate 
beach, and like him his dying hour was illumi- 
nated by a radiance from above. The little 
stream upon whose banks he breathed his last, 
still bears his honored name, and there will 
ever be connected with that spot tender re- 
membrances and hallowed associations. In 
1821 our own revered Father Richard paid to 
it a loving pilgrimage, and erected thereon a 
wooden cross with an inscription traced in 
rude characters with a penknife — in its crude 
simplicity, fit tribute from fit man. But no 
enduring marble is required to jDreserve in 
fresh fragrance the memory of his virtues. His 
is one of those few, those immortal names, that 
were not born to die. His mortal remains do 
not repose in their original resting-place. Two 
years after his death, the Indians belonging to 
his mission of St. Ignatius, returning from their 
winter hunting-grounds, stopped at his grave, 
sought his i-emains, and, according to an Indian 
custom, cleaned his bones, placed them rever- 
eutl}' in a box of birchen bark, and then in a 
mournful procession the thirty canoes moved 
on toward Mackinaw. Before I'eaching the 
mission they were met by Fathers Pierson and 
Nouvelle, and all the Indians at the mission, 
who came out to pay a fond tribute to their 
best beloved missionary. There the solemn 
De Projxmdis was intoned, and then with all 
ajipropriate rites the precious remains were 
deposited in the church. The mission was 
subsequently moved to old Mackinaw, the rude 
church has long since disappeared, and the 
precise sf)ot where the remains of Father Mar- 
quette now lie mingled with the common dust 
is not known. 

When Marquette left the Sault for LaPointe 
in lfi()9, the wise and even Gallic Dablon, then 
principal of all the Ottawa missions, as the 



missions of the Upper Lakes were named, was 
in charge of the mission at that point. He 
was succeeded by Father Dreuillettes, who, full 
of sanctity and zeal, labored there with most 
wonderful success for nine years. Large num- 
bers were baptized, and in general council the 
Indians adopted the God of prayer as their 
God. Here in 1G7I an envoy of the PVench, 
accompanied by French soldiers, gathered a 
grand council of all the northwestern tribes 
and formally took iiossession of all the land be- 
tween Montreal and the South Sea, and Allouez 
made that I'emarkable and well-known speech 
to the Indians in praise of the greatness of the 
French King, and from that time the Sault be- 
came a military post. When Marquette left 
Mackinaw for his great discover^' in 1673, 
Father Pierson was left in charge, and was 
there in 1677, when he was joined by Father 
Nouvelle. The mission was a very prosperous 
one. At what time it was moved across the 
straits to the site of old Mackinaw and that be- 
came a military post, I am unable to say, but it 
must have been about this time (1677). In 
1094, when De la Motte Cadillac, the founder 
of Detroit, was jjlaced in command, Mackinaw 
was one of the largest villages in Canada. 
There was a fine fort of pickets, sixty houses, 
two hundred soldiers, and many other resi- 
dents. But with the foundation of Detroit in 
1701, Mackinaw dwindled into comparative in- 
significance. Cadillac, a man of great energy 
and address, drew away most of the Indians, 
both Ottawas and Hiirons; and so complete 
was the desertion that in 1706 the missionaries, 
discouraged by this desertion and the licentious- 
ness of the coureurs de bois, abandoned the post 
and burned their church. But the French 
Government would not permit the post to be 
abandoned, and with the promise of protection 
the missionaries returned. 

Although Detroit was founded in 1701, I 
have been unable to find any record of a Jesuit 
stationed at this point previous to 1732. Cadil- 
lac, although a zealous Catholic, was a lutter 
enemy of the Jesuits. He bad quarreled with 
them on the brandy question when he was in 
command at Mackinaw, from 1694 to 1697, and 
in receiving the personal orders from Count 
Ponchartrain to establish Detroit, he frankly 
told the Minister that the Jesuits were his 
jiei'sonal enemies and would thwart his objects. 
He quarreled with Father Vaillant, who ac- 



EARLY MISSIONARIES IN THE NORTHWEST. 



2U 



companiofl him on liis first oxpodition, charg- 
ing him with treaclier^' ; and his sucoossful 
efforts in drawing away the Indians from Macki- 
naw still further embittered the eonti'oversy 
with the Jesiuits. Ee glories in his success in 
a spirit not eminently Christian. In a dis- 
patch to the French Mi ni.ster, 1705, after boast- 
ing of the arrival of thirty Hurons from 
Mackinaw, he says : " 'J'here remain only 
about twenty-five. Father Carheil, who is a 
missionary there, remains always firm. I hope 
this fall to pluck out the last feather in his 
wing, and I am persuaded that this obstinate 
old priest will die in his parish without a hav- 
ing a single parishioner to bury him." 

Yet he seems to wonder that the Jesuits 
were not his friends and says: " I do my best 
to make the Jesuits my friends, wishing truly 
to be theirs; but if 1 dare say it, all impiet}' 
apart, it would be better to speak against God 
than against them, because on the one side a 
person might receive His pardon, but on the 
other the offense, even though doubtful, is 
never forgiven in this world, and would not be 
forgiven in the other if their credit was as good 
there as it is in this country." 

It is not wonderful, with this feeling on the 
part of the Commandant, that Detroit was 
served by the Eecollects rather than by the 
Jesuits. When Charlevoix was there in 1721 
there was no missionary among the Indians at 
that place, but he says measures were to be 
taken to KUf)ply them with one. 

It would be a grateful task, did time permit, 
to dwell upon the laborsand characters of those 
Jesuits who were the compeers of ilarquette — 
such men as Allouez, Dreuillettes, Dablon, and 
Nouvelle. But with these men passed awaj- 
the golden age of the Jesuits in the Northwest. 
Thej' were among the best fruits of that won- 
derful sj-stem that for a century and a half made 
the Order of Jesus one of the great powers of 
the world. They were placed in circumstances 
that developed in an extraordinary degree 
many of the best results of that training and 
discii)line instituted by Loyale, witliout at the 
same time bringing forth those bitter evils that 
are among its natural fruits. They exhibited 
great learning, a high self-control, an inflexi- 
bility of purpose, an enduring constancy, an 
unwearied patience in toil and hardship, a calm 
courage that despised danger and triumphed 
over intenscst suffering, a fervent zeal and an 



earnestness of devotion that find few parallels 
in history. They did not develop, nor did the 
circumstances of the situation tend to develop, 
that bitter intolei'anco, that hatred of civil and 
religious freedom, that passion for intrigue, 
that systematic treachery, that insatiate lust of 
power, and that unscrupulous and cruel abuse 
of power when obtained, that marked the Jesuits 
of Europe and aroused against them the deep 
indignation of Protestant and Catholic Chris- 
tendom, that led to their expulsion from the 
most enlightened C!atholic kingdoms in Europe 
and their suppression by the Pope himself. 

But the influences that were already operat- 
ing in the courts of Europe and undermining 
the Jesuitical power there, began to be felt in 
the wilds of Canada. Colbert, the great Minis- 
ter of the Grand Monarch, liked them not, and 
Frontenac cordially hated them. From 1671 to 
1681, and from 1689 to his death in 1698, he 
was at the head of affairs in Canada. The Recol- 
lects, whom he favored, were re established in 
the New Woi'ld. Jealousies and dissensions 
arose, and in a thousand ways the plans and 
purposes of the Jesuits were thwarted. Special 
efforts w'ere made to ruin their influence at 
court. It is a curious study to read the volu- 
minous dispatches that passed between 
Canada and the court of France. Louis XIV. 
was at the very culmination of power, in 
the full exercise of that centralized absolu- 
tism founded by Richelieu and perfected 
by himself. He was as minutely informed of 
the transactions of an insignificant post on the 
watery wastes of Lake Superior as if they were 
taking place on the banks of the Seine; and 
the most minute oi'ders issued from his minis- 
ters, and sometimes from himself, in rela- 
tion to these distant places. Thus, in 1707 
Detroit was a distant and insignificant post 
with .some thirtj' soldiers. A complaint is 
made at Versailles that De la Motto Cadillac is 
trading in brandy and making a great profit 
thereon. An inquiry is made into the subject, 
and amid the great affairs of state involving 
the welfare of France and the destinies of 
Europe, the Grand Monarch is gravely in- 
formed that M. De la Motte has bought of four 
individuals 104 quarts of brandy at four francs 
per quart and sold it at twenty' francs, thus 
making a profit of four-fifths. 

In this same way petty complaints against 
the Jesuits arc made the subject of grave dis- 



80 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



patches. Indeed, in this system of espionage, 
of centralization, of absolutism, lies the grand 
fundamental reason why Canada never pros- 
pered under French rule. There was no free- 
dom, no self-government, and consequently no 
development of the real power of its people or 
the resources of the country. The English 
colonies were left to wholesome neglect, to self- 
government, to freedom. As earlj' as 1671, M. 
Talon, Intendant of Canada, informs the King 
that Boston is more republican than mon- 
archical; and in 1679 another Canadian Inten- 
dant informs the French Minister in regard to 
the same city: "Their government is demo- 
cratic, and it is a republic under the protection 
of England, faintly recognizing his Britannic 
Majesty." The fruits of these two systems, 
side by side, teach a lesson against centralized 
power in any form of government — civil, ec- 
clesiastical, monarchical, or republican. 

There was one cause of difficulty between 
the Jesuits and the local authorities that did 
much to bring upon them the wrath of the 
governing power, but which redounds greatly 
to their credit. They, at an early day, boldly, 
earnestly and persistently opposed and de- 
nounced the sale of brandy to the Indians. 
The pious Laval was made Bishop of Quebec, 
or, as was his title, of Petra, in 1659. As early 
as 1665 he bad, in concert with the Jesuits, for- 
bidden the sale of brandy to the Indians on 
pain of excommunication, because it led them 
into mortal sin. So effectual was this order 
that no one dare sell or give a glass of liquor 
to Huron or Algonquin. Complaint .seems to 
have been make to the King; for the Minister 
of the Marine, in writing to M. de Talon, 
Governor of Canada, in 1665, disapjiroves of 
the order in a course of reasoning quite Jesu- 
itical. He acknowledges the jjrinciple to be 
good, but contends that it is hurtful to trade, as 
it will drive the Indians to trade with the 
Dutch, and they will be taught heresy, a 
greater evil than drunkenness; and he bitterly 
complains that notwithstanding the force of 
this reasoning, the Bishop and the Jesuits still 
persist, " not reflecting," says he, " that pru- 
dence and even Christian charitj- requires us 
to shut our eyes to one evil to avoid a greater." 

For more than a quarter of a century the 
brandy war raged between the traders and the 
priests. Most of the secular officers were inter- 
ested in Indian trade, and as now, nothing 



paid so good a profit as brandy ; consequently 
they took sides in favor of the traffic. Perhaps 
those who have so recently fought the battle of 
prohibition on the one side and the other in 
this State, were not aware that the same battle 
was fought upon our own soil nearly two hun- 
dred years ago. Mackinaw and Detroit were 
both battle-fields, and the arguments on both 
sides were perhaps as full and forcible as any 
that have been used by the recent combatants. 

The holy Fathers were not content with the 
mere exercise of spiritual power. They cnlled 
upon the strong arm of the law, and as early as 
1681 they had obtained an ordinance from the 
King prohibiting the traffic. At a later period, 
1694, there seems to have been a special order for- 
bidding the transportation of brandy to Mack- 
inaw. The worthj- founder of Detroit, while 
yet in command at Mackinaw, made himself 
the champion of the unrestrained traffic. Some 
of his arguments are worthy of note. He sa^ s 
the principal food of the inhabitants is fish 
and smoked meat, and a drink of brandy after 
the repast is necessary to cook the bilious 
meats and the crudities they leave in the stom- 
ach. He appeals also to the patriotic ardor of 
the Frenchmen, and asks : " In what country or 
in what land, until now, have they taken from 
the French the right to use brandy ? Are we 
not subjects of the same King as others?" He 
asks, too, with the same ardor that marks our 
recent debates : " What reason can be given 
why savages have not a right to drink brandy 
purchased with their own money?" and scouts 
at the reason urged by the Jesuits, that it 
would injure them. " The savage himself 
asks," says he, "why they do not leave him in 
his beggary, his liberty, his idleness. He was 
born in it, and he wishes to die in it. He 
would not exchange his wigwam, and the mat 
on which he camps like a monkey, for a pal- 
ace." He also uses the now familiar argument 
that if the savage can not get brandy of the 
French he will get it of the English, and there- 
fore no good will bo accomplished by prohibi- 
tion, while trade will be injured. 

On the other hand it would be tlitficult to 
find in modern temperance documents, more 
graphic descriptions of the evils of intem- 
perance, and stronger arguments against the 
traffic, than are found in the memorials of 
the Jesuit Fathers and the dispatches of the 
time. Thus, in a dispatch to the Minister of 



KARI.Y MISSIONARIES IN THR NORTHWEST. 



31 



the Marine in IfiOO. tlie Minister is assured 
that this unfortunate tratfic proves the destruc- 
tion not only of the Indians but of the French 
tiiomseives, and of trade. "This," says the 
writer, " is established bj' the experience of 
many j-ears, during which we have seen none 
become wealthy by that traffic, while the Indi- 
ans are destroyed and the French become old 
and decrepit at forty. Even the women 
drink. Among the Indians it is the horror of 
horrors. There is no crime nor infamj- they 
do not perpetrate in their excesses ; a mother 
throws her child into the fire; no.ses are bitten 
oflf, and it is another hell among them during 
these orgies; their entrails are .set on fire, and 
tlicy beggar themselves by giving their peltries 
and their very clothes for drink." Thus, man- 
fully, like true heralds of the cross, did the 
Jesuit Fathers fight again.st this great evil; 
and De la Motte charges them with adopting 
higher law opinions on the subject, and says 
that Father Carheil, in a sermon at Mackinaw, 
1(597, exclaimed: "There is neither divine 
nor human power that can permit the sale of 
this drink." 

This controversy, in which the Jesuits never 
faltered, aroused against them the whole class 
of Indian traders, and many of the local offi- 
cers did much to make their position uncom- 
fortable, and their ultimate recall under the 
reign of Louis XV. ended for man\' years their 
toils among the savages of Canada. 

In seeking to give to the Jesuits who dis- 
tinguished themselves in the early annals of 
the Northwest their true place upon the page 
of history, we cannot place them beside the 
founders of New England. They were not in 
any sense the founders of empires. They did 
not laj- foundations broad and deep for free 
institutions. And even as missionaries among 
Iho Indians they seem to have exerted but 
little permanent influence upon Indian life 
and character. 

" As from the wintr no sear the sky returns. 
The parted wave no furrow from the keel," 

so Indian character and destiny- show us no 
distinct trace of the abundant and self-denying 
labors of these men. At least those traces 
are sadly disproporlioned to the learning, 
the piety, the fervent zeal and the precious 
human life bestowed upon this field of labor. 
Doubtless some of the causes of this result lie 



deep in Indian character and the unfavorable 
circumstances surrounding them; but there 
are, as we conceive, other causes, growing 
out of the fundamentally erroneous system of 
Jesuit Catholicism, still more effective — causes 
that must ever prevent that system from ac- 
complishing any great permanent good for the 
race. There is no element of freedom in it. Un- 
limited, unquestioning obedience is of its vcrj' 
essence. To develop the human soul and intel- 
lect, it must, like the body, have freedom. 

But if they were not founders of empii-es, if 
they did but little or nothing toward the eleva- 
tion of the Indian race and character, these men 
still have a proud place upon the historical page, 
which all should readily concede. As discov- 
erers and explorers they have had few supe- 
riors. Persevering, self-denying, toil-enduring, 
courageous, no obstacles discouraged, no pri- 
vations di.sgusted, no hardships appalled, no 
dangers terrified. Contemptuous of threatened 
evil, they boldly placed themselves in the 
power of the untutored and unfriendly Indians, 
living wnth them in their dirty camps, par- 
taking of their inconceivably filthy food, sleep- 
ing with them and their dogs, annoyed with 
their vermin, poisoned with their stench, sub- 
mitting meekly to the contumely of the 
haughty and the insults and brutality of the 
mean. Calmly, persistently they braved the 
forced toil of paddling the canoe, or over sharp 
stones of dragging its weight up foaming 
rapids, often wading waist deep in the water or 
plunging through ice and snow. Piercing 
winds, bitter cold, dire want and terrific danger 
were among their common trials, yet they per- 
severed with a ceaseless assiduity and untiring 
energy that no suffering could subdue. Indus- 
triousl}^ they traveled, anxiously they inquired, 
carefully they observed, and minutelj- under 
every disadvantage by the light of the glim- 
mering camp-fires they committed the result 
of their travels, inquiries and observations to , 
writing. They opened to France and the world 
a knowledge of the great Northwest, of these 
mighty lakes and noble rivers, of these beauti- 
ful prairies and extensive forests. 

They were not only discoverers, but they 
were pioneers in the pathway of civilization. 
Following in their footsteps came the trader, 
the voyageur, the soldier, and ultimatelj- the 
mechanic, the farmer, the merchant, and the 
gentleman. Delightful French hamlets sprung 



32 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



up by tlie side of the mission station, and there 
was reproduced in the forest recesses of the 
Northwest a new and delightful edition of rural 
life amid the sunny vales and vineclad hills of 
France. 

But the chiefest claim to admiration lies in 
their personal character, their apostolic zeal, 
their sublime and heroic virtues. Actuated by 
no love of glory, inspired by no hope of self- 
aggrandizement, but panting with an earnest 
desire to save souls for whom Christ had died 
and open tiie pathway to heaven to benighted 
heathen, they^ faced the untold horrors of a 



missionary life among wild, wandering, irrev- 
erent, brutal savages, and here developed, in 
themidst of trials the most severe, those Chris- 
tian graces of character to which our attention 
has been called, and that entitle them to a rank 
among the Christian heroes of the world. Suc- 
cess could have added nothing to the rich fra- 
grance of their virtues. 

It becomes us who now occupy the soil, en- 
riciied and made sacred by tlieir tears, their 
toil, their suffering and their death, not onl}' 
to revere their memories but to perpetuate 
them. 



CHAPTER IV. 

I'LOT FOR obtaining; THK I.OWKlt PENINSULA OF MICIlKiAN FKO.M THK INITKO 8TATKS IN 17!>5. 



IT is not generally known that Michigan was 
at a very early dax' the theater of some of 
the most extensive land speculations ever known 
in this country. One which was brought to 
the attention of Congress in 1795 was so re- 
markable in some of its features that it is singu- 
lar that it should be so generally unknown. 

When General Wayne brought his Indian 
campaign to a successful termination he ap- 
pointed a time for the ti'ibes to meet him at 
Greenville, to concludea definitive treaty. This 
council opened in June, 1795, and continued 
into August. It is well known that the hos- 
tilities were kept alive by the covert inter- 
ference of the British, and that Detroit was 
the source whence this influence was exerted 
most powerfully. In spite of the treat}' of 
peace at the close of the Revolution, the British, 
on one pretext or another, kept possession of 
the country, and it was not until Jay's treaty 
provided definitely for its ces.sion that any 
steps were taken toward its possession. The 
British merchants, who were largolj' interested 
in the fur business, were very reluctant to see 
the American dominion established, and there 
is no doubt that, by this means, disaffection 
was long kept up among the Indians. 

Immediately upon the conclusion of Waj'ne's 
treaty (which put an end to all private deal- 
ings with the Indians for the purchase of 
lands), an agreement was made between sev- 
eral prominent inhabitaiits of Detroit and 
several persons fi-om Vermont and Pennsyl- 
vania, which, if it had proved successful, would 
have made an entire change in the destiny of 
this region. 

Ebenezer Allen and Charles Whitney of Ver- 
mont, and Robert Randall of Philadelphia, 
who were professedly American citizens,' en- 
tered into a contract with John Askin, Jona- 
than Schiftiin, William Robertson, John As- 
kin, jr., David Robertson, Robert Jones and 
Richard Patterson, all of Detroit, and all at- 



tached to Great Britain, the terms of which 
were in effect as follows: They propo.sed to 
obtain from the United States the title to all 
the land within the limits of the present penin- 
sula of Michigan, then estimated at from eigh- 
teen to twenty millions of acres (excepting such 
parts as were appro))riated along the settle- 
ments), upon the understandingthat they would 
themselves extinguish the Indian title. They 
meant to secure the purchase from Congress at 
half a million dollars (or a million at the outside), 
by inducing that body to believe that the Indians 
had not really been pacified by Wayne, and 
that nothing but the influence of the Canadian 
merchants could bring them to terms or render 
the important interests of the fur-trade safe 
under the American rule. 

But they relied upon a more jioteiil method 
of persuasion in secret. Their enterprise was 
to take the form of a joint stock company, di- 
vided into forty -one shares. Five shares were 
allotted to the Detroit partners, twelve to 
the others, and the remaining twenty-four 
were to be divided among members of Con- 
gress to secure their votes. The connection of 
the Canadian proprietors with the scheme does 
not appear to have been made public, and it is 
probable they were not intended to appear 
until the scheme was consummated. 

Immediate!}' after the plan was concocted, 
the three American partners set about oper- 
ating upon the members of the next Congress. 
They associated with them Colonel Pepune 
and others; also Jones of Massachusetts, who 
aided them in the dishonorable work. Whitney 
first applied to Daniel Buck, a member from 
Vermont, and was indiscreet enough not only 
to inform him jjretty plainlj- of the plan pro- 
posed, but also to show him the articles of 
agreement. Ho also applied to Theodore Sedg- 
wick more cautiously, but allowed enough to 
be drawn from him to expose the true character 
of the plot. Mr. Sedgwick quietly put himself 



[33] 



34 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



in pommunifation with the Vermont nienibcrs 
to pvomote its progress. 

In the meantime Randall ajiproaehed the 
Southern members and laid open his views to 
William Smith of South Carolina, William B. 
Giles of Virginia and Mr. Muri-ay of Maryland. 
These gentlemen, after consulting with the 
President and many other persons of character 
and standing, determined to throw no obstacle 
in the way of a presentation of a memorial to 
Congress, desiring to fix the parties where 
they would be sure of exposure. 

The confederation, blindly imagining that 
thoj' were on the highway to success, put into 
the hands of the members whom they approach- 
ed the fullest information concerning all but 
the names of their Detroit associates, and as- 
sured Mr. Giles that they had secured a major- 
ity of the votes in the Senate and lacked only 
three of a majority in the House. 

On the 28th of December, 1795, Messrs. 
Smith, Murra}' and Giles -finnounced to the 
House of Representatives that Randall had 
made propo.sals to them to obtain their support 
to his memorial, for which support they were 
to receive a consideration in lands or money. 
Mr. Buck also stated that Whitney had made 
similar propo.sals to him, and he supposed him 
to be an associate of Randall. Randall and 
Whitney were at once taken into custody and 
an investigation had, in the course of which 
several other members came forward and testi- 
fied to similar facts. Whitney made a full dis- 
closure and produced the written agreement. 
Randall made no confession, but contented 
himself with questioning the witnesses. He 
was detained in arrest, but Whitney, who ap- 
pears to have been less guilty, was discharged 
very soon after the investigation closed. The 
memorial never made its appearance. 

The partners at Detroit had not been inac- 
tive. They, or most of them, had already, 
from time to time, obtained from the Indians 
large grants of land, in the hope, doubtless, 
that the purchase might be ratified by the 
authorities. Schiftiin in particular had ac- 
quired enormous grants in this way. There is, 
however, much reason to believe these grants 
were not all obtained from the recognized In- 
dian rulers. 

An examination of the records shows that 
one of the largest was made under very pecu- 
liar circumstances. We have seen that the 



council in Greenville was in session from June 
till sometime in August. While this treaty of 
Gi'eenville was in progress, and the tribes were 
represented thei-e bj' theirchiefs and head men, 
a private council was held at Detroit on the 
first day of July, 1795, by theChippewas, Otta- 
was and Pottawatomies, as high contracting 
parties on the one side, there being present, as 
witnesses, the Askins, Governor Hay, his oldest 
son, Henrj', a British officer, and some others 
of the principal British residents. 

The purpose of the council was private in its 
nature, and under the treaties then existing the 
British authorities could not have well acted as 
principals on such an occasion. Certain chiefs, 
purporting to act for their tribes there named, 
granted to Jonathan Sehiffiin, Jacobus Vizgar, 
Richard Patterson and Robert Jones, a large 
tract of land embracing thirteen or fourteen of 
the oldest and best counties in the present 
State, for the expressed consideration of twenty- 
five pounds sterling. 

We can readily imagine that if their plan 
had succeeded in Congress they would have 
had little difficult}' in buying up the Indian 
claim to the whole peninsula. 

It may not be out of place to state that in 
spite of their ill success, the four gentlemen 
named sold their Indian title just mentioned in 
1797 for two hundred thousand pounds of York 
currency, amounting to half a million dollars. 
Whether the purchaser expected to claim 
against the treaty of Greenville, we are not in- 
formed. 

This formidable title has never turned up 
since. Whether disgusted with the experience 
of republics, or from some other cause, the 
Detroit partners in the joint stock company all 
elected, under Jay's treaty, to become British 
subjects. The annals of our country have 
never shown a more extensive or audacious 
plan of briberj-, and the public suffered no great 
detriment by their defection. 

Had the plan of these confederates received 
the aid of Congress, it is difficult to imagine the 
importance of such an event or its bearing on 
the future of the peninsula. The circumstances 
render it highly probable that it was intended 
to retain a footing for the advancement of the 
British interests in the Northwest. Be this as 
it may, the evil effect of having so large a pro- 
prietary monopoly, covering the whole eoun- 
trj', cannot well be estimated. Neither the 



PLOT FOR OBTAINING THE LOWER PENINSULA. 



35 



United States nor the future State woulfl have 
owned any lands in tiie Lower Peninsula of 
.Michiiran, while we should have been subjected 
to all the evils which abound when the tillers 
of the soil are mere tenants and not freehold- 
ers. Such a domain would have been a power- 
ful barrier aj^ainst the increase of the Union in 
this direction, and would have kept up a bor- 
der population of a character by no means to be 
admired. 

The important and singular facts refterred to 
should not be lost sight of b}' the liist(5rian who 
may narrate the annals of our State. 

Under Jaj-'s treaty British subjects wei-e at 
lihei'tj" lo reside within the American borders 
it thej- saw fit, but if thej- did this, unless thej' 
declared their intention to retain their nation- 
ality within a year from the rendition of the 
posts, the}' were regarded as having chosen to 
become citizens of the United States. A large 
M\imber of persons removed to Canada within 
the year, while many more remained in De- 
troit and vicinitj', of whom a large number 
signified their desire to remain British sub- 
jects by notification addressed to Peter Audrian, 
Esq., at Detroit. Upon examining the li.st it 
apj)ear8 that the feeling was verj' strong in 
favor of Great Britain, and any step tending to 
carry out the interests of that Kingdom would 
have met with favor from many if not from a 
majority of the men of substance. The neigh- 
borhood in Canada had been settled to a con- 
siderable extent by a population to whom the 
American name was an abomination. At the 
close of the Revolution the refugee tories were 
cast upon the care of the British, and lands 
were set apart in that portion of Canada lying 
along Lake Erie, Detroit River and Lake St. 
Clair for the benefit of these people, and their 
descendants of the Mohawk loyalists are still 
to be found in strength upon the lake shore in 
the districts east of Maiden. They are in 
peculiarly bad odor among shipwrecked mar- 
iners. 

The following names ai)jicar in the records 
as electing to retain their British character. 
Many of the number removed to Canada, iind 
many who removed within the year now made 
a written election : 



Augustin Amelle. 
Lauret Maure. 
James Mcintosh. 
Robert Innis. 



John Little. 
Ch. Poupard. 
In. Kobital. 
Nicholas Boyer. 



Richard Patterson. 
Robert Grant. 
Jonathan Schifflin. 
John Martin. 
D. McRae. 
William Forsyth. 
Francis Bertraml. 
Pre. Gabarne. 
Kugh Ilewai-d. 
^S'illiam Fleming. 
Charles Chovin. 
James Donahlson. 
Louis Mooi'e. 
James Condon. 
Pre. Dolorme. 
Alexander Har.son. 
Thomas Smith. 
John Askin, Sr. 
Pierre Vallee. 
John McKirgan. 
James Smith. 
Jo.seph Mason. 
John Anderson. 
Agnes Mackintosh. 
Conra<l Showier. 
Charles Roque. 
William Thorn. 
Jonathan Nelson. 
George Mel drum. 
A. Iredell. 
J. Bte. Barthe. 
J. Bte. Barthe, Jr. 
Robert Nichol. 
John McGregor. 
Joseph Borrelle, perc 
Robert Goine. 
James Fraser. 
William Hands. 
Simon Druillar. 
Pierre Rell. 
Alexis Crait. 
Alexis Borrell. tils. 
Ncel Delisle. 
William Baker. 
R. McDoncU. 
John McDonnell. 
Amable Latour. 
James Anderson. 
Isaac Ganize, pere. 
Bt. Tclemaindit St. L 
Richard Donovan. 
Isaac Gragnier, fils. 
Dominique Druillard 



.lohn Feai'son. 

Henoit Chapaton. 

James Gartwright. 

Gabriel Hewes. 

Robert Forsyth. 

Antoine Chanvin. 

Jean Bt. Petre. 

Jean Bt. Montroi. 

Thomas Green. 

Francis Prin\o. 

Charles Petre. 

Pre. Lanoux. 

Redmond Condon. 

Joseph Bernard. 

John Grant. 

George Sharp. 

James Vincent. 

Louis Barthy. 

Alexander Duff. 

Batiste Boete. 

John Dainc. 

William Ilarfy. 

Samuel Edge. 

John liangloi. 

James Guthrie, 

Jno. Whitehead. 

Alex. Maisonville. 

Jean Bt. Bernard. 

John Renl. 

Mathew Dolson. 

William Park. 

William Smith. 

Robert McDougall. 

John Askin, Jr. 
. James McGregor. 

John Clark. 

J. Portier Benac. 

Francis Rassette. 

George Jacob Rudhart. 

Basile Dnrocher. 

Josc]>h Boi'rell, fils. 

Richard Money. 

William Mickle. 

Jolin (,'aiti 

John Wheaton. 

Lewis Coutre. 

William Mills. 

I'eter Blanch. 

John Jjagord. 
,ouis. 

Bte. Monmerell. 

Franc Lenaire. 

Samuel Eddy. 



36 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Bapt. Rousseau. Bapt. Druillard. 

Joseph Grenist. Phillip Bellanger. 

These are the names as thej- appear of record. 
There are doubtless some inaccuracies. 

To understand the important bearing of the 
conspiracy in a national point of view, it may 
be well to mention the condition in which its 
success would have left the frontier. Many of 
the names appended to the notice of election 
will be recognized in Detroit as land owners, 
holding valuable private claims along the river. 
But with the exception of eight or ten, all these 
claims had reverted to the government. The 
lands not embraced in the narrow private 
claims along the Detroit River, and its tribu- 



taries, were by various Indian deeds convoyed 
to some of the persons engaged in the plot, 
singly or together, from the foot of Lake 
Huron to the Cu^'ahoga River, with some in- 
considerable exceptions. If those Indian titles 
could have been made good, those parties would 
have an almost entire control of the country, 
and the condition of the private claims would 
have left the holders of these too at their mercy. 
With all these circumstances combining, it is not 
a wild conjecture to suppose that the possibility 
of getting back into British allegiance a coun- 
try controlled by British subjects may have 
been in the thoughts of the conspirators as an 
incident if not an object of their action. 



CHAPTER V. 



KARLY SETl'LEMENTS. 



THE early adventurers in tLciradvancefroin Our lako region of country- was ln-ld by Uic 

the broad expanse of Lake Erie, up French Crown until 17fi;^, when it was trans- 

tiirough our beautiful river, saw all around fcrred from France to Great Britain. This 

them a glorious scene of waters ajid forests, as was the period when the first beams of civiliza- 

yct untouched bj' the hand of civilization, and tion had scarcelj^ penetrated its forests, and 

inhabited by savages as strange and wild as the paddle of the French fur-traders swept the 

their own wilderness. Herds of deer wandered lakes, and the boat songs of the traders awak- 

through the forests and drank from the clear ened tribes as wild as the wolves which howh-d 

waters of the river, whose iinrufiied surface re- around their wigwams. 



fleeted their graceful forms. Fish of great 
value glided through the waters, flocks of water- 
fowl traversed their course along the shores or 
dipped in the current, and snow-white gulls 
skimmed its surface; beautiful woods of lofty 
trees extended as far as the ej-e could see, 
around whose trunks were twined grapevines 
of the largest size, whose luscious fruit hung in 
rich clusters gracefulh" from the boughs above, 
the vast quantity of which growing along the 
banks gave to om* river its name, originally 
called by the French Eiver Aux Eaisin; and 
now, over 100 years later, the name is very 
appropriate, for what we have lo.st in wild 
fruit by the clearing of the forests, we have 
more than replaced by our extensive vineyards 
of various varieties of the best of cultivated 
grapes. The Indians called it the Numma- 
sepee, or River of Sturgeon, from the vast 
quantities of those fish found in it. 

As the travelers advanced into the interior, 
bj" Indian trails, a beautiful scene opened be- 
fore them, the country being covered with 
groves of forest trees like extended parks. Lux- 
\iriant flowers of various and gorgeous colors 
covered the whole surface of the ground. It 
seemed as if nature, amid the solitude, fresh in 
her virgin bloom, had adorned her bosom with 
the fragrant roses of summer in honor of her 
Maker; and vain of her charms had set our 
lake and river upon the landscape as mirrors to 
reflect her own beauty. Such were the scenes 
that colored the description of the French 
travelers of the eighteenth century through 
this country. 



Two Indian villages formerly occupied the 
place wiiereon now stands the city of Monroe, 
viz.: those of the Ottawas and Fottawatomies, 
and previous to that time the Krri-er-ro-nous 
lived upon the confines of the lake, from which 
tribe, it is supposed, Lake Erie derived its 
name. It was a peaceably disposed tribe, but 
was finally exterminated by the fierce Iro- 
quois, who comprised the most powerful In- 
dian league known to have existed on the con- 
tinent. 

The Iroquois league consisted of the Oiion- 
dagas, the Cayugas, the Senecas, the Oneidas, 
and the Mohawks, with their headquarters in the 
western part of New York State. The war- 
riors of these tribes were men of large stature 
and muscular forms, and a savage determina- 
tion marked evei'y feature of the face. 

Military skill, courage, shrewdness, energy, 
ambition and eloquence were their prominent 
traits. In their policy they appear to have had 
more vigor and system than the other Indian 
tribes, and cherished a sort of spartan disci- 
pline throughout their confederac}'. Tiiey were 
also equally crafty and ferocious. They could 
crawl, unseen, along the track of their enemies, 
or rush down upon the French in fearless bands 
of naked and gigantic warriors, and it is well 
known that their marches against the French 
colonists and the remote missionary posts 
were like the rushing of a tornailo through the 
forest. 

In 1784 a small body of Canadians settled on 
the River Raisin and laid the foundation of 
Frenchtown, built a few log cabins nu bdtli 



[37] 



38 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



banks of tho river, and enclosed them and tlio 
surrounding laud with pickets or " puncheons," 
made of sapling logs, split in two, driven in tiie 
ground and sometimes sharjjened at the top, 
thus terming a very good means of defense 
against the Indians. 

A narrow path ran along the bank of the 
river and border of the front of the farms on 
each side of the River Raisin. It was a depot 
of the fur-traders for the Northwest Company, 
and fora long pei'iod the concentrating point for 
the surrounding Indians, who were continually 
repairing to the town in order to exchange 
their furs for blankets, red cloth, silver orna- 
ments, arms and ammunition, mindful also of 
the stock of fire-water, of which ample provision 
was made. Money was refused in exchange for 
goods, and the French were required to bring 
in produce in exchange for them, which was 
ti-ansported to the Upper Lakes for the use of 
the Fur Company stations. 

In the year 1785, a treaty was made with 
the tribes of the Ottawas, Chijjpewas, Dela- 
wares and Wyaudots, by which a belt of land, 
commencing at the River Raisin and extending 
to Lake St. Clair, with a breadth of six 
miles along the strait, was ceded to the United 
States, and was the only soil which could be 
appropriated by the whites for cultivation. 

About this time was organized the iirst 
church on the River Raisin, the French Catholic, 
when the Rev. Mr. Frichett visited the settle- 
ment as a missionary. Soon after the first 
stationed priest arrived — the Rev. Antoine 
A. Gillett, who remained until the year 1805. 
This society built, about the j'ear 1788, the first 
church building ever erected in the county ; 
was located some two miles west of our city on 
the north bank of the river, and was at this 
time tho central part of the settlement. The 
building was in a dilapidated condition taken 
down in 1842. 

The first settler or fur-trader was Joseph 
Pulier Benac, then Colonel Francis Navarre, 
Charles and John Baptiste Jerome. In 1780, 
Colonel Francis Navarre rode from Detroit by 
the Indian trail on a French pony, carrying 
in his hand some pear trees the size of your 
little finger that he set out on his lot west of the 
block-house, which was subsequently clap- 
boarded and used as the Episcopal Church par- 
sonage, afterwards demolished. The site thereof 
is now owned and occupied as the residence of 



Dr. A. I. Sawj^er of this city, and the famed 
pear trees, i^lanted by the hands of Colonel Fran- 
cis Navarre over a century ago, now yield their 
fruit, as they so bountifully have done for so 
many years, averaging yearly forty bushels. 
They stand as monuments to the memory o.f 
an industrious man, and remind us that a few 
hours of pleasant labor live with blessings for 
our own brief life and for those that follow us. 

The first American settlement was established 
at Frenchtown in 1793, and at that time Detroit 
and Frenchtown were the principal settle- 
ments on the eastern side of the peninsula of 
Michigan. In 1706 Captain Porter first raised 
the American banner at this point on the soil 
of Michigan. 

On the 11th of Januarj"^, 1805, the act was 
passed for the organization of the Territor}- of 
Michigan, and General William Hull was ap- 
pointed Governor and Indian Agent, and on 
the 5th of September following, measures were 
taken for the organization of the militia of the 
Territory. The Second Regiment was organ- 
ized for the district of Erie, and John Anderson, 
of Frenchtown, was appointed colonel. 

It was very difficult to organize efficient 
military companies among the population of 
the Territory at this time. The French in- 
habitants, although brave almost to a fault, and 
having genuine taste for military glory, were 
here unaccustomed to discipline and disliked 
its restraints. Amusing accounts are given of 
attempts to organize the militia in the dis- 
trict of Erie. Atone time Colonel Anderson had 
most of his officers under arrest for appearing 
on jiarade without uniforms, and they were 
ver}' anxious to know their fate. He com- 
plained that the more he drilled his men the 
less they knew. 

As early as 180G, rumors of a deep-seated 
and growing feeling of dissatisfaction among 
the Indians began to prevail. Tecumseh (the 
word in Indian parlance signifying "the tiger 
crouching for his prey ") and Ell-shwa-taw-a 
(or the prophet), the twin brother of Tecumseh, 
sprang into great prominence. 

Tecumseh was a warrior of the Shawanese 
tribe — without any hereditary claim to dis- 
tinction — a seceder from the legitimate au- 
thority of his nation, the builder of his own 
fortune. He was an open and avowed hater 
of the Americans, and was determined in his 
opposition to the advance of the nation on 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 



39 



the Indian domain, and doubtless urged bj- 
the British Government to organize a general 
confederacy against the United States. 

In 1807 the efforts to organize this confeder- 
acy on the lakes had been commenced. Agents 
were dispatched from the headquarters of the 
Shawanese to the lake Indians, with messages 
and belts of wampum; and the minds of the 
savages were aroused to desperate action. The 
points insisted on were that the Americans 
should be driven back over the Allegheny 
Mountains, and that the war should not be ter- 
minated until that object was accomplished. 
That after this was effected, the Indians should 
liave undisturbed possession of their ancient 
hunting-grounds and be placed under the pro- 
tection of the British Government, and the 
warriors that distinguished themselves in tlie 
war should be publicly recognized and receive 
presents from the British monarch of large 
medals. 

Tecumseh and the Prophet were doubtless 
instigated by the British Government to effect 
this confederation, in order to co-operate with 
the Pjnglish when war should be declared be- 
tween England and the United States, which 
then seemed inevitable. While these events 
were transpiring the Territoiy of Michigan was 
in a comparatively defenseless state. The sot- 
tlements on the Miami, the Kaisin and the 
Huron comprised a population of only 1,340 ; 
four-fifths were French, and the remainder 
Americans, with a small portion of British. 

The hostile spirit which had been thus ex- 
cited by Tecumseh and the Prophet, soon man- 
ifested itself upon our frontier. The scattered 
settlements along the inland streams were at 
that time much exposed to the depredations of 
the Indians, and the emigrants found their 
cattle slaughtered around their huts. At French- 
town this devastation was carried to the most 
formidable extent before the declaration of war 
between England and the United States. 

At one time bands of naked warriors, with 
feathers on their heads (the Iroquois before 
alluded to), made a descent upon Frenchtown, 
and in silence proceeded to destroy all property 
which was supposed to be required for the sup. 
port of the army in the coming contest. En- 
tering the houses of the French peasantry, thej- 
plundered the defenseless tenants of the pro- 
visions within them without exchanging a 
word with the occupants, cut down the cattle 



in the fields, and with their tomahawks demol- 
ished the beehives which were found in their 
gardens. 

Soon after the surrender, Colonel Anderson, 
who had from his efficiency as colonel of the 
militia and exertions as an organizer become 
prominent, was a marked man by Tecumseh 
and his band, and they were determined to 
take his life. The Colonel, with the small 
number of Americans on the river, were com- 
pelled to leave to escape the vengeance of the 
Indians, leaving his wife (the sister of James 
Knaggs) in possession of his store and property. 
He then resided on the site on Elm Avenue 
now owned and occupied as the residence of 
Talcott E. Wing, Esq. A portion of the house 
was occupied as a residence, the remainder as 
a store and fur-trading establishment, liber- 
ally supplied with goods adapteil to the wants 
of the Indians, together with an abundant 
supply of fire-water. Mrs. Anderson was con- 
versant and familiar with the language of the 
various tribes of Indians, and had as a clerk 
and helper in the store become well acquainted 
with most of the trading Indians. When the 
newsreachedherof the capture of General Win- 
chester and his forces, knowing well the habits 
and customs of the savages, especially when 
under the influence of liquor, she hurried to 
the cellar of the store, where the liquors were 
stored, and caused the heads of the whisky 
barrels to be knocked in. The Indians burst 
in the door, ransacked the store, then repaire<l 
to the cellar, prostrated themselves on their 
Ijreasts and filled themselves with whisk}'. 
When besotted, drunk and wild, they returned 
to the portion of the hou.se occupied us a resi- 
dence, with the most unearthly yells and 
whoops; emptied the scalps they had gathered 
in bags on the parlor floor, and dancing around 
the room, slapped the bleeding scalps against 
and bespattering and disfiguring the walls and 
coiling. Mrs. Anderson was in the room ad- 
joining, seated on a large chest containing the 
monej' and valuables of her husband. The 
Indians approached her in a threatening and 
menacing manner, and with upraised toma- 
hawks and knives commanded her to rise up. 
She having often traded with them and speak- 
ing fluently their language, raised her voice to 
its highest pitch and pointing her finger at 
them, with the expression, "Shame, so many 
Indians fightone squaw," and was then, with the 



40 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



interference of two resolute Indians, left un- 
molested, retaining her treasures. 

Colonel John Anderson was of Scotch descent, 
and married at Maumee Miss Knaggs, the sister 
of James Knaggs, wiio became distinguished in 
the war of 1812 as a scout, under Generals 
IIuU, Cass and Harrison. He removed to 
Prenchtowu about the year 1800, having one 
son, John Anderson, who was born at Maumee. 
After removing toFrenchtown he had one son, 
Alexander D. Anderson, who was an attorney, 
and for many yeai-s Judge of Probate for the 
County of Monroe, and one daughter, Eliza, 
who became the wife of the Hon. Warren Wing. 
Immediatelj- after the massacre in January, 18 13, 
Mrs. Anderson, with her three children, John, 
Alexander and Eliza, tied to Detroit and remain- 
ed there, hiring a house and keepingboarders to 
maintain herself and fiimily until the return of 
Colonel Anderson fi'om Dayton, Ohio. As their 
names were identical, the Colonel Anderson 
referred to above is olten confounded with 
(Jolonel John Anderson, of the United States 
Army, who, with Plj-mpton and Kirbj', pur- 
chased the farms of Mulhollen and Egnew next 
west of Monroe street, extendingfrom the River 
Raisin south to Plumb Creek, a portion of 
which was subsequently platted, and consti- 
tutes that portion of the city west of Monroe 
street. 

The Loranger farm on the east side of Mon- 
roe street was purchased by Joseph Loranger 
of Judge Augustus B Woodward, who bought it 
original!}- to qualify himself as judge under the 
fourth section of the ordinance which required 
ajudge to own at least 500 acres of land, and 
had given his place the euphonious name of 
Euphemia, which it retained until tlie name of 
Monroe was substituted. 

Among the number of the American families 
that escaped about the same time with Colonel 
Anderson, were the families of Samuel Mul- 
hollen and Jared Egnew, who purchased for 
$& per acre the farm next adjoining the Joseph 
Ijoranger tract on the west, the east lineof which 
was Monroe street, and the west Adams street, 
extending south from the river to Plumb Creek, 
constituting a part now of the first ward of the 
city of Monroe. The western farm in the di- 
vision fell to Mr. Mulhollen, who built a log 
house on the site where the "Harleston House" 
stood, now occupied by the German Catholic 
Church as a school-room, near and a little to 



the northeast of the brick church building, 
opposite the " Isle of Patmos." The site of the 
Mulhollen house was subsequently purchased 
by the Hon. Charles Lanman, thereafter bj' 
George B. Harleston. 

The site of the village, now city, of Monroe, 
was at that time occupied as farming land, and 
the Loranger farm, east of this tract, was, in 
1817, platted by Joseph Loranger into village 
lots. After the settlement of Mr. Mulhollen on 
the river three children were born — Samuel, 
Saraband Aurilia- the first of whom is now liv- 
ing; the last named married Sylvester Brown, a 
very successful farmer of eminent piety, who, 
late in life, sold his possessions, and with his 
wife, spent the last years of their lives in the 
city of Monroe. There were at that time no 
bridges, and Mrs. Sarah Rowe (?iee Mulhollen) 
well remembers fording the river in the sum- 
mer months when the water was low, going to 
and coming from school, and when the water 
was high going and coming on horseback, the 
father having one child in front and the other 
holdingon behind. The first schoolmaster was 
a Mr. Hicock, who occupied a log house on the 
north side of the river between the Clark and 
Downing farms. The second school was taught 
on the north side of the river, opposite the 
present residence of Talcott E. Wing, Esq. 

The first school taught on the south side of 
the River Raisin was bylsaac P. Skinner, who 
will be remembered as for so many years there- 
after Register of Deeds of the county of Mon- 
roe. He occupied as a school house a large 
building built for and for many years used as 
a distillery, on the river bank, a little east of 
the present residence of Doctor A. I. Saw3-er. 
In an interview with Mrs. Rowe in 1887, she 
well remembered for months before the surren- 
der of Hull (which surrender was in August, 
1812), the rumors of war between England and 
America which were rife. The drilling of the 
militia was of frequent occurrence, and for two 
weeks before the surrender the family, in com- 
mon with other American families, sought pro- 
tection nights in the fort or stockade on the site 
of the present residence of Major E. Chapman. 
She also well remembers the scene that occurred 
at her father's house immediately after the sur- 
render of General Hull. The family were mak- 
ing preparations to flee from the country, fear- 
ing and apprehensive of the ravages of hostile 
Indians, who were in hordes traversing the 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 



41 



country. Tlie family lioiisoliold goochs, with 
everything that would bear tran.sportatioii, 
were boxed up in anticipation of leaving the 
next morning, the last washing preparatory to 
moving was done and the clothes hanging on 
the line to dry, when tlie house was approached 
bj' about 200 Indians. Mrs. Eowe, in common 
with the rest of the family, was frightened, and 
she well remembers as though it had occurred 
but yesterday, of escaping and concealing her- 
self in the garret behind some old barrels, llo- 
sistance was useless, and Mr. Mulhollen was 
compelled quietly to 8ubn\it to their ransacking 
the whole house, and with their tomahawks 
chopping open the boxes in which the goods 
were packed and appropriating everything to 
their own use, leaving the family destitute; 
pouring a quantity of tea on the floor for 
which they had no desire, in fact did not know 
its use. 

Mr. Mulhollen and Egnew werecajjtured, but 
soon released bj' Colonel Proctor. Immediately 
thereafter they, with their families, fled by 
small open boats, following the meanderings of 
the river to the lake, then following the shores 
of Lake Erie to Cleveland, camping by night 
on the shore and during the days when the 
lake was rough, and after many days of fatigue 
and suffering readied their destination. 

When rowing along the border of the lake 
opposite Sandusky, Mrs. Mulhollen wuth a 
young child (Samuel, now living in Toledo) 
was nearly exhausted from exposure, and called 
attention to some burning embers on shore, 
and in compliance with her request tliey rowed 
ashore that she might, by the tire, malte a cuj) 
of tea. She had but stirred up the fire and 
placed the teapot on the embers when thej- 
were amazed by the sight a few feet from the 
fire, of some ribbons whidi they recognized as 
liaving left in their hou.se on the River Kaisiii. 
American scalps were then valuable to Indians, 
and knowing they had left these ribbons at 
home but a few days before, they concluded tliey 
were followed by Indians, who were probably 
lying in ambush awaiting their landing. Leav- 
ing the teapot on the coals, they immediately 
sought their boats and with all haste shoved 
out into the lake and pursued their journey. 

They remained in Ohio about sixty miles 
west of Cleveland, about two years, then re- 
turned to the River Raisin to find everything 
destroved ou the farm, fences burned and 



naught remaining but the log house, whicli 
gave many indications of barbarous usage. 

At this time and for many years thereafter, 
the land between First and Front streets, ad- 
joining Monroe street on the west, was occu- 
pied as a burj-ing ground, and a numbcrof our 
citizens well romcmbcr the time when the 
bodies were exhumed and removed to the old 
cemetery between Sixth and Seventh streets, 
on the west side of Monroe street. 

Mr. Mulhollen sold, reserving a few lots on 
Monroe street, his farm to Messrs. Anderson 
and Kirby, ofHcers of the United States Army, 
and invested proceeds in wild lands in the 
count}- and State, piirchased a large fiarm about 
two miles south of Monroe on the turnpike, 
where ho resided until the time of his death, 
which farm was inherited by his son Daniel. 
The old homestead remains in the family. 

July 3, 1805, Governor Hull, Ijy proclamation, 
established the District of Erie, a portion of 
which constituted Monroe county, embracing 
the strip on the south of the width often miles, 
which was subsequeutlj' the cause of .strife, and 
gave ri.se to the bloodless Toledo war. 

On the 3d of July, 1805, the first United 
States District Court was held by Chief Justice 
Augustus B. Woodward; Frederick Bates, As- 
sociate Judge; George McDougall, Clerk; Solo- 
mon Siblej'; Elijah Brush, attorne\-s and coun- 
selors, at the house of Jean Baptiste Jercaume, 
on the north bank of the River Raisin, below 
where the Canada Southern Railroad crosses the 
river in the eastern part of the present city of 
Monroe. The Grand Jury called at that session 
consisted of John Anderson, Francis Navarre, 
Israel Ruland, Ethan Baldwin, Alexander 
Ewing, Isidore Navarre, Jacques Navarre, 
Joseph Francis Moutou, Robert Navarre, Joseph 
Dazette, Joseph Jobin, John B. Lasselle, Bar- 
ney Parker, Jean Chavet, Samuel Ewing, Sam- 
uel Egnew and Joseph Pouget. Well do I re- 
member as a lad the familiar faces of most of 
these courteous French gentlemen constituting 
tlie first grand jury. Two years thereafter the 
demoralizing influence of liquors gave rise to 
the only presentment made by the grand jury 
against "those persons having license to sell 
whisky, deserving the intervention and au- 
thority of the court that they might be re- 
strained from selling on the Sabliath." 

During the year 1807, the Indian title was 
relinquished to all the lands in the county of 



42 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Monroe, excepting a tract of three miles square 
known as the " Macon Reserve," which was 
subsequently ceded by the Indians to the 
Catholic Church of St. Ann, Detroit, the title 
to which was subsequently acquired by the 
Hon. Isaac P. Christiancy, and called the 
Christiancy tract. 

When war was declared, June 18, 1812, it 
was impossible for Americans to remain with 
any degree of safety, and for six weeks there- 
after it was necessary for the wives and chil- 
dren of the American .settlers to si^end their 
time in the stockade or fort, on the premises 
now occupied and owned by Major Edward C. 
Chapman on Elm Avenue. So intolerable was 
the annoyance and danger, the Americans with 
their families tied to Ohio and Kentucky, the 
French to Detroit and Canada, and for the fol- 
lowing three years this portion of the State 
was deserted. Immediately after their flight 
Col. Proctor ordei-ed the stockade burned and 
destroyed, through fear it might fall into the 
bands of the American forces. 

During the next three years mails, however, 
were regularly carried from Detroit to San- 
dusky, by the Indian trails, weekly, and three 
years after triweekly, by Francis Cousino, of 
Erie, and Mr. Barron, of LaSalle, contractors, 
on French ponies, who performed their trips 
with great regularity and speed when we con- 
sider thei'e were no roads or bridges across the 
streams. Their appi'oach to each postoifice on 
the I'oute was announced by blowing the old- 
fashioned tin horn. Persons traveling then to 
orfrom Michigan timed their departure by these 
mail carriers, whom they followed as guides. 

One after another of the families who had 
fled before the war of 1812, returned during 
the years 181G, 1817 and 1818 to Frenchtown, 
the principal settlement on the north side 
of the River Raisin. All of the stores and 
trading-posts were on the north bank of the 
river, on the front of the Campau, trodfroy 
and Lacroix farms, now occupied bj' residences 
of Louis Lafontain and E. B. Lewis, and the 
flourishing nurseries of Messrs. Reynolds, 
Lewis and Ilgianfritz. A strife then ai'ose for 
the location of the county-seat on the site of 
Frenchtown on the north side of the river, but 
the proposition of Joseph Lorangerto locate in 
town of Monroe in consideration of his grant- 
ing public grounds, with streets and alleys, was 
accepted, and the county-seat was established 



on the south side of the river, the present site 
of the city of Monroe. 

It was during the three years that Daniel 
MulhoUen, Samuel Bgnew, General Levi S. 
Humphrey, Loriu Marsh, Daniel S. Bacon. Col. 
Oliver Johnson, Samuel Felt, Almon Chase, 
Alcott Chapman, Thomas Wilson, Luther 
Harvey, Henry Di.sbrow, Dr. Harry Conant, 
Waleott Lawrence, Seneca Allen, Robert Clark, 
Col. Taylor and Col. Charles Lanman, names 
now familiar to our older citizens, came as the 
jjioneers of Southern Michigan. 

In 1816 Dr. Horatio Conant (uncle of ex- 
Secretary of State Harry A. Conant) settled at 
Maumee, and was appointed by Governor Cass 
Justice of the Peace. In 1819 Seneca Allen held 
a commission from the Governor of Ohio as Jus- 
tice of the Peace, with jurisdiction over the dis- 
puted territorj', and notified Dr. Conant that he 
must not attempt to do any business under his 
commission from the Governor of Michigan. 
But Allen, in December, 1819, had an engage- 
ment to marry a couple on the north side of 
the Maumee river. The river was high, full of 
running ice, and very unsafe to cross. Conant 
lived near the bank of the river on the Mau- 
mee side, Allen near the bank on the Perrys- 
burg side and nearly opposite. Allen, finding 
it impracticable to cross to fill his engagement, 
called to Dr. Conant across the river and re- 
quested him to marry tire couple. The doctor 
reminded him (Allen) of his former prohibition 
to act under his commission, but Allen insisted, 
on the ground that "necessity knows no law." 
Dr. Conant married the couple, and received 
for his marriage fee a jackknife. 

July 14, 1817, Monroe county was established, 
then including all of Lenawee and a portion of 
the present counties of Wayne and Washtenaw, 
and the county court was required to be held 
at such place not exceeding two miles from the 
house of Francois Lasalle, on the bank of the 
River Raisin (the site being the jji-esent resi- 
dence of Peter Melosh), as the court might 
designate. Sei:)tember 4, 1817, the town of 
Monroe was established and made the county- 
seat of Monroe county. In December of the 
same year, jirovision was made for the con- 
struction of the first court house, on the 
southwest quarter of the public square, a little 
in front of the present site of the First Presby- 
tei'ian Church. The second story of the court 
house was used for the court, while the east part 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 



43 



of the first story served as the residence of 
the jailer, and the west part for the jail, and it 
had a small space in the rear surrounded by a 
stockade that served as a yard for prisoners. 
Jt was in front of this building the whipping 
post was located where criminals were senten- 
ced to be lashed — the same mode of punish- 
ment now retained and practiced in the State 
of New Jersey. One result of this mode of 
punishment was that such a degree of mortitica- 
tion and disgrace on the part of the criminal 
followed that he was never the second time 
thus punished for a like offense. This old yel- 
low court house was the only public building in 
the county for the following fifteen years, and 
the second story the only room used for public 
assemblies for either religious, political or secu- 
lar purposes. 

June 1, 1819, John Anilorsou, Olivei" JohiKson 
and twelve others were authorized to build and 
maintain for twciitj-tive ^"ears, a toll-bridge 
across the River Raisin, which everitually gave 
place to the present Monroe street bridge. 

The French inhabitants of Monroe count}- 
were neai'ly all farmers, and lived bj- the culti- 
vation of the soil. Some few might be called 
large farmers, but generally they cultivated 
much less ground than the same number of 
American farmers under like circumstances. 
Until 1828 and 1830 they had no market for a 
surplus except the small local demand among 
themselves, and by habit had quite generally 
come to think there was no great object in 
raising a crop much beyond the necessary an- 
nual supplj- for their own families. And this 
habit continued to a considerable extent, l>ut 
gradually wore away. They were unambi- 
lious, limiting their wants to the real necessa- 
ries of life, which were casil}- sup))lied ; indus- 
trious so far as thev felt labor to be necessary, 
but with none of that dis[)08ition to excessive 
exertion for the sake of gain or the rapid accu- 
muialion of wealth which generallj- distin- 
guished the American of New England or New 
York descent. They did not see the wisdom of 
over-exertion, nor believe that happiness con- 
sisted in the constant over-exercise of the 
mental or physical powers for accumulation of 
wealth. They were simple and inexpensive in 
their habits, and content with little. All devoted 
Catholics, they scrupulously ob.served all the 
fete days of the church, and followed implicitly 
the instructions of their clergy, who, judging 



from the effects, must have been faithful shep- 
herds of their flocks. Kind and obliging to all, 
good neighbors and faithful friends. In those 
days their standard of morality and integrit}' 
was as high as among any |)coplc, crime being 
almost unknown among them. 

The following is an extract from a letter 
written at River Raisin, ]\Iarcii S, 1808, by 
Judge A. B. Woodward : 

The French inhabitants, tliouRh they may some- 
times be uninformed, are not generally ill-disposed. 
In a Catholic country, where there is not one Prot- 
estant minister,or one Protestant religious society 
of any denomination, a Protestant minister, particu- 
larly of eastern manners, even though his character 
was adorned witli all the virtues appropriate to his 
profession, is not naturally the most acceptable. 
Indeed, to the people of this country, as well others 
a.s the French, the eastern habits are the least re- 
spected. The British gentlemen have always indulged 
a sort of contemptuous and unjustifiable hatred of 
them; and when displcascd.the term "Yankee " is one 
of the most virulent epithets which they conceive they 
can apply. The French do not use this term, though 
they entertain the same idea and perhaps with still 
greater force. They have another term which an- 
swers them the same purpose. It is the term " Bos- 
tonnois," which they pronounce " Bastonnois." 
" Sacre Bastonnois," or " Sacre cochon de Bas- 
tonnois," is their most virulent term of abuse wlien 
they are displeased with an American, or with a 
person from the Eastern States particularly. 

The first French settlers that located on the 
River Raisin were the direct descendants from 
the old French pioneers of Detroit. Few 
among the French farmers had much of the 
education to be derived from books, yet there 
was quite a number of intelligent, strong 
thinkers, men of sound judgment, wlio well de- 
served their reputations for integrity and up- 
rightness. Though all are able to speak the 
French language, the English language is 
spoken bj' a very large proportion of them 
now. 

The old French pioneer clung with great 
tenacity to the traditions and customs of France; 
they were the links connecting him with the 
shores of his sunny dime. The French lan- 
guage was spoken with all the purity and 
elegance of the time of Louis XIV. After the 
conquest it lost much of its purity by the 
mingling of the two languages. It was the 
polite language of the upper cla.ss, English 
officers and their wives alwaj's speaking it 
fluently. No people piciued themselves more 



44 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



in pride of aucestry. Manj' of iiie first 
colonists belonged to the ancient nobles of 
Franco, retired officei's and soldiers. vSeveral of 
their descendants still preserve their name and 
tradition. Tlie commandants at PortPontcluu - 
train at Detroit all belonged to distinguished 
families, and many bore historic names. We 
find in every bi'anch of the Navarres, whether 
in Florida, Canada, New York or Michigan, 
the tradition of a descent from tlie King of 
France. These old traditions were banded 
down from generation to generation, and can 
still be found in the remotest branches. 

Glimpses of their domestic life become more 
valuable, as our knowledge of their manners 
and customs is very limited. 

On New Year's eve a number of young men, 
masked, wont from house to house singing a 
peculiar song, suitable for the occasion ; the 
host and hostess brought out bundles of cloth- 
ing, provisions and sometimes money, and fill- 
ed the carts of the minstrels. These contribu- 
tions were afterwards distributed among the 
poor. 

On New Year's day the exchanging of jjres- 
ents was very universally followed; also the 
making of calls. The fair hostess always pre- 
sented her rosy cheek to be saluted by the 
callers. The right of precedence was strictly 
observed, the oldest persons always being 
first and the officers according to rank. The 
wives of the English officers at first objected to 
the custom of being thus saluted, but soon 
adopted the style, though in trying to improve 
it, rather vulgarized it by kissing on the lips. 

New Year's morning every child knelt to re- 
ceive its parents' blessing, and even when 
married hastened with husband and little ones 
to receive this coveted benediction. The chil- 
dren were all sent this da}' to visit all their 
relatives. On entering a room " Bon jour, 
Monsieur," " Bon jour, Madame," was the usual 
greeting of every French child to its pai'ents. 
Children, constantly seeing the respect and 
deference their parents j)aid to their elders, 
soon acquired that gi-aceful courtesy and affa- 
bility of manners which is so distinguishing a 
trait of the old French habitant. 

Mardi Gras evening was one of unusual 
mirth and enjoyment with the easy-going, fun- 
loving inhabitants. " Vives les crepes," the toss- 
ing of pancakes, was an old custom handed 
down. A large number of guests Mere invi- 



ted to the house and all repaired to the spa- 
cious kitchen. The large open fire-place with 
its huge hickory logs brflliantlj' illuminated 
the room. Each guest in turn would 
take hold of the pan with its long handle, 
while some one would pour in the thin batter, 
barely enough to cover the bottom of the pan. 
The art consisted in trying to turn by tossing 
it as high as po.ssible and bringing it down 
without injuring the perfection of its shape. 
Many were the ringing peals of laughter that 
greeted a failure. The cakes were piled up in 
pyramid shape, butter and maple sugar placed 
between each layer, and formed the central 
dish in the substantial supper which took place 
later. After sup'per dancing commenced and 
at the first stroke of twelve all saluted the host 
and hostess and took farewell of jjleasure until 
Easter, Lent being rigidly observed. The fes- 
tivities of a wedding lasted for several days. 
The maiTiage bans were published for three 
successive Sundays in church, and formed the 
all-absorbing topic of conversation. Marriage 
was then a serious undertaking. Divorces were 
unknown among them. 

At the betrothal the marriage contract was 
signed by both parties, their relations and 
friends. Tlie health of the newly married 
couple was drunk in many a bumper. This 
signing of names and stating pi'ofessions or oc- 
cupations on the marriage certificate and 
church register was a usual custom. As soon 
as the marriage ceremony was over each one 
got into his cariole, calash oV cart, according to 
the season, and headed by the newlj- wedded 
pair, formed a procession, and passed along the 
principal streets, then racing, if roads were 
suitable. Dancing and the great supper took 
place at the home of the bride. The bride 
opened the ball with the most distinguished 
guest — the stately minuets and graceful cotil- 
lions, French four, with fisher's hornpipe and 
the reel, concluding by filing into the suj^per- 
room by tsvos. Knives and forks were brought 
by each guest — ^ often a spring-knife that 
would close and be carried in the pocket, or a 
dagger-knife suspended from the neck in a 
sheath. 

Adjoining the kitchen was the bake house. 
The oven,built of brick, was generally plastered 
over with mortar. In the center was a wooden 
trough, in which the bread was kneaded. The 
front door always oj)ened into the parlor. The 



EAIU.Y SF/rTLEMENTS. 



45 



latch was raised by means of a long strip of 
buciiskin hanging outside. Whenever the in- 
mates were out no one, not oven an Indian, 
would enter, to do so being considered abreach 
of hospitality. The clothes were taken to the 
river bank to be beaten with a mallet, the use 
of pounding barrels and clothes wringers being 
then unknown. Tlie spinning-wheel was con- 
stantl}' used by the women ; they made a sort 
of linsi'v uDolscy which was the principal 
clotli usihI. The making of straw hats was 
the principal occupation of the children and 
maidens during the winter evenings. 

The horses used were better known as Cana- 
dian ponies. The French wore passionately 
fond of racing on the ice in the winter, and 
Saturday afternoons in the summer montlis in 
fair weather large numbers met for what we 
would now term scrub races —commencing at 
the residence of E. P. Campbell and running to 
Macomb street, on the river road on the south 
side of the River Raisin. Tiiis was the resort 
for many years Saturday afternoons for fun and 
frolic. When horses of greater pretensions for 
speed and bottom, and for racing greater dis- 
tances, came from Detroit, the Rouge or Mau- 
mee, the race grounds in front of the Jean 
Rt. Cccott (now Bisonetto farm), one and one- 
half miles above Monroe, on the north side of 
tlie River Raisin, were resorted to, affording a 
mile of track well adapted for racing. 

Tlie whipping post was common in Michigan. 
The post in Monroe was on the public square 
in front of the First Presbyterian Church, and 
manj- now living remember the scenes tiiere 
enacted. Colonel Peter P. Ferry as justice of the 
peace often sentenced ofi'enders to the post, and 
John MulhoUen and Miles Thorp applied the 
lash. The thrashing was generally effectual, 
anfl in most cases, those punished felt the dis- 
grace of being publicly whipped im Ihi' bare 
back so keenly that they generally Kfl i'ov 
parts unknown, glad to escape from Monroe. 

The facts in relation to the early settlement 
of the River Raisin are every day becoming 
more and more difficult to obtain, and aftci-the 
older residents now living are gone — and they 
are rapidly jjassingaway — the difficult}- will be 
greatl}' increased. 

September 10, 1822, Monroe county was es- 
tablished as it now is, including the " disputed 
territory," but attached to it was the pre.>*ciit 
count}- of Lenawee. June 30, 1824, the seat 



of justice for Lenawee county was established 
at Tecumseli, but the county was not fully 
organized until November 26, 1826. All suits 
then pending before the Monroe county court 
were to be considered before that court. 

April 19, 1825, Laplaisance Bay Harbor 
Company was oi-ganized by Colonel John An- 
derson and seven others, and was the harbor 
for Southern Michigan until the completion of 
the Government canal in 1842. 

December 25, 182G, our delegate in Congress 
was instructed to protest against any change 
of the southern boundary of the county — a 
premonitory sj-mptom of the Toledo war. 

As before stated, about 100 French fami- 
lies settled on the River Raisin in 1784, and 
from that time settlements spread with con- 
siderable rapidity to Otter Creek, about five 
miles south, and to Stony Creek, about four 
miles north, and Swan Creek, nine miles north- 
east. So that, as appears by the subsequent 
grants of donated tracts to these settlers under 
the act of Congress, March 3, 1807, which con- 
fined the right to such grants to lands occu- 
pied and in part improved prior to July 1, 1796, 
these settlements must, prior to the last named 
date, have extended all along both sides of the 
River Riiisin almost continuousl}^ for eight or 
nine miles, and a few isolated tracts a little 
further up and along both sides of Otter Creek, 
from near the lake to some four miles into the 
interior and along Stony Creek. These early- 
settlers, for the sake of security and protection 
from the Indians, had settled very near each 
other along the River Raisin and other streams 
mentioned, clearing only a small portion of 
land in front along the stream. But as the 
act of Congress confined each claimant to the 
lands the front of which he improved, and al- 
lowed him any quantity up to 640 acres, re- 
quiring him to paj"- the government surveyor 
for surveying his tract, several remarkable re- 
sults followed: First, to gel any considerable 
quantity of land each would be compelled to 
take a narrow tract, thus making up the quan- 
tity by extending a greater or less distance back 
from the river or stream. This resulted in 
making the tract of each a narrow, ribbon- 
like piece of land, fronting on the stream. 
Second, as the claimant had to pay the gov- 
ernment surveyor for surveying his claim, and 
most of the settlers, in the honest simplicity 
of those days, could see no use in extcn<iing 



46 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



their tracts further back from the front than 
would be convenieut to work as a fai'm, together 
with enough woodland in the rear for fire- 
wood and timber, most of them declined to pay 
the extra cost of surveying out the large tract 
of 160 acres to which each would have been 
entitled, which in most cases, would have ex- 
tended from three to five miles to make up the 
quantity, and not more than one in ten of them 
would consent to make their tracts longer than 
about two miles, and many of them not more 
than one. But occasionally a claimant more 
fiir-seeing or more confident of the future, or 
perhaps stimulated bj' some "Yankee" (who 
had agreed with the claimant to purchase his 
claim), would extend his claim four miles or 
more in depth so as to include nearly 640 acres 
allowed bj' law. But these cases were excep- 
tional, and did not amount to one in twenty. 

"Very generally the adjoining claimants 
would make their claims of the same depth, 
and most generally about two miles, so as to 
make the rear of their claims a straight line; 
but occasionally would come in the midst of 
them, a more modest claimant, who refused to 
extend his claim more than about one mile. 
This, of coui'se, rendered the rear of the body 
of claims jagged and unequal, and the conse- 
quence of this was, tiiat when the Government, 
some years after, surveyed the public lands, 
finding a conssiderable body of claims extend- 
ing the same distance back and bounded 
alike by one straight line, it omitted to notice 
the fact that among these claims were some 
which only extended back about half the dis- 
tance, and the land in rear of these short 
claims was thus, by mistake, left unsurveyed, 
and treated as a part of the claim in front. 
Although the original claimants knew that 
these lands were not included in their grants, 
their descendants, who were generally illiter- 
ate, most of them unable to read, I'eally be- 
lieved that such lands were a part of the front 
claim which they had inherited, and they 
treated them as such in perfect good faith, sell- 
ing, mortgaging and leasing them as if a part of 
the front grant. And they might well do so in 
good faith, as the patents for a large jiortion of 
these claims were sent on to Michigan in 1812, 
and were captured by the British on a schooner 
bringing them. The heirs of the claimants, 
totally unacquainted with routine, never 
troubled themselves to inquire, and with their 



limited knowledge could not, if they wished, 
have ascertained the truth in relation to these 
grants. There were several thousand acres of 
these so-called " lost lands," many of which 
were among the best lands in the county. Be- 
tween 1850 and 1854 (while Hon. Charles 
Noble was surveyor-general in Michigan) a 
full and complete survey of such lands was 
made and returned to the general land- office in 
Washington. 

But the diflBculty in making provision upon 
equitable principles for the adjustment of the 
various complications which had grown up 
under such a state of things, had prevented 
any adjustment of these titles, and the truly 
paternal nature of our trovernment towards 
those who have in good faith converted the 
wilderness into fertile fields, has jjrevented any 
hasty legislation which might disturb the oc- 
cupants of these lands. 

The possession of these various tracts of 
land led to much litigation in Monroe county, 
and the connection of the public surveys with 
the prior grants of claims led to some litiga- 
tion in another way. The surveyor of the pri- 
vate claims did not always make the side line 
of some claims isolated from the general body 
of claims, and the government surveyor, on 
some occasions, included in the public surveys 
large portions of such claims; and the govern- 
ment lands were bought in good faith, but 
afterwards found to i'all within the patent of 
prior claims. Such was the case of a purchase 
of public land by Wakott Lawrence in Raisin- 
ville, some nine miles above Monroe on the 
north side of the river. A large part of his 
purchase turned out to be within the bounds 
of a prior patent, or a claim which had been 
purchased by Christopher Bruckner; and this 
case, after a long litigation, was settled by the 
decision of the Supreme Court of Michigan in 
Bruckner vs. Lawrence, 1 Doug. 19, and all 
other cases of a similar kind were settled or 
decided on the basis of this decision. 

While on the subject of public lands and 
land grants, I should state there was one In- 
dian reservation within the limits of Monroe 
county, of nine sections of land, at a place call- 
ed Macon, on the River Raisin, where the 
River Macon falls into the River Raisin. This 
was reserved to the Ottawa, Chijipewa, Wy- 
andot and Pottawatomie Indians by Hull's 
treaty at Detroit, of November 17, 1807. But 



EARLV SETTLEMENTS. 



47 



by the treatj- at the foot of the Rapids of 
Miami, made bj- Lewis Cass and Duncan Mc- 
Arthur on the part of the United States, with 
these and other tribes of Indians, September 
29, 1817, all these lands, except three sections 
'• on the Eivcr Eaisin at the place called Ma- 
con," were ceded to the United States. 

The sixteenth article of this treaty granted 
to the Eector of the Catholic Church of St. 
Ann, of Detroit, for the use of the said church 
and to the corporation of the College of De- 
troit in common, each one-half of tlireo .sections 
of land at Macon and three sections of land not 
yet located, and the superintendent of Indian af- 
fairs of Michigan (the Governor) was authorized 
to select the said tract of land. Suit was brought 
in 1841 b}- Hon. Isaac P.Christiancy as the attor- 
ney of St. Ann's Church, Detroit, to recover 
the three -sections at the Macon for which a 
patent had been issued January 25, 182G, by 
the President (John (^uinc}' Adams) to the 
rector of the church and his successors. It be- 
came necessary to ascertain how the patent 
came to be issued for the three sections at the 
Macon in severalty to the rector of the church 
and his successoi'S in office, or how the rector 
became the owner in severalty. For this pur- 
pose it was necessary to ascertain what was the 
"College of Detroit," and how, if at all, a par- 
tition had been made. After a great deal of 
research and numerous inquiries of the oldest 
citizens, he finallv ascertained the facts in the 
ca.se fi'om General Cass. He informed Judge 
Christiancy that Ihe College of Detroit was the 
nest egg of the Universitj- of Michigan. The 
University had been incorporated by an act 
of the Governor and judges, drawn up b}- 
Judge Woodward, by such a pedantic and un- 
couth name the Governor and remaining 
judges refused to adopt the name and we chose 
to call it the " College of Detroit." The name 
given in the act was the " Catholoj)i8tetniad." 
With this information. Judge Christiancy 
searched and found the act incoi-porating the 
" Catholopistemiad," which had never been 
printed, but had remained unknown to the 



public and uncited from the day of its passage. 
Judge Christiancy found the original record of 
tlie action of the church and college in the 
hands of Mott Williams, Ksq., at Detroit, con- 
taining a full and formal partition recorded 
between the rector of the church and the cor- 
poration of the college (University) of the three 
sections yet unlocated to the University. He 
found also that Austin E. Wing, Philip Seceeycr 
and Mr. Brown were appointed to examine and 
select the other three sections on behalf of the 
University ; that they had performed this duty 
and that they had made an able report, extoll- 
ing in enthusiastic, though no more than truth- 
ful terms, the great excellence of Michigan 
lands, and the advantages to settlers which 
Michigan offered over most other States of the 
Union. Judge Christiancy found that the 
State had already sold part of the land selected 
(of these three sections) and thus ratified the 
partition. As to the other six sections of the 
reserve, they were proclaimed for sale by the 
Government in 1839 and 1840, and at his sug- 
gestion John D. Pierce, then Superintendent of 
Public Instruction for the Slate, applied to 
have these sections assigned to the State as 
school lands to make up deficiencies for school 
sections in the county of Monroe, covered by 
what were called " the old French private 
claims." The Judge made out the papers 
for the signature of the Governor, and the 
Commissioner of the United States land 
ofiSce at once recognized the claim, and 
the lands were so assigned. While Judge 
Christiancy was a member of the Michigan 
Senate in tha winter of 18.50, he brought to the 
attention of Frank Sherman, then Superintend- 
ent of Public In.struction, the original charter 
of the " Catholopistemiad, or University of 
Michigan," and suggested its publication. Ho 
at once accepted the suggestion and in the 
next report inserted the full text of the act. In 
this way the original charter of the Michigan 
University' first saw the light in print, and was 
at last rescued from the oblivion to which its 
pedantic name had theretofore consigned it. 



CHAPTER VI. 



CAUSES THAT LED TO THE WAR OF 1812 SURRENDER OF DETROIT BY OKNERAI, HITI.I,. 



THE ruling passion of Great Britain has 
over been the acquisition of territory, 
by no means limited to the eastern continent 
and the isles of the sea. She persisted in her 
warfare with the Government of France until 
the year 1763, when she acquired from that 
Government all of her American possessions, 
and by treaty claimed the exclusive con- 
trol until the close of the Kevolutionary War 
in 1783, at which time, by the treaty commonly 
known as the .Jay treaty, she ceded thorn to 
the Government of the United States of Amer- 
ica. After holding undisputed sway for twenty 
years, appreciating the vast income derived 
from our fisheries and grants and licenses to 
those engaged in the fur-trade, she with great 
reluctance and with a poor grace re-ceded to 
our Government all her acquisitions from 
France. In making this cession by the treaty 
of 1783 of all the capacious harbors, noble 
rivers and tho Northwest Territory, it was the 
opinion among many of our eminent statesmen 
that she ever cherished the desire and deter- 
mination of regaining them. This opinion 
was based not only on the well-known desire 
for acquisition, but from her persistent efforts 
before and at the time of the treaty to limit our 
territory as far as practicable, and to the full 
extent of her power. Satisfied from her ex- 
perience in tho War of the Revolution that 
they could not be regained by force of arms, 
the energies of her statesmen were wasted in 
their efforts to have this vast territory organ- 
ized into independent states, and to recognize 
the various Indian nations as indejjendent 
nations. Could Great Britain have accom- 
plished this purpose through the numerous 
and powerful tribes of Indians that roamed 
over those vast tracts of territory which have 
since become populous States, a large portion 
of whom were then in sympath}' with and 
allies of the English during the Revolutionary 
War, she could then by treaty and purchase 



have acquired that which she could not hold 
by force and arms. She could then have colon- 
ized and occupied nearly the whole line of 
territory on the lakes, and the territory west 
of Lake Brie would have been an insuperable 
obstacle to the growth of the Northwest, and 
would have to-day been subject to the British 
Government instead of a free and independent 
government. 

This design on the part of Great Britain is 
further apparent from the fact that although 
this territory had been, by the treaty of 1783, 
ceded to our Government, the stipulations of the 
treaty were not carried out; and for years she 
retained possession of American f>orts captured 
during the Revolutionary War, and was con- 
stantly by bribes and presents instigating the 
savage tribes to make imjiractieable the settle- 
ment of the pioneers in the Northwest Terri- 
tory. Notwithstanding the stipulations of the 
treaty of 1783, the British Government, in 
violation thereof, still retained possession of the 
territory north of the Ohio, and at the decisive 
victory of General Wayne after the treaty-, tho 
Canadian volunteers and militia constituted a 
considerable part of the Indian armies. The de- 
cisive battle was fought under the walls of a 
British fort, standing on territory previously 
ceded to the United States Government. 

These violations of a sacred ti-eaty and en- 
croachments u2)on our territory on the frontier 
were still more exasperating upon the high 
seas. Napoleon was at this time in the very 
zenith of his power; and Great Britain, in.stead 
of overthrowing and crushing at once the 
French Republic, began to tremble for her own 
safety. The deadly strife that followed ex- 
hausted her resources and crippled her strength. 
She had for years been mistress of the seas, 
and to supply her navy with seamen, resorted 
to impressment of not only her own subjects 
but on American ships of American sailors. 
She arrested our merchant vessels on the 



[48] 



CAUSES THAT LED TO THE WAR OF l8l2. 



40 



higli seas undor tlio preteiiso of seeking de- 
serters, and without hesitation with groundless 
charges forced our sailors into the British navy 
and pressed them into the service of a hated 
nation. Over six thousand were known to 
have been thus impressed into the enemy's 
navy, though the real number was far in ex- 
cess of that number. This disregard of treaty 
obligations and these insults to our Govern- 
ment were not confined to the high seas, but 
our American merchantmen were boarded on 
our own coasts and captured. American sea- 
men were ])re8scd into their service in tiie very 
harbor of New York. Tliese aggressions on 
huul and violations of laws of nations and 
treaty stipulations continued, and becoming in- 
tensely aggravating, led on the part of our 
Government to an open declaration of war. 
Tlie New England States, with fresh recollec- 
tion of the carnage, bloodshed and strife of 
the Eevolutionary War, with their sympathies 
for a monarchical form of government, were 
averse to the declaration of war; and we were 
not only compelled to encounter the armies 
and navy of the most powerful nation on land 
and 8ea,but to meet with wisdom and great tirni- 
ness the opposition of a powerful part}' com- 
posed of our own citizens. Having just recov- 
ered from the consequences of the long and ex- 
haustive KevoliitioiKuy struggle, and feeling 
tiie invigorating influence of prosperity, the 
nation instinctively shrank from a war that 
would necessarily paralj-ze her commerce and 
the rising ho])es of a young nation. The Gov- 
ernment determined to exhaust all the efforts 
of diplomacy before resorting to arms, but 
England's encroachments were so barefaced 
and outrageous that Thomas Jefferson conclud- 
ed that patience and forbearance ceased to be 
virtues, and in communicating his impressions 
derived from intercourse with the English 
authorities, writes to our Government irom 
England : " In spite of treaties England is our 
enemy. Her hatred is deep-rooted and cordial, 
and nothing with her is wanted but power, to 
wipe us and the land we live in out of existence." 

Assuming the role of dictator, by her orders 
she not onlj- violated all our rights as a nation 
while submitting a treaty that was for protec- 
tion, but plundered our vessels, impressed our 
seamen and threatened the towns along our 
coasts with conflagration. 

A powerful party within our own borders 



that was opposed to the War of ISl'J compris- 
ed many of the leading statesmen of this 
country, and it should not appear to us strange 
when we consider the patriotism that charac- 
terized many in the party. Many of the 
noblest men had offered their lives and for- 
tunes to the cause of liberty in the iJovolution- 
ary struggle, and yet regarded the British 
Government as the best in the world. The}- 
made their sacrifices and evinced their patriot- 
ism not so much against the form of govern- 
ment, but to be free from its oppressive acts. 
They admired the British constitution, and 
took up arms not so much to destroj- as to cn- 
joj' the rights it guai-anteed its subjects. 

A great majority of the patriots and states- 
men believed that sufficient provocation had 
been given to justif)' us in a resort to arms. 
The impressment of 6,000 or 7,000 seamen, 
most of them American citizens, the destruc- 
tion of nearl}' a thousand merchantmen, and 
the insults heaped upon our flag, were wrongs 
which could not be justified. 

In anticipation of the War of 1S12, General 
Hull, the Governor of Michigan Territorj', had 
been ordered to occupy tlie Territory with an 
army of two thousand men, for the purpose of 
defending the northwest frontier from the In- 
dians, and in case of war vvith Great Britain to 
obtain command of Lake Erie. lie would thus 
be able to co-operate with General Dearborn, 
who had served in the Revolution and had 
been appointed commander-in-chief of the 
northern forces, and had repaired to Platts- 
burg; while General VanRensselaer of the 
New York militia, and General Smith, were 
stationed on the Niagara frontier. 

The design of this work will not a<lmit of 
following further and in detail the campaign of 
Generals Dearborn, VanRensselaer and Smith, 
having in view the invasion and conquest of 
Canada, but will be devoted in future to the cam- 
paign in the Northwest Territory under tlie 
command of General Hull, who had been an offi- 
cer of merit under General Wa.shington in the 
Revolutionary War, and whose appointment at 
that time was considered a vcrj- judicious one. 

In compliance with the call of the President, 
authorized by Congress, to the several States 
in anticipation of a war with Great Britain, 
Governor Meigs, of Ohio, issued his proclama- 
tion and drafted twelve hundred men from Ohio, 
which with three hundred volunteers under 



50 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Colonel Miller, three companies ofartilleiy and 
a part of the First regiment of infantry, assem- 
bled at Dayton, Ohio. The command thereof 
was by Governor Meigs assigned to General 
Hull, with instructions from the War Depart- 
ment to march to Detroit with all possible 
speed. The three regiments, under the com- 
mand of Colonels Cass, McArthur and Findlay, 
left Daj'ton June 1st with over two thousand 
rank and file for Detroit. While en route for 
Detroit General Hull at Findlay received infor- 
mation from the Secretary of War that war 
icotild probably soon be declared, dated June 
8tli, 1812; but the declaration of war dated the 
same daj' was not received by General Hull 
until July 2d, at Frenchtown, on the River 
Raisin, where he rested with his army over one 
day. On the Ist of July, at Miami, on the 
Maumee river. General Hull employed a 
schooner, the Cuyahoga, of which one Chapin 
was captain, to carry his baggage, hospital 
stores, intrenching tools and about thirty 
officers and privates, with muster rolls, which 
had just been completed, and with instructions 
from Secretary of War. The General declared 
that as he had not then received a declaration 
of war, the two Governments were yet at peace. 
But official notice of the declaration of war had 
been received by the British commander at 
Maiden six days before the declaration was 
received by General Hull, giving the British 
officers a great advantage in preparations. When 
the vessel with army supplies attempted to pass 
the British fort at Maiden it was seized and 
captured with all on board. This advantage 
gained over him had a depressing effect on 
General Hull. 

On the4thof July, General Hull, with his arm j', 
reached Huron River, about two miles east of 
the present site of Gibraltar, and constructed a 
bridge. Here he was met by troops from De- 
troit to aid in preparing the road. On the 5th 
the army crossed the Ecorse and Rouge rivers 
and reached the same evening Springwells, 
having traveled over 200 miles through an 
almost unbroken wilderness and forests, build- 
ing bridges as they came to streams and rivers, 
wading through tlie memorable black swamp, 
enduring great hardships. On the morning of 
the 6th of July General Hull ordered General 
Cass to Maiden with a flag of truce to demand the 
baggage and prisoners captured on the schooner 
Cuyahoga. On his arrival at Maiden he was 



blindfolded, his demands refused, and he was 
escorted back to Detroit. 

General Hull, having reached Detroit with 
his capable and patriotic officers and army of 
2,000 men, could have easily captured Maiden, 
and was urged to the necessity of doing some- 
thing to carry out the objects of the campaign. 
On the 12th of July he yielded to the pressure 
and marched with bis army to Sandwich. Hei'e 
he paused and was vacillating; to the great 
disgust of his officers, he halted four days ; 
issued a proclamation to the Canadians, and 
sent out detachments penetrating into the 
country. After this delay, General Hull sent 
Colonels Lewis Cass and Miller with a detach- 
ment of 280 men, toward Maiden. These officers 
pushed on to the River Canard, within four 
miles of the British fort at Maiden, drove in 
the pickets, took possession of and held the 
bridge, and immediately dispatched a messen- 
ger to General Hull announcing their success. 
For.some unaccountaljle reason General Hull, in- 
stead of being gratified at their success, seemed 
irritated, condemned the attack, and directed the 
immediate return of the detachment to Detroit. 
The brave officers persisted in their request to 
attack the enemy to no purpose. 

From the statements of the British afterwards, 
it appeared that the approach of this detach- 
ment tilled the British garrison with alarm ; 
their shipping was brought up to the wharves 
and the loading of baggage and stores com- 
menced jDreparatorj- to flight. Two sides of 
the fort were dilapidated, while 700 men, of 
whom only 100 were regulars, constituted the 
entire garrison. From the panic which the 
approach of Colonels Cass and Miller created, 
there is no doubt that the appearance of Gen- 
eral Hull's army of 2,000 men before the place 
would have been followed by an immediate sur- 
render. The American officers and array felt 
certain of success and were impatient to be led 
to the attack; but General Hull thought it un- 
.safe to advance without heav}- artillery, and 
desii-ed to know the effect of his proclamation. 
Two thousand men quietly waited for this 
miserable garrison of 700 men, 600 of whom 
were Canadian militia, restrained by the vac- 
illating course of the commanding officer. The 
American army was kept in this position three 
weeks. When at length two twenty-pounders 
and three howitzers were mounted and with 
the ammunition placed on floating batteries, 



SURRENDER OF nETROIT P.Y GENERAL HULL. 



51 



ready to move on Maiden, the order to mareli 
was countermanded, and the army instead 
of advancing against the enemy, recrossed 
the river to Detroit, over which it had passed 
a few weelis before to the conquest of Can. 
ada. During his delay of weeks the gathering 
of the Indian clans and re-enforcements pour- 
ing into the British garrison at Maiden seem- 
ed to alarm General Hull. The surrender at 
this time, on the 17th of July, of our post at 
Mackinac was announced b3' the olRcers and 
troops paroled, and increased his fears, lor it 
threatened the opposing forces of the Indians, 
Canadians and British in all the Northwest. The 
fort at Mackinac was the grand depot of the 
fur companies, and had shielded General Hull 
from all attacks from that quarter. 

Three days previous to the retreat of General 
Hull from Canada, Colonel Proctor, of the 
British armj', had arrived at Maiden with re- 
enforcements, and threw a detachment across 
the river to Brownstown to intercept an\' pro- 
visions and army supplies that might be ad- 
vancing from Ohio to the American army. 
Colonel Brush, who was on the waj- from Ohio 
with the mail, flour, cattle and supjjlies for the 
fort at Detroit, was advised of the naovemeiits 
of Colonel Proctor and was ordered to halt at 
the River Eaisin. To open the communication 
and aid Colonel Brush, Major Van Home was 
dispatched with 200 volunteers and militia : but 
the detachment was led into an ambush at 
Brownstown and utlerlj' defeated, but about 
one-half returning to the army. Both General 
Hull and Major Van Horno were censured — 
the general for not sending a stronger force, 
remaining quietly in Canada and crossing his 
forces leisurely to Detroit ; the latter for not 
heeding the information received that the 
enemy were in advance, and allowing his small 
force to rush into an ambuscade. General 
Hull's position was now embarrassing. Re- 
enforcements were hastening to the support of 
Maiden, his communications on Lake Erie were 
cut off by the British vessels, while the defeat 
of Van Ilorne indicated that his communica- 
tions by land were also cut off. The general 
knew the land communications must be opened 
at all hazards, and dispatched Colonel Miller, 
with 400 men, on the route which Van Home 
had taken, to clear the road to the River Raisin. 

Colonel Miller left Detroit August 8, 1S12, 
and the next day in the afternoon, as he was 



approaching Brown.-itown, came upon the 
enemy, covered with a breastwork of logs and 
branches of trees, protected on the one side by 
the Detroit river and on the other by swamps 
and thickets. The British were commanded 
by Muir and the Indians by Tecumseb. Caj)- 
tain Snelling, leading the advance guard, ap- 
proached to within half musket shot, when he 
discovered the enemy. A fierce and deadly 
fire was opened on him, which he sustained 
with great courage until Colonel Miller, convert- 
ing his march into order of battle, advanced to 
his support. Seeing how destructive the fire of 
the enemjT was, while the bullets of his own 
men buried themselves for the most part in the 
logs of the breastwork, also perceiving some 
symptoms of wavering. Miller determinetl to 
carrj' the works by the bayonet. The order to 
charge was received with loud cheers, and the 
next moment one detachment poured fiercely 
over the breastworks, routing the British and 
Canadians, and pressed swiftlj^ on their retreat- 
ing footsteps. Tecumseb, however, maintain- 
ed bis post, and Van Home, who commanded 
the right flank of the American lines, suppos- 
ing from bis stubl)orn resistance that it would 
require more force than he possessed to dis- 
lodge him, sent to Colonel Miller for re-enforce- 
ments. The latter iiumediatcly ordered a halt, 
and with reluctance turned from the fugitives, 
now almost within his grasp, and hastened to 
the relief of his subordinate. On arriving "at 
the breastworks he found the Indians in full 
flight. He started again in pursuit, but ar- 
rived in view of the oneiu}- only to see it on 
the water floating away beyond his grasp. He 
had, however, established the communication 
between Detroit and the River Raisin, and dis- 
patched Colonel Snelling to Detroit with an 
account of the victory and a request for boats 
to remove the wounded, bring provisions for 
the living and re-enforcements to supply the 
places of the dead and disabled. General 
Hull promptly sent Colonel McArthur vv'ith 
100 men and the boats, but with provisions 
suflicient only for a single meal. Colonel Mil- 
ler was then some twent}' miles from su])plies, 
but not deeming it prudent with his slender 
force and scanty provisions to proceed, re- 
mained on the battle field and sent another 
messenger, declaring communication opened, 
and assuring him a few more men and provi- 
sions would keep it so, expecting, as soon as 



52 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



supplies came and he was relieved of the sick 
and wounded, to march to Brush at the Eaisin. 
The nest evening the messenger i-eturned, 
bringing instead of the provisions a peremptory 
order to return to Detroit with his forces. 

On the evening of thel4th General Hull sent 
Colonels McArthur and Cass, with a detachment 
of 400 men, to obtain by a back, circuitous and 
unknown route through the woods, that^which 
Colonel Miller had secui-ed and then been com- 
pelled to relinquish. 

On the evening of the 15th General Hull 
sent a courier to the detachment under Cass 
and McArthur, ordering them before reaching 
the Eaisin to return, as the fort had been 
summoned to surrender. The detachment 
marched until two o'clock that night on their 
return, and early the next morning arrived at 
the edge of the woods in the vicinity of Detroit, 
where they drew up in order of battle. 

In the meantime General Brock, commander 
of the British forces, approached Detroit on 
the opposite side of the River Detroit, and com- 
menced erecting batteries to j)rotect his army 
and cover it in crossing the river. General 
Hull's officers proposed and urged him to ])er- 
mit.them to cross and spike the guns and dis- 
able the enemy, but every project suggested 
was rejected, and the 24-pounders and howitzers 
were dumb on their carriages in front of these 
hostile preparations. 

On the morning of the 15th of August, 1S12, 
a messenger arrived from General Brock de- 
manding an immediate surrender of the town 
and fort. General Hull replied, refusing 
in a very spirited manner. General Brock 
immediately opened his fire from a newlj' erect- 
ed batterj-, and after knocking down chim- 
neys and disabling a few soldiers, ceased firing 
about ten o'clock in the evening. The next 
morning General Brock, under the protection 
of his battery, commenced crossing the river 
and without loss succeeded. The opposing 
forces were nearly equal, but the position of 
the Americans gave them greatly the advan- 
tage. TheAmerican fort was of great strength, 
surrounded by a deep, wide ditch, and strongly 
palisaded, witii an e.xtcrior battery of two 24- 
pounders. At this time Colonel Anderson, 
stationed at corner of Jefferson avenue and 
Wayne street with two 24-pounder8, with his 
fuse readj', was confident he could with one 
charge have blown General Brock's close 



column to pieces, but instead received an order 
from General Hull not to fire. The ditch was 
occupied by 400 men, while 400 more lay be- 
hind a picket fence which flanked the approach 
to it. Three hundred more held the town. 
Against this formidable army General Brock 
boldly advanced, riding in front of his column, 
apparently doomed to swift destruction, with 
his troops advancing, while with impatience 
every eye of our forces was sternly bent, and 
every heart beating intensely to hear the com- 
mand to fire. In this moment of thrilling ex- 
citement a white flag was hoisted above the 
fort, and an order came for all the troops to 
withdraAv from the outer posts and stack their 
arms. Such a cry of indignation arose as 
probably never before assailed the ears of a 
commander. 

This shameful deed was done on the 16th 
of August, 1812, and by the articles of capitu- 
lation included Colonels McArthur and Cass, 
with their detachments that had been sent to 
the River Raisin, together with the detachment 
under Colonel Brush at the River Raisin that 
was entrusted with the supplies. Colonels 
McArthur and Cass, having heard the cannon- 
ading twenty-four hours before, were return- 
ing, and at the moment the white flag was 
raised were with their forces within one and a 
half miles from the fort, advancing so as to 
take the enemy in the rear. Thus ended a 
defense which was thought by the most intelli- 
gent officers would have resulted in the entire 
destruction of the British army. 

The terms of capitulation surrendered 2,000 
men, 40 barrels of powder, 400 rounds of 24- 
pouud shot, 100,000 ball cartridges, 24,000 
stand of arms, 35 iron and 8 brass cannon and 
a large supply of provisions ; and for weeks 
thereafter small boats were engaged in trans- 
porting the military stores to Maiden. 

General Hull was tried by court-martial, of 
which Martin Van Buren was judge advocate. 
Acquitted of treason, he was found guilty of 
cowardice, and was sentenced to be shot, but 
was pardoned by the President. His life was 
saved, but he was ever after a blighted and 
ruined man. It is sad to think he went down 
to the grave in sorrow and disgrace — that one 
who had marched beside General Washington 
in the perilous advance on Trenton, stood 
firmly amidst the hottest fire at Princeton, 
gallantly led his men to the charge at Bemis 



SURRENDER OF DETROIT BY GENERAL HULL, 



53 



Heights, aiul faced without flinching the fiery 
sleet that swept the column pressing up the 
rugged heights of Stony Point, should be 
adjudged a coward. He had been a gallant 
subordinate officer in the Revolution; but a 
man may be a good major or even colonel, yet 
a very poor commander-in-chief — qualified and 
eminently fit to act under orders, whom per- 
sonal danger never moves, but unnerved by 
great responsibility. 

It is a singular coincidence that Napoleon was 
advancing on Moscow, and the very morning 
that Murat and Ney attacked and fell on the 
rear Russian Guard who began the memorable 
retreat, was the same morning that General 
Hull made his ignominious surrender of De- 
troit to General Brock, commander of the 
British forces. 

A considerable force of British and Indians 
was stationed at Detroit from the time of the 
surrender until the following winter, while 
Colonel Proctor's headquarters were at Maiden 
with the main British army. 

In order to secure the foi-ce under Colonel 
Brush and the supplies in his charge, Captain 
Elliot, a British officer, was immediately after 
the surrender and capitulation sent to the 
River Raisin fi'om Detroit, accompanied by a 
Frenchman and a Wyandot Indian, with a 
copy of the capitulation. Colonel Brush, learn- 
ing from his scout that Captain Elliot was 
coming with a flag of truce, sent a guard out 
to meet him. Elliot and his companions were 
blindfolded and brought into the stockade. 
Colonel Brush would not believe Captain 
Elliot's story ; thought it a hoax, and the copy 
of the capitulation a forgery, so utterly im- 
probable did it seem to him that Detroit had 
been taken. For this reason he confined Cap- 
tain Elliot and his companions in the block- 
house. The next day, August 17th, the story 
of the surrender was confirmed by an Ameri- 
can soldier who had escaped from Detroit. 
Upon learning this, Colonel Brush packed up 
what provisions he could, retaining Captain 
Elliot's horse to aid in carrying the sick, and 
driving his cattle befbi'e him, escaped with his 
stores and army to Ohio, leaving orders to re- 
lease Elliot on the next day, which was done. 
Elliot was of course indignant at his treatment 
and at the escape of Colonel Brush with so 
much of the supplies. To add to his rage, a 
great portion of the provisions and ammunition 



left by Brush had been carried off and secreted 
by the inhabitants of the place before his re- 
lease, they thinking it no great harm to take 
from their own what would otherwise fall into 
the hands of the " rascally British," as they 
called them. Captain Elliot sent for the Indian 
Chief Tecumseh and his band to pursue Brush, 
and encouraged the Indians to ravage and 
plunder the settlement, in spite of the remon- 
strance of Tecumseh. 

The settlement was plundered not onh- of 
jjrovisions and cattle, but horses, saddles, 
bridles, household furniture, and every valu- 
able that had not been secreted. The settle- 
ment was so thoroughly stripped of horses that 
James Knaggs, who had for days been con- 
cealed in the settlement (a reward of S500 
having been oflFcred for his scalp), could find 
only one on which to escape to Ohio, and that 
horse had been hidden bj^ a tailor in a cellar. 
Knaggs gave his coat and a silver watch for 
it. After much peril he succeeded in escaping. 
He was tjie scout or messenger who was en- 
trusted with communication between Colonel 
Brush and General Hull when it was extreme- 
ly hazardous to travei'se the forests by In- 
dian trails among hostile savages. Mr. James 
Knaggs subsequently fought under Colonel 
Richard M. Johnson at the Battle of the 
Thames, and with Medard Labadie of River 
Raisin carried Colonel Johnson, wounded, in a 
blanket from the field. 

The chief Tecumseh was the soul of honor 
when his word was pledged. When Tecumseh's 
hunting parties approached the white settle- 
ments, horses and cattle were occasionally stolen 
from the French settlers, but notice to the chief 
failed not to produce instant redress. The 
character of Tecumseh was that of a gallant 
warrior, an honest and honorable man, and 
his memory was respected by many of our old 
citizens who personally knew him. One inci- 
dent will illustrate the character of the great 
Indian chieftain. When summoned by Elliot 
immediately after the surrender in August, 
1812, to come to the River Raisin and pursue 
Colonel Brush, he found that most of the cattle 
of the settlement had been driven off, either by 
the settlers in order to save them or by the In- 
dians as plunder. Therefore he experienced 
great difficulty in getting meat for his warriors. 
He, however, discovered a )-oko of fine black 
oxen, belonging to a Frenchman by the name 



54 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of Eivard, who resided up the river some dis- 
tance. Tecumseh insisted on taking the cattle, 
but Eivard begged hard, stating they were the 
only property ho had left, and taking him into 
the house showed the chieftain his father sick 
and in need of medicine. He appealed urgent- 
ly to Tecumseh's genei-osity, but Tecumseh 
said he must have the oxen, as his men were 
hungry. Young Eivard remonstrated. He 
told the chief that if he took them his father 
would starve to death. 

"Well," said Tecumseh, "we are the con- 
querors. I must have the oxen, my people 
must not starve, but I will not rob you of them. 
I will pay you flOO, which is more than they 
are worth, but I must have them." 

The cattle were speedily killed, large fires 
built, and the warriors were soon feasting on 
their flesh. During the evening Tecumseh got 
a white man to write an order on the British 
Indian agent. Captain Elliot (who was on the 
river some distance below), for the money. 
Young Eivard took ' the order immediately to 
Colonel Elliot, who refused to pa}' it, and treated 
him harshly, saying: 

" We are entitled to our support from the 
country we have conquered, and I will not 
pay it." 

The young man returned with a sorrowful 
heart and Elliot's answer to Tecumseh, who said: 

" He won't pay it, will he? Stay all night 
and to-morrow we will go and see." 

The next morning he took .young Eivard 
straight into the presence of the captain in the 
block-house. On meeting him he said : 

" Do you refuse to pay for the oxen I bought?" 

" Yes," said the captain, and reiterated the 
reason for refusal. 

The chieftain felt insulted, and said : 

" I bought them for my joung men, who 
were very hungry. I promised to pay for 
them, and they shall be paid for if I have to sell 
all my own horses to pay for them. I have 
always heard that the white people went to 
war with each other and not with peaceable 
inhabitants; that they did not rob and plunder 
poor people. I will not." 

" Well," said the captain, " I will not pay for 
them." 

The chief replied : 

" You can do as you please, but before Te- 
cumseh, the Prophet and his warriors came to 
fight the battles of the great king, they had 
enough to eat, for which they had only to thank 



the Great Spirit and their good rifles. Their 
hunting grounds supplied them food enough 
and to them they can return." 

He said further that the man was poor and 
had a sick father, as he knew, having seen 
him; thatitw^as notrightthat this man should 
suffer for the evil deeds of his government, and 
that if this was the way the British intended to 
carry on the war he would pay the debt and 
then leave with his men for his home and let 
the British do their own fighting. Elliot was 
alarmed and frightened bj- the angry and de- 
termined chieftain, and brought out $100 in 
government scrip, but Tecumseh told him to 
take it back, as be promised the man the 
money and money he should have or he would 
leave. Elliot was with great reluctance com- 
pelled to pay the specie, and then Tecumseh 
made him pay the man a dollar extra for the 
trouble he had been to. Eivard went his way 
rejoicing with his $100, and Tecumseh's ire was 
appeased and his word vindicated. 

Soon after this the block-house on the site 
now occupied by Major Chapman was by the 
command of Captain Elliot burned ; also a por- 
tion of the pickets were destroyed, deeming it 
prudent to destroy them, as he knew it was 
impossible for the British to keep an armed 
force at this point. Elliot then left, and from 
this time until the month of October, bands of 
Indians frequently returned to the Eiver Eaisin 
and plundered the settlement. 

In October, 1812, British officers came with 
a force of militia from Maiden and took perma- 
nent possession of the town of Frenchtown. 
The officers occupied the houses of Jerome and 
Couture, below the brick house now owned by 
Louis Lafontain,not far from the present bridge 
of the Michigan Central Eailroad. The Lafon- 
tain house was not then built, and was the site 
of Colonel Lacroix's residence; but the site of 
the building with those eastward was occupied 
with wooden buildings, all of which were 
burned to the ground at the time of the massa- 
cre in the following January. This location 
was made from the fact that it was adjacent to 
and commanded the only road from the south, 
which had been previously made by General 
Hull, and from which point the British natur- 
ally expected the approach of American forces; 
also because from its elevation it overlooked 
the opposite (south) side of the Eiver Eaisin, 
as General Harrison was daily expected on his 
way with his army to Detroit. 



CHAPTER VII. 



FROM THE SUKREXnER OF GENERAL HULL TO AND INCLUDING THE MASSACRE AT THE 

RIVER RAISIN. 



BY the terms of the capitulation, Fort Detroit 
was immediately surrendered to the Brit- 
isli forces under the command of Major-General 
Brock, toj^ether with all the troops, regulars as 
well as militia, and all i)uhlic stores, arms, and 
documents. The troops wei-e considered as 
prisoners of war, with the exception of such of 
the Michigan militia as had not joined thearniy. 
The Ohio troops were paroled and sent home 
by way of Cleveland, the Michigan militia 
released, and most of the regular troops were 
sent in flat bottomed boats down the St. Law- 
rence Eivcr to Montreal and Quebec. 

Major-General Brock left Detroit in command 
of Colonel Proctor, with two hundred and fifty 
men. He by proclamation suspended the laws 
of the Territory, and declared the Territory 
muler martial law until such time as the danger 
then existing or to be apprehended should be 
removed. 

The siirrender of the northwestern army 
astonished and surprised the whole country, 
and was followed by indignation and a spirit of 
retaliation and revenge. The whole Northwest 
Territory was now laid open to the incursions 
of the savages. This army was regarded at 
the time by our Government as sure of success, 
and was expected to sweep everything before 
it, and this shameful surrender was not at first 
credited. Kentuckj-, Ohio, Pennsj'lvania and 
Virginia sent forth crowds of -volunteers, eager 
to redeem the tarnished reputation of the 
country. Several members of'Congrcss from 
Kentucky enlisted as private soldiers. The 
young and ardent Heniy Clay at the musters 
thrilled the 3-ouug m.en who surrounded him 
with his ardent zeal and eloquence. Ten thou- 
sand men were raised iu a very short time and 
placed under General Harrison, the hero of 
Tippecanoe. To these were added portions of 
the 17th and 19th Rcgimentsof regular infantry, 
and two regiments from Kentucky and Ohio. 



Four thousand men raised by order of Governor 
Shelby of Kentucky, all mounted, were put 
under Major-General Hopkins, of the militia, 
who, jointly with three regiments already sent 
to Vincennes by General Harrison, were ex- 
pected to defend the frontiers of Illinois and 
Indiana. 

September 12, 1812, General Harri.son with 
about 2,500 men reached li'ort Deposit and 
relieved the garrison, composed of about seventy 
men, who had gallantl}^ withstood the attacks 
of hordes of Indians. Here he remained until 
the arrival of other troops, and occupied the 
time in sending out detachments against the 
Indian villages, all of which were successful. 
On the 18th of the same month, he returned to 
Fort Wayne, where he met General Winchester 
with i-e-enforcemcnts of 2,000 men from Ohio 
and Kentucky. 

In the latter part of September he arrived at 
Fort Defiance. Leaving his forces there he 
returned to the settlements to organize and 
hasten up the forces designed to constitute the 
center and right wing of his army. He aban- 
doned the original plan of boldly marching on 
Detroit and recapturing it at once, anti determin- 
ed to advance in three different columns, bj- as 
many different routes, to the Miami Rapids, 
thence move suddenl}' to Brownstown, cro.ss 
the liiver Deti-oit and seize Maiden, which had 
been the source of so much annoj-ance to Gen- 
eral Hull, and avenge the disgrace of the sur- 
render. 

The lakes being in possc.'ision of the enemy, 
provisions, ammunition and cannon had to be 
transported by land, through swamps and 
marshes, and along forest paths aud Indian 
trails, which could be traced only bj- blazed 
trees, and traversed only when the ground was 
frozen He therefore occupied his time in send- 
ing out detachments and hurrying up his forces, 
iu order to be ready to advance when the frozen 



[55] 



56 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ground, and csjiecially llie ice along the margin 
of the hike, would facilitate the transportation 
of his guns and munitions of war. 

General Harrison in December gave the order 
for the whole army to move forward in three 
divisions: One from Sandusky, with a park of 
artillery and a nominal force of 10,000 strong; 
one from Fort Mc Arthur ; and the third, under 
General Winchester, was to advance from Fort 
Defiance to the Eapids of the Maumee, there 
take in their supplies of ordnance and provi 
sions, and proceed at once to invest Maiden. 

Harrison, commanding the central division, 
started on the 31st of December. General 
Winchester, who had moved six miles from 
Fort Defiance towards the Maumee Rapids, 
commenced his march on the 8th of January. 
It was a cold,bittei- day, and the snow lay over 
two feet deep in the forest when that doomed 
column, one thousand strong, set out for tiie 
Maumee Rapids, twonty-seven miles distant. 
The troops, most of whom were Keutuckians, 
were brave and hardy, and cheerfully harnessed 
themselves to sledges, dragging their baggage 
through the deep snow. General Winchester 
was ordered to fortify himself at the Maumee 
Rapids, and wait for the arrival of the other 
troops. Three days after arriving at this place, 
on the 13th of January, 1813, while construct- 
ing liuts to receive the suj)plies on the way and 
sleds for their tran.sportution to Maiden, he 
received an urgent request from the inhabi- 
tants of Frenchtowu, on the River Raisin, to 
come to their assistance. Feeling the imjjor- 
tance of fulfillirig his general orders, he gave 
the messenger no encouragement. But another 
express on the next day and a third the day 
after, assured him that the whole settlement 
was threatened with massacre by the Indians, 
that only a small force of the enemy held pos- 
session of the place, and by a prompt answer to 
their prayer the ruin of all would be prevented, 
(jreneral Harrison called a council of officers. 
Colonel Allen and other gallant officers pleaded 
the cause of the helpless settlers, declaring that 
the true object of the expedition was the protec- 
tion of the frontiers from the merciless Indi- 
ans — that brave men spurned danger when 
prayers of women and children were sounding 
in their ears. The troops, touched by the 
earnestness of the messengers and the peril of 
the inhabitants of Fi'onchtown, were anxious 
to move at once towards the River Raisin. Such 



appeals prevailed over the cooler and safer 
arguments drawn from the necessity of not 
damaging the success of the whole campaign by 
jjeriling one of the wings of the advancing 
army. 

The result of this council with the officers 
was a determination to send ti-oops immediately 
to the Raisin, thirty-five miles distant by the 
route they must travel. On the morning of 
the 17th, Colonel Lewis with 500 men started 
for Frenchtowu, instructed to attack and rout 
the enemy an-dhold the place. These were 
followed a few hours later by Colonel Allen and 
100 men, who joined Colonel Lewis at Presque 
Isle, a point on Maumee Bay a little below the 
present city of Toledo. There the troops passed 
an intensely cold night. Strong ice covered the 
bay and shores of Lake Erie, and over that icy 
bridge the little army moved early and rapidly. 
They breakfasted on the shores of the lake in 
snow several inches deep, then moved steadily 
forward in three lines, so arranged as to fall 
into order of battle with a moment's notice. 
Tliey moved rapidly on the morning of the 18th, 
and were within six miles of Frenchtown before 
they were discovered by the scouts of the enemy 
— then about 500 strong and consisting of Cana- 
dians and Indians. 

Frenchtown at this time was a settlement 
containing thirty-five French families, twenty- 
two of whom resided on the north side, and had 
been taken possession of by the enemy soon alter 
Hull surrendered. At the time of the approach of 
Colonel Lewis and his command, it was held bj' 
two companies of Canadians, 100 in number, 
under Major Reynolds, and about 400 Indians 
led by Round-Head and Split-Log, eminent 
Indian chiefs. The River Raisin was frozen 
hard, and when Colonel Lewis reached it the 
enemy were on the north bank, between the 
residence of Mr. Dubois and where the Lake 
Shore Railroad bridge now is, ready to dispute 
the passage. Thej- had a six-pounder, which 
they commence'd firing diagonally down the 
river while Lewis and Allen were approaching 
the present site of the old docks. They moved 
steadily forward in the face of cannon and 
blazing musketry, and at a given signal made 
a furious charge upon the foe with bayonets. 
Alter a short contest with so much vigor and 
bravery, the Canadians and Indians of the 
British army were dislodged and driven in 
confusion to the forest on the north side of the 



PREPARATIONS FOR TFIE BATTLE. 



river. The eiiciiiy then forinod behind fallen 
timber and brushwood in tiie forest, and a .sharp 
encounter en.sued. The battle lasted from 
three o'cloek in the afternoon until dark, the 
enemy all the time falling back before the brave 
Kentuekians, who pursued them so heedlessly 
that in the darkness they fell into an ambush 
and lost thirteen men killed and several wounded. 
The exact loss in the afternoon is not known, 
but was supposed to be as many more. The 
A rnericans returned to the Raisin, and ocoupied 
thecampabandonedb}' the enemy. The Indians 
gathered up the dead, and the allies retreated 
toward Maiden. Colonels Lewis and Allen 
took possession of the quarters vacated by the 
British, and established guards at the picket 
fences and some distance from the houses in 
the woods. Colonel Ijewis hastened to inform 
General Winchester of his success by one of his 
scouts. 

Immediately after the battle of the iSth, 
.some of the French inhabitants who had sold 
provisions to the British followed them, and 
pursued their journey to Maiden to get their 
pay. On their return they brought word that 
the British were collecting in large force to 
the number of 3,000 to attack Frenchtown. 
General Winchester paid but little attention to 
these reports, feeling considerable confidence 
in hie own strength, and expecting re-enforce- 
ments which would render him safe be^'oud a 
doubt before the enemy could possibly- attack 
him. The British seemed to be aware that 
they must make the attack before the re-enforce- 
ments came up, if they wished to effect any- 
thing ; hence they hastened their preparations. 

On the 19th 200 Americans arrived, under 
the command of Colonel Wells, and encamped 
on the Eeaunie farm, about eighty rods east 
and below the other troops. 

On the 20th General Winchester arrived with 
Colonel Madi.son, whose forces were stationed 
in the camp with those of Colonels Lewis and 
Allen, while General Winchester made his 
heailquarters in the house of Colonel Francis 
Navarre, on the opposite side of the river, about 
three-fourths of a mile above the position of 
Colonels Lewis and Allen. The site of the 
headquarters of General Winchester is now 
occupied as the residence of Doctor A. I. Sawj-er. 
The American forces at the time amounted to 
about 1,000 men. 

On the morning of the 21st I'eter Navarre 



and his four brothers (grand.sons of Holjcit 
I3eNavarre, a French officer who came to 
America in 1749) went on a scouting expedi- 
tion on the ice towards the mouth of Detroit 
Eiver by Winchester's request. They saw on 
the ice a solitaiy man approaching them on 
the run. He proved to be Joseph Bordeau, a 
Frenchman who had escaped from Maiden. 

" My lads, " said he, addressing Petei-, ''■ the 
Americans will be attacked by the whole British 
army to-night. I know it, and Colonel Proctor 
will bo at the Kaisin to-night with a large bod}' 
of Indians." 

General Winchester was soon apprised of 
the fact, buta traitorous resident of Frenchtown 
(who proved to have been in the British interest) 
by the name of Jocko Lasselle, stood by and 
asserted in the most postive language that it 
must be a mistake, and persuaded the General 
that there was no truth in the story. Winches- 
ter dismissed the scouts with a laugh, but niaile 
no preparation to meet the threatened danger. 
Another scout was in during the afternoon 
with intelligence confirmator}' of that given by 
Bordeau. A number of the French residents 
from the rumors that reached the town also 
called upon the General and strove to impi'css 
upon his mind that the American forces would 
be attacked that night. Yet AVinchester was 
incredulous, a"nd retired to bed without making 
anj- efficient arrangements of sentinels or pick- 
ets to watch the approach of the enemy. 

Late in the evening word was brought to 
Colonel Lewis's camp that a large force of Bi'it- 
ish and Indians, with several pieces of artillery, 
were at Stony Creek, only four miles distant, 
and would be at Frenchtown before morning. 
That vigilant officer at once doubled the picket 
guard and sent word to General Winchester. 
The commander-in-chief did not believe the 
report, and composed himself for slumber. 
Lewis's field officers did believe it and remained 
up for sometime, but they finally partook of 
the incredulity of their commander and retired. 
The small hours of the morning passed in 
perfect ([uietude, and Colonel Lewis, who had 
scarcely dared to .slumber, began to doubt the 
truth of the last rumor, when suddenly just as 
the reveille was beaten, between four and five 
o'clock in the morning, the sharp crack of the 
sentinels' musketry tiring an alarm was heard 
by still dull ears. These were followed b}' a 
shower of shell and canister shot, hurled from 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



six field pieces aud mortars, accompanied by a 
furious charge of almost invisible British i-egu- 
lars and the terrible yells of savages. The 
sound and missiles fell upon the startled camp 
with appalling suddenness. The character and 
number of the assailants wore unknown; all 
was darkness and mysterj% and the Americans 
could do nothing but oppose force to force as 
gallantly as possible until the approach of dawn. 
The exposed re-enforcements in the open field 
had been driven in toward Captain Lewis's 
picketed camp. 

About daylight on the morning of the 22d of 
January, 1813, a large force of British and 
Indians, under Colonel Proctor and the celebra- 
ted Indian chiefs Round-Head and Split-Log, 
attacked the camp of the Americans. The at- 
tack was made all along the lines, but the British 
forces were more particularly led against the 
upper camp occupied by Major Madison and 
Colonels Lewis and Allen, and the Indians 
against the lower camp occupied by Colonel 
Wells. The British were unsuccessful at their 
part of the line where the Americans fought 
with great bravery and were protected to some 
extent by pickets, which being placed some 
distance from the woods afforded the Kentucky 
riflemen a fine opj)ortunity to shoot the enemy 
down as they were advancing. An attempt 
was tlien made by the British to use a field 
piece just at the edge of the woods, by which 
they hoped to prostrate the pickets and batter 
down the houses ; but the Kentuckians with 
their sharpshooters picked the men off as fast 
as they attempted to load it, so that they were 
forced to abandon the attack aud suffer a re- 
pulse. 

While those things were happening at the 
ujjper camp, a very different state of things 
existed at the lower one. The attack of the 
Indians was so impetuous, the position so in- 
defensible, and the American force at that point 
so inadequate (consisting of only 200 men) that 
notwithstanding the bravery and courage of 
Colonel Wells and his men, it was impossible 
to hold the position. Colonels Lewis and Allen 
attempted to take a re-enforcement to the right 
wing to enable Colonel Wells to retreat up the 
river on the ice under cover of the high bank 
to the upper camp, but before they arrived with 
their re-enfoi-cements at the lower camp, the 
fire of the savages had become so galling that 
Colonel Wells was forced to abandon his posi- 



tion. This he attempted to do in good order, 
but as soon as his men began to give way, the 
Indians redoubled their unearthly yells and 
the impetuosity of their attack, so that the re- 
treat speedily became a rout. In this condition 
they were met by Colonel Allen, who made 
every effort in his power to call them to order 
aud lead them into safety in the upper camp; 
but notwithstanding the heroic efforts of Colonel 
Allen and his earnest protestations and com- 
mand.s, they continued their disorderly flight, 
and from some unexplained and unaccountable 
reason, but probably on account of an irretriev- 
able panic caused by the terrible cries and war- 
whoops of the savages, instead of continuing 
up the river to the upper camp, they fled diag- 
onally across the river, up to the Hull road 
(so called) which led to Maumee, aud attempted 
to escape to Ohio. 

Then the flight became a carnage. The In- 
dians, seeing the disorder of the Americans, 
who thought of nothing save running for their 
lives and escaping the tomahawks of the sav- 
ages, having warriors jjosted all along the woods 
which lined or were within a short distance of 
the river, now raised theory that the Americans 
were flying, which cry was echoed b}- thousands 
of warriors, who all rushed to the spotand out- 
sti'ipped the fleeing soldiers. Sonie followed 
them closely in their tracks and brained them 
with their tomahawks from behind ; some posted 
themselves on both sides of the narrow road 
and shot them down as they were passing; 
finally some of the savages got in advance and 
headed them off at Plumb Creek, a small stream 
about a mile from the Eiver Haisin. Here the 
panic-stricken soldie-rs, who had thrown away 
most of their arms to facilitate their flight, hud- 
dled together like sheep, with the bi'utal foe on 
all sides, were slaughtered ; and so closely were 
they hemmed in that after the battle forty dead 
bodies were found lying scalped and plundered 
in a space two rods square. The savages tore 
the scalps from their heads and carried them in 
triumph to Maiden to receive the prizes prom- 
ised by the British Government. 

While tiiese bloody scenes were in progress 
on the south side of the Raisin, the remainder 
of the trooj)s under Graves and Madison w^ei-e 
manfully defending themselves in their camp. 
The British had planted a howitzer within 200 
yards of the camp, behind a small bouse on the 
road to Detroit, but it was soon silenced by 



THE MASSACRE AT THE RIVER RAISIN. 



59 



the Keiitiu'ky sharpshooters behind the stout 
pickets. The conflict was maintained until 
about ten o'clock, when Proctor withdrew his 
troops to the woods witli the intention of eittier 
abandoning the conflict or awaiting the return 
(if the savages from the feast of blood beyond 
tlic Kaisin. Navarre and his brothers had 
taken possession of an old horse-mill a short 
distance from the camp, where they continued 
to do good service with their rifles duriug the 
engagement. After the withdi-awal of Proctor's 
troops, the Americans quietly breakfasted, and 
while eating, a white flag was seen aj>proach- 
ing. Major Madison, supposing it was a flag 
of truce to enable the British to bur3- their 
dead, went out to meet it, when to his aston- 
ishment and mortification he found it borne 
by one of Winchester's staff, accompanied by 
Proctor, with an order from Winchester for 
the unconditional surrender of all the troops 
as prisoners of war. The gallant Madison re- 
fused to obej- the order for surrender. Win- 
chester then went to Madison in charge of 
an Indian and told him that his own life and 
the safety of the army depended upon his 
prompt and unconditional surrender. Madison 
again declined, but finally agreed to sun-ender 
upon the condition that all private property 
should be respected ; that sleds should be pro- 
vided next morning to remove the sick and 
wounded to Maiden; that iti the meantime 
they should be protected by a guard ; and that 
their side-arms should be restored to them 
on their arrival at Maiden, to which Colonel 
Proctor agreed. Madison trusted to his prom- 
ises, but the word had scarcely been passed to 
the foe, before the Indians began plundering. 
Proctor forfeited his word, abandoned the 
wounded prisoners, and left them to be mur- 
dered by the bloody savages. 

(ieneral Winchester, impressed with the be- 
lief that an attack would not be made, had re- 
tired the night before without having made 
any arrangements for safety or dispatch in 
case of an attack. Colonel Francis Navarre 
from the bottom of the stairs, with his sten- 
torian voice aroused General Winchester and 
his aids, urging them to make all possible 
haste, as the enemj- were upon them, for the 
firing was distinctlj- heard. The General and 
bis aids were greatlj* confused by being thus 
awakened from a sound sleep, all clamoring 
for their horses, which were in Colonel Na- 



varre's stable, and the servants scarcely awake 
enough to realize their situation or equip them 
with dispatch. The luckless commander be- 
came very impatient to join his forces, three- 
quarters of a mile distant, and to gratify his 
desire, Colonel Navarre offered his best and 
fleetest horse, which had been kept saddled all 
night, as Navarre, in common with the French 
inhabitants, expected an attack before morn- 
ing. On this horse ho started for the camp, 
but on the way finding that a large number of 
his troops were then fleeing on the Hull road, he 
followed after them to rally them and if possi- 
ble to regain the day. On his way he was 
taken prisoner by an Indian said to have been 
Jack Brandj-, who knew by his clothing that 
he was an officer and therefore spared his life, 
but stripped him of his clothes and nearly 
frozen brought him to Colonel Proctor. Colonel 
Proctor persuaded the Indian to deliver the 
General into his hands. 

With General Winchester as his prisoner. 
Colonel Proctor felt that he could dictate terms 
to that portion of the troops under command 
of Major Madison in the upper camp, who 
had thus far made a successful resistance. 

Colonel Allen was also taken prisoner about 
the same time. He had behaved with extra- 
ordinary courage during the whole action in 
striving to rally his men, although wounded in 
the thigh. He was finally killed by an Indian 
while held a prisoner. 

On the morning of the 23d of January, 1813, 
the General and prisoners started for Maiden, 
not, however, until the Indians had violated 
the first article of the agreement, by plunder- 
ing the settlement. But finally all departed 
except the sick and wounded American sol- 
diers, who were left in the two houses of the 
upper camp to await tlie coming of the sleds on 
the morrow. Only two or three British sol- 
diers were left in charge of them, a neglect 
which was shameful and criminal on the part 
of Proctor. The last and most disgraceful 
scene in this bloodj' tragedj' was yet to bo en- 
acted. The sleds that were to take the ill- 
fated sufferers to Maiden never came. In their 
stead came the next morning three hundred 
Indians painted black and red, determined on 
massacring the wounded American prisoners 
in revenge for the loss the day before. The 
slaughter soon commenced in earnest. Break- 
in<; into the houses wliere the .\mericans wei-e. 



no 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



they flr«t ]iluiuk'rod and then tonialiawked 
them. The houses were set on fire, and those 
within wci-c consumed; if any attempted to 
orawl out of the doors or windows, they were 
wounded with the tomahawks and pushed 
back with bayonets into the flames ; those that 
happened to be outside were stricken down, 
and their bleeding and dying bodies were 
thrown into the burning dwellings. Major 
Woolfolk, the secretary of Genenil Winchester, 
was killed in the massacre. 

Thus perished in cold blood many of Ken- 
tucky's noblest heroes. Their death filled with 
sorrow many homes south of the Ohio. But 
little is known of the jjrivate history of those 
brave spirits who traversed a wilderness of 
several hundred miles and gave up their lives 
for their country — who died, alone, wounded, 
and unprotected, in a settlement far from the 
abode of civilization. Their memory should 
be preserved so long as the massacre of the 
iliver Eaisin is remembered among men. 

Never should Americans forget the heartless 
and diabolical pjliey adopted by England in 
enlisting in lier cause the reckless animosity of 
the aborigines, without restraining their ruth- 
less spirit. Colonel Proctor richly deserves 
the lasting condemnation of history for leaving 
his wounded prisoners to the mercy of infuri- 
ated and intoxicated savages. 

But few of the killed were ever buried; their 
bones lay bleaching in the sun for years. Five 
years after, on July 4, 1818, a company of men 
under the charge of Colonel John Anderson, of 
Monroe, went to the battle grounds and col- 
lected a large quantity of the bones and skulls 
(it was noticed that all the skulls showed 
marks of the tomahawk), and they were buried 
with appropriate ceremonies in the old grave- 
yard on the west side of Monroe street, between 
I'^ront street and First street, in the now city of 
Monroe. Two years after, however, itwas not 
uncommon to find a skull fractured by the 
fiital tomahawk, hidden away in some clump 
of bushes, where the dogs and wild beasts had 
di'agged the bodies to devour their flesh. 

The collection of the bones of the massacred 
Kentuckians which occurred July 4, 1818, was 
ill compliance with measures taken by a public- 
s])iriled meeting at which (Jeneral Lewis Cass 
presided, held in Detroit the 22d of June, at 
which time a committee was appointed for the 
purpose. On the 8th "of August, 1818, the re- 



mains were exhumed, and under the escort of 
the committee were removed to Deti'oit and 
buried in the Protestant burying ground, with 
military honors, and accompanied by a large 
concourse of citizens to their new resting-place. 

Early in 1834 the boxes containing the re- 
mains were removed to thecity cemeteryouClin- 
ton street, in the city of Detroit, and in Se])tein- 
ber, 1834, they were again removed b3' Colonel 
Brooks, who carried them, with other skulls 
and bones collected in Monroe, to Frankfort, 
Kentucky, where thej^ were received by an 
immense concourse of Kentuckians, and the 
venerated remains were deposited with appro- 
priate ceremonies in the State Cemetery of 
Kentucky. The inscription on the boxes con- 
taining the remains was, "Kentucky's (lallant 
Dead, January 18, 1813, Kiver Raisin, Michi- 
gan." 

It is a well-attested fact that early on the 
morning after the surrender a council was held 
by the Indian chiefs, when it was determined 
to kill, tomahawk and scalp, in revenge for 
their losses, all prisoners who were unable to 
march; that Colonel Proctor, after providing 
for the removal of the wounded of his own 
army to Maiden, did not in accordance with 
his positive assurances provide (with few ex- 
ceptions) for the removal of prisoners captured ; 
that the prisoners were marched through snow- 
nearly two feet in depth, and as fast as their 
strength gave out were tomahawked by the 
Indians. At Sandy Creek, three miles north 
of the River Raisin, the British army encamped 
the first night, and a large number of bodies of 
the captives were found tomahawked and 
without scalps. Quite a number of those that 
were able to walk were taken by the Indians 
to Detroit ; those that gave out were toma- 
hawked, their scalps taken, and left to die ; 
while many that endured the march were 
hawked about the streets of Detroit, and sold 
or ransomed at prices varying from SIO to 
$100 — for any price that exceeded the value of 
a scalp. Indians, for weeks after the massacre, 
came into Detroit with prisoners, from whom 
they were in many instances ransomed l)y 
citizens of Detroit. 

Medard Couture, the father of Samuel Cou- 
ture, now of California, and son of Mrs. James 
Knaggs, formerly Mrs. Couture, is well re- 
membered by many of our residents, and died at 
Monroe. He, with Doctors Bower and Hunter, 



DR. liOWERS ACCOUNT OK THE MASSACRK. 



01 



l)a<l cimryc of tlio liospitsil, a liou.sc near by, 
liolonging to John Jeromo, in which were 
forty-five wounded, among others Major Mad- 
ison and Captain Hart, a brother of Mrs. 
Henry Cla}'. The building was fired, and 
Couture and Doctor Bower were stripped and 
tied by a band of Chippowas, and stood near 
the blazing ruins in momentary expectation of 
death. An old Ottawa cliief by tlie name of 
Wau-gon, who had been a friend of Couture 
before the war, was reeling with drunkenness 
in the road near by. Couture beckoned to 
liim; he came to him, recognized him and com- 
prehending the horrors of his condition, ])ut 
his fingers to his mouth and gave a shrill 
whistle. Immediately several Indians came 
running to the spot. 

" Take care of him," .said Wnu-gon, jjointiiig 
to Couture, " lie is m\' son ; his fatiier lies dead 
in the yard and I am now his father. Don't 
harm him.'' He gave Couture the name of 
Sa-gus na, which signifies "Be Brave." 

Couture, understanding that he was now 
safe, interceded successfully with his Indian 
father for the life of Doctor Bower. He was 
taken to Detroit and afterwards Couture saw 
him on their march to the Thames. Doctor 
Bower, who was surgeon's mate of the Kifth 
Kentucky Regiment, gives the following ac- 
count of the murderous scene : 

" Yours of the 5th instant, requesting mo to 
give j'ou a statement respecting the late dis- 
aster at Frenchtown, was duly received. Rest 
assured, sir, that it is with sensations the most 
unpleasant that I undertake to recount the in- 
famous and barbarous conduct of the British 
and Indians after the battle of the 22d of Jan- 
uary. The blood runs cold in my veins when 
[ think of it. 

•'On the morning of tiie ^od, shortly after 
light, six or eight Indians came to the house of 
Jean Baptiste Jereaume, where I was, in com- 
pany- with Major Graves, Captains Hart and 
Hickman, Doctor Todd, and fifteen or twenty- 
volunteers, belonging to different corps. They 
did not molest any person or tiling on their 
fir.st approach, hut kept .sauntering about until 
there was a large number collected (say one 
or two hundred), at which time thej' com- 
menced plundering the houses of the inhabit- 
ants, and the massacre of the wounded prison- 
ers. I was one amongst the first that was 
taken prisoner, and was taken to a horse about 



twenty paces from the, house, after being clj- 
vested of part of my clothing, and commanded 
by signs there to remain for further oi-ders. 
Shortljf after being there, I saw them knock 
down Captain Hickman at the door, together 
with several others with whom I was not ac- 
quainted. Supposing a general massacre had 
commenced, I made an effort to get to a house 
about one hundred yards distant, whicii con- 
tained a numberof wounded, but on mj- reaching 
the house, to my great mortification, found it 
surrounded by Indians, which precluded the 
possibility- of my giving notice to the unfortu- 
nate victims of savage barbaritj-.. An Indian 
chief of the Tawa tribe of the name of McCarty, 
gave tne possession of his horse and blanket, tell- 
ing me by signs to load the horse to the house 
which I had just before left. The Indian tliat 
first took me, by this time came up, and man- 
ifested a hostile disposition towards me, by 
raising his tomahawk as if to give me the fatal 
blow, which was prevented by my ver^- good 
friend McCarty. On m3' reaching the house 
which I had first started from, I saw the In- 
dians take off several prisoners, which I after- 
wards saw in the road, in a most mangled con- 
dition, and entirely stripped of their clothing. 
" Me.ssrs.Bradford,Searls,Turnerand Blythe, 
were collected round a carryall, which con- 
tained articles taken by the Indians from the 
citizens. We had all been placed there, by 
our respective captors, except Blythe, who 
came where we were entreating an Indian to 
convey him to Maiden, promising to give him 
forty or fifty dollars, and w^hilst in the act of 
pleading for mercy, an Indian more savage 
than the other, stepped up behind, tomahawked, 
stripped and scalped him. The next that at- 
tracted my attention was the houses on fire 
that contained several wounded, whom I knew 
were not able to get out. After the houses 
were nearly consumed, we received marching 
orders, and after arriving at Sandy Creek, the 
Indians called a halt and commenced cooking; 
after preparing and eating a little sweetened 
gruel, Messrs. Bradford, Searls, Turner and 
mj^self received some, and were eating, wlien 
an Indian came up and propose<l exchanging 
his moccasins for Mr. Searl's shoes, which he 
readily complied with. They then exchanged 
hats, after which the Indian inquired how 
many men Harrison had with him, and, at the 
same time, calling Searls a Washington or 



62 



ITISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Madison, then raised his tomahawk and struck 
him on the shoulder, which cut into the cavity 
of the bod}-. Searls then caught hold of the 
tomahawk and appeared to resist, and upon 
my telling him his fate was inevitable, he 
closed his eyes and received the savage blow 
which terminated his existence. I was nenr 
enough to him to receive the brains and blood, 
after the fatal blow, on ray blanket. A short 
time after the death of Searls, I saw three 
others share a similar fate. We then set out 
for Brownstown, which place we reached about 
12 or 1 o'clock at night. After being exposed 
to several hours' incessant rain in reaching that 
place, we were put into the Council-house, the 
floor of which was partly covered with water, 
at which place we remained until next morn- 
ing, when we again received marching orders 
for their village on the Eiver Eouge, which 
place we made that day, where I was kept six 
days, then taken to Detroit and sold. For a 
more detailed account of the proceedings, I 
take the liberty of referring you to a publica- 
tion which appei.red in the public prints, signed 
by Ensign J. L. Baker, and to the publication 
of Judge Woodward, both of which I have 
particularly examined, and find them to be 
literally correct, so far as came under my 
notice." 

The fate of Captain Hart was a very sad one. 
He had been wounded, and when tlie Indians 
came up to the hospital he offered a friendly 
Pottawatomie chief by the name of Os-a-med 
$100 if be would conduct him safely to Maiden. 
The chief attempted the service, threw his 
blanket over the captain, lifted him upon his 
ponj' and started for Detroit. They had pro- 
ceeded but a shoi't distance before Captain Hart 
fell from his saddle with a bullet in his brain, 
fired by a Chippewa. This Indian stripped 
him and scalped him, leaving his body a prey 
to the wolves. In the night, after the Indians 
had departed. Couture, with the iielp of a set- 
tler by the name of Chovin, buried the bodj^ 
oC Captain Hart in a hollow made by the roots 
of a fallen tree, first covering it with bark. 

As some controversy subsequentlj' arose as 
to the manner and time of Captain Hart's 
massacre, I here add the statement of .Judge 
Laurent Durocher, a member of our territorial 
Legislature, for many years a Judge of Probate 
for the county of Monroe, and his statements 
ai-e regarded reliable by many of our citizens 



now living. I also add the statement of P. 
Lecuyer to Major Charles Lamed, of Detroit, 
less than two months after the massacre, to- 
gether with the letter of the Hon. Daniel S. 
Bacon, addressed to the Hon. E. McClelland. 

The following is Judge Duroeher's narrative 
of Captain Hart's massacre ; 

"In the action of January 22, 1813, Captain 
Hart received a wound in one of his ankles. 
He was taken prisoner by a Pottawatomie In- 
dian about the same time that General Win- 
chester was taken in the attempt to rally the 
flying soldiers, and near the place where the 
general was captured. After Captain Hart 
was murdered, the Indian who took him captive 
declared that he intended to have saved his 
life. When the captain was taken, his captor 
Tnade him remain on the horse he had been 
riding, and led the animal, with his rider upon 
him, toward the battleground. He then made 
signs to Captain Hart lo follow him up the 
Eiver Eaisin, to get out of the way of the other 
Indians. On their way up the river, about 
100 rods west from the battle ground, the In- 
dian stopped at the house of Antoine Campeau 
and made signs to Captain Hart to proceed, 
which he accordinglj- did. On arriving in 
front of Francis Lasselle's house, which was 
about forty rods up the river from Campeau's, 
he stopped the horse in the road and hailed ; 
and when Lasselle partially opened the front 
door, Captain Hart earnestly entreated that he 
would save him from the hands of the Indians. 
Lasselle answered sorrowfully that it was out 
of his power to save him; that in the morning, 
at the beginning of the action, several Indians, 
mostly Wyandots, had come into the yard back 
of his (Lasselle's) house, and asked who were 
within, particularly inquiring if any Ameri- 
cans were there ; and on being answered by 
Lasselle from an upper window that there 
were no Americans there, and no one at all ex- 
cept women and children, the Indians had 
warned him not to suffer any one to come in, 
and to keep his doors and window shuttei-s 
closely shut, for it an American were found in 
his house every one in it should be killed and 
all the buildings should be destroyed. 

"As the road appeared clear of Indians, Mr. 
Lasselle thought the best and only way for Cap- 
tain Hart would be to proceed with his captor 
to his brother, James Lasselle, whose influence 
with the Indians would save him, and said 



PFATH OF CAPTAIN HART. 



fi.S 



ttiiit he himself would aocomjinnv the ea]itivin 
but for the apprehension that, in his absence, 
some Indians migiit come into his house and 
commit acts of pillage and cruelty or murder. 
During this conversation tiie Indian already 
mentioned had overtaken Captain Hart, and 
Francis Lassclle spoke to him and entreated 
him in the mo.st earnest manner to take good 
care of the captain, to which he signitied his 
willingness. 

•'Captain Hart in despair followed the In 
dian. Unfortunately, in the next house (which 
was about fifteen rods distant from the dwel- 
ling of Lasselle) were five Delaware Indians, 
who had entered it seeking for plunder, and 
had found some whiskj- and become intoxi- 
cated. This Lasselle did not know. As the 
Indian and Captain Hart came in front of his 
house, the Indians within the house called to 
the one in the road to come in. He went to 
the gate, leading the horse on which Captain 
Hart was. tied the halter to the gate-po.st, and 
went in. One of the Indians from within, 
standing at the door, leveled his rifle at Cap- 
tain Hart and shot him in the breast. An- 
other ran and scalped him and tomahawked 
him and left the body stretcheo in the road 
almost naked. Then the Indian who had cap- 
tured Captain Hart, feeling very much grieved 
at the outrage, threatened to avenge his 
death; and would have killed the one who sliot 
the captain, had it not been for the interfei-ence 
of the others, who prevented him. 

" As the Indians had threatened and warned 
the inhabitants that the}- should not remove the 
bodies of Americans h'ing exposed in the roads 
or elsewhere, the body of Captain Hart remain- 
ed on the same spot until in the night, when 
one Joseph Euland (who occupied the house), 
with some others, took it and placed it in a 
potato hole from which the potatoes had \>vvn 
pi-ovio»sly taken out, and covered it up well 
until the next night. The next day Messrs. 
Chovin, Campeau and St. Cosrae dug a grave 
in a thicket back of a field, on Kobert Navarro's 
tiirm, and under the protection of the darkness 
of the night, wrapped up the body in a jiiccc of 
carpet and buried it there. 

"Mr. St. Cosme has informed Judge Bacon, 
of Monroe, that he was in the road and saw 
Captain Hart shot ; that he fell from his horse 
iDStanti)' on being shot and died without a 
groan. Some years after, at the i-ci|ucst of a 



friend from LoxingtoTi then at Monroe for the 
purpose, the grave was opened and the lower 
jaw taken out, and the visitor carried it awaj- 
with him." 

Detroit, 9th .March, 1818. 
Major Charles Lamed — 

Dear Sik : My best endeavors to procure 
from Lasselle or others, honorarj' notes of the 
circumstances attending the death of Captain 
Hart, were in vain ; they promised, but their 
neglect to perform compelled me to leave Ilivor 
Raisin without them. However, the following 
is the substance of the historj- they gave of it 
as far as I can recollect. 

Yours very sincerely, 

P. Lecuyer. 

Captain Hart in the action of the 22d January, 
1813, received a wound in his leg or ankle 
(thej- disagree), and among other wounded 
took refuge in Jerome's house. Whether before 
or after the general mas.sacre (1 did not learn 
or do not recollect) he chanced to fall in the 
hands of a Pottawatomie Indian who considered 
him his prisoner, and, as is reported, intended 
to take him to Maiden; at all events, from the 
mild treatment Captain Hart received from 
this Indian, no doubt is entertained of his in- 
tention to save him. He caused Captain Hart 
to mount his own (Captain Hart's) horse, and, 
if I remember well, gave him his saddle bags, 
then beckoned the Captain to follow him up 
the river. When they arrived op)K)site old 
Campeau's the Indian stopped, and as ho was 
going into the house, made signs to Captain 
Hart to proceed, which he did until he arrived 
opposite Mr. Lasselle's, and finding him within 
call, he most earnestly entreated him to rescue 
him from the barbarous hands of the savages; 
to which Mr. Lasselle griovingl}- assured him 
" that it was not in his power to save him ; that, 
since the morning, five of the Delaware Indians 
had taken possession of his house and were 
constantly offering him insults and threatening 
to burn up his property, and in fact were using 
every means to find an apparently plausible 
cause to begin their hellish deeds; and should 
he attempt to shelter him, he (Captain Hart) 
not only would be exposed to more danger and 
undoubtedly the first victim, but afford a ])r('- 
text to these savages to destroy lives and \n-o]>- 
erty indiscriminately ; that, as itthen appeared, 
the road being clear of Indians, the best and 



04 



HISTORY C'V MDNKOK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Diily way iiir him would be for liim to proceed 
1,0 his brother James, whose influenee with the 
Indians, he had no doubt, would save him, and 
he would follow him thither if it was in his 
power to get rid of the Indians." 

Captain Hart, then, with the deepest anguish 
and despair depicted in his face, turned away 
his head and rode on. Most unfortunately the 
next house above Lasselle's was full of Indians, 
the greatest part of whom wei'e intoxicated, 
which circumstance, Lasselle says, he then 
w-as totally ignorant of; and as soon as Captain 
Hart came in sight of them, one leveled his 
rifle at him and shot him through the breast ; 
another ran, scalped him and sunk the head of 
his tomahawk into the back of his skull, as 
the iiole, yet to be seen through that part, fully 
proves. 

As the Indians had positively declared that 
whoever should dare to touch one of the bodies 
of these American dogs should share the same 
fate. Captain Hart's body, consequently, re- 
mained on the same spot nearly two days ; and 
at last, Messrs. Lacroix and Lasselle's humane 
feelings prevailing over all apprehensions of 
the consequences, they resolved to pay to his 
remains (as they expressed themselves) the last 
ti-ibute of their respect due his memory, and, 
after having in daytime reconnoitered a suit- 
able place for the purpose, they, aided by an 
old man named Chovin, under the protection 
of thu darkness of night, went and de|)osited 
his remains in a grave. 

Monroe, 3Iarch 29th, 1858. 
Hon. Jf. McClelland — 

Dear Sir: The accomj)anying statement of 
our friend Dui'ocher I had intended giving to 
yon personally and to have made some explana- 
tion, that you might not err in glutting it in 
form. 

Lest I might not see you on my way east, I 
enclose the ])a):)erwith the request of the Judge, 
to which I add my own, that it be prepared for 
publication. 

I will add that St. Cosine has informed me 
that he was in the road and near Captiin Hart 
when shot; tiiat he fell from hishoi-se instantly 
on being shot without a word or a groan. 

He says further, that some years after, at the 
request of some Lexington friend, then here 
tor the ])ur|)osi', the grave was 0])ened and the 



iinder jaw taken by said friend. 1 hav(^ the 
promise of our friend that he will commence a 
history of the settlement of this county. 
Eespectfully Yours, 

i). 8. Bacon. 



Jack Brady (before mentioned) also ca])turcd 
Whitemorc Knaggs, the old Pottawatomie 
agent, and father of George and James Knaggs, 
of the Raisin valley. Some time before the 
war Knaggs had caused Jack to be flogged for 
some offense, and now supposed as a matter of 
course he would be slain, but Jack re-assured 
him with promises of safety. Before they ar- 
rived at the camp they were met by a band <if 
Pottawatomies who with upraised tomahawks 
rushed toward Knaggs. Jack stepped between 
them and his prisoner, told them they must 
kill him before they killed Knaggs, and saved 
him from massacre. 

This same Jack Brady, a few days l)efbre 
the massacre of the Eaisin, in conversation 
with Harry Hunt, of Detroit, said that if oc- 
casion ever offered he would be kind to the 
Yankees and bring anj' that might fall into his 
hands to Detroit without injury. This promise 
he so far fulfilled as to drag from the buildings 
at the time of the massacre, a large Keiituckian 
by the name of John Green, who had been 
wounded in the engagement. Wrapj)ing him 
carefully in his blanket he laid him in the bot- 
tom of his carryall and started on a trot for De- 
troit. The next morning Hunt saw Jack drive 
up in front of the town, and with one or two 
friends went out to see him. 

" Well, Jack," he enquired, "have you brought 
us some venison to-day?" 

"Yes, Harry Hunt," replied the Indian, 
throwing his blanket off the captive, "good 
Yankee venison." 

"There, Harrj' Hunt," he continued, as soon 
as discovered that the prisoner was one of the 
Raisin captives, " 1 told j'ou. Jack Brady can- 
not lie." 

Mr. Hunt pui-cha.sed the liberty of Green, 
took him to his house and afterwards restored 
him to his friends, who supposed he was slain. 
Soon after he enlisted under Harrison to avenge 
the death of his comrades. 

On the retreat of the Indians from the en- 
gagen\ent of the 18th, some of them entered 



AFI"! DAVITS CUNCKRNIN*; TIIK MASSACKK. 



65 



the caltiii of At'luiii liiiln). an old Freiicliinaii 
living upon Sandy Creek. They killed Labo 
and hisson-in-law, Jolin Soleau. Two children, 
Alexis and Genevieve, crept between the beds, 
where they remained all night without dis- 
cover}', and by running barefooted the next 
day a mile or more over frozen ground, escaped 
with their lives. 

The lives of the French inhabitants, in con- 
.sidcralion of former kindnc.'*.'* to the Indians, 
were generalh' spared, and they exerted them- 
selves in behalf of the suffering captives and 
saved some from untimely graves. After the 
battle of the 22d the Indians came into the 
house of Colonel Francis Navarro, and accord- 
ing to statements of Mrs. Navarre piled up the 
bloody scalps they had just cut from the heads 
of these brave Iventuckiaiis, upon her table 
against the wall, making a high heap, of which 
she could not reach the top. This incident 
was confirmed by the statement of the nephew 
of Colonel Xavarre, who at the time of the 
battle of the Raisin was j-oung. He had taken 
refuge with others in the house of his uncle, 
and was an eye witness of many of the bloody 
scenes of the battle, and said he did not feel 
frightened until he saw the burning buildings 
on the morning of the 22d ; then he feared their 
turn might come next. 

The following incident will show how the 
Indians were paid by the British for their hor- 
rid work at the battle of the IJaisin. Squa-ga- 
na-ba,an ohl chief of the Olta was, died in 1868, 
ami a medal was found banging on his neck 
which he had worn fift^'-four years, and which 
was presented tohim in 1814 by the British Gov- 
ernment for the part be had taken in killing 
and scalping the Americans at the River Raisin 
massacre. 

On the 2d of February, ISIIJ, one of the 
United States Judges, Augustus B.Woodward, 
of Detroit, wrote to General Proctor, the Brit- 
ish commander, stating the barbarities of which 
the Indians bad been guilty after the battle 
and capitulation of the Raisin. He charges 
that the American prisoners were tomahawked 
by the savages, some of them shot, .some burned, 
and that the buildings of many of the settlers 
had been destroyed by fire. General Proctor 
i-cijuested him to substantiate his statements 
by proofs, and Judge Woodward presented for 
his consiileration the fbllowini; aftidavils: 



TeUUITORV ok .MlCMIliAN, I 

District of Detroit, \ '^^' 

Personallj- appeared before mc, the uii<lcr- 
signed, one of the Justices of the Peace in the 
District of Detroit, Joseph JJobert, an inhabit- 
ant on tlie River Aux Haisins, who being dulj- 
sworn on the Holy Evangelists, deposes and 
says that on the next da}^ after the battle on 
the River Raisin, a short time after sunrise, he 
saw the Indians kill the American prisoners 
with their tomahawks, and they also shot sev- 
eral ; that the Indians set the houses in which 
the prisoners were on fire, and that in going 
out the prisoners were massacred as aforesaid, 
i.e., three men shot — the others were killed 
in their houses and burned with them The 
Indians burned first the house of Jean Ba))tist(^ 
Jereaunie, and afterwards that of Gabriel (lod- 
froy, jr. The deponent has been informed that 
there were about fifty prisoners in the two 
houses. The deponent has seen dead bodies on 
the Iiighwaj- which the hogs were tearing and 
eating. He also says that Baptiste Couture 
(father of Medard Couture) was killed near 
deponent's house on the day of the second bat- 
tle, a little after sunrise. The Indians have 
often threatened to burn deponent's house and 
barn if he did not march against the Ameri- 
cans. .FOSEPH HoliEIlT. 

Sworn an<l subscribed before mc the 4th of 
February, IKK!. Peter Aiorian, 

Justice, of the Peace. 

Territory of MininiAN, / 
District of Detroit, \ ^''' 

Per.sonally appeared before me, the undei'- 
signcd, one of the Justices of the Peace in the 
District of Detroit, Antoine Boulard, of the 
River Aux Raisins, who, being duly sworn on 
the Holy Evangelists, deposes and says that on 
the next day after the last battle on the River 
Aux Raisins, he saw the Indians kill the Secre- 
tary of the American Genei-al, who was on tlie 
horse of the Indian who had taken him jii'is- 
oner. He fell on one sitle and an Indian came 
up and finished him with a sabre, scalped him 
and carried away his clothes. The bod}- i-e- 
niained two days on the highway before the 
door of the deponent, and was |)artl}' eaten up 
b}' the hogs. Afterward the deponent, to- 
gether with Francois Lasselle, Hubert Lacroix, 
Charles Chovin and liouis Lajoj', took up the 
remains at ilusk and carried them into a Held 



6fi 



HISTORY OF MONROK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



near the woods wlierc the liogs diil not ii;o. 
They dare not bury them for fear of bein<i; sur- 
prised by the Indians, bis ,, .,.^ 
' ■ Antoine X Boi'LAUP. 

mark 

Sworn and snbscrilK'd in my ])reNcnce liiis 
5tii (hiy of Feln-nary, ISKi. 

UKTRorr, February 5, ISII!. 
I cerlity tliat the bodies of the Americans 
killed al the battle of La Riviere Aux Kaisins 
on the 2i'd of January last remained unburiod, 
and thai I have seen hogs and dogs eating 
I hem, who seemed to be rendered mad by so 
|ii-oinse a diet of Christian flesh. The inhabit- 
anis did nol dai'e to hury the dead on aeeoiint 
of ilu' Indians. 'I'he Kreneh inhabitants have 
been threalenod by the Indians if they did not 
take up arms and march against the Ameri- 
<aiis. .\ i.EXis L.MiAniK. 

Tekuitorv of Miciik.an, [ 
Coiiniy of Monroe, \ 

Be it remembered, that personally appeared 
before me, .James J. Godfro}-, a Justice of the 
Peace in and for .-;aid county of Monroe, in said 
Territory, Francis Gaudon, who, being duly 
sworn, deposelh and says that at the commence- 
ment of the last war with Groat Britain he 
lived at Sandy Creek, about three miles from 
Kivcr Kaisin. on the road leading fi'oni said 
river to Detroit, and tliat on the 21st or 22d 
day of August, 1S13, or one or two daj's alter 
the burning of the stockade and bloek-hou.'se 
and the iilundoriiig and destruction of Colonel 
.lohn .\nderson's property, four chiefs, two 
Ottawas and two Dclawares, came to my house 
and told me that they were going to the River 
K'aisin to cut oft' the two hands and pull out 
the tongue of said Anderson, so that he could 
not write or talk to the Big Knives (a name 
tlu'y have lor the Americans). I told a young 
man who liveil with me to go as fast as possi- 
ble and give said Anderson notice, and I gave 
the Indians some retreshments to detain them. 
They took out their large knife and stuck it in 
the floor, saying " That is to cut oft" his hands." 
They hated me heartily, and called me a dog 
and a '■ Big Knife," etc., as I had light colored 
hail-. 

From that time to the L'2d of January, 18i;>, 
I was much troubled with the Indians going to 
and from the River Raisin to Detroit, so that 
I had to move my fauiilj' to Detroit, and I 
would return as often as possible to save my 



grain to kce]i my family from starving. On 
the ISth of January Colonel Lewis came to 
River Raisin and drove the British and In- 
dians from that place, and on passing this 
place, they shot two citizens, Eatane Labo and 
John Bt. Soleau, and the on!}' reason for doing 
it they said the young men asked them if they 
wore running away from the Big Knives. On 
the 22(1 of Januarj- they took possession of my 
house, with a number of prisoners. One they 
roa.sted by tiie fire, then made holes in the 
floor, and he was the whole day dying, as I 
was told by one of my neighbors, Alexis Gee, 
who saw him often through the daj', and his 
cries could be heard a mile; but he dare not 
say anything or even speak to him, as it would 
bo certain death. When I came home in the 
evening to see my house bo was lying on the 
door-step, one side black. I cannot describe 
my feelings on this mournful occasion, but on 
the 2;5d was still more gloomy. The poor 
wounded men on the battle ground were all 
butchered or burned alive in the houses of 
Messrs. Godfroy, Lacroix, McDougall, Jerome 
and Couture, and the families of ftiver Raisin, 
Otter Creek and this place running in every 
dii'cction — some to Detroit, some to Sandusky, 
in sleighs, or horseback and afoot, leaving 
tln^ir jiropcrty behind. The British had pro- 
vided a number of sleighs on the 22d to take 
their wounded to Maiden, and these poor ]>eo- 
ple had to go on foot and carr3' their children 
on their backs, and man}' who were in afflu- 
ence the day before were beggars now, f, 
with the others, went to Detroit, and when the 
Indians left my house, they ])ut fire to it and it 
was consumed, as I was informed by Captain 
Josejih Jabian, who saw it burning; and after 
the arrival of General Harrison at Detroit 
with the army, I returned to my farm and 
found house and barn and fruit trees destroyed, 
and n\y wife would not agree to live there any 
more on accour)t of the dead bodies she had 
seen there where the house stood — there were 
three or four skeletons which wore burned. I 
was to exchange my farm at a great loss for a 
piece up the creek. I am now 60 years of age. 
I was a volunteer in the service of the LTnitod 
States under the command of Captain Hubert 
Tjacroix, in consequence of which the Indians 
treated me harshU', saying I was a dog. They 
took from me fourteen horses and most all my 
hogs, cattle and sheep. They killed one ox 



HARRISON AT FORT MEIC;S. 



fit 



ami left the meat to rot, and further this depo- 
nent saitli not. 

(Sifined) Framis X. Gandon. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 25th 
day of November, 1SH4. J. J. Gopkrov, 

Justice of the Peace. 

•Iinisje Woodward also forwarded to General 
Proctor affidavits concerning the freijuent rob- 
beries committed b\- the Indians upon the set- 
tlers; but the communications seem to have 
been attended with tlie usual results of such 
correspondence — a number of ;)o/i/e letters iind 
MO action tending to stoj) the outrages. 

.\s heretofore stated, General Harrison was 
at Sanduskj- when Winchester arrived at the 
Rapids on the Maumee River. On the night 
of the Ifiti) of January', 1813, General Harrison 
received information of the movements of 
General Winchester. Genei-al Uarri.son hast- 
ened to Lower Sanduskj-, and on the morning 
of the IStb sent a battalion of troops to sup- 
port General Winchostei-. On the morning of 
the 10th of Januarj^ he forwarded additional 
troops to the Rapids of Maumee, whore he with 
the troops arrived on the morning of the 20th. 
The whole bodj* from this point moved for- 
ward to strengthen Winchestci', but, meeting 
the survivors of the massacre of the River 
Raisin and being informed of the disaster, re- 
turned to the Rapids of the Maumee. Here a 
council of war was held, resulting in a determi- 
nation to retreat farther in order to prevent 
being cut off from the stores and artillery- on 
their way from Sandusk}-, and to Portage River, 
there to await the guns and re enforcements, 
which were daily expected but which were 
detained bj- rains until the 30th of January. 
On the first of February, 1813, he again ad- 
vanced to the Rapids of Maumee, where he 
took up a new and stronger position, to which 
point he ordered all the troops as rapidly as 
possible to gather. He then hoped before the 
middle of February to advance on Maiden, but 
the continued rain and warm weather rendered 
the roads nearly impas.sabic, his troops were 
unable to join him, and the prospects of ad- 
vancing on the ice frustrated. The winter 
campaign against Maiden was then abandoned, 
as the campaign the previous fall had been be- 
fore. 

The military measures thus far foi- the recov- 
ery of the Northwest had proved a failure. 



The Americans had been defeated in iicarlj- 
every instance, and hundreds had fallen under 
the Indian tomahawk. It was the reverse with 
Tecumseh and his warriors; they had been 
conquerors, and had proved invaluable as Brit- 
ish allies. 

With the opening of spring the Hritish at 
tempted the conquest of General Hanison's 
position on the Maumee. The General, appre- 
hending their measures, urged forward ri'-cni- 
forcements, which were, however, delayed by 
the spring freshets atid ini])as8able roads. On 
the 28lh of April the Hritish forces began the 
investment of Harrison's cam]), and by the first 
of the following month had comi)leted their 
batteries. In the mean time the Americans had 
constructed an embankment twelve feet high, 
behind which the garrison withdrew as .soon 
as the gunners of the British commenced firing. 
Against this defensive wall the British wasted 
their energies and ammunition for five daj's. 
With this ineffectual effort, the British general, 
having failed to accomplish anything, and ap- 
prehensive of re-enforcements to the Ameri- 
can ranks, determined to retreat, and on the 
9th of May returned with hi.s forces to Maiden. 
On the 18tli of July General Proctor made a 
second attempt on Fort Meigs, and with his 
soldiers and savages ai,'ain surrounded it, but 
finding the Americans prepared for them ac. 
complished nothing. 

Unsuccessful at this point, he moved on with 
his forces to Sandusky, the pi-inci])al stores of 
General Harrison being at that point. Major 
Croghan commanded at Fort Stephenson, now 
Lower Sandusk}-. This point was illy prepared 
for a defense against heavy cannon, and it being 
known that General I'roctor was apjiroaching 
with artillery. General Harrison held a council 
with bis officers and detei'mincd to abandon it. 
Before this could be done the ap])earance before 
the fort of General Proctor, on the 31st of July, 
1813, made it impracticable. The garrison 
consisted of 150 soldiers, wiih but one field 
piece; while the investing force, including 
Tecum,seh and his warriors, was over 3,30fl 
strong, with six pieces of artillery. General 
Proctor- at once demanded a surrender, with 
the assurance that if his demands were not 
complied withageneral massacre would follow. 
To this the daring young officer but twenty-one 
years of age replied, saying " the Indians 
would have none to massacre if the British 



08 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



conqiiorcd. for eviTy man of his garrison 
would die at his post." rroctoi- at once oiJened 
fire upon the northeast angle of the fort. Cro- 
ghan, believing the British intended to make a 
breach at this point, concentrated his whole 
efforts there. He at once strengthened this 
point by ba;;s of sand and flour, placed his six- 
ponTidei-in position to rake thepointthreatened, 
and then havincr charged his infant battery 
with slugs and hidden from the enemy, awaited 
the attack for twenty-four hours. The firing 
continued upon tlienorthwestcorner,thcn under 
cover of smoke and darkness ii column of 350 
men approached unseen within twenty paces 
of the wall ; tiic ditch was gained and in a 
moment filled with men ; then the si.x-pounder, 
only thirty feet distant and so directed as to 
sweep the ditch, was unmasked and fired, kill- 
ing at once twenty-seven of the assailants and 
creating a general panic. The column retired, 
and the little fort, with the loss of one man, 
was saved. The next morning the British and 
their allies, fearing the approach of re-enforce- 
ments under (rrncral Harrison, were gone, 
leaving in their haste guns, stores and clothing. 

The War Department in October, 1812, had 
urged uj)on the Government the importance of 
obtaining command of the lakes by preparing 
a fleet for that 2:)urpose at Erie. Appropria- 
tions were made, and on the 4th of the follow- 
ing August (1813) Commodore Perry suc- 
ceeded in getting his fleet over the bar into 
deep water. 

At til is time active preparations were being 
made for concentrating all the land forces pre- 
])aratory to an attack on Maiden. Kentucky 
sent her best men in great numbers under Gov- 
ernor Shelby and Colonel Richard M.Johnson. 
On the 20th of September, 1813, the forces of 
General Harrison at Port Clinton wei-e trans- 
|)orted by the fleet to Put in-Bay Island, on the 
24th reached Middle Sister Island, and on the 
27th arrived at Maiden, to find it ruined, de- 
serted and wasted. The news of Perry's victory 
and the advance of Harrison's army disheart- 
ened Colonel Proctor, who with his army of 
regulai-s and Indians — with army stores of 
every description, evacuated the place and 
hurried with all convenient speed to the valley 
of (he Hi ver Thames. On the 28th the last of 
the British army left Detroit, arriving at Wind- 
sor, op])osite Detroit, with the last of the guns, 
ammunition and stores. On the 29th Colonel 



McArthur took possession of Detroit and Mich- 
igan Territoiy. 

On the 25th of September Colonel Richard 
M. Johnson, who was with hi.s regiment of 
Kentuckj' cavalry at Fort Meigs, received or- 
ders from General Harrison to march imme- 
diately to the River Raisin and hasten to Mai- 
den, where ho expected the fleet would land 
the army the next day. Johnson's regiment 
hurried on to Frenchtown, remained nearly 
one day occupied in burying the remains of the 
brave Iventuckians that were the previous 
winter ma.ssacred, and on the following day 
marched into Detroit, and were received by the 
whole population, who turned out en masse to 
welcome 1,100 cavalry as they thundered by, 
under the command of Governor Shelby and 
Colonel Richard M. Johnson. The 1st of Oc- 
tober following. Colonel Johnson with his army- 
crossed to Sandwich, and General Harrison and 
General Shelby with 3,500 troOps left Detroit 
in pursuit of the British army. Commodore 
Perry with his fleet sailed up the river, and 
when he arrived fifteen miles up the Thames 
River disembarked and joined the land forces 
in pursuit of Colonel Proctor, who was with all 
haste making his way- to the heart of Canada 
by the valley of the Thames. 

The lirilliant victory at Lower Sandusky 
substantial h^ closed the military movements 
in Northwestern Ohio, and attention was next 
directed toward Erie, and Perry's preparations 
for naval operations. It so happened that that 
commander, on the very day of Cvoghan's vic- 
tory (August 2d) had completed the equiioment 
of his fleet at Erie, but, owing to a lack of 
water, he did not cross the bar in the harbor 
until the 4th, when he set sail in search of the 
enemy. Not finding them, he returned on the 
8th to Brie, to take in re -enforcements. August 
12th he again left, and anchored in Sandusky 
Bay on the 15th, whence he soon departed in 
quest of the enemy. Cruising off Maiden, but 
not finding the object of his search, he retired 
to Put-in -Bay. His fleet consisted of the Brig 
Lawrence (the flag ship), of 20 guns; the 
Niagara, of 20 ; the Caledonia, of 3 ; the 
Schoonei- Ariel, of 4; the Sloop Trip]:)e, and 
Schooners Tigress and Porcupine, of 1 gun 
each — nine vessels with 54 guns and two 
swivels. The British had six vessels, but they 
were superior in size, with a greater number 
of guns. 



BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 



(19 



On llif iiioniii)i^ of llio niemor-:ible lOtli of 
September, Commodore Perr^- discovered the 
enemy bearing down upon liim, wben lie at 
once made preparation for tiio conflict, wliich 
was accepted on both aides as j)robably deci- 
sive of supremacy on the laUo, and as certain 
to have most important bearing on the <;enoral 
contest. The report made by Perry consti- 
tutes the most compact and interesting account 
of the engagement to be had. It is as follows: 

•• luMTEi) States .Schooner Ariel, ) 
Put-in-Bay, IHth Sept., 1813. \ 

'•At sunrise on the morning of the 10th, the 
enemy's vessels were discovered from Put-in- 
Bay, where I lay at anchor with tiie squadron 
under my command. 

" We got under way, the wind light S. W., 
and stood for them. At ten a. m. the wind 
hauled to S. E., and brought us to windwai'd; 
formed the line and brought up. At fifteen 
minutes before twelve the enemy commenced 
tiring. At five minutes before twelve the action 
commenced on our part. Finding their fire 
very destructive, owing to their long guns, and 
it being most directed to the Lawrence, I made 
sail and directed the other vessels to follow, for 
the purpose of closing with the enemy. Every 
brace and bow being shot away, she became 
unmanageable, notwithstanding the great ex- 
ertions of the sailing master. In this situation 
she sustained the action upwards of two hours, 
within canister-shot distance, until every gun 
was rendered useless, and a greater part of the 
crew either killed or wounded. Finding she 
could no longer annoy the enemy, T left her in 
charge of fjieutenant Yarnall, who, as I was 
convinced, from the bravery already displayed 
by him, would do what would comport with 
the honor of the flag. 

"At half-past two, the wind sjiringing up. 
Captain Elliott was enabled to bring his vessel, 
the ^Niagara, gallantly into close action. I im- 
mediately went on board her, when he antici- 
pated mj^ wish by volunteering to bring the 
schooner, which had been kept astern by the 
lightness of the wind, into close action. 

•■ It was with unspeakable pain that I saw, 
soon after I got on board the Niagara, the flag 
of the Lawrence come down, although 1 was 
perfectly sensible that she had been defended 
to the last, and that to have continued to make 
a show of resistance, would have been a wan- 
ton .sacrifice of the remainins' of her Inavf crfw, 



But the enemy was not able to tak(? pussession 
of her, and circumstances soon permitted hci- 
flag to be hoisted. 

"At fortj'-five minutes past two, the signal 
was made (or close action. The Niagara being 
very little injured, I determined to pass through 
the enemy's line, bore up and passed ahead of 
their two ships and a brig, giving a raking fii-e 
to them from the starboard guns, and to a small 
schooner and sloop, from the larboard side, at 
half-pistol shot di-stance. The smaller vessels 
at this time having got within grape and can- 
ister distance, under the direction of Cai)tain 
Elliott, and keeping up a well-directed fire, the 
two ships, a brig and a schooner surrendered, 
a schooner and sloop making vain attempt to 
escape. 

"Those otficei-s and men wIkj were imme- 
diately under my observation, evinced the 
greatest gallantry, and I have no doubt that 
all others conducted themselves as became 
American officers and seamen." 

On the 27th of September the American 
army set .sail for the shores of Canada, and in 
a short time stood around the ruins of the de- 
serted and wasted Maiden, from which Gen- 
eral Proctor had retreated to Sandwich, and 
was with haste making his way to the heart of 
Canada by the valley of the Thames. On the 
29th of September General Ilarri.son was at 
Sandwich, and McArthur took possession of 
Detroit and the Territory of Michigan. At 
this time Colonel Bichard M. Johnson's mount- 
ed riflemen, which had gone up the west side 
of the Kiver Detroit, rejoined the main army. 

On the 2d of October the American army be- 
gan their march in pursuit of General Proctor, 
whom they overtook on the 5th. The British 
were in two lines, occupying the field between 
the river and a small swamp. The Indians ex- 
tended from the small to the large swamp, the 
ground being suitable to their mode of waifare 
and unfavorable for the cavalry. General Har- 
rison ordered Colonel JRichard M. .Johnson 
with his mounted men to charge and try to 
break the regular troops by passing through 
their ranks and forming in the rear. Colonel 
Johnson gave the right hand body of his 
cavalry opposite the regulars in charge of his 
brother James, while crossing the swamj) with 
the remainder he led the way against Tecum- 
.seh and his savage followers. The charge of his 
brotlur James was successful. TheKentuckiaus 



70 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ret'eived the fire of the eneiri)-, broke through 
the ranks, and forming beyond them produced 
such a panic by the novelty of the attack that 
the whole body of troops yielded at once. On 
the left the Indians fought courageou8l3' and 
the American cavalry were forced to dismount, 
as their horses were in danger of miring in the 
swamp. In a few moments, Tecumseh, wiio 
more than any other man brought about this 
war, fell dead from a shot from Colonel John- 
son's pistol. The British soon gave up the 
contest, and now all was over but the pursuit 
of Proctor, who had fled at the coniniencement 
of the action. 

Such were the glorious victories of our arms 
over the British and Indians, Commodore 
Perry had conquered on Lake Erie, and the 
brave Harrison and his army at the Thames. 
This last contest practically ended the war in 
the Northwest. Tecumseh had fallen, the In- 
dians lost their power and prestige, and the 
British having been thoroughlj^ defeated gave 
but little trouble afterwards. 

Controversy has arisen as to " Who killed 
Tecumseh?" but the fact that James Knagi^s 
and Medard Labadie, who were personally 
well acquainted with Tecumseh, who lived on 
the River Raisin for mauy years both before 
and after the War of 1812, and who frequently 
stated all the facts and details, and who car- 
ried Colonel Richard M. Johnson wounded from 
the field, were esteemed by those who knew 
them as good authority for any statement they 
might make, has settled the controvei-sy. The 
attidavit of James Knaggs having reference 
thereto will be perused with interest, and is 
regarded as conclusive proof of the statements 
therein made by those in this vicinity-, by 
whom he was held in high esteem. General 
Cass, in the presidential campaign of 1840, was 
accompanied through this State by Mr. James 
Knaggs and Medard Labadie, who occupied 
the platform and were exhibited as the cour- 
ageous soldiers who carried Colonel Johnson 
from the field. The General stated frequently 
his belief that Colonel Johnson was entitled to 
the credit generally awarded him of being the 
hero who killed b3' a pistol shot the great Indian 
chieftain, and from the fact that General Cass 
was an officer in the same engagement, full 
credence was given to his statement. The 
recognition of the kind offices of James Knaggs 
at the battle of the Thames by a letter now in 



the possession of John Knaggs, the son of 
James, 1 have been recently permitted to copy, 
and annex hereto. 

(hTY OF WASIlI.NliTON, Juiie G, 1841. 

Major James Knaggs — 

My Dear Old Friend : I have received your 
kind and esteemed favor, wishing me a safe 
arrival home among my friends. I truly and 
sincerely thank you for the friendship which 
you have shown to me; and if ever it should 
be in my power to serve you, I am ready and 
willing. That you may live long to enjoy the 
blessings of that Government which you have 
defended, is the prayer of your devoted friend 
and fellow citizen, Richard M. Johnson. 

The following is the affidavit of James 
Knaggs; 

State of Mioukjan, ) 
County of Monroe, j 

James Knaggs deposeth and saith ; I was 
attached to a company of mounted men called 
Rangers at the battle of the Thames in Upper 
Canada in the year 1813. During the battle 
we charged into the swamp, where several of 
our horses mired down, and an order was given 
to retire to the hard ground in our rear, which 
we did. The Indians in front of us, believing we 
were retreating, immediately advanced upon us 
with Tecutnseh at their head. I distinctly 
heard his voice, with which I was perfectly 
familiar. He yelled like a tiger, and urged on 
his braves to the attack. We were then but a 
few yards apart. We halted on the hard 
ground and continued our tire. After a few 
minutes of very severe firing, I discovered 
Colonel Richard M. Johnson lying on the 
ground with one leg confined by the body of 
his white mare, which had been killed. My 
friend M. Labadie was with me. We went 
up to the Colonel (with whom we were pre- 
viously acquainted) and found him badly 
wounded, lying on his side with one of his 
pistols lying in his hand. I saw Tecumseh at 
the same time, lying on his face dead, and about 
fifteen or twenty feet from the colonel. He 
was stretched at full length and was shot 
through the body, I think near the heart; the 
ball went through his back. He held his tom- 
ahawk in his right hand (it had a brass pipe 
on the head of it) ; his arm was extended as if 
striking, and the edge of the tomahawk was 



DISTRESS OF SETTLERS. 



71 



stuck in the ground. Tei-umseh was dressed 
in red speckled legginijs and a fringed hunting 
shirt; he lay slretclied directly towards Colonel 
Johnson. When we went up to the (Jolonel, 
we offered to help him ; he replied with anirau- 
tioii, "Knaggs, let me lay here and push on 
and take Proctor." However, we liberated him 
from his dead horse, took his blanket from his 
saddle, placed him in it and bore him ott" the 
field. I had known Tecum.seh from my boy- 
hood — we were boys together. There was no 
Other Indian immediately around where Te- 
cunisoh and Colonel Johnson la^', though there 
Were man}- near the small creek a few rods back 
of the place where Tecumseh fell. I had no 
doubt then and have none now that Tecumseh 
fell by the hand of Colonel Johnson. 

(Signed) J.\mes KN.\(ius. 

Sworn to and subscriboil before me the 22d 
day of September, 1853. 

B. F. H. WiTHEUELI., 

Notary Public. 

Colonel Johnson stated at the time and alter- 
ward often reiterated it, thai he killed an I lulian 
with his pistol, who was advancing upon him 
at the time his horse fell under him. The testi- 
mony of Captain Knaggs shows conclusively 
that it could have been no other than Tecumseh. 
The foregoing transaction is of no little im- 
portance in our history, as the ball that bore 
with it the fate of the great Indian warrior 
dissolved at once the last great Indian confed- 
eracy and gave peace to our Irontier. 

Some thirteen months intervened between 
the surrender of General Hull and the occupa- 
tion of Detroit and River Raisin by Colonel 
McArthur, during the most of which time the 
Territory was under martial law, the inhabi- 
tants were plundered and subject to every kind 
of indignity, and nearly all of the inhabitants 
that were prominent and that had been identi- 
tied in sympathy and feeling with the Ameri- 
can cause were, in the midst of a bitter cold 
winter, compelled to leave the country by the 
barbarous and inhuman command of Colonel 
Proctor. 

Notices, of which the following isa copy, were 
sent to the prominent men of Detroit, viz. : 

"I am ordered by Colonel Proctor to say that 
he expects you will be prepared to leave the 



country on Friday next, in company with a 
number of American citizens from this place. 
(Signed) William Jones." 

These orilers were followed by a jjrotest that 
was very numerously signed and yiresented to 
Colonel Proctor by the citizens, a copy of which 
follows : 

" Whereas, it has been signified to us, the 
undersigned, citizens of the United States, resi- 
dent at Detroit, in the Territory of Michigan, 
bv Colonel Henry Proctor, the British com- 
manding officer, that it is his will and pleasure 
we should depart from and leave the said Ter- 
ritory, and be so orders and directs it, leaving 
behind us at the same time, as we necessarily 
must, our dearest (amilies and relatives, exposed 
to the cruelties and evils incident to a state of 
war. and our property at the mercy ot the 
maurading savages." 

This appeal was disregarded, and the citizens 
in. the month of February were compelled to 
leave. The Canadians living in Detroit were 
protected from plunder by marking their cattle 
with a red mark, while the American citizens 
suffered the loss of all of their properly. At 
this time the residentsat the River Raisin were 
reduced to such a state of starvation that they 
resorted to boiling down hay, using it as a sub- 
stitute for tea, for nourishment. To give some 
idea of the destitution at Detroit and the River 
Raisin Judge Woodward writes thus to James 
Monroe, Secretary of War : 

" The desolation of this country is be_\ ond all 
conception. No kind of Hour or meal is to be 
procuretl, and nothing lor the subsistence of 
cattle, no animals for slaughter, and more than 
half of the population destitute of aii^' for do- 
mestic or agricultural purposes; the fencing 
of the farms entirely destroyed by the incur- 
sions of the enemy for fuel for the military ; 
their houses left without glass, and in man^- 
instances even the flooring burned; their 
clothing plundered from them by the Indians. 
It is a literal fact, and it will scarcely be 
deemed possible to shock the feelings of human 
nature so much as to state it, that the inhabi- 
tants of the River Raisin have been obliged to 
resort to chopped hay, boiled, for subsistence. 
Many, possessing neither firmness of mind or 
body sufficient to sustain the calamities with 
which they have been assailed, have sunk into 



72 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 

the asj'luin where tlic wicked cease to trouble be g-iveii by the coninianding officer of the 
and the wearj'- are at rest." company in whose bounds the applicant re- 
in reply to these representations tlie Secrc- sides, stating his infirmity or inability to sup- 
tai-y of War authorized Governor Cass to dis- j)orl himself, which certificate shall, if the per- 
tribute$l,5()0 to thesettlers on the River Raisin, son be of the Roman Catholic religion, be 
and the mone}' was expended in flour. Every countersigned by the Rev. Mr. Richard and a 
precaution was used in the distribution, and in justice of the peace, and if a person is not of 
order that this might not be misapplied the the Roman (Jatholic religion it shall be caun- 
(Jovernor ilctcrmincd " that a certifieate should tersigned by two justices of the jieace." 



CHAPTER VIII. 



COKRESPONDENCE OF COLONEL PROCTOR, COMMANDER OF URITISH ARMY AT BATTLE OK RIVER 
RAISIN, AND REPORTS AFTER THE DAITLE. 



THE following reports and correspondence 
between Colonel Proctor and General 
SlieafFe were obtained from the arcliives of the 
Canadian capital by Judge Woodward : 

Sandwich, January 25, 18i;5. 
Major- General Sheaffe, Fort George — 

Mv Dear General : In my last dispatch I 
acquainted you that the enemy was in the 
Michigan Territory and that he was marcli- 
ing on Detroit. I therefore deemed it requisite 
that he shojld be attacked without delay and 
with all and every description ol force within 
my reach. Early on the morning of the 19th 
inst. I was informed of his being in possession 
of Frenchlown, on the Eiver Raisin, twenty- 
six miles from Detroit. After ex])eriencing 
ever}- resistance that Major Reynolds, of the 
Es.sex militia, had it in his power to make with 
a tlirec-pounder well served and directed bj' 
Bombardier Kitson,of the Royal Artiiler}', and 
the militiamen whom lie had well trained to the 
use of it, the retreat ofthc gun was covered bj- a 
brave baud of Indians, who made the enemy 
pay dearl}- for what he obtained. The Indians 
fell back eighteen miles to Brownstown, the 
settlement of the brave Wyandots, whei'e I 
directed my forces to assemble. On the 21st 
inst. I advanced twelve miles to Swan Creek, 
whence we marched to the enemj- and attacked 
him at breaU of day on the 22d inst.. and after 
experiencing for our number a considerable 
loss, about half of the enemy's forces posted in 
houses and enclosures, and which in the dread 
of falling into the hands of the Indians they 
most obstinatelj' defended, at last surrendered 
at discretion. The other part of their force, 
in attempting to return whence they came, 
were, I believe, all, or perhaps excepting a very 
few, killed by the Indians. Brigadier-General 
Winchester was taken in the pursuit by the 
Wyandot chii^f Round-Head. He was cut off 



from those who were posted and whom he 
afterward surrendered. 

I had much difficulty in bringing the Indians 
to consent to the sparing of the lives of those 
that were wounded. You will perceive that I 
have lost no time; indeed, there w'as none to 
spare, as they would have been joined b}^ Mr. 
Harrison in a few days, and the people of De- 
troit had already begun to show themselves. 
The troops, the marines and militia disi)layed 
great bravery; all behaved well. Where so 
much zeal and spirit was displayed by all, it 
would be unjust to attempt to particularize. I 
shall only mention some of the wounded : 
Lieutenant Colonel St. George, who received 
four wounds in a gallant attempt to occupy a 
building favorably situated by the enemy for 
our annoyance ; Lieutenant Kerr, of the Roj^al 
N. F. L. regiment, who I fear is very danger- 
ouslj- wounded (since dead). The zeal and 
courai;e of the Indian department never were 
raoi-e conspicuous than on this occasion. The 
Indian warriors displayed their usual courage. 
I am much indebted to the different depart- 
ments, the troops, etc., having been well and 
timely supplied with every requisite the district 
can afford. We feel the insufficienc}- of surgical 
assistance. If the Indians had not appeared 
quite as soon in the enemy's rear, whicti deter- 
red them from quitting their fastness, scarcely 
a man could have escaped death. 

I send my aid-dc-camp. Acting Lieutenant 
McLean, with this dispatch. He will be able 
to answer any questions respecting the affairs 
at Frcnchtown that you may be desirous of 
asking concerning our situation here generally. 

I have decided to the best of my judgment 
respecting the prisoners, which is to send them 
bj- tlie River Thames, to be passed over on your 
frontier. The reasons for not sending them 
back the route by which they came are so 
obvious that 1 shall not. except required, ob- 



[73] 



u 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



triule them on you. Indeed, I see no option 
or arrangement that could be made but the one 
directed. I fortunately have not been deprived 
of the services of Lieutenant Trough ton, of the 
Royal Artillery, and acting in the quarter- 
master-general's department. Though he was 
wounded, I am indebted much to his zeal and 
unwearied exertions. 1 could wish his continu- 
ance in the quarterniaster-geueral's depart- 
ment. Were it not unjust to particularize any 
corps, where all did their utmost, I would men- 
tion the zeal and courage of the Koyal Artillery. 
Each officer is deserving of being named, could 
1 do it within the compass of a dispatch. I 
enclose a list of the killed and wounded. I 
lament there being so many of both, but of the 
latter a large portion will soon return to duty, 
and most of them before long. Before the re- 
duction of my force 1 had too few for the de- 
fen.se of the frontier. May I not hope that 
you will send me a company of the Forty-First 
Regiment? You are aware of the insufficiency 
of my means. I also send a return of the 
arms, ammunition, etc., taken on the 22d inst. ; 
likewise of the prisoners, whom you will per- 
ceive to be equal to ray utmost force, exclusive 
of the Indians, who though a j)owerful aid are 
an uncertain one, being dependent on success, 
and which would have strongly appeared had 
I failed on the 22d in.st. Nor could I have 
been sure of the militia in the event of any 
disaster. I have not heard it officially, but I 
believe a party of the enemy of 100, bringing 
500 hogs for General Winchester's force, has 
been completely cut off. I shall defer until the 
next opportunity, which shall be in a few days, 
saying anything more, having already detained 
liieutenant McLean too long, of whose courage 
and exertions disiDlayedou the 22d inst. I would 
speak, did I think it just to attempt particu- 
larizing any one, especially when I may be sup- 
posed partial. I remain, my dear General, 
faithfulljr yours, 

Henry Proctor, 
Colonel Commanding. 



ccssity of sending several Crom tlio depot of 
treachery, Detroit. I shall endeavor to send 
correct returns (nominally) of both, with my 
recommendation of the disposal of the latter. 
My opinion of the enem}- is not more favorable 
than it was, from what I have seen and heard 
of them. Tliey were ai'med with knives and 
tomahawks, and some of them used them ; they 
fired at the wounded as they lay on the ground, 
themselves behind enclosures and in buildings. 
Every art, ever}' means have been employed 
to prejudice and influence these misguided 
people against us. There have been some in- 
stances, I am sorry to say, of Indian barbarity, 
but the example was set by the enemy, and 
they came to seek them I know one shall be 
vilified, for the truth is not in them. I have 
not anj'thing to accuse myself of 

I enclose you an extract of a letter from 
General Winchester just previous to his de- 
parture. I also enclose returns, by which you 
will perceive what my force was when I at- 
tacked the enemy and what it is at present. 
If you do not send me as many as will replace 
those who are in consequence of the aifairof the 
22d unfit foi' service, 1 mean of the Forty-First 
Regiment, very serious consequences may fol- 
low the enemy's advance, which should be ex- 
pected, and im)nedi;itely. We shall do our 
duty, but that will not save the country though 
it may our ci'edit. I have been given to un- 
derstand that General Harrison is at the foot 
of the rapids, so that no time should be lost in 
moving on, if they should not be already on 
the way here, whatever assistance can be af- 
forded. 

I fear I shall not be enabled, without delay- 
ing the express too long, to send you a moi-e 
correct return of the jDrisoners than I already 
have doni^ You shall receive it, however, 
before the (irisoners can reach you. 



Extract from a letter from Colonel Proctor: 

Sandwich, February 1, 1813. 

I have hastened off for many reasons the 

General and the other prisoners, excepting the 

wounded, and a few others whom the Indians 

■ are bringing in. I shall also be under the ne- 



Febrtjary 2d. 

Major-- General Sheaffe : 

General Harrison has sent, with a flag of 
truce, the person to whom the enclosed order 
is directed. You will perceive his object to be 
the gaining of information. I shall keep the 
gentleman and send some person to him. He 
is at the foot of the rapids, and we may ex- 
pect him with more thousands than I can find 
hundreds. The Indian force is a strong aid 



w 



CORRESPONDENCE OF COLONEL PROCTOR. 



75 



when there is si la-obabilil}- of suceess, but any 
reverse would quickly disperse it. Our militia 
force dejiends also on success in a great meas- 
ure. I h;ivo had some little e.xperience of both. 
You will see how much I am in need of officers. 
The wounds are in general not dangerous; 
they are, however, severe ones. I shall .say no 
MiDre. My situation is well known to j-ou.and 
I trust j-ou will afford mc speed}- aid. 

(Signed) Henry Proctor, 

Colonel Commanding. 



Whereas, It bath been signified to us, the 
undersigned, citizens of the United States, 
residents of Detroit, in the Territory of Michi- 
gan, by Henry Proctor, the British command- 
ing officer, that it is his will and pleasure we 
should depart from and leave the said Terri- 
tor}', and he so orders and directs it, leaving 
behind at the same time, as we necessarily 
must do,our dearest relatives exposed to all the 
casualties and evils incident to a state of war, 
and our proper!}- at the mere}' of marauding 
savages : 

Resolved, Therefore, that we consider the .said 
order of the said Colonel Proctor as a flagrant 
and gross violation of the third article of the 
capitulation made and concluded at Detroit on 
the ICth daj- of August last, and b}- reason 
w-hcreof this place was surrendered to the 
Britiish flag. 

Resolved, Secondly, that it is a duty we own 
to ourselves and to our country to resist man- 
fully and spiritedly, by all the powers of reason 
and argument, every unwarrantable attempt 
upon our personal riglits that is not strietly 
compatible with the articles of capitulation. 

Whereas, Wc entertain a very sensible and 
thorough conviction that a military officer, 
by an unjustifiable and wanton invasion of the 
private rights of an individual, may not only 
incur the displeasure of his own Government 
but will lav himself personally responsible to 
tlu' individual injured: 

Resolved, Therefore, thirdly, tiiat for every 
violation of our rights and privileges attended 
with an injury to our persons or property, we 
will make a solemn appeal in the dernier 
ressort to the umjjire of the law. 

Resolved, Fourthlj-, that we entertain a high 
sense of the honor of a military parole and the 
virtuous and delicate use thatouyht to be made 



of it, as likewise the necessitv and the pro- 
priety of a strict and exem])lary neutrality as 
long as wo remain under the British flag and 
are ])rotected in our persons and property, 
agreeable to the true s))irit and letter of the 
articles of capitulation. 

Resolved, Fifthly, that if there are any 
amongst us whose conduct and behavior does 
not strictly comport with the spirit and moan- 
ing of the preceding resolutions, they ought 
not to be screened from punishment ; but that it 
is our duty to assist in exposing them to the just 
animadversion and censure of their own im- 
proper conduct. 

Anp Whereas, We entertain a high sense of 
the manly, dignified and spirited conduct of 
Augustus B. Woodward, whose services have 
heretofore been as pre-eminently useful to the 
inhabitants : 

Resolved, Therefore, sixthl}-, that he be pre- 
sented with these resolutions with a request to 
la\- them before the said Colonel Henry Proc- 
tor, and to use all lawful and honorable en- 
treaty with him to obtain a revocation of iiis 
aforesaid order, so diametrically o]iposed to 
the aforesaid third article of capitulation, and 
so manifesth' injurious at this particular season 
of the year to our pei-sons and property. 

Dated Detroit, February Lst, 1818. Signed 
by twenty-nine persons. 

A true copy. A. H. McLean, A. I). C. 



MioiiiOAN, .lanuary 31, 1S18. 
The Hon. James Monroe, Secretary of State : 

Sir: Iliad the honor to transmit to yo.i some 
days ago, simply under an envelope, some in- 
formation for the friends of Messrs. Baker and 
McCarthy, and I now beg to transmit commu- 
nications of a similar nature for twelve of the 
families. 

In the battle of La liiviere Aux Raisins of 
the 22d of the month, and which terminated in 
a complete victory on the part of the British 
commander, the American general evidently 
committed four military errors. 

First, His troops were posted on the left 
bank of the Eiver Eaisin, when the}- should 
have been, unquestionably, on the right. 

Second, They were posted at the extremity 
of a i)ublic road, when, if posted on the left 
bank at all, they should have been in a situa- 
tion that either fences or woods inighl have 



76 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



presented some obstructions to the appronch of 
cannon. 

Third, He slept a mile and a half from his 
men, and the next to him in command being 
absent, they in fact had no commander. 

Fourth, He received intelligence of the 
march of the attacking army in the evening, 
but would not credit it. 

The operations of the British commandei- 
are marked with the same minute correctness 
of judgment in this instance, and the same 
boldness of conception and execution which 
distinguished in the former instance his illus- 
trious predecessor, General Brock. It is a 
military movement of equal and in fact of 
greater sjjlendor. His allies, however, will 
tarnish his military laurels and plant a thorn 
in his heart. "But that I am," etc., Hamlet, Act 
II. Scene 4. The American soldiers fought 
like lions. The enemy do justice to their in- 
trepid bravery, and being the first iu.stance 
they have felt in this quarter of American 
spirit, it is not without its impression. "What- 
ever credit is, liowever, given to the bravery of 
the men, the superiority of generalship beyond 
all doubt or question belongs to the British 
commanders. If General Winchester ad- 
vanced without the approbation of the com- 
manding general, this was a still greater and 
more military error. 

I have the honor to be, sir, respectfully your 
obedient servant, 

(Signed) A. B. Woodward. 

A true copy. 

A. H. McLean,A.I).C. 



Sandwich, February 4, 1813. 
Major- (xeneral Sheaffe, Fort George — 

My Dear General; The advance of Gen- 
eral Winchester's force gave an opportunity to 
a part of the inhabitants of the Michigan Ter 
ritory to display their hostile sentiments to- 
ward our Government. A number of them 
were prepared, I have reason to believe, in the 
event of my having failed in my attack on the 
enemy, to rise and possess themselves of Fort 
Detroit, in which, at the time, I could afford a 
garrison of militia only; but disappointed in 
that expectation, and acquiring confidence from 
the approach of General Harrison, they held 
meetings which were productive of the inde- 



cent resolutions dated February 1, 181.3, and 
of the conditions for a convention insolently 
]iroposed in a letter to me from Chief Justice 
Woodward. Of the impropriety of this man's 
conduct, I certainly cannot entertain a doubt. 
He is an artful, designing and ambitious man, 
and his only objects have been to ingratiate 
himself with his own Government and to court 
popularity. In such a man I could not place 
confidence, and associated with him in the ad- 
ministration of the government it was impos- 
sible for that government to possess sufficient 
energ}' to control such men. To preserve the 
Territory, therefore, I found myself under the 
absolute necessity of declaring martial law 
therein. I have also found it necessary to 
order some of the more suspicious and turbu- 
lent characters to quit the Territory, among 
whom are some British subjects. They will 
2)roceed to Fort George under an escort and 
then will be at your disjjosal, though I shall 
take upon me to make some remarks respect- 
ing some of them. 

After having rid the Tei'ritory of these men, 
as there are a considerable number of the in- 
habitants who are or were British subjects, 
who were greatly controlled in their actions 
by the persons sent off, it is mj^ intention to 
bring over as maiiy of the inhabitants as lean 
to take the oath of allegiance to his Majesty, 
and if I find they can be tru.sted, arm them in 
defense of the Territory. As the majority of 
the inhabitants are Canadians, and as it is so 
much for their own interest to be on good 
terms with the Indians, I have hopes of suc- 
ceeding in procuring a considerable number to 
join us. And in respect to those who are con- 
firmed citizens of the United States, and whom 
I have not thought j)roper to order away, 1 
shall call on them to take an oath of strict 
neutrality during the war. The most of those 
sent away were, by the capitulation for the 
surrender of Detroit, made prisoners of war, as 
they had joined the army, and as such, I con- 
ceive, liable to be sent away. What I have 
done has been under the firm conviction that 
it was not only for the best but absolutely 
necessary. I have, therefore, reasons to hope 
that my conduct will be full)- approved. I 
remain, my dear General, faithfully yours, 
Henry Proctor, 
Commanding. 



I 



CORUESrONDENCE OF COr.ONEI, PROCTOR. 



77 



To Colonel Proctor: 

I^ctuni of jjrisoners taken after the action at 
River Raisin, January 22, 181:!; 

Brigadier Generals 1 

Colonels 1 

Majors 1 

Captains i> 

Lieutenants <i 

Ensigns 10 

Brigade Majors.. 1 

Adjutants . 1 

Quartermasters 1 

Surgeons - 

Sergeants 27 

Rank and File 435 

Total 495 

■{"lie Inilians have brought in and delivered 
uj) sevei'al prisoners since this return was 
taken. They continucci to do sotliis morning, 
so that tlio return i.s not exactlj^ correct, nor 
can a correct one be procured until they arrive 
at Sandwich. 
(Signed) Felix Troughton, Lt. R. A., 

Act'g Asst. Qvartermaster (ren'l. 

Amhersthurc, January 25, 181o. 
Return of arms, ammunition, etc., taken 
from the enemy at River Raisin on the 22d 
inst. : 

Af 1 , ( Serviceable, with Bavonets ?>(>9 

.\liisKets-j Repairable, without Bayonets 28 397 

,, , ( Serviceable, with Belts 292 

1 oucnes-^ Repairable, without Belts 57 349 

Musket Ball, serviceable 900 

Cartridfres, un.serviceable 500 1400 

Swords with scabbards 10 10 

(Signed) Fei.ix Troiciito.n, 
Lieut. Com'd'g Royal Artillery. 
S.vMTKi. Wood, 

Clerk of Ordnance Stores Train Dept. 

N. B. — There was mncli ammunition and 
many muskets, ritles, swords and pistols which 
it was politic to allow the Indians to take away 
with them. 

S.\Nii\vi(ii, January 24, 1811!. 
.Major Evans, Fort George — 

5Iv Dear Major: Though much oceujiied, 
I shall take a few moments to ac<piaint you 
that on the 10th inst., at 2 a. m., I was informed 
that the encmj' was in complete possession of 
tlie settlement at the River Raisin, and that on 
the 22d inst. at break of tlay, I attacked him 



with all the forces I could collect, the result of 
which is that Brigadier General Winchester, his 
surviving officers and upwards of 4(i0 men are 
prisoners, the remainder (I believe about the 
same number) being killed by the Indians in 
their flight. I am sorry to say that our loss 
has been for our number considerable. We 
had no time to lose, for Mr, Harrison is on the 
advance. A week's delay would have lost us 
ever3'thing. Perhaps this specimen of what 
they are to expect in the Territory may deter 
theiii from making another attempt .soon. The 
troops, marine and militia, displayed great 
bravery, as did also the Indians. The officers 
did their duty well. It would be scarcely just 
to mention individuals. Colonel St, George re- 
ceived four wounds "whilst acting very gal- 
lantly." Lieutenant Kerr, N, V. L,, is, I fear, 
mortally wounded, I have not time for further 
particulars. Believe me, with regard and esteem, 
ever yours, 

Henry Proctor, 



Extract from a letter from General J'roctor 
to Major-Genoral Sheaffe : 

Saniiwiiii, January 1'3, 1813. 
Nothing can be more gratifying to me than 
to find effectual measures taken to insure the 
superiority of the lakes, so requisite to the 
security of the country. Every exertion is 
making and shall be persevered in, as far as de- 
pends on me to attain that object. The gun- 
boats are to be built on the Thames, bj' which 
much time and expense will be saved, I want 
no assistance toward building the gunboats. 
The labor and materials I have at hand. It is 
not so with respect to the ship; however, no 
time need be lost. An estimate of the materials 
is sent, and a saving of time and expense will 
arise in proportion to the number of ship- 
wrights employed in building her. In the rig- 
ging of the ship, a naval officer should direct 
and sailors be employed, I do not believe 
there are either here properly qualified. I have 
taken it for granted that we are to receive 
officers and seamen from the only adequate 
.source, the royal navj-. There are two very 
important points which I conceive it requisite 
to occupy with block-liouses. The expense 
will be very trifling, the timber being at hand, 
and the effect they may produce on our allies 
very beneficial, as calculated to preserve our 



IS 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



commuuication willi them and ensure their 
retreat. One gun only will be requisite in each. 

Mature reflection on the reading within my 
reach had determined me against demanding 
the railitar}- service of the inhabitants of the 
ceded Territory. I dread the consequences on 
their account solely of the enemy entering into 
tiie Territorj". No commands or influence of 
mine will be of sufficient weight to preserve the 
property, and J doubt not the lives, of the most 
of the inhabitants in the event of it. With my 
inadequate means the game will be a difficult 
one ; however, I will do my best and trust that 
the result may be as favorable as hitherto. 

The Indians in council have formally re- 
quested the aid of such a corps (Butler's) as 
were attached to and acted with them during 
(as it is called) the Revolutionary War, and 
*Captain Caldwell, whom they well know and 
think highly of, niaj^ be employed. A corps of 
that description would be, I am convinced, of 
the highest utility, both in restraining and di- 
recting the hostility of the Indians to the 
proper objects of it. I would propose one 
company at first, and if found to answer the in- 
tended purpose, a second might be added under 
a major. It « ould soon prove a good substi- 
tute for militia, whose officers here are almost 
all as bad as can be. An efficient corps of the 
description pi'oposed, I doubt not, could soon 
be raised in this district. From the Indians I 
have had manj- applications for the regular 
troops to move and serve immediately with 
them, and which wifh some difficulty I have 
been able to evade, since the expedition in- 
tended for Fort Wayne, often much to their 
dissatisfaction. Having the corps in question, 
no other would be required to act immediatelj- 
with them. The Indians are endeavoring to 

"•■Captain Caldwell referred to, soon after the War 
of 1812, married Miss Catharine, the daughter of 
Jaques Lasselle, who was a wealthy Indian trader. 
Miss Catharine was an accomplished lady, who re- 
ceived her education at Montreal, making her trips 
from the River Raisin to Montreal and return in open 
flat boats. The records in the Register's office of 
Monroe county show that in 1840 she was the owner 
of forty-four farms in Monroe county, inherited from 
her father. Captain Caldwell resided on the farm 
known by his name, five miles west of Monroe on 
the north side of the River Raisin. He died, leaving 
a large family, and many of his descendants yet re- 
side in Monroe county. His grandson, Charles, is at 
this time the Clerk of Monroe county. 



get those nations which are in the United 
States from among the Americans. Their plans 
are well laid. The Americans, I undei-stand, 
have in considerable force ascended the Illinois 
in boats shot proof, intending to build or estab- 
lish themselves half waj^ up, thence proceed to 
Chicago and there establish themselves again. 
You will perceive their object to be the cutting 
off from us the most formidable Indian nations. 
Mopock, whom we knew here, has collected a 
body of Indians to oj)j)ose them. Tecumseh, I 
fear, has scarcely recovered his health. I have 
just learned that the enemy are at the foot of 
the rapids, computed at 1,000 men. Two da^s 
since a few Indians and Americans encountered 
each other, when the latter had two killed and 
some wounded, and the former one wounded. 
The Indians contrived to bring off three of the 
enemy's horses. 

It may bo requisite to dislodge the enemy 
from their present position, which is in the Ter- 
ritory, and therefore we have no choice nor 
option but to employ all and every description 
of force in our reach. I am under the necessity 
of calling out some more of the militia, but I 
hoj)e it will be but for a short time. 

(Signed) Henry Proctoe, 

Cnloiwl Commanding . 

True extracts. 

Robert R. Lojiing, Captain, A. D. C. 



Fort George, Februarj- 10, 1813. 
Colonel Baynes, Adjutant General — 

Sir: I have the honor to transmit for your 
information a return of the troops, regulars, 
militia, marine and Indian department who 
were engaged at Frenchtown on the River 
Raisin on the 22d January, 18LS, with a state- 
ment of the killed and wounded. 

A return of the re-enforcements that left this 
post on the 2d inst. to join Colonel Proctor at 
Amherstburg, is herewith enclosed. I avail 
mj'self of this opportunity to inform j-ou that 
Brigadier General Winchester, with about 
twenty officers, arrived here two daj'S since, 
and with the exception of the General, a few 
field officers and his personal staff, they have 
been allowed to go over to the American side 
on their parole; those remaining are merely 
detained until his Excellency's pleasure shall 



CORRESPONDENCE OF COLONEL PROCTOR. 



70 



be known. I liavo the honor to be, sir, youi 
obedient humble servant, I. B. Gleuo, 
Captain, Acting B. M. 



Heaixjuartkus, Janiuny 31, ISKi. 
Dr. McKechen — 

Sir: You will proceed with the two men 
who are to attend you, to the River Eaisin, 
bearin<( a Hag of truce. The object of your trip 
is to ascertain the situation of the wounded 
which were left, as it is said, at that place. If 
a British officer should be there you will de- 
liver him the letter with which you are charged, 
and proceed to give such assistance to the sick 
as the}- may need and you be able to procure. 
You are furnished with §100 in gold for the pur- 
pose. Should there be no British officer on the 
River Raisin, you will proceed toward Maiden 
until 3'ou meet with one, unless there should be 
great danger from the Indians. Indeed, it is my 
wish that you should go on to Maiden, if you 
arc permitted to do so, to bring dispatches 
from General AVinchester, or the senior officer 
remaining with our prisoners. If your pro- 
fessional services are wanted with the w^ounded, 
j'ou will remain with them and send back the 
two men to bring me an account of your pro- 
ceedings. I am, respectfully, your obedient 
.servant, 

(Signed) \Vm. IIk.nkv Harkison. 



To His Excellency, Sir George Provost, Baronet, 
Captain General and Governor-in- Chief in 
and over the Province of Lower Canada, Up- 
per Canada, etc., etc.: 

The memorial of a number of the principal 
inhabitants residing within the western Dis- 
trict of the Province of Ujiper Canada, most 
respectful!}- represents: 

That the post of Amhcrstburg is oi the utmost 
im|)ortancc in the defense of the Province, 
and that if the enemy should become pos.sessed 
thereof, the Province would become an easy 
conquest. 

That the late acquisition of the Territory of 
Michigan, by giving us the entire possession of 
the strait, and removing the enemy to a 
greater distance, must be attended with the 
grcalcsi advantage, as well toward the more 



easy defense of the Province as in commercial 
and other benefits to his Majestj^'s subjects. 

That the posts of Amherstburg and Detroit 
are the keys of the western countries, and their 
loss would in great measure deprive his 
Majesty of the aid of the Indian tribes, and also 
render them an easy prey to their implacable 
enemies. 

That the aid of the Indians is of infinite im- 
portance to the success of his Majest3'''s arms 
in these parts; but your memorialists beg leave 
to observe that they are thinly scattered over 
immense tracts of land and throu'gh immense 
forests, and from their necessities as well as 
their habits, they cannotlong continue together 
in large bodies, and that therefore an occasional 
aid only from them can be depended on. 

That the States of Ohio, Kentacky,Tenne,s8ee 
and others which border on the Indian lands 
are large and very populous, and that the 
American Government and commanders are 
resorting to every means to conciliate, intimi- 
date and divide the different tribes. 

That the Americans have already- opt'ned 
several roads leading through the Indian lands 
towards Detroit, and have strongi}' fortified 
themselves adjacent to the newly acquired Ter- 
ritory of Michigan, within one day's march of 
the River Au.x Raisins and fift}' miles of Am- 
herstburg. 

That as well to unite the Indians and com- 
mand their respect for us as to secure the ports 
of Amherstburg and Detroit, and thereby in 
great measure the Pi'oviace at large, and occa- 
sionally to co-operate with them, 3'our memo- 
rialists deem it essentially necessarj' that a con- 
siderable regular force shouUl be immediatelj- 
stationed at tho.se ))orts. 

Your memorialists also beg leave to observe 
that the late General Brock was so well con- 
vinced of the absolute necessitj' of a consider- 
able regular force being stationed in this 
quarter, that he repeatedly declared to several 
of your memorialists that at least 1,600 men 
should be stationed at Amherstburg alone. 
That from the want of such a force, the militia 
of the district having been kept absent from 
their agricultural concerns, a very large pro- 
portion of th<' last year's crops was destroyed, 
and that very little wheat was .sown last fall, 
which will jiroduco a groat scarcity during the 
coming season. 

That this evil can alone be palliated by suf- 



80 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



feriiiy the inhabitants as much as possible to 
remain on their farms and raise spring crops 
of Indian corn, oats, etc. 

Wherefore your memorialists humbly pray 
that your Excellency will be pleased to take 
the premises into your consideration, and af- 
ford the country such relief as your Excellency 
in your wisdom shall deem expedient, and j'our 
memorialists as in duty bound shall ever pi-ay. 

(Signed) Thomas Cai.hwell, Captain. 

and forty-six inhabitants. 
Sandwich, Febi-uary 20, 1813. 



Sandwich, May 14, 1813. 
Captain McDonall, Quebec — 

My Dear Sir: I shall not say anything to 
you respecting our visit to Mr. Harrison or of 
what passed between us ; McLean will fully 
inform j'ou of the j)articulars. If his Excel- 
lency approves I shall be much gratified. I 
am just sending off an express to Mr. Dickson, 
and have also to write to Niagara. You will be 
much surprised to hear that I have received 
only half of the Forty-First Regiment. If his 
Excellency does not interfere I shall be kept 
so ueak as to tempt the enemj' forward. If Sir 
Geoi'ge's intentions had been fulfilled I could 
venture to ensure the safety of this flank for some 
months at least. Should I be left to the con- 



sideration of any person but Sir George, this 
district will be entered also. You will learn 
from McTjean that I can not with safety use 
the militia. I should be much gratified il 
Colonel Elliot, from his ago and long service, 
wa.s permitted to retire on his full pay. Ho is 
past seventy, I have understood near eighty. 
1 have the pleasure to acquaint you that Te- 
cumseh and his people are settling on the River 
Huron between the River Raisin and Detroit ; 
the Pottawatomies twenty miles higher up 
that river, and the Ottawason the River Rouge 
between the Huron and Detroit, and that I 
have ordered the Indian department to Detroit, 
which will make the Territory completely an 
Indian country, and render its conquest still 
more difficult, if not impossible, if I can have 
a due proportion of regulars, for I repeat it, 
they cannot be dispensed with. We ai'e anx- 
iously looking to the Lower Province. 1 hope 
the fleet is at hand. Our tars will soon set 
things to rights on the lower lake, when York 
must fall to the right owners, though I sup- 
pose the enemy are fortifying themselves there, 
which maj' cause us much trouble and lose us 
many lives. Excu.se haste. Mrs. and Miss 
Proctor desire their best compliments, and 
Harry begs to bo kindly remembered to you. 
I remain, etc., 

Henry Proctor. 



CORRESPONDENCE OF COI.ONEI. PROCTOR. 



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CHAPTER IX. 



MONROE COUNTY VETKRANS OF THE WAR OF 1812. 



THE resident survivors of the War of 1812 
were early in June, 1871, by a publislied 
card ■ in the Monroe city papei-s, invited by 
Joseph Guyor to assemble at his residence as 
his guests, on what was known as Guyor's 
Island, the present site of the Monroe Marsh 
Club-house, two miles east of Monroe. In 
response to the invitation, on the 15th of 
June, nineteen survivors of the battle of 
the Eiver Eaisin made their appearance, ac- 
companied by a number of the citizens of 
Monroe. A banquet was prepared in honor of 
the old heroes, and a cordial welcome tendered 
the guests by the Hon. Heman J. Redfiold, 
mayor of the city, who was followed by addresses 
bj' General George A. Custer, Colonel I. R. 
Grosvenor, Colonel Luce, and others. The after- 
noon was plea.santly passed in recounting the 
scenes, trials and hardships of the war, inter- 
spersed with anecdotes of a local character. A 
copy of the photograj^h of the survivors, taken 
on Guyor's Island, appears on the opjjosite 
page. 

The occasion was so thoroughly enjo3"ed by 
the guests that a suggestion was made and 
cordially received that ample preparations for 
the sixtietli anniversary of the battle of Eiver 
Eaisin should be made the following year, and 
that general invitations should be extended by 
correspondence and published notices in the 
newspapers of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, 
to all the survivors of the battle of the River 
Ilaisin. It was afterward determined, as the 
anniversary would occur at such an inclement 
season of the j-ear that few of the old survivors 
could attend from such a distance, to hold a 
convention on the following 4th of July, lS7"i. 
The names and ages of the veterans were as 
follows : 

Beseau, John, 80. Lazarre, Franci.s, 82. 

Boroff, F.jlOOyrs. 7 mos.Mason, Henry, 79. 
Clap])er, John, 76. Nadeau, James B., 77. 

I)e Chovin, Jean, 77. JNavarre, Peter, 82. 



Deland, Hall, 75. Navarre, Robert F., SO. 

French, Bronson, 82. Van Felt, David, 80. 

Foulke, Joseph, SO. Walters, William, 88. 

Guyor, Joseph, 88. Whelpley, Thomas, 7:!. 

Hixon, Charles, 7(). Younglove, George, 77. 
Jacobs, Louis, Of!. 

Peter Navarre and Eobert Navarre con- 
tinued to reside in this vicinity until ihcir 
deaths. Frank BorofF, the centenarian, was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1770. The united 
ages of the group were 1,158 years — the aver- 
age being nearly 90 years. 

The pleasure derived at this assembly gave 
rise to extensive ^^reparations for welcoming to 
the old battle grounds the survivors of the War 
of 1812. July 4, 1872, 121 veterans of Harri- 
son's army, serving at Fort Meigs and else- 
where in this section during the War of 1812, 
responded in person to the invitations. 

The arrangements for celebrating the 4th in 
Monroe, in connection with a grand re-union 
of the veterans of 1812, and the pioneers of the 
Eaisin vallej^, were fully completed on the night 
of the 3d, and everything gave promise of a 
large crowd and a successful celebration. The 
evening train from the south brought a large 
delegation of veterans from Kentucky and 
Ohio, some seventy-five in number, with repre- 
sentatives of the Kentucky press, accompanied 
by General G. A. Custer, one of the members 
of the Committee of Invitation. These were 
met at Toledo by other members of the Com- 
mittee of Invitation, and on their arrival at 
Monroe Junction were received by the Com- 
mittee of Reception, headed by the Monroe 
band, and were escorted in carriages to the 
Young Ladies' Seminary, where arrangements 
had been made for their comfort while tarrying 
among us. Among this "goodlie companic '' 
of venerable patriarchs were General Leslie 
Combs, of Kentuckj', aged seventy-eight. Gen- 
eral Samuel Williams, of Kentucky, who bore 
a conspicuous part in the war of 1812, aged 



[82] 



VETKRANS OF THE WAR OF l8l2. 



83 



iiinoty-uiie, and Henry Ctaitlier, of Cincinnati, 
aged eighty-two. 

The morning of the 4th opened a little cloudy 
and cooler than the preceding da\-, giving 
j)romi9e of the best of weather for the festivi- 
ties of the daj'; and though the middle of the 
day proved warmer than was necessarj' for 
comfort, j-et very little comiilainl could reason- 
ably be made on that score. 

Tiietlay was ushered in with a national salute 
of tiiirtj^-eight guns at sunrise, fired from the 
military encampment, in the west grove, and 
tiie gun was fired every five minutes while the 
]irocession was moving. 

The Committee of Arrangements had made 
ample jii-eparations in Noble's Grove, east of 
Washington street, for the ceremonies and the 
ban(juet. A large stand, with raised seats, had 
been erected, witii a stand for the speakers, and 
tables sufficient to seat 1,000 people were ar- 
ranged in a hollow sq\iare, under the spreading 
boughs, at a short distance from the grand stand. 

At the entrance to the grove an arch of ever- 
greens was erected, on which was the motto, 
'■ Welcome, brave defenders," and anotiier and 
larger triumphal arch was erected over Wash- 
ington street, at the public squai'o. with the 
motto, "Welcome, veterans." This arch was 
covered with evergreens, and tastefully decora- 
ted with shields, flags, etc. Many of the busi- 
ness blocks and private i-esidences, especially 
along the line of march of the procession, were 
hand.somely decorated with the national colors, 
evergreens, mottoes, streamers, flags and ban- 
ners. 

At an early hour the people from the country 
came flocking in, by wagon loads, on horseback 
and on foot, and before the arrival of any of 
the trains, the streets seemed crowded with 
people. The first train from the north brought 
the National Guanls of Detroit, Governor Bald- 
win, Judge Campbell, Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, 
Hon. Levi Bishop, Judge Cooley, and other 
celebrities. The train from the west brought 
the Adrian Commander}' of Knights Templar, 
and the tra-in from the south brought Mayor 
Jones, Ex- Mayor Kraus, the Toledo Cadets, 
with thousands of people to join in the festivi- 
ties of the day. 

The procession commenced to move soon after 
eleven o'clock, and was formed as follows, 
headed by General George Sjjalding, Chief 
Marshal : 



Chief of Police. 
Cliief Marslial and Aids. 

F1R.ST DIVISIO.N. 

Colonel I. R. Grosvenor, Marslial. 

Monroe City Band. 

National Guards, of Detroit. 

Monroe I>ight Guards. 

Toledo Cadets. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Colonel C. Luce, Marshal. 

Martial Band. 

Adrian Comniandery, Knights Teiiiphir. 

Monroe Comniandery, Knights Templar. 



THIRD DIVISION-. 

Flat Rock Band. 
Monroe Fire Department— Captain 1". W: 
Engineer. 



irf, Chief 



FOIRTH DIVISION. 

Charles F. Frank, Marshal. 
St. .To.seph's Benevolent Society, of Monroe. 
German Workinginen's Society, of Monroe. 

I'IFTH DIVISION. 

Major S.W. Curtis, Marslial. 
Pioneers "f the Raisin Valley to the miiiilier of loO. 

.SLVTII DIVISION. 

Major J. G. McBride, Marshal. 
Veterans of the War of LSI 2 in carriages. 

SEVENTH DIVISION. 

The Hon. Thomas Doyle, Marshal. 
Citizens in carriages. 

The National Guanls of Detroit made a fine 
appearance, and the Toledo Cadets (a company 
of mere lads) attracted much attention during 
the entire day, for their soldierly bearing and 
generally excellent behavior. The Knights 
Templar, too, were an attractive feature of 
the procession. The route of the procession 
was from the corner of First and Macomb 
streets, north to Elm avenue, thence west to 
Monroe street, thence south to Front, thence 
west to Cass, thence south to Seventh, thence 
east to Monroe, thence north to Front, thence 
east to Washington, thence south to the grove. 

As the procession passed the Monroe street 
cemetery, where the Kentuckians who fell at 
the battle of the Kiver llaisiii arc buried, it 
halted, and the bands played a dirge, the flags 
were drooped, the military came to a " shoulder 
arms," the Knights Tem]dar made the ".salute" 
of their order, and the veterans and citizens 
generally uncovered. 

A short distance from the entrance to the 
grove a reviewing stand had been crecteil, 
where Governor Baldwin, the orator and dis- 



84 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tinguished guests, and the officers of the day, 
reviewed the procession as it passed. 

Arriving at the grove, the organizations 
formed in open order, and tiie veterans and in- 
vited guests passed to the grand stand with 
appropriate military honors. 

The grand stand was erected with the tim- 
bers, phinlcs and 1)oards from the recent resi- 
dence of Dr. A. I. Sawj-er, which was the 
building in uliich General Winchester had his 
headquarters at tiie time of the celebrated battle 
and massacre of the Raisin, January, 1813. 

After the veterans and guests hud been seated 
and tiie assemblage was called to order, the 
Hon. Warner Wing, president of the day, de- 
livered the following opening address: 

" Fellow Citizens : It has been customaiy 
with all nations to perpetuate the memory of 
great events, either by the erection of temples, 
monuments, triumphal arches, statues, or the 
gathering of the people together on stated 
daj-s. Such events are not unfrequentl3' the 
glorious achievements of armies, the death of 
great men who have been public benefactors, 
the destruction of cities or of nations. 

" Should a stranger from foreign lands come 
among us tliis day and inquire what means 
this great gathering of the people from every 
part of our land, and why this great excite- 
ment, let him know tiiat ninety-six years ago 
this day our foi-efathers, who were colonists 
from England, after struggling long with the 
injustice of the home government, and finding 
their burdens greater than they could bear, 
threw off their colonial dependence, renounced 
all allegiance to the parent government, and 
made and published to the world a declaration 
of their independence ; to the support of which 
they. ]jledged their fortunes, their lives and 
their sacred honor, by whicii the connection of 
the colonies with the parent government was 
forever severed and they were left free to 
govern themselves, and free to worship God as 
they pleased ; and this freedom is the common 
heritage of every citizen of these United Stntes. 

" We have met together on this 4th day of 
July, the anniversarj' of our Nation's inde])eu- 
dence, to exchange friendly greetings with each 
other; to receive and take by the hand, and 
render thanksgiving and homage to our soldiers 
of many \var.s, who have so gloriously fouL;ht 
the battles of our common country, and signally 
aided in redeeming the solemn pledge which 



our fathers gave; and, above all, to render 
thanks to God that notwithstanding all the 
sore trials through which our Nation has passed, 
our liberties have been preserved to us — that 
this land is a sure refuge to the oppressed and 
down-trodden of all nations, and is in very 
deed 'the land of the free and the home of the 
brave.' 

"I will not enlarge on any of these topics. 
To the orator of the day is assigned the duty 
and the honor of rehearsing to you the story 
of our revolutionary struggles, and of sketch- 
ing the history of our National and State Gov- 
ernments, and of the legislation by which our 
civil rights are defended and protected, having 
their foundations deep in the hearts of the people. 

"To another is ai5.signed the pleasing duty 
of addressing (for u.s) the war-worn veterans 
who have gathered with us from many a dis- 
tant State of this Republic, and who at the call 
of our rulers in the hour of adversitj- and peril 
— actuated by feelings of patriotism — rushed 
to the front and bore back the invading enemy 
of our country, and finally triumphed glori- 
ously, in which triumjih and glory we claim 
an honorable part. He will greet them in our 
be'nalf with a cordial welcome. He will express 
to them our joy at being able to meet them 
hei'c on the ground where they fought, and 
some of them shed their blood, and where their 
comrades and some of their brothers laid down 
their lives in defense of this (then) frontier. It 
is the ground where other soldiers, now present, 
at a later period, at the call of our late Presi- 
dent, first enlisted under our National banner, 
and joined that great army— 600,000 strong — 
and marched to many a field of battle. They 
fought to repel a great wrong and to establish 
and perjjetuate a great good, and by their 
courage and the blessing of God they achieved 
victorj^ and saved our country from anarchj-, 
and aided to jjlace on a more firm foundation 
our liberties and our institutions, under which 
every living being is noic ,free. Our orator will 
welcome them to our festive board, to the hos- 
jDitalities of our houses, and to our hearts — 
and ma\' we learn from the absence of many a 
loved one who laid down his life for us, and 
from the scars and wounds of those present, 
what is the price of liberty. 

"There is also committed to another the 
reading of the Declaration of Independence — 
the palladium of our liberties. And as we 



VETERANS OK THE WAR OF l8l2. 



85 



listen to its masterly statomoiits, embodying 
the principles of civil libertj", and especially to 
the closing personal pledge of those who signed 
it. may we all realize that not alone upon those 
honored delegates was the ])ledgo binding — 
by their act and deed we arc also bound to 
maintain and perpetuate what they pledged 
themselves and their constituents to observe 
and maintain. 

•'AVe have recently passed through a deso- 
lating civil war. Peace now reigns in all our 
borders. The Ship of State seems to be put on 
its true course under full and flowing sails. 
We are greatly increased in wealth, and with 
it we may e.xpect its usual concomitants — cor- 
rupt counsels and a low state of morals — re- 
quiring of every lover of his country and its 
institutions, increased watchfulness, knowing 
that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. 

" We have met under the sound of our cannon 
and with many imposing cereuionies, to bo ac- 
companied with the singing of anthems and 
our merry song of Yankee Doodle, which to 
those who are not well acquainted with Amer- 
ican character, maj* savor of frivolity and 
thoughtlessness. Well, suppose it does — we 
are free, and wo have the right lo do as we 
please on this, our Fourth of July, our Inde- 
pendence Day. We choose to be merry now 
and wise afterwards — therefore we are not 
afraid to sing this song as expressive of our 
happy light-heartedness ; but let cavilers and 
our enemies beware when they hear their own 
national music on the decks of our war ships, 
or at the head of our armies, as they move to 
battle — it will then have a different meaning 
and will then be a warning to all, and espe- 
cially to our enemies, that our soldiers and 
sailors are terriblj' in earnest. It will then 
mean fight, not fun. 

"When we shall have concluded our cere- 
monies, maj- no one of us fail of being impressed 
with the solemn conviction that as we enjoy 
so many b!essinL;s we are under renewed obli- 
gation to guard with scrupulous vigilance, in- 
stitutions which have secured and will secure 
the continuance of them to us and to our pos- 
terity. Let us resolve, in the words of the old 
NMiig, that 

■ We freemen will live, we freemen will die, 
This oath we'll renew on each Fourth of July." 

The President's address was followed bj' the 
singing of the "Red, White and Blue," by a 



chorus of 150 voices, young men and young 
ladies of the city, led by Professor C. C. Zeus, 
and accompanied b}- the orchestra. This fea- 
tui-e was a great success, and reflected credit 
upon those who conceived it and carried it out. 

Pra^'cr was then offered bj- the Rev. C. W. 
Fitch, U. S. A., Chaplain of Fort Wayne. 

After the prayer the choir sang " America," 
and Mayor Kedfield being introduced, delivered 
the following address of welcome: 

" \"eteran Volunteers, Pio.neeks and 
Gi'ESTs: It is appointed to me as the execu- 
tive officer of this ancient and honorable town 
— in the name of the Floral City and all its 
people — to thank you for the honor of your 
presence and in their name to bid you a hearty 
welcome and a most earnest and joyous greet- 
ing. 

" Above all woi-ds of mine this groat con- 
course of the people of the State — its high 
officials, its eminent jurists, its pioneers and 
j-comanry, its honored mothers and young 
men and maidens — speaks a welcome, based 
upon gratitude and affection, spontaneous, deep 
and genuine, and warrants me in embracing 
the name of the State of Michigan in our wel- 
come. The day itself in all its pleasant char- 
acter—every branch and leaf above dip and 
whisper their gladness at your coming. The 
united melody of our historic lake and river 
greets you. Every plank and timber in this 
platform, which in that cold dismal winter of 
1813 formed the walls within which Winches- 
ter surrendered, seem to vibrate with the story 
of that terrible tragedy, when Proctor fled, 
leaving j'our companions to be massacred with 
pitiless ferocity'. [Cheers.] 

" The uncompleted history of that scene and 
of those days welcomes you to this place and 
demands its vindication through you to-day in 
this, that the war was carried on and the Fed- 
eral Government supported b}' volunteers alone, 
from June, 1.S12, to October, 1814; and that in 
all that time the only assistance vve had ujion 
this frontier was from Ohio, Kentuck\- and 
other Southern States, while Northern and 
Eastern States held back from the contest, 
even until after this and the New York frontier 
had been desolated and laid waste, and the 
capital of the Nation was sacked and burned. 
[Cheers.J 

"And this celebration and this welcome and 
these facts are dues to the memory of those 



86 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



brave men who fought, and to the memory of 
their brave comrades who left their bones on 
the Miami, the Raisin and the Thames. From 
these groves and fields and from the graves of 
those 300 victims of the slaughter come a sad 
anil solemn welcome to these old coni|)anions 
and comrades. 

" Welcome to you of Kentucky, who in our 
day and youth, baptized as the ' dark and 
bloody ground,' — from sav.-ige cruel tj' ; in your 
old age again denoted ' the dark and bloody 
ground ' in a contest for the Nation's life. 
Welcome, and thank God that \-ou are permit- 
ted to pass over the river of the Ohio no longer 
a vexed and fettered boundary of institutions 
social, domestic, or municipal, antagonistic to 
Christianity, and that where you encountered 
in your earl\' march the wild forest and still 
wilder savage, flourishing towns and cities and 
fruitful fields delight to meet and welcome you. 
The lonely line of the Hull Road is to-day a 
great highway of travel and one succession of 
fertile farms. The seat of Winchester's camp 
is there before you ; behold its spires, its towers, 
its broad fields and busy life. All around you 
in earnest devotion behold its generous people. 
[Cheers.] Beside j-ou are the noble band of 
pioneers whose strong will and sturdy arms 
have caused this tlieir wilderness to blossom 
into such rich profusion, and they from their 
hearts do welcome j'ou. And so as they and 
all of us in our daily round of life-carea, duties 
and memories, think of the past and of you, we 
remember, that the battle cry of Kentuckj' and 
Ohio, under Green Clay at Fort Meigs, the 
gallant Croghan at Sandusky, Harrison at the 
Thames, Jackson at New Orleans and in ever^' 
field was. Remember the River Raisin. We, of 
Monroe, all honor to him whose patriotic heart 
and liberal hand gave impulse, have caught up 
the slogan of your youth and day ; we will re- 
member the River Raisin and have resolved in 
your presence, over the graves of fallen braves, 
to pledge that veneration for 30ur toils and 
sacrifices still lives with us, that gratitude to 
you and all the fathers of the Republic is as 
strong, quick and deep a sentiment with us as 
with our fathers. And so remembering the 
River Raisin, and you' and your dead in our 
care and keeping, we will build a monument. 
[Cheers.] 

" We know that in the larger sense we can 
not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can 



not hallow this ground. The bravo men who 
died, and jou patriots who struggled here, 
have consecrated it far above our power to add 
or detract. The world will little heed nor re- 
member what we say here, but it will never 
forget what they did here. It is therefore for 
us to bo dedicated to the task before us; and 
four years from this day, with the blessing of 
God, upon the one-hundredth anniversary of 
American independence, we will complete our 
welcome and perpetuate our gratitude in an 
enduring monument, and once more gather 
you in who are left, and bid you to behold our 
finished work. In memory of the River Raisin 
upon its northern face^in letters large and 
deep and lasting — so we may read : 

"This is for the blood that was shed for 
us by Southern heroes in defense of a com- 
mon country against a foreign foe and savage 
allies. 

"And upon its other face, looking out over 
all the sunny South : This in remembrance of 
blood that w'as shed for all — that which was 
saved from the condition of dependent colonies 
in the first war — and preserved for us by you 
in 1812, was not lost through sedition, privy 
conspiracy and rebellion." [Cheers.] 

General Leslie Combs, of Kentucky', was 
then introduced, who replied on behalf of the 
visitors, and made a very happy and telling- 
speech. He narrated many incidents of the 
War of 1812 connected with the camjjaign of 
General Harrison and the movements of Gen- 
eral Winchester, in many of which he took a 
personal and active part, and some of which 
have never been placed on historic record. In 
all of these movements the brave sons of Ken- 
tucky bore conspicuous and honorable part. 
General Combs was frequently interrupted by 
vociferous cheers, and his remarks were listened 
to with close attention. 

During General Combs' remarks he made 
some pleasant allusions to General S. L. Wil- 
liams, and to the prominent part he took in 
the campaign under General Harrison; when 
General Williams was called for by the audi- 
ence, and as the veteran arose from his seat on 
the speaker's platform, he was greeted with 
prolonged and furious applause and cheers. 

The roll of veterans was then called by Gen- 
eral Custer, each one rising in his seat and 
answering to his name. The following is the 
list, with their ages : 



VETERANS OF THE WAR OF l8r2. 



87 



Armstrong, .las. I{..K5 
Armstrong, S. J., 84. 
B«xll, Lewi.s, 79. 
Barrett, .lo.s. C, 7S. 
Baiite, Peter, 81. 
Boall, Leoiianl, 75. 
Beach, Lewis, 7!t. 
Benson, E. W., 75. 
Beseau, John B., SI. 
Bisnelt, Joseph, 7!t. 
Bittinger, llcnry, 7S 
Blanchanl, S., 77. 
Bolivur, Tlios., 70. 
Boroir, Fre.i , 10 U. 
liortine, Benson L.,79. 
Burns, Andrew, 77. 
Carrick, Robert, 77. 
Clappei-, Jolin, 77. 
Clusin, Jas., 85. 
Couseign, A. C, 82. 
Combs, Ijeslie, 78. 
Correy, Jas., 75. 
Craddock, J. G., 84. 
Crawford, Alex., 81. 
Crawford, A. B., 82. 
Curtis, Alvah, 7li. 
Curtis, Dr., 78. 
l)avi.s, Henry, 82. 
Davis, H M., 79. 
Davis, Thos. A., 83. 
Davis, AV. B., 81. 
DehuKl Hall, 7ti. 
Dewese, Samuel, 80. 
Drayor, W. L., 82. 
Duncan, Jere., 80. 
Ivldlcnian, Aaron, 81. 
Ewalt, Joseph, 87. 
Foulke, Joseph, 83. 
French, Brown, 8I-5. 
Fultzna, Isaac C, 74. 
Caither, Henry, 82. 
Ganarke, Simeon, 82. 
Gebhart, John, 78. 
Gibson, Mattiiew, 83. 
Goatney, Robt. S., 82. 
Goodrigiit, Michael, 78. 
Goodwin, J. K., 80. 
Grant, L. V.. 77. 
Guj'or, Jose[il), 85. 
Hall, C, 77. 
Hall, Jcscph, 88. 
Hamilton, Wm., 80. 
Har-vey, James, 80. 



Johnson, Moore, 77. 
Jones, Thomas, 80. 
Kirk, James, 83. 
Kolfu.ss, J. W., 77. 
Ijaforge, John B., 7(5. 
Lewis, Shubael, 70. 
Lindsley, Thos., 83. 
Locke, W. R., 79. 
Love, James Y., 74. 
McChesney, David, 79. 
McDowell, J. C, 78. 
McGoodwin, J. C, 80. 
McLean, John B., 77. 
McLock, Francis, 78. 
McNain, C. H., 84. 
MeXain, Chas., 85. 
McNeil, Robert, 77. 
McVa}', Solomon, 7(!. 
Martin, John, 75. 
Mason, Henry, 80. 
Mount, Thos., 78. 
Moyer, X., 77. 
MulhoUen, John, 75. 
Xadeau, J. B., 77. 
Xavarre, Ale.v., 82. 
Xavarre, Nap., 81. 
Navarre, Peter, 86. 
Nedmore, Perry, 82. 
Parker, J. C, 77. 
Pasko, A. A., 78. 
Pendleton, Edward, 84. 
Pen wick, James, 78. 
Postwood, John, 84. 
Puller, B. J., 81. 
Quinsberry, Roger, 79. 
Reid, J. C.', 75. 
Ressenet, Isaac C, 79. 
Rogers, J. R., 80. 
Root, John, 78. 
Rowell, F., 77. 
Sautour, Francis, 7(>. 
Shafer, William, 89. 
Shapiiie, George, 84. 
Shearer, Jona., 76. 
Suano, Louis, 89. 
Talbot, Oliver, 79. 
Thomasson, J. P., 74. 
\'an Aiken, .Simon, 82. 
V'ance, Joseph, 84. 
Vanderwalker, Jas., 82. 
Van Pelt, David, 91. 
Verkies, Joseph, 82. 
Walters, W., 78. 



Warring, Edward, 79. 
Webster, Larken, 80. 
Whelpley, Thos., 97. 
Williams, Elisha, 86. 
Williams, Sam. L., 91. 
Younglove, Geo., 79. 
Younglove, Jas., 74. 



Hayes, D. S., 72. 
Helwig, Daniel, 82. 
Hixson, W. D., 91. 
Hoi I J', Jesse, 72. 
Hudnut, E. P., 78. 
Ivor, Charles, 77. 
Jacobs, Louis, 97. 
Jameson, John, 70, 

When the name of Frederick Borolf, who 
resides in Bedford, Monroe county, was called, 
and his age announced (101 years and 6 
months), calls were made from all parts of the 
crowd that he should show himself; and as the 
old veteran, comparatively smart, climbed up- 
on his seat, three hearty cheers were given 
him, and a shower of bouquets began to fall 
around and among the veterans, and on the 
speaker's platform, from the ladies of the 
orchestra, until it seemed that the veteran s(jl- 
diers were fairlj- covered with flowers. 

After more music by the orchestra, Hon. 
Edwin Willits announced that owing to the 
lateness of the hour, and the proceedfngs \-et 
to follow, he would road only a portion of the 
Declaration of Independence. He then reail 
in a clear and distinct voice, a portion of this 
time-honored instrument, and after more music, 
the Hon. James V. Campbell was introduced, 
who delivered the oration. Judge Campbell 
recounted in a very happy and felicitous man- 
ner manj' of the events preceding the War of 
1812, with facts and incidents concerning the 
war, as relating especially to the operations in 
Michigan, Northern Ohio, and Canada. The 
oration was listened to with marked attention 
and eagerness by the graj-haired veterans who 
clustered ai'ound the speaker, and who seemed 
to drink in every word with great satisfaction. 

As the oration was quite lengthy we omit 
the major part of it, giving the closing portion, 
merely, as follows : 

"Now, after more than half a century-, we 
meet here beside the Raisin and in sight of the 
scene of Perry's victory, to recall those event- 
ful times, and to honor those who fought there. 

"On the lake that was then almost solitary, 
the waves that roll over the place of the battle 
are disturbed bj' the keels of laden vessels, 
bearing heavy and costly freights of timber, 
and grain, and merchandise. The lonely bay 
that sheltered Perry's fleet is girt about with 
fair houses and green vineyards, and thronged 
by thousands in search of health anil rest. This 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



field of blood, that was then too far off for suc- 
cor, is passed by heavy trains that i-each the 
sea in one circuit of the sun. The great North- 
west had then less people than any one out of 
scores of its pleasant cities has now. This 
State of Michigan, that owed its deliverance to 
a few thousand volunteers from Ohio and Ken- 
tuck}", has sent out more than ninety thousand 
of its citizen soldiers, to defend the Union 
which those generous helpers then maintained. 

" It is with great pride, and with thankful 
remembrance, that we find represented in our 
gathering here the powerful States of that 
ancient Territory, meeting in this corner of the 
old homestead, and joining us in commemorat- 
ing the perils and triumphs of the past. They 
had their share in the charges, and they have 
inherited a full share of the glory. 

" The pious care of Kentucky- has reclaimed 
the precious remains of her children that hal- 
lowed our soil, but the land they died for can 
never forget them. And the heroes of those 
days have not all departed. The soldiers of 
this generation, assembled here in force, give 
homage to-day to the veterans who taught 
them how to fight, and made this land worth 
fighting for. They have seen their country 
tried by wor.se trials than foreign wars, and 
have seen the contending hosts fall back as 
they did into the ranks of citizens, and restored 
to the industries of Peace. They see yet a land 
of freedom under law, and a people able, when 
thej' choose, to enforce their will. The people 
of Michigan rejoice to honor all those whose 
valor and sacrifices secured this pleasant land 
under the protecting care of the Union. 

" Soldiers of the War of 1812, worthy fol- 
lowers of the men of 1776, accept our homage ! 
Ma}' you live many long years to remind our 
children bow freedom is gained, and how she 
is guarded. 

" To J'ou, our welcome guest.s, whose courtesy 
has again brought Kentucky to Michigan, we 
offer our warmest greetings on this spot, which 
will ever be as sacred to you as to us. Its 
memories recall to you friends and kinsmen, 
who.se loss made sorrow through all your 
households. To us they ai'e the glorified mem- 
ories of martyrs, who died in our behalf, and 
not for themselves. May their 82)irit still live 
where their bodies perished ! And may the 
gracious Power that maketh men to be of one 
mind in an house, bind the elder and the 



younger sister in unbroken union, till those 
dark days are lost in hoary antiquity, and 
those heroes shine out of the far-off past like 
stars in the firmament. 

" Time may destroy the gathered wealth, 
the great works of commerce and enterprise. 
But the chronicles of freedom are written in 
characters of light that will last undimmed 
through all ages." 

After the oration, and singing of the "Star 
Spangled Banner," the veterans and the guests 
were escorted to the tables, which were bounti- 
full}' loaded with all the substantials and deli- 
cacies which heart could wish, provided by the 
ladies of this city, and guests were waited iijion 
with every attention by the young ladies, until 
the wants of the inner man were full}" su])- 
plied. After the substantials of the feast had 
been partaken of by about 1,500 people, the 
tables were liberally supplied with pure native 
wines of Monroe manufacture, supplied by the 
Point de Pean Wine Co., and the regular 
toasts were offered and responded to as follows : 

1. " The Day Wo Celebrate "— Eesponse by 
J. J. Adams, of Lenawee. 

2. " Washington " — The world honors the 
man who conquered his own ambition to give 
freedom to the continent. Response by Judge 
Patchin, of Detroit. 

3. " The Statesmen and Heroes of 1776 " — 
The founders of a system of government that 
makes ours a powerful continental Republic 
for the good of the world, if in our political 
advice we imitate their integrity. Response 
by Hon. B. G. Morton, of Monroe. 

4. " The Veterans of 1812 " -Their march 
to victory was not by Pullman palace cars, but 
through dense forests, di'agging their cannon 
with weary marches; yet they conquered at 
Tippecanoe, Fort Meigs and the Thames, and 
said to the world on Lake Erie, " We have met 
the enemy and they are ours." Response by 
General Leslie Combs, of Kentucky. 

5. " The Brave Men Who Perished in the 
Massacre at the River Raisin in 1813" — They 
still live in our hearts. Let us erect a monu- 
ment to their memor}", that they may live in 
the hearts of our children's children. They 
made the city of Monroe memorable in history 
by their devotion to their country. Response 
by Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, of Detroit. 

6. " Old Kentucky '' — Once the dark and 
bloody battle ground, whose heroes fell alike 



I 



VETERANS OF THE WAR OF l8l2. 



80 



at Tipi)ec-anoo, the River Raisin, l-'ort ^fcig9. 
the Thames and at New Orleans; always the 
same good and brave old Kentucky. Response 
by Hon. W. P. Thomason, of Kentucky. 

7. " Ohio " — The eldest of the galaxy of the 
Northwest; bright as ever; may her luster 
never die. Response by Maj-or Jones, of Toledo. 

8. " Michigan "— No less eminent for her 
commerce, agricultural and mineral resources 
than for her intelligent and liberal sj^stem of 
education and public charities. Response by 
Governor Baldwin, of Detroit. 

9. " Detroit " — The oldest city in the North- 
west ; an honor to the State for her intelligence 
and sterling worth and her connection with 
the pioneer history of the lakes, especially with 
tiie River Jlaisin. Response by Hon. Levi 
Bishop, who read his poem entitled the -'Bat- 
tle of the River Raisin." 

10. "No Nortli, no South, no Atlantic, Pacific 
nor Western States, but our country, our whole 
countrj' and nothing but our country ; would 
that she w'ere ever right; but right or wrong, 
our country, sacred, tangible and unprofaned 
forever." Response by Chief Justice Campbell, 
of the Supreme Court of Michigan. 

11. "The American Press" — Independent, 
enterprising and intelligent, it distributes 
knowledge and the spirit of freedom through- 
out the length and breadth of the land, afford- 
ing the best evidence and guarantee of her in- 
stitutions. Response by C. Waggoner, of the 
Toledo Commercial. 

12. "Our Regular Army" — Though small 
in number j-et eminent in services, gallant in 
spirit, the educated intelligence that guides 
and instructs the patriotic zeal of a nation in 
its defense. Response by General Custer. 

13. "The Sir Knights of the Order of the 
Knights Templar " — The light shineth in dark- 
ness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. 
Response by Dr. A. I. Sawyer, of Monroe. 

14. •■ Sackett's Harbor" — One of the turn- 
ing jtoints of 1812. Response by (Jeneral 
Joseph W. Brown, of (Meveland. 

15. "Civil and Religious Liberty"— Re- 
sponse by Dr. Curtis, of Cincinnati. 

16. "Our Foreign-born Citizens" — Re- 
sponse by ex-Maj-or Kraus, of Toledo. 



The .Monroe Commandery of Knights Temp- 
lar ])repared a sumptuous repast at their hall 
on Washington street, to which after the exer- 
cises at the grove, they invited the Knights 
Templar from abroad, and many other guests 
and citizens. Their tables were spread with 
every luxury, and their guests were feasted, 
toasted and made merry to an entirely satisfac- 
tory degree. 

A quantity of fireworks were provided, to be 
sent off in the grove in the evening, but owing 
to an untoward accident the most and the best 
of them were destroyed. In sending off a re- 
volving rocket, it discharged directly into the 
box containing the best pieces, and these were 
thereby prematurely discharged and destroyed. 
It was a great wonder that the accident did not 
result in serious damage to those who were en- 
gaged in sending off the fireworks, but luckily 
no one was injured. 

Many of the guests fi'om abroad left on the 
earlier trains, and the late trains were literally 
alive with people, taking away the bulk of 
those who had united in the festivities of the 
day. We heard of not a single accident 
throughout the day, atid as a whole, exceeding 
good order and decorum was maintained 
through all ourstreets. Probably not less than 
20,0(10 people were in the city, participating in 
the commemorative festivities, which will long 
be remembered hy the old veterans and pio- 
neers, as one of the happiest of their lives. 
The\- all expressed themselves highly pleased 
and flattered with the reception given them, 
the provisions made for their comfort, and 
with the general arrangements for the occasion. 

On Friday morning the veterans were es- 
corted to the depot, and left for home, profuse 
in their thanks to the citizens of Monroe for 
conceiving and getting up the re-union and 
celebration. 

Preparations hail been made for taking in 
groups the veterans and prisoners, and they 
were assembled on the porticoes of the semin- 
ary for that purpose. But the daguerrean 
artist failed to meet his appointment promptly, 
and their patience being exhausted they dis- 
persed ; hence the failure to secure the pictures 
as desired. 



CHAPTER X. 



GENERAL LEWIS CASS. 



THE record of the deeds of an iiuliviilunl 
who by his own personal effort, the energy 
of his spirit and force of his talents, has raised 
himself to a conspicuous and prominent posi- 
tion among his countrymen, is the best incen- 
ti\e that the young men of our country can 
have placed before thein. General Lewis Cass 
has risen from the station of the humblest 
citizen to that of one of the first statesmen of 
his country, scarcely less known and celebrated 
among the great powers of Europe than in his 
own country, and wherever known command- 
ing attention, esteem and respect. 

He was borii at Exeter, New Hampshire, 
October 9, 1782. His father was a practical 
mechanic, and at the commencement of the 
Revolutionary War was industriously jJursuing 
his occupation in a quiet New Hampshire 
village, but the first shot that proclaimed hos- 
tilities between the mother country "and the 
colonies awakened his patriotism. He Joined 
the army of patriots on the day after the battle 
of Lexington, and served under General Wash- 
ington in the most memorable contests of the 
war. His services were rewarded with a 
major's commission in Wayne's army. At the 
close of the war he settled down on the Mus- 
kingum River, where he died respected by all, 
having been permitted to witness the rising 
greatness of his son Lewis, who at the time of 
his father's death had been for thirteen year.s 
Governor of the Territory of Michigan. 

The foundation of the education of Lewis 
Cass was laid at the Exeter Academy, where he 
received a classical education of a high order. 
He applied himself studiously to the acquire- 
ment of knowledge, and in a short time was 
qualified to take charge of the Wilmington 
Academy, at Wilmington, Delaware. He re- 
mained at the head of this institution until we 
find him at the age of seventeen, in the year 
1799, crossing the Alleghenieson foot, carrjnng 
hisknapsack, and seeking unaided and without 



the helj) of wealth or power a new home in the 
wilderness of Ohio. He located at Marietta, 
then a small settlement at the mouth of the 
Muskingum. Here he commenced the study 
of the law, and entered upon its practice. At 
the bar he acquired a reputation which j)laced 
him among the eminent lawyers of the West. 
His fame as a lawyer spread through the 
country, and the unfortunate pioneer who be- 
came entangled in the meshes of the law looked 
upon his release as certain if he could secure 
the advocacy of Lewis Cass. 

At the age of twenty-five he was elected to 
the Legislature of Ohio, then just admitted as 
a State. Here he was no less conspicuous for his 
jjowers, both as a speaker and writer. He was 
2)laced at the head of important committees, 
and though the youngest member of the House 
of Representatives was regarded as the leader 
of his part}'. 

The detection and exposure of the conspii'acy 
of Aaron Burr brought the young legislator 
into more conspicuous notice, and made his 
name and patriotism objects of national inter- 
est. Ohio was then, in 1806, the scene of Aaron 
Burr's incipient oj)erations. His progress was 
arrested by the ])rompt and decisive action of 
Mr. Cass, who drew up the law which ]nit an 
end to Burr's designs. The Legislature of 
Ohio forwarded President Jefferson an address 
on the occasion written by Mr. Cass, which is 
replete with the noblest sentiments than can 
animate the bo.som of an American citizen. 

In 1807 President Jefferson appointed Mr. 
Cass Marshal of Ohio, in which capacity he 
served until the year 1811, when the Indians, 
instigated by the British officers at Maiden in 
Canada, attempted the recovery of the lands 
they had ceded to the Americans by treaty, 
and attacked the American camp on the Wa- 
bash. Mr. Cass was one of the foremost who 
reached Dayton, the place of rendezvous. Here 
he was by acclamation elected colonel of the 



[90] 



II 



GENERAI. LEWIS CASS. 



91 



Tliinl Hogiment of Ohio Voliiiiteers. In an- 
ticipation of the War of 1812, a call was made 
oil the Governor of Ohio for a draft of militia 
and volunteers for the service of the United 
States. Colonel Kingsbury, of the First Regi- 
ment of United States Infimtrj', was designated 
as the commander of the force, and was ordered 
to Washington to receive his instructions. 
Sickness at that j)lace prevented his assuming 
the post, and General William Hull, who had 
ac(|uircd a high rei)utation in the Revolution- 
ary War, and who was then at Washington, 



liarncd,to Colonel Sylvester Lariied of Detroit 
in 181515, with the promise it should not be made 
public until the last survivor should die. The 
last survivor was David (Joopcr of Detroit, 
many years ago. 

After the death of Mr. Cooper, Colonel Syl- 
vester Larned placed the original Round Robin 
in the possession of lion. B. F. II. Witherell, 
President of the Detroit Historical Society, and 
it cannot now bo found. 

Tiiis conspiracy was defeated by tiie perfidy 
of one of the number. 



•^ONDROe/;V 



l^e, signers hereto, a§ree to seise General j-i'ull and 
depose him from commaqd, and to defeqd the ^ort 
at all hazards. 



C; 



Davui Coopeh. 

Eli,iot Gray. 

Labby Campat 

Joseph Campav. 

Gabriel Godfrey. 

La Cuyer. 



was appointed brigadier-general, and was as- In April, 1812, under the order of Governor 

signed to the command of the Northwestern Meigs, the militia were in a very short time pre- 

Armj'. (Jeneral Hull was at that time civil pared to march, and were to rendezvous at 

Governor of the Territory of Michigan. Dayton. Tiie Third Regiment of Ohio militia 

This Round Robin, signed by General Lewis and volunteers was commanded by Colonel 

Cass, Charles Larned and seventy-eight others, Lewis Cass. For his participation in the war 

was given by his father, (Jeneral Charles that soon followed, the reader is I'eferred to 



92 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the chapters under the head of " The "War of 
1812." 

Lewis Cass was the second Governor of the 
Territory of Michigan. As its executive he 
governed wisely for seventeen years, taking 
the position in I&IH and continuing until 1830. 
His sword has helped to win freedom to the 
great Northwest. He was the fifth citizen to 
represent the young State in the Senate of the 
Nation, and in that high station he served for 
twelve years. He was called to the cabinet of 
President Jackson, and held the portfolio of 
war four j'ears, and was then transferred to the 
French court as envoy extraordinary and min- 
ister plenij)otentiary, which j^lace he graced 
for six years. His wisdom and discretion 
prevented trouble between the two countries, 
and restored friendly relations. While at this 
post he prevented the ratification of the Quin- 



tuple treaty, and thereby proiiibited the estab- 
lishment of the rightof search on the high seas, 
so strenuou.sly asserted b}- England. As Sec- 
retary of State he served nearly four years, re- 
signing in the year 18G1, a few weeks prior to 
the close of the administration of President 
Buchanan. 

The official life of Lewis Cass embraces a 
period of fifty -seven yeai's of service as legis- 
lator, soldier, executive, cabinet officer, and 
diplomat. But one citizen, John Quiney Adams, 
exceeded that length of service. 

Although he was approaching the age of life 
when shadows foretell the nearness of evening, 
his days were prolonged that he might see the 
flag for which he had given his early manhood 
triumphant, the Union he had loved so well re- 
established, and again form one of the main 
bulwarks of our civilization. 



II 



CHAPTER XI. 



UK If; RAP HIES OF RESIDKNTS ON TH K KIVER RAISIN PRIOR I'O THE WAR OF 1812. 



COLONEL FRANCIS NAVARRE. 
''pilK above gentleman, the first white settler 

1 on the banks of the River Kaisin, was born 
in Detroit in 17(37. His fatlier, Robert Navarre, 
was of a family illustrious in the earl}- days of 
the colonics. The family trace back in an un- 
broken line their ancestry to Antoine de Bour- 
bon, Duke de V'endome, fatlicr of Henry the 
Fourth. His father, Robert Navarre, was a 
veiy hand.some man, with courtly manners, 
most engaging and charming in conversation, 
and blessed like all tiie French of that period, 
will) an exceptionally large familj-. 

Francis and Marie (Suzor) Navarre were 
married November 9, 1790. Their children 
were : Robert F. Navarre, born Sej)teinber 2, 
17111 ; marrieil Miss Du Chane, of Monroe. 
Francis Navarre, born December 8,1792; mar- 
ried Miss Mettez, of Monroe. David Navarre, 
father of Frank Navarre, of Monroe, married 
the daughter of Colonel Francis Lassclle, now 
and for .so many j^ears connected with the Lake 
Shore Railway. Victoria Navarre married Hon. 
James J. Godfroy, of Monroe. Joseph tr. Na- 
varre, born December;}, 1795; married Miss 
Martin of Monroe. Marie Archango Navarre, 
born April (>, 1794 ; Julia Navarre, born Decem- 
ber 18, 179G ; Hessalette Navarre, born June 15, 
1798; Paul or Perti Navarre; Rosellc Navarre. 
Samuel Navarre had one son, Charles F.; and 
two daughters, of whom the elder married 
Charles Morris, of Monroe; the j'ounger Mr. 
Res'.vick, of Toledo, connected with railroads. 

Joseph fx. Navarre, fourth son of Colonel 
I'^rancis, was intended by his father for the 
priesthood, and spent seven years at the C^ath- 
olic Institute at Bardstown, Kentucky, i)re- 
paring for orders; but before completing his 
studies for the priesthood, entered as a law 
student the office of Hon. William Woodbridge, 
of Detroit. While there he was called home 
by the sickness and death of his father, and 
was occupied a number of j'cars in administer- 



ing and closing up the estate. He then 
ceased pursuing his studies, settled upon the 
farm south of and adjoining the city of Monroe ; 
owned and occupied it up to the time of his 
death, which farm is now owned and occupied 
by his son, Alexander T. Navarre. Eliza Ann, 
daughter of Joseph G., married John Brevoort, 
of Detroit Mary T., daughter of Joseph G., 
mai'ried John D. Machin, of Pittsburgh, Pa. 
J. B. F. Navarre, son of Joseph G., marrieil 
Miss Sweet; entered the United States armj-; 
was wounded at the battle of Bull Run ; was 
bj- profession an engineer, attained prominence 
in his profession, and at the time it was dis- 
covered that the Washington Monument was 
settling performed the wonderful enterprise of 
laying the second foundation ; now resides at 
Portland, Oregon. 

Charles F. Navarre, grandson of Colonel 
Francis, and son of Samuel, is a farmer resid- 
ing in Washington Territory, and is owner of 
a large ranch therein. 

Ignatius, .son of Colonel Francis Navarre, 
enlisted in the engineer department of the 
United States army. When the War of the 
Rebellion closed, he sought Washington Ter- 
ritory for his future home ; followed his profes- 
sion as a civil engineer; was many years en- 
gaged in surveying the lands of the Territorj- — 
studied and practiced law successfully, and 
was honored for years with the office of Judge 
of Probate. 

Alexander Touissaiit Navari'e, grandson of 
Colonel Francis Navarre and son of Joseph G. 
Navarre, was born in Monroe, married Ma- 
rietta, the daughter of Ezekiel A. Peltier, a 
merchant of Monroe, May 5, 18(58; entered 
the Union Army; remained therein twenty 
months; has been honored with the office of 
supervisor of Monroe a number of years ; has 
also been elected treasurer of Monroe county, 
and discharged the duties with credit to him.self 
and his constituents, and now resides on the 



[!I3] 



94 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ol<l lioiiies;tc:ul farm adjoining on the south the 
city of Monroe. He has six children — Joseph 
A., George W., Charles and Mary (twins), 
Edith May and Leo John, all minors, residing 
with their parents. 

Colonel Francis Navarre, in the year 1780, 
bargained for the right, title and interest of 
the Pottawatomie tribe of Indians, represented 
by five chiefs, to the farm on the south bank of 
the Namet Cybi, so called by the Indians be- 
cause of the great quantity of sturgeon caught 
therein, but called by the French Eiver Aux 
Eaisins (the French for grapes) from the pro- 
fusion of grapevines which lined the banks of 
the river on either side. As late as the years 
184H and 1844 they were growing on the banks 
west of Monroe, and in great profusion on the 
Saline and Macon streams, tributary to the 
River Raisin in the western part of the county, 
where the forest trees had not yielded to the 
woodman's axe, growing on the tops of the 
tallest forest trees. Some of the vines were 
from six to eight inches through. After climb- 
ing to the tops of trees branches dropped to the 
ground, which again took root and made a 
perfect mat of vines, filled with clusters, and 
annually before the '' vine casteth her fruit" 
their ap])oarauco was highly picturesque. The 
original deed executed by the Indian chiefs 
was written in the French language, and is 
yet in the hands of Alexander Navarre, one of 
the grandchildren of Colonel Francis Navarre. 
A translation into English I procured as a rare 
curiosity, a copy of which is hereto annexed: 

We, the principal chiefs of the village of the 
Pottawatomies, to wit: Askiby, Mongo-agon, 
Minguinan, and Ona-oniattenne, Nana-onito, 
Sac-co-ni-binne, as well in our names as by 
the consent of our village, declare that of our 
good will we have conceded to Francis Navarre, 
surnamed Tchigoy, and to James, his brother 
(both our allies), all the extension of land 
which belongs to us upon the bank of the 
Eiver Raisin, formerly called Namet Cybi, 
commencing to take from the river road (as 
filed in court) to the end of the prairie, going up 
the stream Namet Cybi, allowing more or less 
twenty acres in width by eighty or one hun- 
dred in depth ; the whole may be determined 
by a line lengtliwise south and a league north 
in width, going up the River Namet Cybi, in 
order to possess on the whole in all propriety 
and perpetuity by themselves and their repre- 



sentatives. Jti f;iith and testimony of which we 
have freely made our ordinary marks of signa- 
ture in Detroit, June 3, 1785. 

ASKIBV. 

Ona-oni-attenne. 
Sac-co-ni-binne. 

MlNC.riNAN. 

Nana-onito. 
Charles Campeau. 
Henemaruintemond. 

In presence of the undersigned witness, Mr. 
Pierre Labady has signed his ordinary mark 
by a cross, the present contract countenanced. 
Pierre DeCompt de Labapv. 

This grant of land from the Indian tribe of 
Pottawatomies was subsequently ratified by 
Henry Bassett, commanding at Detroit, in 
presence of (ieorge McDougall, and afterwards 
confirmed by General Gage. 

Two of his brothers, Robert, born in 17()4, 
and Jacques, born in 1760, at Detroit, within 
three years followed their brother Francis to 
and settled upon the south bank of the River 
Raisin, east of the farm of their brother. 

Colonel Francis Navarre was one of the first 
grand jurors at the first court held in French- 
town, September 2, 1805 ; colonel in the War 
of 1812 and 181.3, and what is a little remark- 
able thirty-six Navarres were enlisted and 
fought in his regiment. He built on his farm 
the first log house erected ou the river, of 
square hewn timber, fifty feet front, whicli was 
the headquarters of Generals Wayne, Winches- 
ter and St. Clair, and was occupied as head- 
quarters by General Winchester at the time of 
the massacre on the River Raisin in 1813, and 
is now the site of the elegant mansion of Doctor 
A. I. Sawj-er. 

Colonel Navarre was thoroughly conversant 
with the language, peculiar habits and mode of 
wai'fare of the savages, and spoke with facility 
and ease several of their languages. He was 
captured at Brownstown, whither he had gone 
in advance of Colonel Richard M. Johnson to 
negotiate with the Indians; was taken as a 
prisoner to Sandwich, but fortunately escaped. 
He was the personal friend of Generals Wayne, 
Winchester, St. Clair, Cass, McComb and 
Judge Woodward, and his correspondence with 
several of them has been preserved. It was 
soon after his settlement on the River Raisin, 
stated by some as in the year 1783 and by 



BIOORAPIITKS OK EARI.V SETTLERS. 



otliers in l~S(!,tli;it ridiiit; ouliis Fcoiicli pony, 
following the Indian trail, lie brought froiu Dc- 
iroit several scions about the size of one's lit- 
tle finger of tlie French pear, which trees have 
since become famous for their delicious fruit. 
A number of the trees are now vigorous and 
healthy, annually yielding from thirtj^ to forty 
bushels. 

I have frequently listened with great interest 
to tlic narratives of Robert, the eldest son of 
Colonel Francis Navarro, of the incidents that 
occurred at the time of the barbarous massacre 
of the River Ilaisin in January, 1813. Then a 
young man in his twenty-first year, he dis- 
tinctly i-emcmbered being arouseil bj- his father 
at midnight ; of going up the stairs and arous- 
ing General Winchester and his staff, who were 
somewhat bewildered, as they could distinctly 
hear from the battle field the sharp crack of the 
rifle, reports of musketry and booming of can- 
non. The report that General Winchester, 
with his officers, had, the evening previous to 
the attack, retired from afrolic under the influ- 
ence of liquor, aud were thereby incapacitated 
for duty, is without foundation. The general 
repaired in haste to the barn, leaving his uni- 
form coat behind him in the house, mounted 
Colonel Navarre's horse and rode to the field 
of battle. 

The night after the massacre Colonel Na 
varrc dispatched hisson Robert, w-ith his mother 
and eleven children, on a French train to De- 
tioit for safety, the train being so crowded 
that Robert rode with his feet braced on the 
thills or shafts. As they passed the quarters 
of Colonel Proctor on Sandy Creek, where 
Proctor's forces encamped the first night after 
the battle, he witnessed the drunken Indians 
scal|)ing the wounded American prisoners and 
their inhuman and barbarous manner of ac- 
cdinplishing it — by cutting with a butcher 
kiii'ea circle around the crown of the head, 
and then pUuting one foot on the neck of the 
])riKoncr. with tlicir hands in the hail', by main 
force peeling the scalp from the head. Thi.s* 
Robert Navarre, who died in Monroe, was the 
last of the survivors in our vicinity of the sol- 
<liers of the War of 1812 and 1813. 

1 am under great obligations to the treasurer 
of our county, the Hon. Alexander Navarro, 
the grandson of Colonel Francis Navarro, who 
has in his possession the original files of the 
a<'founts, statements and settlements between 



him and merchants and fin- traders of those 
early days. I was surprised, in perusing 
them, to learn the vast amount of money rep- 
resented therein, and to see the methodical 
and accurate manner in which the statements 
and accounts were kept, and the ver^^ neat 
and legible handwriting, which would favor- 
ably compare with the statements of the best 
accountants of the present day. 

Colonel Navarre was highly esteemed by 
Governor St. Clair, General McComb, Gov- 
ernor Ijcwis Cass, Judge Woodward and Gen- 
eral Winchester, and a number more of dis- 
tinguished men of his time, judging from the 
commissions to him and the voluminous cor- 
respondence with those gentlemen, which are 
pervaded with very strong expressions of 
friendship and great confidence in his patriot- 
ism and bravery. Believing the j)erusal of a 
small portion of them would interest the citi- 
zens of Monroe, I have pi-ocured translations 
of a small number and annex them hereto, with 
a copy of the orignal letter written in English 
by General Winchester to Colonel Francis 
Navarre, in which he gives expression of grat- 
itude and thanks to Mrs. Navarre for preserv- 
ing his watch, spectacles aud pen-knife from 
the general wreck and destruction of property', 
on the morning of his tlefeat and hasty de- 
parture from her hospitable home. 



Lewin Cass, Governor of the Terrilory of Michiijan, to all 

who shall see these presents, greetimi : 

Know ye that reposing special trust and 
confidence in the integrit}-, diligence and 
ability of Francis Navarre, of the Count}- of 
ilonroe, in the said Territorj^ of Michigan, 
Ksquiro, I do herebj^ appoint him to be an 
Associate Justice of the County Court of said 
County of Monroe, in said Territory of Mich- 
igan, and do authorize him to execute and ful- 
fill the duties of that office according to law, 
to have and to hold the said office with all 
the powers, privileges and enioluments to the 
same of right appertaining, from the day of the 
date hereof, during tlie pleasure of the (iov- 
ernor of Michigan for the time being. 

In testimony whereof, I have caused these 
letters to be made and the seal of said Territory 
of Michigan to behereunto affixed. Given under 
my hand at Detroit, in the Terrilory aforesaid. 



96 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



this U)th day of July, 1817, and of the inde- 
pendence of the United States the forty-second. 
By the Governor : Lew. Cass. 

\Vm. WOODBRIDOE, 

Secretary of Michigan. 

Territory of Michigan, ) 

District of Monroe. f 

Personally appeared before me, the under- 
signed, the within named Francis Navarro, 
and took the oath of office prescribed bj' law. 
Laurent Dlirocher, J. P. D. M. 

iliVER Raisin, August, A. D. 1817 



Headquarters, Detroit, July 13, 181ti. 
To Colonel Francis S'avarrc: 

Sir: On due consideration I am of opinion 
that we cannot get on with the road without 
the assistance of some person well acquainted 
with the topography of the country, and I have 
thought that no person is so well qualified as 
yourself to guide and direct the trace of the 
contemplated route. 

I shall be glad to know if j'ou will under- 
take to mai'k out the line and afford your 
counsel and advice. For this service a liberal 
allowance will be made. 

Please to inform me as soon as convenient if 
you can render the services required by this 
communication. 

With great consideration I have the honor 
to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble 
servant, General Alex. McComb. 



Detroit, February 10, 1814. 
Colonel Francis Navarre: 

Dear Sir: On receipt of this you may set 
out for Camp Meigs with ten trains. There 
was on the 14th instant seventy horse loads 
that arrived at that place and as many more 
were expected there the next day. Should j'ou 
not have flour for all the ten sleighs, load them 
■with cannon ball or boxes of canister that is at 
Camp Meigs. Yours, etc., 

James McCloskey, 
A. D. to the General. 



Lewis Cass, Governor in and over the Territory of Michi- 
gan, to all to whom these presenix shall come, greetine/: 

Know ye, that reposing especial trust and 
confidence in the valor, patriotism, fidelity and 



abilities of Francis Navarre, 1 have ajipointed 
him Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant in the 
Second Regiment of Militia. Ho is, therefore, 
carefully and diligently to discharge the 
duties of that appointment by doing and per- 
forming all manner of things thereuntobelong- 
ing, and I do strictly charge and require all 
officers and soldiers under his command to be 
obedient to his orders as a lieutenant-colonel 
commandant, and he is to observe and follow 
such orders and directions as ho shall receive 
from time to time from the President of the 
United States of America, or the Governor of 
the Territory of Michigan for the time being, 
or general or other superior officers set over 
him according to the law and militaiy discipline. 
This commission to continue in force during 
the pleasure of the Governor of Michigan for 
the time being. 

In testimony whereof, I have caused these 
letters to be made patent, and the seal of the 
Territoiy to be thereunto affixed. Given under 
my hand, at the city of Detroit, this sixteenth 
day of December, A. D. 1813, and of the inde- 
pendence of the United States of America the 
thirty-eighth. 

By the Governor: Lev*'. Cass. 



Extract of letter written to Robert Navarre 
from Jesse P. Green, who fought at the battle 
of River Raisin in January-, 1813: 

Harrison County, Kentucky, ) 
May 12, 1825. f 
To Colonel Robert Nararrr, River Raisin : 

Beloved Friend: I am ever mindful of 
your kind, benevolent and charitable services 
at the River Raisin, though years have passed 
since our last interview. 

It would afford me great pleasure to meet 
you and your ai,'ed father and mother. I can 
never think of them but with sentiments of 
gratitude for their kind services rendered me 
at their hospitable home. I have had the 
'pleasure of seeing your brother, Joseph G. 
Navarre, in Kentuckj-. Saytoyour fatherand 
mother he is a gentleman of great promise, and 
will, doubtless, from his high sentiments and 
superior abilities, prove an ornament to Mich- 
igan Territory. .Say also to j'our father that 
his .services in the defense of his country, and 
hospitality' and kindness to the sons of Ken- 
tucky, will be gratefully remembered ; that if 



1 



BIOr.RArHIES Ol" KARKY SETTLERS. 



97 



he shouUl ever come to Kentuckj- he would 
find himself in the midst of a host of friends. 
I have not received a replj* to my letter to 
him. lie maj- have failed to receive it, as you 
had no jicstoffice at Monroe. 

Your affectionate fi'iend, 

.Iksse p. Green. 



Captain Franci.s Navarre, J uslice of the Peace 
in and for the County of Wayne, enters for 
taxation a tract of land eontainini^ 708 arponts 
or French acres, of second rate ((uality, which 
tract of land the said Francis Navarre and 
James Navarre, his brother, received as a gift 
from the chiefs of the Pottawatomie Nation in 
1795, together with the farms ou which James 
Navarre, Isadore Navarre and George Mc- 
Dougall now reside, making in the whole 2,400 
arpents, or French acres, in front, by 120 in 
depth, as may appear by the Indian deed 
thereof, deposited by the said Francis Navarre 
in the hands of the late Major-General Anthony 
Wayne while at the treat}- of Greenville in 
August, 1793, the which he has lately au- 
thorized Mr. Jonathan Schiefilin to obtain 
back from the heirs of said Major-tioncral 
Wayne. 

Said Francis Navarre hereb}' confirms to 
and quits claiming in any Tnanner whatever, 
all his rights to the aforesaid farms of James 
and Isadore Navarre and (feorge McDougall, 
having presented the two first to his said 
brothers, and allowed Colonel Chabert to re- 
ceive afterwards, as a gift of the said Indians, 
the farm on which the said George McDougall 
now resides, which ho purchased from said 
Colonel Chabert and afterwards settled. The 
said tract which Francis Navarre has reserved 
to himself as aforesaid, and is now entered 
for taxation, is situated on the River Raisin, in 
the county of Wayne, and bounded as follows: 
Five arpents and nine poles in front, beginning 
on the west by a stone fi.xed in the division 
line between the said farm and the farm of 
George McDougall, and on the west by another 
stone, with pieces of glass, between the said farm 
and the farm of Isadore Navarre, running in 
depth from thence 120 arpents in a parallelo- 
gram south, thirty degrees westerly. 

River Raisin, November 13, 1798. 



Tekkitorv of the U.srrKD State.s Nokthwest ( 

OF THE KivER Ohio, Wayne, f "" 

Francis Navarre and Joseph Jobin, Esrjuircs, two nf the 
Justices aasigned In keep the peace witliin and for the 
mid count;/ of Wayne, to the Sheriff of mid county, 
greeting : 

Summon Francois Vallequet, of the township 
of Sergeanv, in the said county of Wayne, 
yeoman, to appear before us, at the house of 
Francis Navarre, Esq., in .said county, upon 
the 25th day of April instant, at ten o'clock in 
the forenoon of the same day, then and there 
to answer to and defend against the complaint 
of George McDougall and George Meldrum to 
us exhibited, wherein they complain that the 
said Francois Vallequet, on the 8th day of April 
instant, at River Aux Sauble, in Sergeant town- 
ship, in the said county of Wayne.with force and 
arms and with a strong hand, did unlawfully 
and forcibly enter into and ujjon a tract of 
land of them, the said George Meldrum and 
George McDougall, in the said township of Ser- 
geant, on the River Aux Sauble aforesaid, con- 
taining 120 acres, French measure, being part 
and parcel of a certain tract of land of them, 
the said Meldrum and McDougall, of 4,00(t 
acres, bounded as foUowSjViz. : Southerly on the 
said River Aux Sauble, northerly and westerly 
on the lands of said Meldrum and McDougall, 
and easterly on the lands of said Meldrum and 
McDougall, now in possession of Joseph Porlea 
Benac; and them, the said Meldrum and .Mc- 
Dougall, with force and arms and a strong 
hand, as aforesaid, did expel and unlawfully 
put out of possession ; and them, the said Mel- 
drum and McDougall, does unlawfully and 
unjustly and with a strong hand deforce and 
still keep out of possession of the same. And 
3-ou are to make to us a return of this summons 
and your proceedings thereon on or helcre the 
said day. 

Witness our hands and seals the 15tli day of 
April, A. D. 1799. 

Fr. Navarre, / Jiisticrs of the 
Joseph Johin, \ Peace. 

I have made service of the within summons 
by leaving a cop\' with the defendant this day. 
Lewis Bond, Sheriff. 
April IC. 179'.i. 



Copy of letter from (ieneral Winchester to 
Colonel Francis Navarre, French town : 



98 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



State of Tennesske, [ 
Cairo, ISth February, ISKl. ( 

Cohmcl Franck Navarre: 

Dear Sir: Your favor of the ISthofNovembei- 
last (lid not roach me until ycstcrda}-, though I 
had ])rcviousl3- received from Colonel Anderson 
a letter on the same subject, and without loss of 
time sent to his address at Washington a state- 
ment of facts to the best of my recollection, re- 
lating to the public property as well as my 
baggage, which was in your house on the 
fatal 22d of January, 18i:5, I regret the em- 
barrassments which Colonel Anderson impru- 
dently and improperly got himself into in 
Washington, and sincerely hope it will not 
operate against the just claims of the peojile at 
Eiver Eaisin. I feel mj-self very much obliged 
to Madam Navai-re for preserving ni}- watch, 
spectacles and pen-knife from the general 
wreck and destruction of propert}- on the 
morning of my defeat. 

Can you give me any information concerning 
my papers and books? Some few of them 
were in my trunk at your house, but the most 
of them in a trunk on the other side of the 
river. I should like to know if tiiese papers 
fell into the hands of the Indians or the British. 
Present my respects to Madam Navarre, and 
accept for yourself the consideration of the 
regard of your obedient servant, 

Winchester. 

Mailed February 23d ; received March 21, 
1816 Postage, 25 cents. 



Detroit, June lUh, 1821. 
To Mr. Francis Navarre: 

My Dear Friend and Relation: The new 
arrangement which has taken ])lace in our 
army calls me out of this country to go to 
Washington. This circumstance alone Ikis 
been able to separate me from a great number 
of friends and relations who are dear, and to 
whom I am sincerely attached. As long as I 
have had the honor of commanding upon these 
frontiers I am constantly obliged to maintain 
peace between our neighbors, as much in Can- 
ada as with the savages; and my onlj' aim has 
been to protect all citizens and guarantee to 
them their rightsand privileges. Theold French 
inhabitants have been the continual object of 
my attention and solicitude — above all that 
they arc ignorant of their own rights, and the 



jirinciples which form the base of our Ameri- 
can Government. The Congress of the United 
States has extended to the inhabitants of Mich- 
igan Territory its friendship and protection, in 
publishing laws to assure them of the posses- 
sion of their lands, which were dependingupon 
uncertain titles, which at present have been 
confirmed with true pi'opriety in a com])lete 
and legal manner. It is a great misfortune 
that amongst the Canadians are found so many 
who cannot read or write. The acquisition of 
these first princij)les of education is an indis- 
pensable necessity to everj- American citizen. 
Without these principles one can not be luUj' 
apprised of the daily impi'ovements; to know 
the la^vs which are published in the papers for 
the advantage of all ; and above all, be able to 
keep his own accounts and govern his own 
affairs It is also essential to know the English 
language, because the acts of government and 
courts of justice are printed in that lan- 
guage. I would urge you, therefore, jDarticularly, 
that all the descendants of Francis should 
teach their children the English and French 
languages. The advantage of speaking them 
both would be veiy great, because thoj- arc 
used daily in the most ordinary details of life. 
Besides that, the knowledge of several lan- 
guages has always been regarded by people of 
the world, even the most polished, as a very 
great accomplishment. The French of Michi- 
gan Territory are always noticed for their 
polite, gentle and engaging manners. These 
virtues, if I may call them such, contribute 
much to distinguish a peoj)le and prove in them 
a degree of civilization which is appreciated, 
justly, by all persons of enlightenment and in- 
struction. At the same time I should be de- 
ceiving j'ou if I did not tell you that the in- 
habitants of this Territoiy are much inferior 
to the rest of their fellow-citizens of the United 
States in point of arts and sciences; and above 
all in agriculture, which is not regarded as the 
least oceujJation by which men may support 
themselves. The reason of it is simple, and 
the blame cannot be thrown upon the inhabit- 
ants. It should be attributed only to the pecu- 
liar situation in which they have been jDlaced, 
even since the first establishment of the coun- 
try. Neither the Government which inaugu- 
rated these first colonies, nor the English who 
have succeeded that Government, have dreamed 
of making of them an agricultural people. 



nioGRAriiiKs or eari.v settlers. 



09 



Tlicy Iwivc boon trrtiisphuited only to licl]! in 
the fur trade, and in this branch of commorce 
the Canadians surpass all others; but now that 
the population advances (and tliat by the 
means of the wise and equitable administra- 
tion of the United States), the settlements in- 
ci-ease, and the people take a character and an 
attitude which presages a great destiny, it be- 
comes us to form some just claims, and to 
know all that can interest its honor and inde- 
pendence. The French ought to frequent the 
courts where the laws are discussed, and assist 
in tiie election of all their officers, and in this 
way learn to hold gcnei-al assemblies, and how 
to conduct public affairs. Ever}- American 
citizen ought to know how to use his rights 
and privileges that assure to him his title of 
citizenship. This is why it is the duty of each 
man to acquaint himself with laws, in order to 
vote, and give his opinion on all occasions 
which interest him — himself in particular 
as well as the public in general as a nation. 
It is thusthatone willcome to know the merits 
of our e.\cclleut constitution, and that the ad- 
vantages which result therefrom will be appre- 
ciated in a general and sensible manner. Be- 
sides all these ties that we possess or enjoy we 
ought to count the religious liberty of each 
man being able to worshij) God according to 
the dictates of his own conscience, and live 
peaceably in the religion of his fathers. The 
social commerce established between good and 
virtuous men ought not to be interrupted bj' 
any religious dissension. In our day such 
disputes are regarded as unworthj- of this en- 
lightened century in which we live. Formerly 
things were not the same, and for want of equal 
dispositions among Christians, all was con- 
fusion and was the cause of the schism which 
dismembered the old church. For a long time 
disorder reigned; but to day such dissensions 
are suppressed, and virtuous persons of all 
classes and all sects are generally esteemed 
and respected. It is also the duty of every man 
to follow strictly the religion of his ancestors, 
to cherish it and to have it observed in his 
family, for no house should be divided against 
itself upon such an important subject. Without 
religion there is nothing for men, neither sen- 
timent nor honor. No one can rel}' on their 
word — their oath is null. Thus you see, my 
dear friend, the price of religion, and how im- 
portant it is to our happiness on earth and to 



our future life. 1 will not dwell longer u]ion 
this subject, because I believe that the inhabit- 
ants of this country are always remarkable for 
their strict attachment to their religious duties, 
as well as their gentle and kind manners to- 
wards each other. In considering the jjarticu- 
lar situation in which the old inhabitants of 
this country' are found |)laced, one would be- 
lieve that they have not made much effort to 
aid anv government in particular, if one ex- 
cepts their first masters; but in examining 
with attention and diving into my searches, 1 
have discovered with great satisfaction that 
the French people have always been faithful 
to the Government and hasten to defend its 
firesides and altars. The late war (considered 
in its true light) will give to the inhabitants of 
the Territory of Michigan (whatever their rank 
may be) a right to the protection and esteem 
of the American Government. Few persons 
know the critical situation of this country since 
the last war. Their zeal and eagerness to 
pluck out from the hands of the Indians the un- 
fortunate victims of the Eiver Kaisin (and 
some other rights) will always be a sufficient 
title to attract the gratitude of posterity. The 
reclamations or claims that you have made to 
the Government for the losses you have sus- 
tained during the last war, have been, it is true, 
put off from one session to another, in spite of 
the efforts of our delegates to put them forward; 
but all these delays must not di.scourage you, 
for, although "justice moves with slow steps, it 
is none the less sure." If your claims are such 
as they should be to be paid by the Govern- 
ment, the}- will not be refused ; but still one 
must not expect all the damages experienced 
during the war to be liquidated bj- the United 
States. Such an enterprise w^ould cause nec- 
essarily the ruin of' the richest country on 
earth. The depredations committed by our 
soldiers, the property seized or destroyed by 
the enemy because it was occupied by our 
troops, the articles furnished for the use of the 
army, either for subsistence or for the quarter- 
master department ; all these different things 
have been included amongst the oVyects which 
the Government ought to pay. All the claims 
whicli have had their sup])ort in unexception- 
able certificates, have been reimbursed. A 
confused arrangement of all the accounts that 
might be presented would exhaust the treasury, 
and would be exposing the honest ami timid 



100 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



citizen, who would rather lose all his rights 
under the Government than to have the States 
made bankrupt. The Government only de- 
mands sure proofs of the justice of the claims 
in order to pay as far as its means will permit. 
I am going to leave here on the first steam- 
boat for the seat of Government. If it is in 
my power, t»v my influence, while in the city, 
to contribute to the advancement of the in- 
terests of the inhabitants of Michigan, no one 
will find me lacking in zeal and activity, as far 
as my intellectual faculties will permit me, to 
see that justice is rendered in an impartial 
manner. It is with the greatest regret that I 
leave a country which is dear on so manj' ac- 
counts, above all, when I reflect that I shall be 
.separated from numerous friends, who have 
shown such affection for myself and family. 
However, my duty calls and I must go. Adieu, 
my dear friend, and please remember me to 
your wife and children, and mj^ friends on all 
sides. Believe me always your devoted and 
sincere friend and relative, 

Alex. McUomb, Nepheir. 



Cincinnati, March 10, 1800. 

To Mr. Nnvarre : 

It is a long time since I received the letter 
that you have done me the honor to write on 
the 17th of last January. Tliis is the first op- 
portunity I have found to reply. 

I am very sorry, Monsieur, in sjiite of the 
cause. Monsieur, that it has deprived me of the 
jvleasure of seeing you here. No excuse, cer- 
tainly, is necessai-y for having restored the 
representatives to other hands, and in truth, 
Monsieur, a trip to Cincinnati, in the middle 
of winter, might be a little too much for you. 
At the same time I thank j'ou for your good 
will, and I am pleased that you have survived 
such a severe season. 

The remaining disorders in the town of De- 
troit have given me many regrets, and demand 
to be remedied; although our proceedings in 
justice are slow, they are none the less sure. 
The only step I could take at present upon the 

plea against Mrs. May and , I have 

taken; that is, to suspend the functions of 
both, until the lime that an investigation will 
take place. Perhaps a resignation will follow. 
Let that be as it may, when the judges visit 
Detroit in June all will be examined and 



justice rendered to each one. Besides this 1 
promise myself the pleasure of seeing you at 
your home in passing from Fort Wayne to 
Detroit. 

My ears are always open to the cries of the 
people I have the honor to lead; and it is to 
me a great pleasure, as well as an indispen- 
sable duty, to do themall thegoodin my power. 
I am mortified that the}- have been molested 
by Government officers, but Mr. Sargent 
(stranger as he was) ran the risk, in spite of 
best intentions, of being deceived concerning 
the different characters, like any other man 
in the same ca.se. With much consideration 
for your upright and sincere character, I am, 
Monsieur, j-our verj^ humble servant, 

A. St. Clair. 

Cei'tificate of marriage of Colonel Francis 
Navarre, November 9, 1790, and family record; 

After the publication of the bans of marriage 
made at the sermon of the grand mass of the 
parish, having obtained dispensation from two 
others of Mr. Dufaute, doing the duties of 
Grand Vicar of Detroit, between Francis 
Navarre (son of Robert Navarre and Ai-ch- 
angel Marsaive), his parents belonging to the 
parish of St. Anne, Detroit, and J. Marie Suzor 
(daughter of Louis Suzor and Marie Josephine 
Labeau), her parents belonging to another part 
of the same parish, and not finding any 
hinderance to said marriage, I, the undersigned 
priest and curate, do certify to having received 
their mutual consent of marriage, and to have 
given the nuptial benediction with the cere- 
monies prescribed by our Mother, the Holy 
Ciuirch. 

In presence of Messrs. Charles Eeaume, Mar- 
tin Nadeau, Louis Gaillard, Louis Suzor, and 
several other witnesses. Among them some 
have signed and others have declared they 
know not how to sign this writing, accord- 
ing to the ordinance of the aforesaid day and 
year. 

Copied from the original. Chas. K.,M. Nad., 
L. G., Pr. John Bt., Cure. 



Ti'anscrij5t from record : 

Robert, son of Francis and Marie Suzor, born 
September 2, 1791 ; married Miss Duchane. 
Francis, son of Francis and Marie Suzor, born 
December 8, 1792; married Miss Mettez. Marie 



BIOGRAI'HIES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 



101 



Arcliange, ilaiiijliter ot Fi-aiicis and Marie 
Suzor, born April G, 17!>4. Joseph Navarro, 
son of Francis and Mario Suzor, born December 
3, 1795 ; married Miss Martin. Julia Navarre, 
daughter of Fraticis and Marie Suzor, born 
December IS, 17!I6. Hissaiette, daughter of 
Francis and Marie Suzor, born Juno 15, 1798; 
David Navarre, son of P^-ancis and JIarie Suzor; 
married Miss Lasselle. Sanuiel Navarre, s<mi 
of Francis and Marie Suzor. Paul or Porti 
Navarre, son of Francis and .Mario Suzor. 
Victoria, daughter of Francis and Mario Suzor; 
married James J. Godfrov. 



In the correspondence and files of Colonel 
Francis Navarre, translated from the French, 
preserved by Alexander T. Navarro and Mrs. 
James D. Machin, grandson and granddaughter 
of Colonel Francis Navarre, appears the fol- 
lowing proclamation by Arthur St. Clair, 
Governor of the Territory of the United 
States Northwest of the Ohio, fi-om which it 
appears a property qualification was essential 
to the exei'cise of the right of suflfrago: 

Whereas, by the ordinance of Congress for 
the government of the Territory northwest 
of the Ohio, it is ordained, " That so soon as 
there shall be 5,000 free male inhabitants of 
full age in the district, upon giving proof 
thei'eof to the Governor thej' shall receive 
authority, with time and place, to elect repre- 
sentatives from their several counties or town- 
ships to represent them in the general as- 
sembly ;" and whereas sufficient proof has been 
given to me there is a much greater number of 
free male inhabitants in the district than the 
5,000 required by the ordinance,! do in conform- 
ity thereto authorize and require the inhabit- 
ants of the several counties in the Territory, 
qualified according to the said ordinance, to as- 
semble together on the third Monda\- in Decem- 
ber next, at the places hereinafter mentioned, 
and then and there elect representatives for the 
said counties respectively, according to the di- 
rections and restrictions of the aforesaid ordin- 
ance of Congress, and in the numbers and pro- 
portions following, to serve in the general 
assembly or legislature for two years, that is 
to say; The inhabitants of the county of 
Washington shall meet at Marietta and elect 
two representatives; the inhabitants of the 
county of Hamilton shall meet at the town of 



Cincinnati and oloct five roj)resentatives ; the 
inhabitants of the county of St. Clair shall 
meet at the town of Cahokia and elect one rep- 
resentative; the inhabitants of the county of 
Knox shall meet at the town of St. Vincennos 
and elect one representative; the inhabitants 
of the county of Randol|)h shall meet at the 
town of K:iskaskia and elect one representative ; 
the inhabitants of tiie county of Adams shall 
meet at the town of Washington and elect one 
representative ; the inhabitants of the county of 
Jefferson shall meet at the town of Steul)on and 
elect one representative; the inhabitants of the 
county of Wayne shall meet at tlie town of 
Detroit and elect one representative, and the 
inhabitants of the county of Hoss shall meet at 
the town of Chillicothe and elect one rojire- 
sentative; and the representatives so elected 
shall meet in general assembl}- at the town of 
Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton, on the 
22d day of January next, to do and perform 
what is required of them for the benefits of the 
people and the good government of the dis- 
trict. The restrictions with respect to tlie 
elections in the aforesaid ordinance, are that 
no person shall be eligible or qualified to act as 
a representative unless he shall have been a 
citizen of one of the United States three years 
and be a resident in the district, or unless he 
shall have resided in the district three years, 
and in either case shall likewise hold in his 
own right, in foe simple, 200 acres of land 
within the same; and that a freehold in fifty 
acres of land in the district, having been a 
citizen of one of the States, and being a resi- 
dent in the district, or the like freehold and 
two years residence in the district, shall be 
necessary to qualify a man as an elector of a 
representative. 

And whereas a strict adherence to the 
letter of the last restriction would exclude all 
those whose real estate consists of houses and 
lots only, in the several towns, from any share 
in the choice of representatives, while the 
spirit and intention of it is, that the right of 
election should not be extended to those who 
ai"e not possessed of real estate of a certain 
value: all persons having a freehold estate in 
houses and lots in any of the towns in the 
counties where they respectively reside, equal 
in value to the medium value of fifty acres of 
land in the same counties, are to be considered 
duly qualified as to property. And the sheriti's 



102 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of the counties, or the coroners in ease of any 
contingency whereby it maj' be impossible for 
the sheriffs to attend, shall hold the said elec- 
tions in the counties for which they are respec- 
tively appointed, at the time and places before 
mentioned, and in the manner as by the writs 
to them directed is required. 

Given at Cincinnati, in the county of Ham- 
ilton, under the seal of the Territory, the 29tli 
da^' of October, 1708, and of the independence 
of the United States the twenty-third. 



Coj)}- of letter from the Bishop of Baltimore, 
addressed to Colonel Francis Navarre, for the 
inhabitants of the River Raisin : 

Baltimore, October 19, 179fi. 

Your petition that you had the kindness to 
address to nie the 10th of May did not reach 
me before the month of August. I see in it, 
with great satisfaction, that you are sensible of 
the inexpressible advantages of the true relig- 
ion and of a ministrv of salvation which re- 
sponds to its sanctity and may be worihy of 
it. Feeling all the weight otiny pastoral duty, 
it is very pleasant for me to find the charges it 
imposes on me lightened by the Christian dis- 
positions of those who share my solicitude. I 
did not reply immediately to your request be- 
cause having already charged Mr. Labaudoux 
(my grand vicar of this part of my diocese) to 
make report of the religious condition of the 
country recently added to the United States, 
I believed that I ought to wait until I received 
it. This report has just come to hand, and in 
this which has relation to you, I see that it 
eoiifirnis the favoi'able idea I had formed of 
your dispositions. In consequence I wrote to 
him to-day to make his arrangements to send 
3-ou a very excellent priest, who dwells at pres- 
ent on the Illinois. If this cannot be brought 
about to advise me as promptly as possible, in 
order that I maj' send one from here as soon as 
I have the necessary means to furnish the ex- 
penses of his journey. 

Your manners and habits of industry and 
love of order are to me a sure guaranty that 
you will make citizens peaceable and obedient 
to laws of the Government, and that you will 
never abuse the liberty in which you partici- 
pate to make a pretextof living without check, 
be it of religion or civil authority. I prize 
greatlj- the assurance which you have made 



me of j-our respect for your fathei-s, and the 
good wishes you have offered me for my health. 
In return I beg of you to regard me as one 
having for jou the most fraternal affection, and 
an earnest desire to see you and unite with 
you before the altar of the Most High, to pray 
to Him to bestow upon j^ou and upon all our 
Catholics and wandering brothers, the choicest 
benedictions. I am, sir, with regards and grat- 
itude for all which you have done for the wel- 
fare of religion, your very obedient servant 
and father in Jesus Christ, 

Bishop of Baltimore. 



Translated from old deed signed by chief of 
the tribe of Pottawatomies, then inhabiting 
River Raisin : 

Detroit, September 14, 1786. 

Sir Ask i by, chief of the Pottawatomies, of 
the River Raisin, given in my name and that 
of my nation and of the families inhabiting of 
my^ tribe : I declare that I have reserved a 
piece of land, three acres in size, in all its pro- 
fundity, for the building of a house of prayer, 
situated at that end of land, on right side of 
River Raisin, joining the concession of Francis 
Navarre Hutrow. This place, destined in per- 
petuity as a place of prayer, can never be oc- 
cupied for any other purpose but by the min- 
ister of the Great Spirit. For this reason it is 
expressly forbidden all persons, of whatever 
nation they may be, to touch said place to cul- 
tivate or build thereupon, under the penalty 
of having their icoi'k and \ahov utterly destroyed. 
For this reason I affix my signature, to the end 
that people may not doubt of my resolution, 
which will be forever irrevocable. 

At Detroit the 13th of September, 178G. 

As also the concession of land that we have 
given to the brothers and children of Robert 
Navarre ; as also that of Marie, widow of Alexis 
Campau, shall remain in jierpetuity to her and 
her children, the peaceful possession of which 
she may claim undisturbed. 

ASKIBY. 

Detroit, May 9,1794. 
To Francis Narari-e, Jadlce of the Peace, River Ruialn : 
Sir: I have the honor of informing j-ou 
that I have discovered a plot to pass counter- 
feit money. The principal actor lives in your 
district, and is named Moses Powers. He is a 



BIOGRAPHIES OK EARLY SETTLERS. 



10.", 



brother of the lawyer Powers, and lie has only 
one eye. He pretends to bo a carpenter, and 
has made a conraet with Israel to build iiin\ 
a house. I have had the otiier two arrested. 
The sheriff has my warrant to arrest Powers, 
but as he delays to start, I fear that the man 
will escape, learning that the others are taken. 
I beg you instantly, as soon as you receive 
m3- letter, to have him arrested and sent to me 
under assurance that they will be tried b)' the 
court. I praj' you, also, to have a search made 
of his house or lodgings and seize any tooLs 
he has made u.se of in making the money ; 
and also any material you may find which has 
been used in making it, and send all here. 

As this is the first discovery of a conspiracy 
so dangei'ous for society in general, it is of the 
greatest importance to 8U])press it in its com- 
mencement, and the people of the liiver Raisin 
are more interested than others, for following 
the information that I have that Mr. Powers 
is the principal actor, 1 have reason to be- 
lieve that he works in your canton ; inform 
j'our neighbors to take good care when they 
receive some bogus mone^-. I have the honor 
of being very perfectly 3 our very humble ser- 
vant, 

Ja.mes Mav, .7. P. County Wtujne. 

'. June :!, ITitG. 

Dear Cousin : A favorable opportunity pre- 
sents itself for me to write you a letter, and 
have it delivered b}- Cajilain Chaniberg, 'lid-de- 
camp of General Wilkinson, commander of the 
American troops. He is going ahead of the 
army to demand possession of Detroit. (Colonel 
Hamtramck left here this morning with a large 
detachment to form the garrison at Detroit. 
As I know well your zeal for our American 
army, I have taken the liberty to assure Colo- 
nel Hamtramck that you and your friendly 
inhabitants of the River IJaisiri would take 
pleasure in accompanying Captain Chamberg 
to Detroit. He has asked for the names of 
persons that I consider as veritable patriots. 1 
informed him that he could not pride himself 
on more honest people in the establishment of 
Detroit than my uncle Robiche and Mr. Bullet, 
who will be listened to by all the inhabitants, and 
who, I think, will give him all the assistance 
possible. Althougli I have offered to have him 
stay at Mr. Cecire's house, j-ou can have him 
stay at your house. I think his horses will be 



more safe in your stable than in the fields. 
Courage. I wish you good healtii, as well as 
all your family. Your sincere cousin, 

Geo. McDoniAi.i,. 



Detroit, Mich., October 8, ITHII. 

Sir: The Court of (Quarter Sessions have 
held their first meeting to-day, and have 
ordered me to write a circular to the justices 
of peace of each district, to inform them tiiat 
the first Tuesday of the month of December 
next, there will be a general Court of (Quarter 
Sessions, at which you are re<|uired to be 
present. 

This same day the court will divide the 
county into districts, will name three commis- 
sioners and one constable for each district. 
The court desires that you will give advice to 
all the inhabitants of your district that you 
will have occasion to see, in order that among 
themselves they recommend to the court a re- 
spectable man to be one of the commissionei-s 
of the district of the River Raisin. It is nec- 
essary that they recommend also an honest 
man to be constable of the district, who knows 
how to read and write, if it is possible. The 
court desires very much to name persons gen- 
erally agreeable to each district. 

I have the honor of being, respectfully, your 
very humble servant, 

Peter AijDrian, 
Cli'rk of the Court of (Juarler Sessions. 



Detroit, Mirii., Ajtril 2:i, 1797. 
Sir: The present letter to you will be 
handed you by John Bt. Sanscrainte, who will 
present you a contract of land that the savages 
have given him the tenth of May, 177!t. You 
will see that this conli'act is well made, but 
unfortunately for San.scrainte there was no 
witness who has signed with the savages. In 
consequence it is necessary that the .savage 
chiefs who are still living come before j-ou to 
recognize their signatures, or better their 
marks, and that they make their mai-ks again 
to the certificate that I have written immedi- 
atel3' under their names ; thatyouauil Monsieur 
Cecirc will sign as witnesses under the words 
in presence of. After this you will sign your 
name as justice of the ])eace to the certificate 
that I have written below that of the savages, 



104 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



anil Mr. Cecire will sign it also as witness un- 
der the words in presence of. But you will sign 
yours opposite that of Mr. Cecire. 

All this is formality, but it is neccssar}- in 
order to preserve to San.scrainte a large prop- 
erty that the savages have, to my knowledge, 
given since to different persons. I know j-ou 
too friendly to justice to doubt a moment that 
you would render justice to Sanscraintc, who 
appears to me to merit it. 

I have the honor to be, very perfectlj^, your 
very humble servant, Peter Audri.\n. 

As Mr. Sanscrainte is going to the Fort at 
Detroit City for his business, I advise you to 
send me by him the title of your land, in order 
that I may register it immediatel}-. This is a 
formalit}' absolutely necessary in order to have 
the confirmation of tlie title and the continua- 
tion. Give the same advice to your brothers. 

Peter. 

We, belonging to the chiefs of the Pottawat- 
omie Nation, on Raisin Kiver, declare and 
assert the following : 

That the lands situate between Stony Creek 
and Saudy Creek and bordering on Lake Erie, 
said lands measuring to the depth of one 
hundred acres, have been given long ago by 
the elders and principal chiefs of our Nation to 
Francis Pepin. 

That the whole Nation being familiar with 
this fact, will protect him in the possession 
thereof In consequence we entreat our 
American brothers to leave said Popin in 
peaceable ownership. 

Wo also declare that Mr. Portier Renais, who 
has a contract for a large tract of land, said 
contract having been made by himself alone, 
and as soon as he tried to appropriate these 
lands to himself, the chiefs, then still living, 
have said publicly- and openly that these lands 
were never given to him, and that they have 
enjoined their successors to oppose themselves 
to it, and to which they hei-ehy adhere and 
have this jirotest b}' their names. 

(Signed by the Chiefs.) 

Done at River Raisin, lOlh May, 1797. 



according to the law to vote for a representa- 
tive in the general assembly of this Territery, 
that an election for a representative for the 
county of Wayne in the general assembly of 
this Territory, in virtue of writ of election, 
which has been addi-essed to me by his Excel- 
lency, the Governor of the Territory, to this 
effect, will open and hold in Detroit, for the said 
county, in the house where the court sits, Mon- 
day, the 17th of December next, in which elec- 
tion will be open from 10 o'clock and will con- 
tinue by regular adjournments until 4 o'clock 
in the afternoon of the 19th day of the same 
month of December, at which hour the said 
election will bo closed according to law. In 
consequence of, by these presents, all the in- 
habitants qualified, thus included, are sum- 
moned and required to be on hand at the time 
and place thus designated, in order to give 
their voice for the person whom the}' deem 
pi-oper for a representative in the general as- 
sembly, in conformity with said warrant of 
election, etc. Lewis Bond, 

Sheriff County Wayne. 



Detroit, May 14, 1798. 
Sir : I am ordered by the court to require 
you to inform the inhabitants of j-our district 
that those of them who are summoned for the 
petit jury of the next court, will be excused 
(if they 80 desire) by paying $2.00 for a sub- 
stitute ; that is to say, that each person who 
prefers to rest or attend to his own business 
rather than serve on jury, can leave it entirely 
to his own option. I have the honor of being, 
respectfully, your very humble servant, 

Peter Al'drian, 
Chrk. 



Advice to the public : 

Detroit, 26th November, 1798. 
By these presents, advice is given to the in- 
habitants of Wayne county who are qualified 



Detroit, May 22d, 1798. 
Sir: I liave the honor of announcing to 
you that the Judges of the Supreme Court, 
whom 3-ou have seen at your house, will hold, 
in Detroit, a Circuit Court next Tuesday, 29th 
of May. It is your duty to be there, also your 
associate, Mr. Jobiu, with the constable of 
your district. It is very important that Sun- 
day next you should have announced at the 
church door that all persons summoned upon 
grand or petit jury for this Circuit Court, must 
be here Tuesday before 11 o'clock in the morn- 
ing, because they will be fined heavily if ab- 



BIOGRAPHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 



105 



sent. By doing so you will i-eiuler service to 
many people who might fail to be present on 
account of not being instructed to do so. 1 
have tlic honor of being, rcs])ectfully, j'our verj- 
humble servant, Peter Aidrian, Clerk. 

P. S. — You will say, if you please, to Mr. 
Isadore Navarre that I will take for nionej- ten 
hundred weight of flour, good and marketable 
at S4.(I0 a hundred, provided that it is delivered 
hero. 

Ufkick of the Co.mmiss.vrv Gexer.\i, of the ) 
Prison Eiis, July 2.s, 1814. f 

A convention having been definitely resolved 
on the ICth of July, at Chaniplain, iti the State 
of New York, between the agents duly author- 
ized on the part of the United States Govern- 
ment and that of Great Britain, by which all 
prisoners of war and all other prisoners, sub- 
jects or residentsof one, or citizens or residents 
of the other, caplui-ed by the commandant in 
authority. Sir George Provost, or by the forces 
under hisorders during the present war, before 
the 15th day of April past, which were paroled 
or otherwise left for their respective countries 
before said daj', or who were kept bj' the 
authority- of the United States, or Canada or 
Nova Scotia, by the authority of Great Britain, 
were exchanged without exception. 

All officers and non-commissioned officers, 
soldiers and sailors, belonging to the forces by 
land or sea of the United Stales, regulars or 
militia, and all persons of all other description, 
who have been captured before the said 15th 
of April, by any of the military forces under 
said commander, and who were then in the 
United States under. parole or otherwise, or 
who are to be released in conformity with said 
convention, are declared finally exchanged ; 
and all such officers, non-commissioned officers, 
soldiers, sailors and other persons, are by these 
presents notified that they are at liberty to 
serve in any capacity as if lhe\- had never been 
prisoners. (Signed) T. Maso.n'. 

Commuaary General of the Prisoners. 

Translated by order of General Cass. 

G. McDour.Ai.L, 
Adjutant-General T. M. 



I beg you will give immediate attention, and 
make them public to the cajitains in j-our bat- 
talion, in order that thej* will furnish you with 
the return of their forces and ammunition with- 
out delay. I beg you to send the report the 
soonest possible. I have the honor of being 
your verj' humble servant, 

G. GODKROV, 

Lieut. Cnl. Com. \.U Reg. of M., T. M. 

P. S. — I pray you present my compliments 
to Captain Laeroix and urge him to aid you to 
make the returns required on the other side, 
because the governor expects the reports im- 
mediately, and see that j'ou neglect nothing, 
fearing the consequences. G. Goufroy. 



Detroit, August 25, 1814. 
To Mr. Colonel Navarre: 

Sir: I have the honor of transmitting to 
you the original orders above n)entioned, which 



In Office of Adiutaxt-Geser.vl of the Mii.itia | 

OK Territory of Miciik;.\n, Gener.^i- llE.vn- [• 

til arters, Detroit, August 2.5, J814. J 

The commissarv general of the prisoners 
having declared that a convention has been 
concluded between the Governments of the 
United States and Great Britain, by which all 
persons, however taken, by either side since 
the declaration of war, and before the 15th day 
of April last, were exchanged without excep- 
tion, the commander-in-chief is gratified to 
be able to announce to the militia the glad 
tidings. They are at present as free to serve as 
if never taken prisoners. This situation re- 
quires imperiously that the entire corps of 
militia are placed in the most efficacious state 
for immediate service. 

The Adjutant-General will annomue thcaj)- 
pointments and promotions of officers which 
have taken place. 

The Second Kegiment of Infantiy will be 
consolidated with and form a part of First 
Regiment, but remain a distinct battalion. 
The Lieutenant-Colonel Navarre will retain 
his rank and command, but will make his re- 
port direct to Lieutenant-Colonel Godfroy. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Godfroy and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Smyth will make their reports (the 
soonest possible to the Adjutant-General) of the 
forces and situation of their respective com- 
mands. 

By order of his Excellenc}', the Commander- 
in-Chief 

Geo. McDouoall, 
Ad/ulant-G'eneral T. M. 



lOG 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Copy of General Proctor's order : 
To Thomas Caldwell, River Raisin, Mich. : 

Mr. Thomas Caldwell, or auy other person 
acting under him, is hereby authorized and 
directed to impress for his Majesty's service in 
the Territory of Michigan, twelve horses and 
eight yoke or pairs of oxen, with their yokes 
and chains, and such other articles as may be 
requisite to work the said horses and oxen. 

Dated at Detroit this 16th day of April, ISIH. 
(Signed) Henry Proctor, 

Brig. Geri'l Commandimj. 



In perusing the correspondence and files of 
Colonel Francis Navarre, I am irajiressed with 
the belief that he was a very devout and ex- 
emplary member of the Catholic church, and 
that no man outside of the priesthood has con- 
tributed more time, labor and means in lay- 
ing the foundation thereof in the Northwest. 
His patriotism, energy and worth were appreci- 
ated and held in high esteem by the territorial 
governors and officers of the American forces, 
as it IS evident the greater part of orders and 
correspondence from them to the River Raisin 
settlement before and during the war were 
addressed to him. His power and influence 
were well known by officers of the British Gov- 
ernment, and for years a standing offer of a 
reward of 1500 was proclaimed for his capture 
or scalp. He was hunted as a spy; was twice 
taken prisoner by the British, but escaped. The 
last escape savored of the miraculous, for he was 
captured by a British officer and delivered into 
the hands of infuriated and brutal Indians, and 
tied to a stake prepared for burning, at Sand- 
wich ; but the barbarians to whom he was de- 
livered went out to welcome about 500 In- 
dians who were invited to the great sacrifice 
and feast, and on their return found tlieir vic- 
tim gone. Their fury knew no bounds; torches 
were lighted, and their yells and whoops filled 
the air. The colonel, knowing their manner of 
hunting their victims, took advantage thereof 
b}' creeping into a hollow log a short distance 
from where he had made his escape. They 
hunted for him for days, houses were burned, 
feather-beds ripped open, and one day entered 
a barn where he was concealed under the haj- 
three feet under the surface. They thrust 
iheir bayonets through the hay, one just graz- 
ing his backbone. On leaving the barn they 
set fire thereto, but fortunately it did not burn. 



He loved his church and country, and for 
his Christian and civil virtues and sacrifices on 
the battle field, his memory deserves grateful 
remembrance. 

At the close of the war he returned to his 
home to find none of its former comforts, but in- 
stead desolation and devastation. Courageous 
in his declining years, he gathered around him 
the semblance of what had been the ambition 
of his early years, " A Home,'' tlie hospitality 
of which was proverbial. 



JOHN ANDERSON 
Was born in Scotland, and emigrated to Can- 
ada when a boy. From Montreal he came to 
Michigan to trade with the Indians. He estab- 
lished himself upon the River Raisin in the 
year 1805, where he successfully prosecuted his 
affairs until the War of 1812. His residence 
and store were on the site on the north side of 
the river where T. E. Wing now resides. Dur- 
ing the war he was captured by the British 
and Indians, but soon escaped and fled to Day- 
ton, Ohio, where he remained until peace was 
restored. On returning to Monroe he found 
his 2)roperty had not esca])ed the ravages of 
war, for his house and store wei'e burned 
to the ground and his goods confiscated ; but 
his energy and pei'severance soon restored in 
part what he had lo.st. His influence among 
the earlj' settlers and Indians did much to 
mitigate their hardships. He found homes for 
those left orphans and unprotected by the war, 
and sought at Washington a redress for their 
wrongs. His thorough knowledge of the In- 
dian character rendered him efficient in restor- 
ing peace among the various tribes of Michi- 
gan, and as he was fluent in eleven Indian 
dialects, he was welcomed at all times by the 
Indians as an interpreter. He filled with credit 
many local offices of honor and trust, and his 
habitual kindness and ingenuousness carried 
him safely through many trying scenes in his 
career. He died athishomein Monroe in 1841, 
leaving two sons, John and Alexander, and a 
daughter, the wife of Judge Warner Wing, of 
Monroe. 

COLONEL HUBERT LACROIX 
Was a native of Montreal, of higblj- re.spoctable 
jiarentage. He came to the River Raisin in 
the year 1800. where he lived to the time of his 




COL. HUBERT iLACROIX. 



BIOGRAPHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 



107 



death, whicli occurred September 14, 1827, at 
the age of forty-eight years, enjoying tlie fullest 
confidence of his fellow-citizens. 

At the organization of the militia by Colonel 
John Anderson, he was the tirst man to enlist 
as a private soldier. He was unanimously 
chosen captain of the company in which he 
enlisted, in which capacity he continued until 
the commencement of the War of 1812. At 
the surrender of Detroit by General Hull, 
Captain Lacroix was taken prisoner by the 
British and for some lime kept on board a 
prison-ship at Maiden, and with others destined 
to Quebec. Mr. Bongrand, an Indian trader 
who resided at Sandusky, was intimately ac- 
quainted with Tecumseh, and being in Detroit 
at the time, with his wife he called on the In- 
dian chief Tecumseh to ask him to intercede 
with General Brock for the release of her 
father. By the persistent and determined 
efforts of the Indian chief he was released and 
returned to the River Raisin. 

At the battle of River Raisin his residence 
and most of his property fell a prey to the 
devouring element. Ho subsequently built on 
the site of the old home, the two-story brick 
now standing on the north bank of the River 
Raisin, now owned by Louis Lafontain. His 
claims for destruction and loss of property were 
recognized by Congress, and he was I'cmuner- 
ated for a portion thereof. 

When the couuty of Monroe was organized 
Captain Ivacroix was appointed a colonel in the 
the militia and sheriff of the county. He was 
twice elected by his fellow-citizens a member 
of the legislative council, and in returning at 
the close of the last session walked from De- 
troit, and bj- exposure contracted a severe 
cold. After lingering a few months he ex- 
pired. 

Colonel Lacroix had two daughters. The 
elder married one of our most prosperous and 
enterprising ftirmers, Antoine F. Robert, now 
residing in the town of PVenchtown. The 
younger, the only surviving daughter, is the 
■widow of James Navarre, now residing on the 
homestead farm on Plumb Creek Bay. She 
now has in her possession a very fine minia- 
ture, painted on ivory in Montreal, of Colonel 
Lacroix — a remarkably 8t3li8h and soldier- 
like looking officer, dressed in full uniform. 
She also exhibited to me a full-length portrait, 
painted in oil iu Montreal, of the mother of 



Colonel Lacroix- — a stately and beautiful lady. 
At the time of the massacre on the River Raisin 
this portrait was suspended on the parlor walls. 
The Indians believing the French were con- 
cealing and hiding the Kenluckians, seeking 
prisoners and scalps, ransacked the house 
from cellar to garret, and finding no prisoners 
concealed at last came to the parlor ; finding 
none there they wreaked iheir vengeance and 
disajjpointment by thrusting sabres through 
the left breast of the portrait, which still re- 
tains the marks of violence, and without the 
slightest alteration or change since the inci- 
dent occurred. 



JOHN WOOD, 

One of the survivors of the War of 1812, was 
a young and industrious farmer in Bracken 
county, Kentucky, with a wife and two cliil- 
dren, when the gallant Captain Butler, who 
afterwards fell at the capture of the British 
batteries at Fort Meigs, raised his flag and 
solicited the hardy Kentuckians of Bracken 
county to enroll themselves among the defend- 
ers of their country. John Wood was one of the 
number. He suffered all the privations to 
which the chivulric army of the Northwest 
was exposed during the disastrous campaign 
which resulted in the defeat of General Win- 
chester at the River Raisin. By good fortune 
he escaped the tomahawk of the savage allies of 
Great Britain and was sent a prisoner of war 
to Quebec. He was next, with other American 
prisoners, dispatched in a transport to Ply- 
mouth, in England. From Plymouth, accom- 
panied by a crowd of fellow-prisoners, he was 
about to be transferred to Dartmoor— that 
well-remembered scene of British cruelty — 
when he found an opportunity to elude his 
guard and make his escape. He; wandered 
through the country, stealing through by-ways 
until he found tiimself at Bristol. Hunger 
compelled him to enter a grocery, the head- 
quarters of a British press-gang. Here he was 
pressed, and despite his protestations that he 
was a citizen of the United States and a fugi- 
tive prisoner of war, he was hurried on 
board his Majesty's frigate Sea Horse, then 
the flag-ship of the celebrated Sir Peter Parker, 
and compelled to bear arms against his own 
countrymen. On board the Sea Horse were 
several Americans, who, like Wood, had fallen 



108 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



victims to the British system of imiiressnient. 
Tlioy determined on desertion, and wlien lying 
in the j)ort of St. John's they succeeded in 
securing a boat during an extremely dark 
night. They were instantl}^ pursued, and 
obliged to desert this boat on the shoreof New 
Brunswick and seek safety in the woods. After 
wandering about two day.s, exhausted with cold 
and hunger and fatigue, they were appre- 
hended by a party of British soldiers and again 
transferred to the Sea Horse. The punishment 
that folk)wed was inflicted with all that ingen- 
ious refinemontof cruelty Cor which the British 
navy is so celebrated. The Sea Horse, attacked 
by the squadron under Admiral Cockburn, was 
shortly after ordered into the Chesapeake, and 
took an active part in robbing, burning and 
murdering the defenseless inhabitants of the 
coast. Mr. Wood and the other American 
prisoners were never permitted to leave the 
vessel. A few days after Sir Peter Parker 
met his fate, Mr. Wood, with seven impressed 
Americans, attempted to escape in broad day- 
light by jumping into a boat alongside and 
pulling rapidly for the shore. One of the num- 
ber was shot by the sentinel on duty, the rest 
reached the beach, but were a]iprehended im- 
mediately. By order of Admiral Cockburn 
they were sent in irons to Nova Scotia, and 
after undergoing the formality of a mock trial 
were sentenced to be shot. This sentence was 
commuted to service for life in his Britannic 
Majesty's army in the East Indies. They were 
accordingly shipped to England and thence 
dispatched to Calcutta. For twenty-five years 
Mr. Wood served as a private soldier in the 
East India service, and when broken down in 
spirit and constitution, he was permitted to 
leave the army and sail for England. Desti- 
tute and heart-broken he reached London, 
stated his case to the United States consul 
and by him was furnished with the means of 
reaching New York, from thence wended his 
weai-y pilgrimage towards the home of his 
childhood. After an absence of twenty-six 
years from his wife and children in Kentucky, 
and without hearing one word with reference to 
their situation, he arrived at Augusta, in Ken- 
tucky, the home of his youth. A thousand 
ovei'powering emotions rushed upon the old 
man's heart as he approached the spot that was 
once his home. The recognition and welcome 
must be left to the imagination of the reader. 



JAMES KNAGGS, 
Captain of the sjiies and scouts under General 
Harrison in the War of 1812, was born at Eush- 
taboo, about twelve miles above South To- 
ledo, Ohio, on the Kiver Maumee, about the 
year 1780. From earlj' life he was familiar 
with the forests in the West, as well as the 
habits, customs and mode of warfare of the In- 
dian tribes. His mother's maiden name was 
Eachel Fry, of Philadelphia. She kept a store 
at Maumee a number of years. He first settled 
on the north bank of the Eiver Eaisin, about 
one mile west of the city of Monroe. In the 
year 1811 he established a regular ferry at the 
Eiver Huron, on the main road from the Eiver 
Eaisin to Detroit, with only Indians for neigh- 
bors, who were excited by British emissaries, 
hostile to all Americans, and were very trouble- 
some. Captain Kuaggs had frequent and des- 
parate conflicts with them. On one occasion 
he had a severe encounter with one of the In- 
dians for .some misconduct, and when a brother 
of the vanquished Indian came at midnight to 
avenge his brother, a struggle ensued which 
resulted in his breaking ever}- bone in the body 
of the Indian by means of a club. During the 
War of 1812 he rendered the Government im- 
portant aid, and performed a great many pat- 
riotic deeds as a spy, scout, ranger and general 
Indian fighter, and with Medard Labadie and 
James Bentley captured a British ofiicer. Major 
McGi-egor, whom they compelled to ride horse- 
back on a pony with his legs tied, to Governor 
Hull's camp at Detroit. MeCuUoch subse- 
quently offered a reward of $500 for his head. 
A British officer with a squad of men some time 
after came to the Eiver Eaisin to secure this 
reward, and landed on the north side of the 
river near the present site of the residence of 
Louis Lafontain, where Kuaggs was unloading 
a boat. They were also seeking for Stephen 
Downing, James Bentley, Medard Labadie and 
one other American soldier, for whose heads a 
large reward had been offered. On inquiring 
for Knaggs they were shrewdly thrown off their 
guard by being informed that Knaggs, Bentley, 
Downing and Labadie had gone but a few days 
before to Fort Meigs, and had joined the Amer- 
ican army. 

Mr. James Knaggs owned and was living on 
the farm about seven and a half miles west of 
Monroe, on the north side of the Eiver Eaisin, 
now owned and occupied by Leonard Stadler. 



BIOGRArillKS f>I- KAKT.Y SETTI.KRS. 



109 



Wliilo Mr. Knaggs was busy drawing; in wlieat 
with iiis little chestnut pony hitched to a cart, 
news was brought to the settlement that 1,500 
Indians were in the region of the Macon and 
were preparing to make an attack on the set- 
tlers. Immediate action was necessary. ^Ii-. 
Knaggs planned the movements, and aftei- bid- 
ding his family good-by, perhaps forever, en- 
treated tlicm to use all dexterity in reaching 
Mr. Robert's farm (the father of Mrs. Polly 
Knaggs), now known as the Pegler farm and 
occupied by him, a little west of Monroe, on the 
south side of the river. He soon ascertained 
that his scalp was in great demand. The Hiig- 
lish, through McGregor, had made a standing 
offer of 850(1 for it, which prompted the In- 
dians to do their best for the red-skin who 
could, in a hand to hand tight, encounter and 
take such a scalp. Knaggs was well known to 
the Indians as a great warrior and a great 
brave. Mr. Knaggs, after several fearful en- 
counters and fights with the red men, eon- 
eluded to visit his familj- at tiie Pegler farm. 
He found on arriving that three British officers 
were after him and on horseback, and arriving 
in front of the hou.se dismounted and gave 
chase. Mr. Knaggs, having no time to go to 
the door, jumped through the window and 
soon gained a cornfield near by — the officers 
nearly up with him. but by good dodging and 
hard running kept out of their reach. He 
made several attempts to get one of their 
horses, but could not succeed. Finding they 
were no match for him on foot, they concluded 
to run him down with h5r.ses, which they came 
very near doing, and would have been success- 
ful had it not been for an old Frenchman liv- 
ing where old man Hivon lived, adjoining the 
old Catholic church, on the north side of the 
River liaisin. This Frenchman befriended 
him by giving him a hoe for a weapon and 
opening the trap door of his cellar, where Mr. 
Knaggs. lost no time in hiding. The English 
officers came up in hot pursuit, and, on asking 
for Mr. Knaggs, vvere told that he had just 
crossed the river, thereby throwing them off 
his track. Mr. Knaggs, a few days atler, was 
appointed a spy, and was also deputized to 
carrj- the mail, a task many a brave man 
shrank from, and at which many a one lost his 
scalp. Mr. Knaggs often, on his mi.ssion with 
the mail, came upon scenes that would nearly 
paralj'ze him, seeing many times where the 



red demons iiad hi'en but a few moments be- 
fore, leaving as trophies of their barbarities 
whole families tomahawked and mutilated in 
all conceivable ways — the scalps of each indi- 
vidual taken, little children cut to pieces, their 
hearts taken out and rubbed against the look- 
ing-glasses and window panes. This was a 
common way of showing their cruelty. 

Mr. Knaggs was a leading man among the 
"Raisin men," who were called by General 
Harrison "the best troops in the world," and 
with them was engaged in the various battles 
at Fort Meigs, Brovvnstown, in many conflicts 
in the vicinity of Detroit, and under Colonel 
Richard M. Johnson was present at the battle 
of the Thames, and was the man who identi- 
fied the body of Tecumseh, with whom he had 
been well acquainted. 

James Knaggs was the youngest of five 
brothers, all of whom were active in the mil- 
itary service. One of them was killed at 
Chicago, another captured and carried to Hali- 
fax. The mother of James was in the vicinity 
at the time of the massacre, and one of those 
specially designated by Colonel Proctor to bo 
ordered away from the river. Although in her 
eightieth 3-ear, roblied of everything and nearly 
all.her clothing, she almost perished in escap- 
ing in an open French train through the woods, 
but reached Detroit in safety. When asked 
how it happened that she did not perish, she 
replied, " Mj' spunk kept me warm." 

Mr. Knaggs married for his second wife the 
widow of John Bt. Couture. He sold hisfjirm 
on the River Raisin, and purchased the house 
and lot next south of the Presbyterian churcli, 
where he died in 185!), aged eight3--four. The 
house has given place to the present residence 
of Doctor P. S. Root. 

In those early days, when banks and safes 
were unknown in the West, it was customary 
to conceal money in the earth in the vicinity 
of their houses ; and when Mr. Knaggs lived 
on his farm in Raisinville he was known to 
have had hiding places for his money. At the 
time of his death it was generallj' supposed he 
had considerable money. Knowing his for- 
mer habits, it was believed by the heirs that he 
had continued the practice, and a verj' diligent 
search was made. The whole lot in rear of the 
church was spaded over a number of times in 
hopes of finding buried treasure, but without 
success. 



110 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



The oldest daughter of James and Polly 
Knaggs was born August 26, 1811, on the farm 
known now as the Stadler farm, seven and a 
half miles above Moni-oe. She was married 
three times: first, to William Street, who was 
the father of Job Street, of Caro, Michigan ; 
second, to John Pegler; and last to Joseph G. 
Navarre, of the town of Monroe. She died 
February 27, 1886, after a lingering illness of 
five months, at the residence of her brother, 
George Knaggs, in Eaisinvillo. She was a 
Christian in work and deeds, and in full com- 
munion and faith of the Roman Catholicchureh, 
leaving to mourn her loss one child, Job F. 
Street — George, James, John and Robert 
Knaggs, her brothers, and her only sister, Mrs. 
Rebecca Rogers, all of whom have i-esided in 
Monroe county the most of their lives. The 
funeral services were held at St. Marj^'s church 
in Monroe. 



REVERKND FATHER GABRIEL RICHARD. 

The early pioneer in a new countr}' is alwaj's 
an object of interest, especiallj' to the incoming 
generation ; and for the reason that the Rev- 
erend Father Gabriel Richard for nearly a 
quarter of a century, from 1805 to 1827, was 
the most prominent and influential citizen in 
the county of Monroe, I feel assured that an ex- 
tended sketch of his labors will be well re- 
ceived by many of our older citizens, who re- 
member him with great pleasure and affection. 

Gabriel Richard was born at Saintes, in the 
department of Charente-Inferieur, France, on 
the 15th of October, 1764, and was descended 
on the side of his mother fi'om the illustrious 
Bishop Bossuet, one of the most distinguished 
divines of France, wiio lived during the reign 
of Louis XIV. Having been placed at college 
when quite young, and having finished his clas- 
sical education and feeling himself called to the 
ecclesiastical life, he entered the seminary of An- 
gers, where he prosecuted his theological studies 
with great success. He subsequently repaired 
to Losy, near Paris, in order to qualify himself 
for admi8.sion into tiie Society of St. Sulpice, a 
congregation of secular priests, devoted to the 
education of j"oung men for the ministry. At 
the time of his elevation to the priesthood, in 
the year 17!tl, his native countr}- was violently 
agitated by the revolutionary spirit, whicii was 
daily increasing in madness and in fury, threat- 



ening the destruction of the established order 
both in church and state. Owing to the un- 
settled state of things in France, the superior 
general of the Sulpicians determined with the 
approbation of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Carroll, Bishop 
of Baltimore, to send .some members of liis 
society to the United States for the purjiose of 
conducting an ecclesiastical seminary. In ac- 
cordance with this arrangement several priests 
of that congregation came to the city of Balti- 
more in the year 1791, and were followed in 
successive years by other members of the same 
society. Among them was the subject of this 
sketch, who arrived June 24, 1792, in company 
with Rev. Messrs. Coquard, Matigon and 
Marechal, whose names arc entitled to honor- 
able mention in the history of the Catholic 
church of this country. 

As St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore was 
not in such efficient operation as to require a 
numerous corps of professors, Father Richard 
and others of St. Sulpice willingly acceded to 
the request of Bishop Carroll to aid in suj^ply- 
ing the wants of the Catholic population scat- 
tered throughout his extensive diocese, reach- 
ing at that time from Maine to Tennessee and 
from the Missls.sippi to the Atlantic Ocean. 
With this view he accepted the pastoral charge 
of the Catholics in Illinois, that is. at Prairie 
de Roche, and in the neighboring country, 
consisting chiefly of French Canadians. 

In 1797 Father Richard visited the congre- 
gation of a tribe of Indians named the Cahokias, 
which numbered about three hundred souls, 
and who possessed a h-audsome church erected 
b}' the Rev. Mr. Leradoux, his predecessor. 
These missions had been established more than 
one hundred years previously by the early 
Jesuit Fathers, who were afterward aided by 
priest.t from the Seminary of Foreign Missions 
at Paris ; but the supply of missionaries, espe- 
cially after the recall of the Jesuit Fathers, was 
altogether insufficient for the wants of the 
Catholic population. Father Richard applied 
himself in this distant and neglected field with 
all the zeal and prudence which characterize 
the true missionary, and he had the pleasure 
of seeing his active efforts crowned with suc- 
cess. He was, there'bre, invited by Bishop 
Carroll to bo the assistant of Mr. Leradoux, for 
the important services he had rendered to re- 
ligion. He was insjiired by the hope that he 
would be equally successful in a more respous- 



RIOORAPHIES OK EARLY SETTLERS. 



Ill 



il)le situation at Detroit, where tiie wants of 
the people loudly ealled for additional aid. 

Thus after having devoted .six long j-ears of 
his ininistrj- in Illinois, from Docenibor 14, 
1702, up to the 22d of March, 171)8, he left for 
Detroit, where the presence of a permanent 
pastor was murdi needed. He arrived in June, 
on the feast of Corpus Christi, accompanied bj- 
the Kev. John Dilhet, also a Sulpician mis- 
sionary. Rev. Mr. Lcradou.x, who had been 
stationed at Detroit for several years, was alone 
in the discharge of his clerical duties, was 
quite advanced in years, and had sought relief 
from hi.s bishop for the purpose of returning to 
his native land. As soon as Father Richard 
arrived, he immediately entered upon his 
duties as pastor, and soon won the confidence 
of those under his spiritual charge. At this 
period the town of Detroit and vicinitj- con- 
tained .some 1,800 Catholics, mostly of French 
origin, with a large number scattered along the 
border of our lakes and rivers and far into the 
northern regions of Michigan. -'The French," 
says Archbisho]) Spalding, "seem to have 
visited Michigan as early as the3'ear 1(510. and 
missionaries went thither occasionally soon 
aftoi-, liul no jiriest ajjpears to have been sta- 
tioned at Detroit before 1701." 

ITardl3- had Father Richard been installed 
]iastor than he commenced to provide his 
flock with all the elements of religion and ed- 
ucation. Education at this period was at a very 
low ebb, and his great aim was to stimulate his 
parishioners with alove of learning. Here and 
there, as occasion required, he established 
school.s for their benefit. He was indefatigable 
in the discharge of the duties of his ministiy ; 
very austere in his habits arid mode of living, 
for his meals were composed of food of the 
simplest and coarsest kind ; his bed was of the 
simplest material, and hardly comfortable; his 
dress was of the coarsest and cheapest of cloth ; 
yet he was courteous and affable to everj' one 
who had tlie ])lcasure of his acquaintance, lie 
commanded the highest respect, both from 
Catholics and Protestants. He was a profound 
theolou'ian, a good speaker, a good mathema- 
tician, and eloquently thundered forth his 
anathemas against the terrible vice of intem- 
perance and the use of tobacco. The Catholics 
of Detroit and vicinity consisted almost e.x- 
clusivelj- of French Canadians; the remaining 
'ihahilants of the town were mostly persons 



whose vernacular toiig\ie was the Fnglish lan- 
guage, but there were very few among them 
who were Catholics. 

About a 3'ear after his arrival in Detroit, he 
visited the Catholic congregation on the Island 
of Mackinaw and Point St. Ignace, where the 
early Jesuit Fathers had established a mission 
more than one hundred j-ears before. At these 
stations and the fur-trading stations on Lakes 
Superior and Huron the (treat Northwest 
Com])an3^ of Montreal employed annually 1,700 
men, almost all Canadians. Grand Portage 
was then a trading-post, where nearly 1,000 
men assembled in the summer time, and after a 
short stay dispersed to their winter quarters. 
Father Eichard found such an ui-gent demand 
at Mackinaw for the instruction of j'outh and 
the correction of the habits of those more ad- 
vanced in years, that he was dispo.sed to re- 
main there during the winter, having been 
very urgently- invited to do so by the inhabit- 
ants of the place. His services, however, were 
too much needed at Detroit to admit of so long 
an absence. He therefore returned to Detroit 
in October, after having touched at St. Joseph'.s 
Island and Sault Ste. Marie. One of the first 
objects which secured immediate attention 
was to repair and enlarge thechurch in the old 
town, which was too small for the congrega- 
tion. This he accomplished at an expen.se of 
some 83,000, notwithstanding the low state of 
his finances. U u fortunate I j- on the 11th of 
June, in the year 1805, a most disastrous con- 
flagration occurred, commencingat nine o'clock 
in the morning and lasting until noon, when 
every house was destroj-ed, together with his lit- 
tle church, built by Father Hocque,a Franciscan 
missionarj', in the \ear 175(1. 

In 1805 Father Gabriel Richard vLsited the 
church then located two miles above the ])i-es- 
ent St. Mary's church, on the north side of the 
River Raisin, on the farm formerly- known as 
the ■' Momonic farm." From that time to the 
3'ear 1827 he was energetic not onl3' in minis- 
tering to the church, but was ver3' successful 
in giving aid to, and obtaining aid fi-om the 
(Tovernmcnt of the United States, for those who 
had been rendered poor In' the desolations of the 
war. Though he received aid and 'a.ssistance 
from time to time from other priests, he had 
supervision of this church until 1827. 

As an indication of the esteem' and res])eft 
in which he was held by his Protestant fcHow 



112 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



citizens, will state tluit in 1807 the Governor of 
the Territory and other Protestant gentlemen 
invited him to pi-each to them in the Euglisli 
language. He accordingly held his English 
meetings at noon every Sunday in the council 
room, where he delivered instructions on the 
general principles of the Christian religion. 

Father Richard's zeal for his flock inspired 
him with tiie idea of establishing a printing 
press and commencing the publication of a 
French paper and books. For this purpose he 
sent to Baltimore for the type and press in 
1809, and the material in due course of time 
came by land over mountainous roads, accom- 
panied by Mr. James M. Miller, the first printer 
in Detroit. August 31, 1809, the first number of 
a small sheet, entitled in French " Essai du 
Michigan," made its appearance, and was con- 
tinued for a time; but in those days the dis- 
tance which sej)arated the people of the Terri- 
tory, and the irregularity of the mails, led to 
the discontinuance of his journal. His press, 
however, which was the first introduced into 
the northwestern portion of the United States, 
and was for several years the only printing 
apparatus in Michigan, did useful service under 
his direction. He also had a bindery attached 
to his printing office. The press was useful in 
printing deeds and conveyances for the gov- 
ernor and judges of the Territory, and when 
the English took pos.se.ssion of Detroit in 1812, 
General Brock's proclamation was printed on 
it. The office, in consequence of the destruc- 
tion of the old town, was for a long time located 
at Springwells, in the house of Jacques Lasselle. 
One part of the building served as a dwelling, 
another part for his chapel, another for his 
printing office, and another for a school. The- 
ophilus Mettez, a native of Detroit, the ancestor 
of a number of that name in our county, was 
the first Michigan printer bo3^ 

Father Eichard, by his fearless advocacy of 
American principles and denunciations of the 
tyranny of England, had made himself obnox- 
ious to the British, who in the War of 1812 
violently seized and carried him a prisoner to 
Sandwich. During his captivity, by his elo- 
quence and influence over the barbarous In- 
dians, he persuaded many from torturing 
American prisoners who unfortunately fell 
into the hands of the British under the dis- 
graceful surrender of General Hull. Upon 
his return to Detroit, the consequence of the 



devastating policy of the war was seen in the 
extreme dearth of food, bordering on a famine, 
to which his people were reduced. He purchased 
a large quantity of provisions and distributed 
them gratuitously to all who were in need, 
and as long as scarcity lasted so long did his 
untiring charity continue to the destitute. 

Though a European by birth he was an 
American in feeling, always evincing a firm 
attachment to American institutions and re- 
publican principles, and the influence he ex- 
erted and the part which he took in the War 
of 1812 evinced in an eminent degree the ex- 
tent of his patriotism and the value he placed 
on American liberty. 

Father Richard petitioned the governor and 
judges at a session held in October, 1806, and 
upon his application they granted the land in 
the "little military square," where the church 
of St. Anne now stands, and where the gov- 
ernor and judges designated that it should be 
built. It had long been a cherished object of 
Father Richard to lay the corner-stone upon 
the anniversary of the destruction of the 
church in the old town, and for this purpose 
he had waited the arrival of his bishop for the 
imposingceremony, which took place with much 
pomp on the 11th day of June, 1818, just twelve 
years aftei- the destruction of the old church. 
He continued the work upon St. Anne's church 
until his means were entirely exhausted, and 
then his fertile imagination conceived the idea 
of issuing due bills to the amount of several 
hundred dollars, payable upon presentation, 
the highest amount being one dollar, in order 
that the work u])on his church might progress 
with more rapidity. These due bills were 
taken both bv contractors and workmen. But 
he, like all other men, was destined to meet 
with some trials and drawbacks in his under- 
taking. One of his contractors, by the name 
of Young, got hold in some mysterious way of 
Father Richard's blank due bills and forged 
his name to them to the amount of -S700 or 
$800, which he freely circulated among the 
people. Father Richard did not discover the 
forgery until too late, when he had honestly 
redeemed the whole amount. The rascality 
and villainy of this contractor contributed 
greatly in retarding the progress of this edi- 
fice, which was the first one erected since the 
fire of 1805. On this account the work upon 
St. Anne's became suspended for a time for the 



BIOCRArFIIES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 



113 



want of fuiuls. He resorted to another expe- 
dient, lie now conceived the idea of con- 
structing fishing seines, for the ])uri)Ose of 
catching fish from the Detroit River, in order 
to raise the necessarj' funds to continue the 
work upon iiis church. Good fortune attended 
his enterpri.se, and the consequence was that a 
large quantitj- was salted and packed and sent 
forward to the eastern markets, and there 
found immediate sale, which enabled him to 
continue his labors on the church. The pro- 
ceeds of the sale of his fish, and what contri- 
butions his poor congregation were enabled to 
give from time to time, soon enabled him 
to complete tlie basement so as to be used as a 
chapel, and the services were held there for 
several yeairs after, until the upper part was 
finished. The mason-work was done b}" the 
day, under his immediate superintendence. 
The present bell in the eastern tower was 
saved from the steeple of the old church in the 
old town ; also the present pulpit, and two of 
the side altars. 

To Father Richard belongs the credit of im- 
porting from France the first organ and the 
first piano used in this part of the country. 
The little organ was used for a time by him, 
and given to the Trinity church (Irish) after 
his death. It is now used, I understand, in 
St. Joseph's church (German), on the corner 
of Orleans and Gratiot streets, in Detroit. 

In the j'car 1821 Father Ricliard had been 
invited to assist at the conclusion of the treaty 
by the Pottawatomie Indians between them 
and the governor of the Northwest, which was 
to take place at Chicago. He hoped to assist 
them in their petition to have a missionary 
stationed among them. From thence he pro- 
ceeded by land to Cincinnati, and was present 
at the ordination of the Rev. Viticent Badin, 
who, a few da3's after, accompanied liim to 
Detroit as an assistant missionary. In Decem- 
ber, 1822, there were only five churches, or 
chapels, in Michigan and the Northwest, with 
a Catholic population of about 6,000 whites, and 
a number among the different savage tribes of 
that region. For the service of this immense 
district of country at that time. Father Richard 
bad no assistance but that of Reverend Father 
Badin. 

In the year 1823 he was elected a delegate 
to represent the interests of Michigan in Con- 
gress. His competitors were General John R 



AViliiams and Major John IJidiilc. It was with 
the hope of being useful to his fellow-citizens, 
and of liquidating debts incurred in building 
his church, that he had consented to become a 
candidate for congressional honors. But the 
.seat was contested bj' Major Biddlc, upon the 
ground that he was not a citizen of the United 
States, as not having gone through the (brniula 
of naturalization. A committee of the House 
of Kepresentatives was ap])ointcd to investi- 
gate the case, and reported that it was not, in 
his case, necessary. His demeanor in the 
House commanded great respect ; he spoke but 
little, that little wisely, and accomplished 
much for his constituents. The appropriations 
for roads made at his instance, and other acts, 
attest the efficienc}' of his services in the 
national legislature, especially his exertions in 
behalf of the Indian tribes who belonged to 
his flock, who had made liim the bearer of 
many petitions to the President of the United 
States. 

After serving a term in Congress with honor 
to himself and credit to his constituents, he was 
again nominated and put forward by his 
friends against the late Austin E. Wing. The 
contest was quite warm and animated, but this 
time he was defeated, when six more votes 
would have elected him. Some of our French 
Catholic citizens would not support him, for 
the reason they thought that a priest had no 
business in legislative halls. His .salary- for 
the term he did serve w-as used b}- him in 
liquidating the debts he had incurred in build- 
ing St. Anne's church. The Rev. Father Gat- 
ilzin, a distinguished missionary of that perioii, 
remarked to him, " When I heard of your elec- 
tion to Congress I disapproved of it at once; 
but I have the honor to inform you that if you 
can manage to have a scat in Congress all your 
life, you will do more good for religion with 
your influence and salary than many other 
missionaries with all theirzcal and preaching." 
Mr. Levi E. Dolsen relates the following : 
"When Daniel Webster was in Detroit in 
1836, he made a speech in the old Cass orchard, 
about where James F. Joy's house now stands. 
After the speech, I remember, in speaking to 
me of our representative in Congress at that 
time, the Hev. Gabriel Richard, he paid Mr. 
Richard the high compliment of .'<aying that 
lie was the smartest foreigner he hail ever 
known. 



114 



HISTORY OF MONROE COIINTV, MICHIGAN. 



" Tliei'e was an intorestini; incident con- 
nected witli the election of Kicliard to Con- 
gress. He was a Catholic pi'iest, and came of 
the best blood of Prance. When the revolu- 
tion was beheading all the nobility, the Rev. 
Eichard wa.s ncarlj' caught by Robespierre. 
He jumped from a window, and a woman 
threw a teapot and cut an ugly gash in his 
cheek, the scar of which was in plain view to 
the end of his life. After living for several 
days in the sewers of Paris he escaped, and 
reached Baltimore in 1796. Two years later, 
in 1798, he reached Detroit. His statue is one 
of the four on the city hall. In 1823, just about 
the time the reverend gentleman was elected 
to Congress, a man named Labadie deserted 
his wife in Montreal, came to Detroit, married 
again, and engaged in the mercantile business. 
He was excommunicated from the church by 
the Rev. Father Richard, and the French 
people, who had been his principal patrons, 
stopped trading with him. Labadie procured 
the arrest of the priest for slander, and he was 
confined in jail. When tlie time came for him 
to go to Congress, the turnkey entered the 
corridor one morning, when the pi-iest ap- 
proached him with majestic mien, and a lofty 
wave of the hand, and said : 

"'Stand aside, I am on my way to Con- 
gress.' 

" The turnkej' was so overwhelmed with the 
majestic bearing of the man that he offered no 
opposition, and Father Richard took his seat 
on time. Ijiibadic afterward sued him and got 
a judgment of 11,1(10, but never collected a 
cent " 

Among the Pottawatomies, he, with Father 
Stephen Badin, labored wnth great success. 
Nothing can be more affecting or more edify- 
ing than the interview which took place in 
July, 1830, between the chief of this tribe, 
Pokegon, and Father Richard, to whom he 
had applied for a resident missionary. After 
supplicating the Father in the most earnest 
manner to send a priest to the Pottawatomies, 
ho observed to him that they prayed everj' 
morning and evening, men, women and chil- 
dren, and fasted two days before Sunday, 
according to the traditions of their ancestors. 
"There," said ho, " arc the prayers we have 
learned; see if I know them properlj'." Then 
falling upon his knees and making the sign of 
the cross with great respect, he recited the Our 



Father, Hail Mary, the Apostles Creed, and tlie 
Ten Commandments, without the slightest 
mistake. Father Richard was deeply affected 
by this address, and bj^ the means which had 
been placed in his bands by the " Association 
for the Propagation of the Faith," he was en- 
abled to provide more effectually for the wants 
of the district under his charge. He had the 
])leasure of seeing churches erected in different 
places, and schools established at Green Bay, 
Arbecrocke and St. Joseph's; and instead of 
one priest to assist him in his labors, he now 
had eight devoting themselves with zeal to the 
missionary work. 

In the year 1832 that scourge of nations, the 
Asiatic cholera, smote the people of Detroit 
and laid prostrate man)- of its inhabitants. 
Detroit, at this season, presented the sjiectacle 
of a deserted city, with nearly one-half of its 
inhabitants either dead or dying, and the rest 
had taken flight to other parts through fear. 
In the midst of this awful epidemic, Gabriel 
Richard was at his post, faithful and true to his 
flock. Amidst the dj-ing and the dead he was 
administering the consolations of religion, da}' 
and night; and though afflicted himself with 
.symptoms of the prevailing epidemic for nearly 
three months, and most of the time gi-eatly de- 
bilitated, he never ceased discharging the 
duties of his office with his accustomed zeal, 
until he was completely overpowered by dis- 
ease. When, a few days after the attack, he 
was informed that he could not survive it, he 
received the last sacrament of the church, and 
calmly expired with the words of the holy 
Simeon on his lips: " Now, O Lord, let thj' 
servant clei)art in peace, according to thj' 
word." Thus, after exercising his ministry 
nearly alone for the space of twenty-four 
j^ears, and after a residence in the city of 
Detroit of thirty-four years and six months, he 
departed this life on the 13th day of Septem- 
ber, A. 1). 1832, at the age of sixty-seven 
years, eleven months and two days. 

Bishop Fenwick, in speaking of him, said : 
■' He was the oldest, the most respectable, and 
the most meritorious missionary in Michigan." 
With this distinguished appreciation of Father 
Richard's worth as an apostle, he had no hesi- 
tation in recommending him, some yeai's be- 
fore his death, as a priest eminently qualified 
bj- his zeal, learning and piety, to be appointed 
the first Bishop of Detroit. 



BIOGRAPHIES OF EARI-Y SETTLERS. 



115 



Flis mortal remains now lie entombed in his 
own beloved St. Anne's church, and his immor- 
tal spirit has ascended to the Got! who ijavc it. 
He lives in the best affections of his people who 
yet survive him, and is engraven on their 
memories. 



ISADORE NAVARRE, 



Brother of Colonel Francis Navarre, came 
from Detroit some three ^-ears after his brother. 
He settled on the farm east of his brother and 
west of the Lake Shore railroad, on the south 
bank of the Kiver Raisin. lie was born in 
17l)S, at Detroit, and married in 1795 the 
daughter of Francois Descompto Labadie. 
Their eldest son, Isadore, born in 1796, though 
a mere stripling, served in the war of 1812. 
lie married Marie, daughter of Louis and Marie 
Joselte Lebeau. Monique, his daughter, mar- 
ried John Askin, eldest son of Colonel James 
Askin, of Sandwich. His eldest daughter, 
Agathe, was married to Lambert Conchois, who 
was then a clerk in the dry goods store of the 
late Hon. Daniel B. .Miller. At the old Catho- 
lic church, two miles above the then village of 
Monroe, Mr. Miller and Hon. Harry Conant, 
with their wives, attended the ceremony and 
wedding, and the eldest daughter of Daniel B. 
Miller, Agathe, now Mrs Zabriskee, was christ- 
ened, and took her name from Mrs. Conchois. 
Lambert Conchois' daughter married H. Du- 
rell ; Mrs. Durell inherited the two-storj- brick 
house and extensive grounds on Front street, 
the former residence of her father. 



ROBERT NAVARRE, 



The oldest son of Colonel Francis Navarre, 
was the first white male child born in the 
county of Monroe, and lived until the day of 
his death in Monroe, on the rear of tlie home- 
stead farm originally ceded to his father. He 
remained, until within a few days of his death, 
at the age of ninety years, in the full posses- 
sion of all his faculties, and at that late day 
has described to me with wonderful animation 
and through tears, the cruelties and atrocious 
barbarities of the Indians under Colonel Proc- 
tor at the massacre of the noble sons of Ken- 
tucky, very passionately describing them, and 
as vividly as though occurring before him. 



He had then attained his twentj-first year, and 
was living with his father ; he was awakened 
before daybreak on the morning of the defeat 
of General Winchester b\- his father's arousing 
General Winchester and his officers, who were 
somewhat bewildered at hearing from the 
battleground the booming of cannon, the sharp 
crack of the rifle and report of musketry. 
Robert Navarre, with Platte Navarre, his 
cousin, who, for many years, and until his 
death, resided in the rear of the church farm, 
so called, about one and a half miles north of 
the River Raisin on the road to Flat Rock, 
both of whom were enlisted in the cavalry 
(now well remembered by our citizens), with 
others that were pressed into the service, were, 
with their ponies and French trains, u.sed in 
transporting the wounded American prisoners 
that had escaped the tomahawk and scalping 
knife, from Frenchtown to Maiden. His family 
reside in this vicinity. 



JOSEPH ROBERT. 

The representations of Colonel Francis Na- 
varre on his return to Detroit gave a glowing 
description to the French Canadians of Detroit 
and those residing opposite Detroit on the 
Canadian side of the river. He told of the 
banks on either side of the River Raisin, with 
vines laden with clusters of wild grapes; the 
rich soil, admirably adapted for farming pur- 
po.ses, with prairie and heavily timbered land ; 
with a river abounding in whitefish, sturgeon, 
l)ickerel and bass, with fine opportunities for 
trapping. By his representations he induced 
about one hundred families, in the years 1788 
and 1784, to emigrate and settle on the River 
Raisin. Joseph Robert, the subject of this 
sketch, and his brotliers Isadore and Francis 
were of the number, all of whom purchased 
farms on the south side of the rivci-. Jose])h 
purchased the right, title and interest acquired 
by possession of one Labrush, a Yankee who 
had married a squaw. This farm, before plat- 
ting into city lots, was known as the Suzor 
farm, the front part of which is now owned by 
the heirs of Peter Tatro and George W. Strong 
and the rear by the new Monroe County Agri- 
cultural Society and the .Agricultural and Live 
Slock Improvement Compan}'. The site of 
the log house built by Joseph Robert was upon 



116 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tlie rise oC gi-duiid back from the rivci-, and 
was tlie same as tlie pi'esent site of the two- 
story frame building owned by the heirs of 
Tatro. It had a comniauding view of the 
Britisli forces and their operations at the time 
of the massacre of 1813. Joseph Robert was 
the fathoi' of eigiit sons and f(Mir daugiiters. 
Stephen, the eldest, is now eighty-five yeai's 
of age, and remarkabl}- well ])reserved; he 
was boi'n on the homestead flirm ; now resides 
in the third ward of the city of Monroe. His 
sister Monique married John Lemerand, the 
father of Eli Lemerand, for two years the 
supervisor of the fourth ward in the city of 
Monroe, now deceased. Mary Ann married 
Stephen Reaume, who owned and occupied the 
farm on the opposite side of the River Raisin, 
composing a part of the homestead farm now 
owned and occupied by Mr. Dubois. Clara 
married a brother of John Lemerand, and 
Mary married Lyman McQuillen ; Joseph 
married Miss Latone ; Hubert married Miss 
Reaume; and Alexis married Miss Geshon — 
all residents of Monroe count}-. 

The French settlers were, with few excep- 
tions, in full sympathy with the Americans, 
and hostile in feeling to tiio British and their 
allies. Thej' were regarded by the Indians as 
entitled to their protection, and were seldom 
hy tliem molested, while the Indians associated 
with the British army seldom lost an opportu- 
nity of killing, scalping and tomahawking the 
Americans. Mr. Joseph Robert very distinctly 
remembers, though but a lad at the time, the 
scenes at the homestead on the morning of the 
second battle The floor, and in fact all of the 
available room, was occupied with contractors 
and those in various ways connected with the 
American army. They were all aroused by a 
cannon ball, which carried away one end of 
the gable roof of the house. Immediately 
thereafter the bullets were flying thick. The 
blinds were closed as soon as possible, and the 
famil}' sought refuge in the cellar, while the 
men were advised to and did flee by the marsh 
and Plaisance Bay on the ice, as the forests in 
the rear and south were swarming with hostile 
Indians. One Henderson lingered on account 
of his children, who had with him fled to 
Robert's for safetj', whom he reluctantl}' left 
with Mr. Robert and fled for Ohio, Mr. Robert 
assuring him that if he remained he would not 
only be killed, but his (Robert's) family would 



be slaughtered for harboring a Yankee, or Big 
Knife, as they were termed by the Indians. 

Prior to the second battle, Messrs. Mul- 
hollen, Egnew and Hunter drove and left with 
Mr. Robert a large number of live stock, be- 
lieving they would be safe with him, and fled 
for Ohio. Mr. Robert subsequently received a 
letter from an official of the British army at 
Maiden, requesting him to come to Maiden. 
He complied with the request and returned 
with over a bushel of silver coin, all in quarter 
of a dollar pieces, authorized to comjiensate 
Mulhollen, Egnew and Hunter for the stock 
seized from Robert. On the morning after the 
defeat of General Winchester's army, one 
Indian chief with eleven followers came into 
the house, laden with scalps of killed and 
wounded American soldiers, threw them down 
on the middle of the floor, and required the 
women to tear from all the windows the calico 
curtains and the bed curtains ; they then appro- 
priated them for wraj^ping and tying up the 
scalps. Soon thereafter Joseph Robert re- 
moved his family for safety to Detroit, and did 
not return home until the following October. 

Francis Robert, brother of Joseph, and 
father of our highly esteemed citizen, Antoine 
F. Robert, owned and occupied until the specu- 
lating days of 1835, the eastern farm on the 
south side of the River Raisin, the Iront of 
which is occupied by warehouses and docks, 
and now owned by our fellow-citizen, the Hon. 
Joseph M. Sterling. 



JAMES MULHOLLEN, 

A boy seven years of age, with his father's 
family emigrated from Ireland, and first set- 
tled in Steuben count}', in the State of New 
York. At the age of twenty-one he married 
Sarah Egnew, the daughter of Samuel Egnew, 
and in the year 1806 with a family of five 
children, Polly, Eliza, John, James and Jane, 
sought a home in the western wilderness. With 
Samuel Egnew ho purchased at six dollars per 
acre the tract now constituting part of the first 
ward of tlie city of Monroe, fronting upon the 
south side of the River Raisin, bounded on the 
east b}- the United States turnpike, and on the 
west bj' the western boundary of the German 
Lutheran church, extending south from the 
river to Plumb Creek. The west half of the 



BIOGRAPHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 



117 



farm b}' the division fell to Mr. Janu's Miilhol- 
len, and the east to Samuel Egnew. The .site 
of the first log-house is now occupied by the 
German Catholic school house, opposite the 
" Isle of Patnios," formerly the residence of 
Charles James Lanman, and subsequently that 
of George B. Harleston, adjoining the German 
Catholic church. The roads on the north and 
south borders of the Eiver liaisin followed the 
meandering of the river for ten miles west. 
The site of the village (now cit}') of Monroe 
was at that time occupied as farming land, and 
ton years thereafter was platted by Joseph 
Loranger into village lots. 

Of the family of nine children, five were 
born before the removal to the River Raisin; 
one of whom, Jane, died at the age of fourteen. 

Polly, who married Otia Stowell, for many 
years resided on what is known as the Bacon 
lot, on Monroe street, now owned by Elizabeth 
Custer, widow of the late General George 
Custer. 

Eliza married James Cortiell. who fi)ll()wed 
the trade of a carpenter in Monroe. He pur- 
chased a larm on the United States turnpike 
leading from Monroe to Maumee, about eight 
miles south of Monroe, erected a two story brick 
house, the first in the town of Ei'ie, and foi- 
many years kept a hotel. 

John MulhoUen, son of James, for many 
years and until the infirmities of age disquali- 
fied him, was a very daring, courageous and 
efficient executive officer of the city and county. 
He married for his first wife Abby Choate,and 
for his second wife the widow of Silas Lewis, 
one of the pioneers of the county. 

James Mulhollen purchased and resided upon 
to the time of his death, a farm about seven 
miles south of Monroe, upon which James, one 
of his sons, still resides. 

Four children were born after the arrival of 
.lames Mulhollen on the Eiver liaisin, viz.: 
Samuel, Sarah, Aurilia and Daniel. 

Sanuiel, who married Miss Gager, of Monrge, 
purchase<l a farm one mile south of Vienna, 
which is under a high state of cultivation ; was 
very prosperous and quite ])romiiient as a 
. politician in the town and county. One of his 
daughters married the Hon. Christian Ilertzler, 
i'or many years supervisor of the town of Erie 
and member of the State legislature. His 
daughter Cora married Dr. Brigham, a jirac- 
ticing physician of Toledo. 



Aurilia married Sylve.sttM- Brown, a very 
successful farmer of eminent ])iety. In hisohl 
age they sold the farm and purchased a i-esi- 
dencc in the cit}^ of Monroe, whore they lived 
the remainder of their days. 

Sarah married John P. Eowc, a gentleman of 
culture, a graduate of Middlebury College, 
who for some time alter he arriveil at the 
River Raisin, taught a very popular school in 
Monroe. He was very industrious, energetic 
and persevering, and accumulated a large for- 
tune, owning at the time of his death a number 
of valuable farms in Erie. Their only daughtei- 
married George Kirtland, and is now a widow, 
residing on a highl}' cultivated farm four miles 
south of Vienna inherited from her father. 
Their only son, Charles Rowe, is like his father 
in many respects. He is the owner of a num- 
ber of farms in the town of Erie, has an elei,'ant 
brick residence near Vienna, with all modern 
improvements, capacious barns, very valuable 
improved stock of blooded cattle and horses, to 
which he has given much time and attention. 
He married Sarah Ivinney, of Pennsylvania. 
They are highly esteemed as neighbors, and 
deservedly popular as citizens. Mrs. Sarah 
Rowe, the mother of Charles, was a lady of 
cultivation and refinement — eminent for her 
piety and Christian virtues — a very liberal 
contributor to all charitable purposes, espe 
cially in the interest she manifested in the pros- 
perity of the First Presbyterian church of Erie, 
of which she was one of the early members 
and founders. To the building of the new- 
brick church and parsonage she very liberallj' 
contributed. Her removal by death in the 
spring of 1887, aged over eighty years, was 
mourned by the citizens of Erie and Monroe, 
who appreciated her worth and Christian 
character. 

Daniel Mulhollen, the youngest son of James 
Mulhollen, inherited from his father the home- 
stead farm, situated two miles south of Monroe 
on the main road from Monroe to Toledo. He 
resided thereon up to the time of his death, at 
the age of seventy-four j'ears. He was a very 
successful farmer. Married Elizabeth Choate, 
of Monroe. Had a family of eight children. 
The son Daniel married Selena Iveson, owns 
the farm directly south of the old homestead, 
and has built a handsome and spacious two- 
story brick house, with fine barns, and is re- 
garded as one of the best and most prosperous 



118 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



fanners iu the county. They have two chi 
(Jren : Allen, aged Hi; Gertrude, aged 9. 



JAMKS BKXTLEY 

W'a.s born >{oveniber 5, 1784, in England; was 
a s:oldier and fought in the battle of Copen- 
hagen, but deserted in August, 1803, and came 
to the River Raisin, joining the American 
army under Captain Isaac Lee. He enlisted 
the same dav with the " Robb boys," neigh- 
bors on the farm next adjoining on the west 
(the Downing farm). James Bentley, imme- 
diately after the surrender of Winchester's 
army, with sixteen others joined Harrison's 
army at Mauniee, and fought at the battle of 
Fort Meigs. While stationed at Fort Meigs ho 
frequently ran the gauntlet with others to pro- 
cure water for the fort from the river. Sur- 
rounded as it then was by the British and 
Indians, it proved very hazardous, as many 
thus employed were picked off by Indians 
concealed in ambush. He was regarded as 
very courageous, and w'as often sent on the 
most hazardous enterprises in can-ying orders 
from post to post through the then vast wilder- 
nesses of Ohio and Michigan. He carried the 
mail from Maumee to Detroit, sometimes on 
horseback by the Indian trails, and often in a 
canoe with an Indian to paddle the boat. He 
fought at the battle of the Thames, and saw 
the bodj- of the Indian chief Tecumseh soon 
after he was killed by Colonel Richard M. 
Johnson, assisting James Knaggs and Medard 
Labadie in carrying Colonel Johnson from the 
battlefield when wounded. During the war 
the same trio captured a British officer, Mc- 
Culloch by name, on account of which a re- 
ward of five hundred dollars was offered for 
the capture and delivery at Maiden of each of 
them. 

James Bentley was married in 1816 to 
Amanda Barker, w'ho came to River Raisin in 
May, 1815, with her step-father, H. Brooks, in 
an open boat from the Huron river. Stephen 
Downing, father of Nelson Downing, now in 
Montana, accompanied thorn on their bois- 
terous and dangerous trip. James Bentley 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. In 1817 he settled on the farm in the 
town of Monroe commonly known by the 
family name as the "Bentley farm," and lived 



thereon until his death, which occurred August 
13, 1864, leaving four .sons and six daughters. 
Samuel A. Bentley was born in 1810; now re- 
sides in Allegan, Michigan. James was born 
August 14, 1822; now resides iu Kent countj', 
Michigan. John was born September 18, 1824; 
resides at Rock Falls, Illinois. William, born 
January 1.5, 1839, resides at Ipswich. Dakota. 
The oldest daughter, Tryphena, was born in 
1817; married Harlow P. Hawkins, who re- 
sided until very recently on his farm on the 
Plaisance Baj- road, near the citj- of Monroe. 
Clymene Bentley was born January 11, 1827; 
married Robert Clark, now living in Lasselle, 
in Monroe county. Mary M. Beutlej', born in 
1829, married James M. Martin, now residing 
in Monroe. Emmie, born February 18, 1832, 
resides with lier mother in the city of Monroe. 
Amanda, born April 9, 1841, married William 
Stoddard, the son of oneof the pioneers, Orson 
Stoddard. Eliza was born September 25, 1844 ; 
married Jabez Smith; resides at Saline, Wash- 
tenaw county, ^lichigan. 



JACQUES LASSELLK, 



Brother of Colonel Francis and Antoine Las- 
selle, was the most enterprising and shi-ewdest 
Indian trader of the three brothers, and became 
by far the wealthiest man in the Territorj- 
outside of Detroit. He always had in his em- 
ploy a large number of Indians, half-breeds 
and Canadian Frenchmen. Some fortj- log- 
houses were built by him on the north side of 
the River Raisin, about five miles above the 
then town of Frenchtown, now city of Monroe, 
on the land known as the Caldwell tract. As 
late as the year 1836 forty-five farms, mostly 
on the north and south banks of the River 
Raisin, were owned by Mrs. Major Caldwell, 
inherited from her father, Jacques Lasselle. At 
an earl)- day quite a controversy arose between 
the settlers located on the Caldwell tract (it 
being quite a village) and those on the banks 
of the River Raisin (constituting now the citj' 
of Monroe) as to where the first Catholic church 
should bo placed. A compromise was effected 
by locating it midway between the two on the 
Momonie and Hivon farm, two and a half miles 
above the citj-. 

The Lasselles were natives of Montreal, allied 
and related to the celebrated explorer and ad 



BIOGRAPHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 



119 



venturer, Robert De La Salle, promiucnt in all 
histories and sketches of the early explorers 
and adventurers in the nortliwest territory. 
The Lasselles made all their purchases at 
Montreal lor stocking their trading-posts and 
stores with goods and merchandise for traffic 
with the Indians, and transported them l)y 
large pirogues and canoes, or small boats man- 
ned by four or six half-breeds and Frenchmen. 
On one of the return trips Mr. Jacques Las- 
sella accompanied his two daughters, Marie 
Antoinette and Julia, to Montreal, and placed 
them in the convent, where they remained a 
number of years and returned very attractive 
and accomplished young ladies, .lulia married 
a Mr. Percy, died young and without issue. 
-Marie Antoinette inherited the large fortune 
of her father, and married Major Caldwell, an 
oflScer of the British army. It is said by the 
early settlers that he was (with what authority 
I cannot state) an officer under Colonel Proctor 
at the battle of the River Raisin. Major Cald- 
well retired under half paj- from the British 
Government on the farm four miles west of the 
present city of Monroe. He was a very cour- 
teous, refined and cultivated gentleman of 
elegant leisure, unaccustomed to labor, and 
spent the most of the latter part of his life in 
his library ; also made extensive collections of 
minerals, birds and Indian relics. Well do I 
remember how wonderful and interesting the 
collection appeared to me, having never before 
as a boj' witnessed anything to me so marvelous. 
The eldest daughter, Adeline, married tiie late 
Hon. Frank Johnson, who was for years before 
his marriage employed b\" Major Calilwell as a 
private teacher in his family. The major had 
a large family of .sons and daughters; all of 
those now living reside in the county of ifon- 
roe. Mrs. Caldwell lived to a good old age, 
and died at Monroe Dec. HI, 1881, one of the 
most accomplished ladies of her day. Ciiarles 
H. Caldwell, a grandson of Major Caldwell, 
resides in Monroe, and is now associated with 
the office of the Monroe iJemocra?, published in 
this city, and at this time clerk of the county 
of Monroe. 

ANTOINK LA8SKLLE, 

Uue of the earliest Indian traders before the 
War of 1812, settled on the farm on the north 
side of the River Raisin, and built the first two- 



stor^' brick residence in the settlement. The 
farm was owned for many years and known as 
the Noyes W. Wadsworth farm ; the latter 
gentleman set out the maple trees that consti- 
tute the beautiful grove in front of the Ives 
farm (so called), now owned by the lion. 
Samuel P. Williams, of Lima, Indiana. 



aJLONia. FRANCI.S LASSKI.l.K 

And his brothers Jacques and Antoine were 
the earliest Indian traders in this vicinity. 
Colonel Francis settled on the farm on the 
north side of the River Raisin commonly 
known as the Humphrey farm, now owned and 
occupied by the heirs of the late Hon. David 
A. Noble. His store was in a log-house on his 
farm, situated on the north border of the river, 
on the north side of the road — the road in 
those days following the bank of the river. 1 
well remember him as an exceedingly coui'- 
teous old gentleman, with a very pleasing ad- 
dress. His beautiful and accomplished daughter 
married the late David Navarre, son of Francis 
Navarre, and father of Frank Navarre. The 
latter has been for many years and is now the 
deservedly popular baggagemastcr at the Lake 
Shore depot in this city. 



.lAMES MOOItE 

came to the River Raisin in the year ISOU, and 
settled upon the farm known as the Gale farm. 
He had but one child, Martha, who inhei'ited 
the farm. In the summer of 1812, he, in com- 
mon with the Americans on the River Raisin, 
escaped to Ohio. At the time of his escape 
the country south of the River Raisin was in- 
fested with Indians, and communication with 
Ohio intercepted. Mr. Moore, with his wife 
and daughter, took a northerly course on horse- 
back ; swam their horses from Trenton to 
Grosse Isle, pursued by the Indians. Previous 
to leaving, the Indians had plundered the house 
of everj'thing excepting a set of silver spoons. 
Mr. Moore and his family escaped from Grosse 
Isle in a bark canoe", paddling along the lake 
shore until they reached Cleveland. He re- 
turned with his family to the River Raisin in 
1814, with Messrs. Samuel Mulhollen and 
Egnew. Mr. Moore died in 182G ; his wife 



120 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



survived him until the year 1842. His daugh- 
ter married, late in the fall of 1817, Samuel 
Gale, who subsequently sold the east part of 
the farm to the county of Monroe. He was a 
millwright, and built most of the mills on the 
River Raisin. Died in the \ ear 1848. The 
west part of the farm was afterwards sold by 
the estate to the county of Monroe, and is now 
known as the poor-house farm. 

Samuel and Martha (Moore) Gale had eleven 
children: William P. Gale, the father of Austin 
Gale; the latter now resides in Monroe, a very 
successful teacher iu vocal and instrumental 
music. Mar}-, who first married Mr. Frisbee, 
to whom Edgar and Emma were born ; she 
subsequently married Luther Bisbee ; Nellie 
was the daughter of the second marriage. Hib- 
bard, who married and had three children; 
moved to Wisconsin, and from thence to 
Kansas. James, now deceased, has three chil- 
dren living at Ludington. Jerusha and Martha 
died unmarried. Joseph Gale married Mrs. 
Harrington; now residents of Monroe. Nathan 
lived on the homestead farm, where he died, 
leaving five children, who now reside in the 
State of New York. Lydia married Henry 
Younglove, and resides on the farm on the 
south side of the River Raisin, in Raisinvillc, 
on the east part of the farm known as the 
Farwell form. Henry was shot in a battle 
near Richmond in 1864. Franklin was killed 
at the battle of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862. 



SAMUEL EGNEW, 



In consequence of the contests in Ireland be- 
tween the Orangemen and Defenders or Rib- 
bonmen, felt the necessity of seeking a home 
elsewhere. He came to America, and first 
settled in Steuben county, in the State of New 
. York, where James MulhoUen resided, who 
had preceded him about ten years. In 1806 
he came to the River Raisin with James Mul- 
hoUen, who had married his daughter, Sarah. 
They together jiurchased at six doUai-s per 
acre the tract lying between Monroe sti'eet and 
Smith street, the German Catholic church 
property being on the west line, and fronting 
on the river, and extending south to Plumb 
Creek, comprising the eastern part of the first 
ward of the city of Monroe. This tract was 
divided, Egnew taking for his part the west 



half, and James MulhoUen the east half Jarcd, 
the son of Samuel Egnew, a prosperous and 
highlj' esteemed farmer, is now living in the 
town of Erie, for many years an elder in the 
Presbyterian church of Erie. Samuel Egnew 
was a very courageous and energetic pioneer, 
and for some time prior to and during the War 
of 1812, enjoyed the confidence of American 
officers, and frequently carried messages and 
orders between the different posts of the Ameri- 
can army. 

JACQUES NAVARRE, 

Brother of Colonel Francis Navarre, joint 
owner with him of the large tract ceded by the 
Pottawatomie Indians by deed, a fac-siraile of 
which may be found opposite page 94, occupied 
that portion of the tract which adjoins, and is 
bounded on the east by the Hull road, now 
Lake Shore railroad, which he occupied to the 
time of his death. Mrs. Mary Ann Navarre, 
widow of the late Mr. Jacques Navarre, was 
born in Detroit, and was the daughter of the 
late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lafertier, one of the 
oldest and most respectable French families of 
that city, and therefore participators in manj^ 
of the thrilling scenes incident to those eai'ly 
times in the frontier of Michigan. Her hus- 
band was a brother of the late Colonel Fran- 
cis Navari'e, and was one of several brothers of 
the Navarre family, who, by their valor and 
manly daring in the defense of our country 
against the enemy in the War of 1812, have 
given their name a conspicuous place in the 
history of that war and of Michigan, and by 
their high sense of honor in their private deal- 
ings with men, as well as bj- their warm hos- 
pitality in sharing their home comforts and 
social pleasures with the weary traveler and 
pioneer of the West in their early times, have 
endeared their memory to the old inhabitants 
of River Raisin and Detroit, and secured for 
their descendants a high respect from all who 
knew them. Mrs. Navarre died October 20, 
1863; she was a very fine old lady, much loved 
and esteemed bj^ a large circle of friends and 
relatives for her kind and amiable disposition 
and Christian devotion to her church. Those 
of us who knew something of the courtly 
manners and social characteristics that dis- 
tinguished the early French of Detroit and 
River Raisin, note with sadness their rapid 




^,J^^^^M^^i>9u/ti:r 



BIOGRAPHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 



121 



disappearance from our midst, giving place to 
a more lieartless and speculative generation 
that succeeds them. We loolc upon and think 
of the noble and generous witli admiration, 
but seldom to emulate ; j-ielding rather tu the 
corrupting i-nfluencc of the busy lim)ng tiiat 
surrounds us. 



JOS^:I'II BISSONETTE, 



A Canadian, tirst settled in Detroit. About the 
year 1800 he removed to the Kiver Kaisin, and 
settled upon tiie farm on the south side of tlie 
river, containing about two hundred acres, the 
fi'ontof which larm is now owned and occupied 
by Mr. Kline. Joseph married Eunice Robert. 
The children of this marriage were Jo.seph, 
Alexander, Gabriel, David and Antoiue ; Mar}', 
who married Joseph Chovin ; Catharine, who 
married Peter Valle(|uct; Pelisha, who married 
Alexis Nadeau ; Julia, wiio married William 
Brown ; and V'ictorie, who married Richard 
Mettez. 

Joseph Bi-ssonette lived on this farm during 
the War of 1812, but .sent his family for safety 
to Detroit. He was a great favorite with the 
Indians by whom he was surrounded, and quite 
intimately acquainted with Shawenaw-Jiah, 
Wassagan and i'onette, the chiefs of tlireo of 
the tribes, through whose influence lie was 
protected from depredations of the savages. 
Gabriel, one of the sons, then a little boy, was 
adopted by one of the chiefs, Shawenaw-Bah. 
The child was a source of anuisenient to the 
chiefs, who enjoyed making him dance. The 
chiels ceded his father for the benefit of 
Gabriel one-half section of land on the Macon, 
all signing a parchment conveying the tract. 
But Joseph, the lather, then owned two large 
farms, and as land was at that time considered 
of little value, the gift was not appreciated. 
At this time Father IJichard, when in. this 
vicinity in discharge of his duties as a pi'iest 
of the Catholic church, gcnerall}- made it his 
home with Mr. Joseph Bissonettc, and usually 
had the services of Mr. Bissonettc, who was 
familiar with the Indian trails as guide to the 
various tribes of Indians. Father liichard 
suggested to Mr. Bissonettc a gift of this tract 
i on the Macon to the Catholic church, as he then 
1 had more than he and his family could cultivate. 
I He readily complied with the suggestion, and 



ceded the tract, expecting it would inure t(j the 
benefit of St. Mary's Catholic church, of Monroe, 
but by some mistake it was ceded to St. Anne's 
church of Detroit. This tract was for many 
years known as the Macon Reservation, and 
was subsequently sold by St. Anne's church of 
Detroit to the Hon. Isaac P. Christiaticy, who 
opened and developed the stone quarry- thereon 
of a very superior quality for building purposes ; 
he also built a two story stone dwelling and 
mills thereon. 

Gabriel Bissonettc, the son of Joseph Bisso 
nettc, was born in tlie year 1810, on the home- 
stead farm; was vei-y well acquainted with Major 
Caldwell, from whom he learned his catechism. 
Major Caldwell was a member of the Protestant 
K))iscopal church prior to coming to Michigan, 
but became here a member of the Catholic 
church, to which ho adhered ihe rest ot his 
life. Ho was an officer under Colonel Proctor 
in the British army at the time of the massacre 
at the liiver Raisin; was from a wealthy and 
influential family in Montreal, at which place 
he made the acquaintance of Miss l>asselle, who 
subsequently became his wife. She survived 
the Major a number of years, and died at the 
residence of her daughter in Monroe in ISS.'i. 
Major Caldwell during life received a pension 
from the British Government, and was in 
sympathy with the British Government and 
regarded by the American citizens for some 
time after the w'ar with suspicion. 

To return to Gabriel Bissonettc from this 
digression. He was married to Mary Davis, to 
whom were born Charles and Daniel, now 
living in Grand Rapids; John, now living at 
Stillwater, Minnesota; Martha, married Mr. 
Beach, living at Midland ; Mar}', married John 
Golden, who resides at Bay City, a justice of 
the peace. By his second marriage to Bridget 
Xavy, were born James and Joseph, who reside 
at Grand Rapids; Louis >.'apoleon, lives at Bay 
City; and Richard, now living with his parents; 
the daughter, Margarette, was married to 
Thomas Adams, Esq., an attorney and coiin- 
selor-at-law in Monroe ; Annie \'ictorie, mar- 
ried William Fisher, now resides in Bay City ; 
and Emily, now single. Mr. Gabriel Bissonettc 
at the age of forty removed to Ionia, in Michi- 
gan, and remained there eighteen years, then 
returned to Monroe county and pui-chased of 
EUeroy Cicott, one of the sons ol' John Bt. 
Cicott, the farm on the north side of Ihe river 



122 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



about one atid oiie-lialf miles wost of Monroe, 
generally known as the Cicott farm. 

The houses on the Lasselle farms (afterwards 
Caldwell farms), as well as those on the river, 
were one story and a half log-houses, with a 
chimney built of clay. A very capacious fire- 
place was at one end of the building, a gable 
window at the other end, accessible by a rough 
ladder from tlie outside ; a front door with a 
window on each side, and opposite it a looking- 
glass, with a fiddle on one side and a crucifi-x 
on the other. 

Mr. Gabriel Bissonette still lives with us in 
good health, with the manners of a Parisian 
gentleman, one of the most intelligent of the 
French citizens, highly esteemed, and a very 
exemplary and devoted member of the Catholic 
church. 



BENJAMIN TIBBETTS 



Was born at French town, November 9, 1804. 
His parents were natives of Ehode Island. His 
father was a sea-captain before his removal to 
the then far West. He was in command of a 
vessel at the time of his death, which was acci- 
dental, the result of falling through an open 
hatchway in the darkness at the dock at De- 
troit. The mother of Benjamin Tibbetts re- 
moved immediately after her husband's death 
to Freuchtown, three months jjrior to the birth 
of Benjamin. Benjamin, though a youth at 
that time, remembers distinctly the burning of 
the buildings in which the Kentuckians were 
confined, and from his home could hear the 
shrieks of the doomed men. He frequently 
accompanied his mother on her errands of 
mercy to relieve the wants and pi-ovide for the 
comfort of the imprisoned captives, which 
gave the family- a deep personal interest in their 
welfare. The succeeding horrors made a pev- 
manent impression on the mind of the youth- 
ful Benjamin. A full and connected account 
of his child life would exceed in interest and 
hairbreadth escapes many works of fiction. 
His life and the lives of the family were in 
many instances saved bj- their ability in speak- 
ing the French language. The Indians in a 
number of instances lifted him up by his light 
hair, and flourishing their scalping knives 
asked him whether he was French or Yankee. 
His fluent French with his blue eyes and fair 
complexion puzzled them, and they were un- 



certain as to duty. The period after Hull's 
surrender, when the country was in the posses- 
sion of the British, was a time of especial peril. 
Mr. Tibbetts' experience with a half-breed 
Indian boy, the .son of a British officer, nearly 
resulted in his captui'e and death. He acci- 
dentally- shot an arrow which hit the boy over 
the eye, making a black and blue spot. The 
boy went to his mother with the grievance, 
and she, a fierce squaw, took an older son 
and a large rope and immediately started on 
the war-path to revenge the insult. The 
grandmother of Benjamin saw her coming and 
hid him between two feather beds. A six-acre 
field of oats opposite their house was trodden 
down and served as an encampment for about 
fifty Indians. Benjamin's mother fled to seek 
the protection of the British officer command- 
ing. He did not choose or dare to cross as a 
rule the inclinations of the Indians, but in this 
case told her if she would hide the boy near a 
high board fence which separated their yard 
from the street, that he would ride by on horse- 
back; to be on the lookoutfor him, and if the boy 
could be on the fence at the moment he rode 
by he would take him on his horse to the fort, 
as he could not protect him elsewhere. In an 
opportune moment his mother removed him 
from the house to the shelter of some large cur- 
rant bushes in the garden. While waiting 
there for the noise of approaching hoofs, the In- 
dians passed within six feet of them. At a 
signal given by his mother he mounted the 
fence, so high that the feat at any other time 
seemed impossible. The officer took him 
to the fort, where he remained until Detroit 
was again in the possession of the American 
forces and the Ironsides family were back in 
Canada. While in the fort the soldiers amused 
themselves by trying to hire him to become a 
British boy, but the inducements were indig- 
nantly repelled. 



HENRY DISBROW 



Was born in Trenton, New Jersey, July 9, 
1773. He married Sarah Anderson at Trenton, 
May 30, 1794; she was born August 30, 1775, 
and died at Monroe December 7, 1859, aged 
eighty-four. The^' had one son and four 
daughters: Henry V^. Disbrow was born in 
Dayton, Kentucky, November 1, 1798 ; married 
Harriet Cummings, of Detroit, where he was 



BIOGRAPHIES OK EARLY SETTLERS. 



123 



a iiUTcliant for mauy years, tlion removed to 
Galesburg, Illinois, where ho died July 7, 1851. 
Achsah was born in Trenton, New Jersej-, 
February It!, 1795; married Colonel (Jreen of 
Kentucky. Elizabeth was born in Kentucky 
December IG, 1796; married Oliver Jolinson at 
the River Raisin July 23, 1818; they had one 
son, Charles G. Johnson, now residinj^ in Mon- 
roe, and one daughter, Elizabeth, who married 
Talcott E. Wing, of Monroe, and died Septem- 
ber 26, 1857. Mary was born at Dayton, Ohio, 
February 13, 1809; married to Thomas G. 
Cole, a merchant of Monroe, January 27, 1828; 
Thomas G. was born F'ebruary 24, ISOd, and 
died at Detroit January 25, 1862. 

The children of Thomas G. and Mary 
(Disbrow) Cole were as follows : Sarah E., 
born October 22, 1828, who married James A. 
Raj-ner at Monroe October 19, 1858; died in 
New York January 21, 1885, leaving two 
daughters — Anna, who married Mr. Wells, of 
New York, and Lizzie, wlio married Mr. Bu.sh, 
of New York, now deceased. James Luther, 
born August 25, 1830; died April 25, 1880. 
Eliza was born August 9, 1832 ; married (ieorge 
W. Armitage I)ecember 7, 1853; had one son, 
Thomas, and two daughters, Harriet and Mary; 
Mary was married to Nelson Phinney,a law3'er, 
who resides in Kansas. Henry T., born Decem- 
ber 9, 1834; married Emily Paulditig, daughter 
of Morrison Paulding, of Monroe; iiad three 
sons, William, Thomas and Morrison, all resid- 
ing in Monroe; married for his .second wife Marv 
Kendall, daughter of Nathan N. Kendall, of 
Monroe. Daniel T., born January 19, 1837: 
now residing in Monroe. Harriet Francis, 
born February 8, 1839; married Frank Tryon, 
a merchant of New York, July 25, 1865; had 
two daughter.s, Sarah and Anna. Mary Dis- 
brow, born February 17,1846; married John 
M. Bulkley June 22, 1865,merchant of Monroe ; 
has one son, Henry Conant Bulklej-, and one 
daughter, Mary, living. 

Henr}" Disbrow was in Detroit at the time 
war was declared with Great Britain ; he had 
gone there with a load of provisions, and did 
not return to his family for about two j-ears. 
He was made a prisoner of war while visiting 
his wife in Sandwich, Canada, at the residence 
of Major Caldw-ell. Mr. Kenzie was captured 
at the same time and was with Mr. Disbrow 
placed under a guard of Indians. Mr. Disbrovv 



was released, but Kenzie was placed in irons 
and sent to Montreal. 

When Henry Disbrow removed his family 
to the River Raisin, the}^ came in a schooner 
from Sandusky and landed in front of the 
farm he subsequent!}^ bought of Menard. [)ia- 
brow afterwards sold the farm to Charles J. 
Lanman, and Lanman to Stuart, who platted 
it as a subdivision known as Stuart Plat. A tier 
selling the farm Mr. Disbrow removed to De- 
troit, remained there two years, then returned 
to Monroe. He purchased in an unfinished 
condition the McComb Street House, of Mr. 
Taylor, a lawyer. 

Mr. Disbrow was b}- profession a surveyor, 
but for a number of years both before and after 
the War of 1812 he was engaged as a merchant, 
tran.s2)orting goods from Dayton and dispos- 
ing of ihem at River Raisin and Detroit. At 
one time he had a store on Front street, Mon- 
roe, opposite the grocery of James Nadeau. 
While occupying this place one Tebo, a French- 
man, burglarized the store. The thief was de- 
tected and punished on the public square at 
the whipping-po.st witli fifty lashes save one on 
ills bare back, ad ministered by John Mulhollen 
and Miles Thorp. Well do I remember seeing 
and hearing tlie blows of the rawhide, which 
drew blood at nearly every stroke, and how 
shocking it was to my feelings in common with 
those of the bj-.stander8. 

Mr. Disbrow was a gentleman of great 
strength and force of character, highly es- 
teemed as a citizen, and was at the time of his 
death and for many years previous an elder 
in the First Presbyterian church of Monroe. 



ALEX 18 SOLEAU, 

The grandfather of Touissant Soleau and 
Frank X. Soleau, at present merchants of this 
city, came from France at a very early day, 
and was among the first settlers on the River 
Raisin. He purchased a farm on liis arrival at 
Detroit, in Springwells, now West Detroit, and 
subsequently exchanged ids farm in Spring- 
wells for the Doctor Clark farm, now owned 
and occupied in part b}' Mr. Andrew Beier as a 
residence, and a large portion by I. E. Ilgian- 
fritz as a nursery. Ho exchanged tho Clark 
farm for a farm on Sandy Creek, three miles 



124 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



noi-th of Monroe ; was in sympathy with the 
Americans, and took an active jjartiu the War 
of 1812, and was, with his son Touissant, taken 
prisoner by the British at Sandy Creek and 
confined at Maiden until both wereexchanged, 
soon after the battle of Brownstown. Was 
present at Detroit at the surrender of General 
Hull, and witnessed the indignation of the 
American arm)- when the white flag was run 
up over the fort; saw General Cass in anger 
thereat break his sword over one of the cannon, 
declaring the surrender a national disgrace. 

Alexis was a millwright and carjjenter, and 
built the first grist-mill on the front of the farm 
subsequently owned by Doctor Clark, near and 
below the point where the dam crossed the 
river. He also built the mill at Stony Creek 
where Brest is now located, both of which mills 
were burned and destroyed by the British in 
the War of 1812. 

He purchased a farm on Stony Creek, west 
of the Lake Shore railroad, which Touissant, 
sr., his son, cleared and resided on the remain- 
der of his life,dying August 3, 1870; was buried 
at Newport. Touissant Soleau, sr., was mar- 
ried to Genevieve Burke, at Frenchtown ; had 
eight sons and four daughters. 

Touissant Soleau, jr., the eldest, was born 
October 1, 1820 ; married November 25, 18-17, 
Phoebe Boardman ; is now a merchant in Mon- 
roe, copartner of James Bobert, on West 
Front street. He has two sons and two daugh- 
ters : William T., au attorney practicing in 
Monroe, who was elected clei-k of the city for 
two terms, also one of the Circuit Court com- 
missioners at this time ; his second son, Milton 
B.,now resides at Monroe, clerk in a store ; his 
elder daughter, Ada, married James I. Robert, 
his present copartner; the younger daughter 
married Charles Golden, a lawyer in Monroe 
and at present the prosecuting attorney of the 
county. 

The second son of Touissant Soleau, sr., 
David A. Soleau, died early, in the State of 
Virginia. 

The tliird son, Ale.xis, resides on his farm 
on Stony Creek. 

The fourth son, Oliver, studied forthe priest- 
hood, and in crossing the ocean on his way to 
St. Thomas was lost at sea. 

James enlisted in the War of the Rebellion, 
and died from disease contracted in the army. 



Adrian was killed in the War of the Rebel- 
lion at Pulaski. 

Henry acted as sutler during the War of the 
Rebellion. 

Frank X. Soleau, son of Touissant Soleau, 
sr., now a merchant on West Monroe street, 
served with a very creditable record through 
the whole War of the Rebellion, and was com- 
missioned as cajjtain of a company. 

Of the four daughters of Touissant Soleau, 
sr., Roselle married Eli Sancraint; Adaline 
married Joseph Hyatt; Zoe married Mr. Du- 
boy, now deceased ; and Mary was a music 
teacher, acquired an education in the convent, 
and as a Sister died in the State of New York. 



LOUIS LAFONTAIN, Sr., 

Father of Louis Lafontain, jr., a resident of 
this citj', was for many years an Indian trader, 
with headquarters at Fort Wayne, Indiana. 
In the year 1804 he made a trip to Montreal, 
Canada, for the pui-posc of purchasing goods; 
ther6 he made the acquaintance of Laurent 
Durocher in the office of a notary public in 
which he was a clerk, and induced him to re- 
turn with him. Pleased with the beautiful 
banks of the River Raisin, lined on either side 
with vines loaded with clusters of grapes, Mr. 
Durocher determined to locate here, and sub 
sequently became quite prominent among the 
early settlers on the River Raisin, a particular 
sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere in 
this volume. 

Louis Lafontain, sr., purchased the farm on 
the bank of Detroit River, now constituting a 
part of the city of Detroit, and known as the 
"Lafontain farm." The farm adjoining was 
purchased and occupied by Mr. Schoebert, 
whose four daughters married John Bougrand, 
Joseph Loranger, Nathan Hubble, and Louis 
Ijafontain, sr , all of whom moved to and were 
identified with the early settlement of French- 
town on the River Raisin. 

Julia, one of the daughters of Louis Lafon- 
tain, jr., married Major James W. Spalding, of 
Monroe, and after his death she married Charles 
Ross, of Detroit. A second daughter married 
Theodore Ilgianfritz, one of the proprietors of 
the extensive nurseries in this city. 

Louis Lafontain, sr., with Laurent Durocher, 



HIOC;KArHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 



1: 



Joseph Loraiigcr ami Juhn Hoiii^raiid wore 
seated around a table in the store of Joseph 
Loranger plaj-ing euchre, when the Indian 
guide who always accompanied Mr. Lafontain, 
rode up to the door the morning before the 
massacre, and announced the approach of 
Colonel Proctor's ami}-. All dropped their 
cards without ceremonj-. Mr. Loranger and 
Bougrand crossed the Eiver Kaisin and trav- 
eled through the snow and ice night and day 
until they reached Sandusky, where their 
wives were sojourning at the time. Mr. La- 
fontain rode up the river to avoid meeting any 
])art of the enemy with his guide, then struck 
a direct route for Detroit, collected his family 
and crossed over to Canada, ix'inaining there 
until hostilities ceased. 



LAtlHENT DUROCHEK 

Was the sou of a French C'anadian, and was 
born at the Mission of St. Genevieve, in Mis 
souri, in 1780. He was educated at the Col- 
lege of AIonlreal,and came to the Eiver Raisin 
in 1805. He took part in the War of 1812 
luidcr General Hull, and \vas in the employ of 
tlie Government for some years after the war. 
lie was elected clerk of the county of Monroe 
in 1818, and held the office for nearly twenty 
years. He was for six years a member oi' the 
territorial council, also a member of the con- 
vention which framed the first constitution of 
the State, and after the Territory became a 
State a member of the legislature. He held 
the offices of judge of probate, circuit clerk, 
clerk of the city of Monroe, at various times, 
and filled with dignity' all the positions he was 
called b}- the people of the county to serve in. 
He was, like most ot the French settlers u]ion 
tiie " Haisin," an accoin)>lished gentleman, and 
was the chief legal authority among the French 
residents. 



PETER NAVARRE 



brave, while his bearing w-as over that of a 
"born gentleman." With his brother Robert 
he erected a cabin twenty miles south of River 
Raisin, opposite Manhattan, to which he re- 
turned after the close of the war and spent the 
rest of his days. He died in Mar-ch, 1874, aged 
eighty- nine years. 

Peter and his three brothers, Robert, Ale.xis 
and James, tendered their services to General 
Hull. They were included in the surrender 
and paroled, though they denied the right to 
be treated as prisoners of war and at once took 
an active part lor the United States, whereup- 
on General Proctor oftered a reward of two 
hundred pounds for Peter's head or scalp. 
Until the close of the war he acted as a scout 
to General Harrison. Peter Navarre and his 
brothers are referred to in this work in the his- 
tory of the War of 1812, as those sent by Gen- 
eral Harrison from the River Raisin to recon- 
noiter the British army, and brought news of 
the approach of General Proctor. On the next 
page is given a portrait of Peter Navarre in 
passing through a forest in his favorite char- 
acter as a scout. 

Many of our older citizens well remember 
the hospitable tavern of " Ma'am Jobin," as it 
was familiarly called, four miles south of Mon- 
roe, on the south baisk of Otter Creek. Her 
husband and Peter Navarre, the Indian scout, 
upon wdiose head a large price had been set by 
the British if captured, were during the War 
of 1812 taken prisoners by the Indians, bound 
hand and foot, and were being carried as cap- 
tives to Maiden. Encamping over night on the 
route, in the morning their bands were loos- 
ened for temporar3" relief, and after breakfast- 
ing Mr. Navarre said to Mr. Jobin: " Now is 
our time. If we reach Maiden we will bo hung, 
and 1 would rather take my chances of being 
shot than go any further with our captors 
You take one direction, I will another." Both 
immediately ran for their lives; the balls 
whistled about and above them, but both es- 
caped without injury. 



TIIE BLISS FAMILY. 



Was born in 1785 in Detroit, where his father 

before him was born, and was the grandson of 

Robert Navarre, a French officer who visited 

this section in 1745. No name is more promi- In the spring of 1814 two brothers, Silvanus 

neiit among the early settlers than that of and Hervey Bliss, of Royalston, Worcester 

Peter Navarre. In Indian methods of warfare county, Massachusetts, left the parental home, 

he was thoroughly posted, courageous and and the first named his young wife and two 




PETER NAVARRE, IN THE DRESS OF A SCOUT. 



BIOGRAPHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 



1-J7 



children, aged respectively one and tiirec years, 
and wended their way westward, 

" With knapsacks on their backs 
And their spirits were gay. 
To secure tliemselves homes 
In Michigania." 

Hailroads were not known or tiionght ol" in 
tliose days, and it required several weeks to 
make the journey on foot, as they w^ere obliged 
to do. JIany incidents occurred to them bj' the 
way, some of which were of an exciting char- 
acter, as it was war time. They at last reached 
the settlement on the shore of the lake between 
(he Vermillion and Huron rivers, in Ohio. 
Their (eet getting sore and their funds getting 
low, they concluded to make their homes with 
the pioneers of the Buckeye State, and soon set 
about prej)aring for the coming of the wife and 
children, arrangements to bring them and 
some household goods having been made with 
a man before leaving JIassachnsetts. It was 
late in the summer, however, and not until the 
hot weather had brought to the newcomers the 
ague and chill fever, that they were sent for- 
Owing to stormy weather and consequent bad 
roads, obliging them to lie by several weeks, 
ihey did not reach the settlement until winter 
had set in, when the tired and woi'n-out wife 
and mother was informe<l that her dear hus- 
liand had died a few weeks before her arrival. 
M r.<. Bliss was terribly shocked by the sad news, 
hut receiving the sympathy and help of the 
neighbors and the surviving brother, she in 
time recovered from the .sore bereavement. 

The summer following (1815) sickness and 
death came again to the familj', and took from 
the mother her youngest child, a little boy, 
aged two years and six months, the other mem- 
bers of the family barelj- escaping with their 
lives the ravages of the much dreaded chill 
fever. 

Not caring longer to remain in a climate so 
unhealthy, Mr. Bliss having in the meantime 
married the widow of his deceased brother, in 
companj- with a neighbor (Mr. David Frary), 
he removed his famil3- to the Hiver Raisin 
(now Moni-oe, Michigan). Arriving there the 
latter part of April, 181(i, he rented a farm of 
.lerry Lawrence, a short distance above Mon- 
roe, and farmed it that .season as best he could, 
not succeeding well, however, on account of 
the cold weather and early frosts, the summer 



of 181t> having since been known as the "colil 
season." 

The following winter Mr. Bliss, in company 
with Mr. Frary, still his neighbor and friend, 
moved his family to the Macon settlement, 
some thirteen or fourteen miles above Monroe, 
on the river, opposite the point where the 
Macon Creek enters the Eaisin. Here he built 
a house and made some improvements, suppos- 
ing that he was on Government land, which 
he intended to purchase when in market. lie 
remained there some two years, during which 
time a number of families had settled about 
him. He then learned that the Indians had 
withheld from sale a tract of land known as 
the "Macon reserve" on the early maps, em- 
bracing nine sections, and covering the im- 
provements made by the settlers, who were 
driven off b\- the Indians, the log cabins of the 
squatters serving them as wigwams, and the 
cleared land for pasturage, raising corn, etc. 
While living there, in March, 1817, j'our cor- 
respondent, W. W. Bliss, came to them a 
"stranger, and they took him in; naked, and 
they clothed him ; thirsty, and they gave him 
drink ; " and for the many acts of kindness and 
care in subsequent years, they are held by him 
in grateful remembrance. 

In the month of June following, Israel Bliss, 
a younger brother from Mas.sachusetts, came 
to the settlement at the Macon, and remaine<l 
with the family until his death, October 23, 
1819. Calvin Burnham, a young man from 
Massachusetts, came to Michigan with his 
friend, Israel Bliss, and remained with him 
until his death. Then he returned to Massachu- 
setts and married his (Bliss's) sister, Ijucind 
K., bj' whom he had three children, and she 
having died, he married again, and in 18:-i!t re- 
moved his family to Blissficld, Michigan, and 
the next year to Summertield, Monroe county, 
.same State, where he died some years since, 
honored and respected by his fellow-men, leav- 
ing a wife and several children. Olive, the 
oldest daughter by his first wife, marrii^d 
Lysander Ormsbj', of Deerfield, Michigan. 
Two daughters by his second wife married two 
brothers, John and Charles Peters, of I'eters- 
burgh, Michigan. 

The settlement at the Macon being broken 
up, Mr. Bliss removed his family to the " Giles 
neighborhood," some three or four miles down 
the river and ten from Monroe, where he 



128 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



bought a " squatter's " claim of a man who had 
built a house and cleared a few acres on a tract 
of Government land of several hundred acres, 
which laj' between (riles's " French farm" on 
the west and other claims on the east, a part of 
which he intended to buy when subdivided and 
in market. But before learning that it had been 
offered for sale, a man by the name of Martin, 
"bought from under him" that part of the 
tract on which he lived, containing one hun- 
dred and thirty acres, embracing the improve- 
ments which he had bought and subsequently 
made, and requiring him to vacate the same 
without remuneration for the outlay which he 
had made. 

Mr. Blis.s being again without a home for his 
family, and not caring to leave the neighbor- 
hood, as a school had just been started, and 
a church (Presbyterian) had been organized 
at Monroe, with which he and his wife had 
united at the time of its organization (January 
13, 1S20), bought of said Martin thirty acres 
of the unimproved landadjoining Giles's farm, 
on which he built a good hewed log house, and 
improved the greater part of it, when find- 
ing that he had not farm enough to support his 
family, he sold his place and in June, 1824, 
bought 132 acres of land some twenty miles up 
the river, of rich quality and well timbered. 
To this place the late Colonel Johnson, of 
Monroe, gave the name of Blissfield. Here in 
November following Mr. Bliss built a log house, 
obtaining help to raise it from Petersburghand 
Eaisinville, ten and twenty miles distant, and 
to which place he removed his family the fol- 
lowing month (December, 1824), having no 
neighboi'S for a time nearer than Petersburgb, 
and no mills, stores or shops nearer than 
Monroe. 

Mr. Bliss in 1835 jjlatted a part of his farm, 
giving the name of Blissfield to the village. 
He was a man highly esteemed by his neigh- 
bors and those with whom he was acquainted, 
having hold many positions of trust and re- 
sponsibilit}' in the latter years of his life. 

In 1820 he was instrumental in effecting the 
organization of the First Presbyterian church 
of Blissfield, which occurred February 22d of 
that year, consisting of nine members, includ- 
ing himself and wife. 

In March, 1827, he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Cass a justice of the peace, and at the 
first township meeting in Blissfield, held in 



May following, he was elected a justice by the 
people, which office he held for a number of 
years. 

In March, 1828, he was appointed postmaster 
at Blissfield, which office he held at the time 
of his death, which occurred December 31, 
1841, aged fifty-two j'ears. His wife survived 
him some seven years. 

Mr. Bliss had seven children, five sons and 
two daughters, and one step-daughter, .six of 
whom are still living. 

William W., born at the Macon March 28, 
1817; married in Blissfield, Michigan, Feb- 
ruary 13, 1840, where he now resides, rtitired 
from business. 

Hiram W., born in Eaisinville, Michigan, 
June 1,1822; farmer; married October 23, 1842, 
I'esidcs at Deerfield, Michigan. 

Whiting G., born in Blissfield, Michigan, 
November 15. 1827; died in childhood. 

Hervey K.,born in Blissfield, Michigan, Feb- 
ruary 11, 1830; farmer; married June 22, 1850, 
and resides in Adrian, Michigan. 

Almond L., born November 27, 18 i2, in 
Blissfield ; married November 25, 1853 ; real 
estate and abstract office business in Adrian, 
Michigan, where he resides. 

Emeline B., born in Eaisinville, Michigan, 
February 24, 1819 ; married December 13, 1834. 
Husband a farmer, now deceased ; lives with 
daughter in Adrian, Michijfan. 

Caroline L., born in Eaisinville, Michigan, 
September 28, 1824: married June 30, 1842, 
and resides with her son in Blissfield, Michigan. 

Delight (the step-daughter), born in Massa- 
chusetts September 24, 1811 ; married in Bliss- 
field, Michigan, November 23, 1826, by Loren 
Marsh, Esq., a justice of the peace from Monroe, 
Michigan, one of the first two marriages in 
Blissfield, both occurring the same day. 

The first school in Blissfield was taught by 
Chester Stuart, late of Monroe, in the winter 
ofl82G-7, for thirteen dollars per month and 
"board round." 

There are very many incidents in the lives 
of the Bliss family connected with their settle- 
ment here, which show what hardships the 
pioneers endured. Tliey moved here in win- 
ter, into a log house without floors, doors, win- 
dows, chimney, and no stoves, and not even 
" chinked " between the logs. After putting 
down a " puncheon " floor of split logs, making 
doors and putting in windows, cutting and 



lUOflRArHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 



129 



jireparing some wood, etc., occupying somo two 
weeks, Hervey Bliss was obliged to leave his 
family alone in the woods, no neighbors nearer 
than ten miles away, and go down to Eaisin- 
ville to work and pay for help in moving and 
buy supplies for the family. On his way down 
ho met a company of Indians who came and 
camped within a few rods of the hou.se, where 
they remained some two weeks. 



THE KEDZIE FAMILY. 



History is being made ever}' day, little by 
little, but mainlj' by recording events and 
actions of men in the past, as they arc remem- 
bered, from the standpoint of the historian. 
Monroe has a long history, reaching beyond 
the memory of any now living; and we can 
only hope to gather fragments showing to com- 
ing generations the hopes and fears, the actual 
trials and troubles attending the settlement of 
a new countrj'. 

William Kedzic and wife, five sons and two 
daughters, emigrated from Delhi, Delaware 
count}-. New York, and came to tiie " Great 
West," landing at Monroe, May 14, 1826. The 
change from a rough, hilly country, well cov- 
ered with rocks and stones, to one as level as a 
" house floor," so salubrious as this then was, 
seemed to them as the Garden of Eden. But 
when they looked upon the peopl», heard their 
strange language, saw their mode of travel as 
they daily passed with a pony and two-wheeled 
cart, loaded with a family' of six or eight, driv- 
ing like Jehu, with no tire on their wheels, 
nor a strap of iron about their vehicle, thej- 
looked, but looked in vain, for a smash-down. 
A four-wheeled carriage was very seldom seen 
on the streets. 

There was then no church building in the 
village ; Protestants worshiped in the old 
yellow court-house, and Catholics in a log 
building some two miles u]) on the north bank 
of the lliver Eaisin, only distinguished from 
the log houses in that vicinitj^ bj' a cross on 
the gable end and one over the front gate. 
Mr. Kedzie occupied the farm on the north 
side of the River Raisin, next east of the Robert 
Clark farm. A large portion of the land at this 
time lay unoccu|)ied. From the toll bridge, 
then kept by Peter P. Ferry (one of the old 
soldiers under Napoleon, and for many years 



after county treasurer of Monroe county), iiii 
to the Clark farm, between the road and river, 
was in commons ; also the lands north of the 
old fort, where Charles Noble then lived, now 
owned and occupied by Major A. C. Chapman, 
was in commons, extending a mile Ijack to the 
woods. The father and sons planted two acres 
thereof in corn in June alter their arrival, and 
a fine crop was raised. One-half thereof would 
have been destroyed by the ravenous black- 
birds but for the free use of powder and shot. 
The birds seemed to fancy their farming, for 
they followed them into Lenawee county, 
where large bounties checked their destructive 
habits. 

In October of that j'carthe family moved up 
into the woods, twenty-five miles west of Mon- 
roe, and within a county organized at a later 
date, and until May, 1H27, within the jurisdic- 
tion of Monroe county. This was a bold push 
for life — a dense forest, a log house without 
doors or windows to give protection from sav- 
age wild beasts who made night hideous with 
their unearthly howls, and without a neighbor 
within five miles. With the supply of provi- 
sions purchased at Monroe they sought their 
new home — no light task considering the con- 
dition of the roads, without a bridge on river, 
streams or gullies. The winter was spent 
chopping twenty-seven acres, and in the spring 
ten acres were logged and planted to corn. 
Their crop not only suffered from the black- 
birds, but the " coon " lavishly presented his 
claims for a share, and no little depredations 
were committed by bears and wolves. Coon- 
hunting was a pastime to the pioneer whoso 
pork barrel ran low, as the meat made a very 
palatable and rich dish when properly pre- 
pared. 

That summer four acres more were cleared 
and sown to wheat, which was reaped with a 
sickle in July. The folloaing fall the father 
yielded to the malarial diseases prevailing in 
the country, notwithstandijig the skill of his 
old friend. Dr. Clark, of Monroe, who stood at 
his bedside the last si.x days of his life, ending 
August 5, 1828, aged fortj'-scven years. 

I leave the reader to conceive what must 
have been the trials of a widowhood, left with 
the care of seven chil Iren, the eldest under 
sixteen, with only a beginning made on a new 
farm in a vast wilderness. She lived, how- 
ever, to see them all grown to maturit}', who, 



130 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



with one consent, call her one " of the daugh- 
ters who have done virtuously, but she excelled 
them all." — Prov. xxxi. 29. Thus ended the 
life of two pioneers, who were, for a season, 
citizens of Monroe count}- sixty years ago. 

William Kedzie, the eldest son, was a school- 
mate of the writer in 1826, under the tuition 
of Anthony McKee, since a resident of Deer- 
field, now deceased. Our school-mates of that 
day were Alexander D. Anderson, John Ander- 
son, Robert and Joiin Clark (all now deceased), 
and Charles Ijanman, now residing in George- 
town, D. C. He lived on the same farm fitt}'- 
three years, up to the fall of 1879, when he, 
with a competency, i-emoved to Adrian to spend 
in ease the remainder of life. 

James T. Kedzie still resides in BlissfieldjOne 
of our most intelligent and highlj- esteemed 
citizens. 



Professor Kedzie, of the Michigan Agricul- 
tural College, at Lansing, Michigan, the third 
son, is constantly adding new laurels to an al- 
ready well-established reputation. 

George Kedzie resided in Deerfield, highly 
esteemed, until April 13, 1886, when he do- 
parted this life, stricken down with typhoid 
pneumonia, after an illness of eight days — -the 
first male in the family called by death since 
that of the father in 1828. 

The Reverend A. S. Kedzie, still living, re- 
sides at Grand Haven, Michigan, and is editor 
of the Grand Haven Herald. 

The Kedzie family have contributed as 
largelj' as anj- family in Southern Michigan in 
lading the foundations for moral, religious and 
educational institutions in this portion of the 
State. 



CHAPTER XII. 

EVKNTS IN MICHIGAN FROM 1814 TO 1834— POPULATION — PUHLIC KOAOS — CKNKRAI, CASS's 

EXPEDITION IN 1820 — GOVKRNOR MASON APPOINTED — ASIATIC CIIOLKKA — ADDITION AL 

TERRITORY — CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION — APPOINTMENT OK JOHN R. IIORNKK 

NOT RECOGNIZED UV THE STATE. 



TIIR majority of llie |)()piilation of Michigan 
continued to bo French until the year 1818, 
when a portion of the public lands was thrown 
upon tlie market. The moderate price and 
ea.sy terms of payment, hiisod u])on a credit 
sj'slem, encouraged a wonderful emigration of 
thi-ifty and energetic Americans from the 
Kastern States, as well as Xew York. The 
pioneers immediately turned their attention to 
surveying public roads and facilitating com- 
merce. 



celed with a strap or fettered at night, and the 
bell which each one wore was freed from the 
straw which had bound its clapper thi-ough 
the day. The horses seldom strayed from 
camp,antl lived on what the}' could pick u]) on 
the road." The surve^'ors and voyageun, on 
their journeys through the wilderness along 
the Indian trails, took nothing superfluous 
with them. Their food consisted of parched 
corn, pounded fine and mi.xed with maple 
sugar, pork or tallow in small quantities. They 



The 27th day of August of this 3'ear, 1818, added to this simple diet such fish, game, wild 

the first steamboat made its a])pearance in the plums or other fruit as they might secure on 

straits of Detroit. She was named Walk-in- the route. Quito a number of our ])romincnt 

tiie-Water, and was built at Black Rock, and men and women came hundreds of miles on 

when finished was taken to Buffalo, not by her these small ponies, and settled in Monroe and 

own motive power, as steam then iiad limita- adjoining towns. 



lions, but bj- what was called the " horned 
breeze" — several yokes of oxen being em- 
jiloyed to tow her. The Indians wore told 
" the ship was drawn by sturgeons," and they 
swarmed along the shores to witness the won- 
der. This steamboat matic weekly trips, and 
olten brought one hundred passengers, which 
crowded her to her utmost capacity. 

Gradually roads were constructed for the 



During the year 1818 an etfoi-t was made to 
obtain a popular vote to make Michigan a State, 
but was not successful. 

General Cass, who was Governor over the 
Territory during eighteen years, w\as one of its 
most public spirited men, and in every way ad- 
vanced the interests of the people The land 
had been represented as worthless tamarack 
swamps, bogs and sand-barrens, not worth 



passage of emigrant wagons which came giving as bounty lands to the soldiers of the 
through Oliio, or were loaded on schooners War of 1812, who instead received their 
at Buffalo. \ military road extended ten miles grants in Illinois and Missouri. 
l>eyond Monroe. Still the use of pack animals In order to do away with the mischievous 
was necessary to penetrate the interior along representalions made in i-egai'd to the resources 
the lesser streams. Judge CampboU's history of Michigan, Governor Cass organized an ex- 
tells us "The ponies which abounded in the podition by way of the lakes to the headwaters 
woods were very serviceable for traveling of the Mississippi. He communicated his plan 
through the country- upon the trails. They ran to the Secretaiy of War, Mr. Calhoun, with tiie 



at large, and droves of them were met near all 
the settlements. When the seasons were dry 
the}- would come to the streams for water in 
large troops, and would gallop through the 
streets at night with a great clatter, but doing 



objects and purposes of his expedition, which 
were : First, a personal examination of the 
different Indian tribes, of their moral and 
social condition, of their feelings toward the 
United States, of their numerical strength ; 



no harm unle.ss salt barrels were left exposed, second, to procure the extinction of Indian 
when they would break them in to get at the title to the land in the vicinity of the Straits of 
salt. On a journey they were usually span- St. Mary, Prairie du Chien and Green Bay, 

[131] 



132 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and open the (•omniuniciition between the two 
latter j^laces ; third, the examination of the 
body of copper in the vicinity of Lake Supe- 
rior; fourth, to ascertain the views of the 
Indians in the vicinity of Chicago respecting 
the removal of the Six Nations to that coun- 
try ; fifth, to explain to the Indians the views 
of the Government respecting their intercourse 
with liie British authorities at Maiden, and dis- 
tinctly announce to thom that their visits must 
bo discontinued ; sixth, to ascertain the state of 
the British fur trade within that part of our 
jurisdiction. 

General Cass asked for no compensation for 
his time and services, and one thousand dollars, 
which had been appropriated for the expedi- 
tion, was scarcely enough to defraj- the actual 
expenses of the trijJ. 

The expedition left Detroit, May 24, 1820. 
General Cass was accompanied b}' Captain 
Douglass of the Engineer Corps, Lieutenant 
McCay of the Corps of Artillery, Alexander 
Wolcott, physician, James Duane Doty, Major 
llobert A. Forsyth, and Henry L. Schoolcraft, 
a scientific geologist and topographer, with 
Charles C. Trowbridge as his assistant, and 
Alexander R. Chase. Three bark canoes, each 
adorned with a flag of the United States flying 
from the stern and propelled bj' Indians and 
voyageurs, carried the notable expedition from 
the wharf at Detroit, where the citizens all 
assembled, well aware of tlie importance and 
hazard of the undertaking. The canoes were 
paddled into the stream amid the cheers and 
huzzas of the multitude, and seemed to fly 
against a strong wind and (i{u■l•et^t, the voyageurs 
regulating the strokes of their paddles to the 
time of theii' inspiring row songs, and the 
Indians encouraging each other by shouts of 
wild exultation. An effort was made bj' the 
Indians, who propelled one of the large canoes, 
to take the lead, and an exciting boat-race was 
improvised over the now fashionable race- 
course, in which the Indians by their superior 
skill soon left tlic other canoes far behind. 

The party reached Mackinaw on the 10th of 
June, where they divided the company and 
freinlit among four canoes, and added to their 
escort a number sufficient to fill a twelve- 
oared barge, then proceeded to the Sault Ste. 
Mary, where Governor Cass negotiated a treaty 
with the Chippewas and secured a cession of 
sixteen square miles of land for the purpose of 



establishing a military ]iost. But it was not 
accomplished without danger to himself and 
small band of sixty men. A chief appeared in 
the council at St. Mary's in the full dress of a 
British officer of rank, and during the confer- 
ence showed the greatest contempt for the 
Americans. When the chiefs were about to 
retire after General Cass had explained his 
mission, and demanded no more interference 
upon American soil of those who were subjects 
of the British Crown, the chief in British 
colors spurned with a kick the presents which 
were laid in the center of the marquee where 
the council was held, and rushing out raised 
the British flag over the Indian lodges. When 
Governor Cass beheld this insult, he walked 
over to the lodge over which the flag was fly- 
ing, where the discontented chief stood, and 
seizing it, dashed it to the ground and trampled 
it under his feet. The Indians were jjanic- 
struck by the indignation of Cass. He called 
his interpreter and addressed the chiefs; said a 
repetition of such acts would not go unpun- 
ished. In less than fifteen minutes the squaws 
and children abandoned their camp atid were 
landed on the British shore, and everything 
])ointcd to an immediate attack by the In- 
dians, Preparations were made for defense, 
but a chief who had not been present at the 
council interposed and brought the Indians to 
a more favorable mind, and in a few hours 
after the sun had gone down the treat\' was 
signed. 

From tlie Sault they prosecuted their explora- 
tions; visited the gi'eat cojjper bowlder on the 
Ontonagon river; ])enetrated the St. Louis 
river to a portage near Savannah river, down 
that stream through Sandy Lake to the Mis- 
sissippi, and ascended that river through 
Lake Winnipeg and beyond. The knowledge 
of the country and its resources derived from 
the exploration was of great value. General 
Cass returned from Chicago to Detroit by 
land over a I'oad for which he had secured ap- 
propriations from Congress as well as aiil from 
the Territory'. The construction of the vari- 
ous roads through the Territory encouraged 
the youu'.^ men prospecting for cheap lands to 
settle in Michigan, and the jiopulation which 
had remained nearly stationary (or fift}^ years 
increased to twice the number of a previous 
census. 

In 1823 an act ol Congress provided for the 



GOVERNOR MASON APPOINTED. 



133 



establishment of a legislative council. Nino 
members were to be selected (out of eighteen 
elected by the people) by the President, and to 
be co!ifirnied by the Senate. This number was 
increased to thirteen, and in 1827 the choice 
was left entirely to the people of the Territory. 

When in 1825 the Erie canal was finished — 
that gigantic work conceived b3' the far-seeing 
and liberal-minded Gouverueur Morris, a new 
and direct route through the State of New 
York, connecting at Huflfalo with a line of boats 
across Lake Erie — indeed the first grand and 
decided avenue to the ])rosperity of Michigan 
was opened. Settlers were now provided with 
cheap and comfortable transportation for their 
families and merchandise, and the line was 
crowded by those who had left the hard and 
stony soil of the East for the more generous 
and promising land of Michigan. The Indians 
continued to code their domains to the Gen- 
eral Government and retired farther into the 
wilderness. Their canoes sought the winding 
rivers, while our white sails dotted the lakes 
and navigable streams Capitalists sought out 
the most eligible tracts to establish prospective 
cities and towns. Villages sprang up as if by 
magic along the streams affording commercial 
advantages. 

President Jackson summoned General Cass 
to a .seat in his cabinet in 1881, which gratified 
the territorial pride although thej' parted with 
him reluctantly. According to the Jacksonian 
policy, "To the victors belong the spoils of 
office," General Cass's successor was chosen 
from Virginia, "passing over men of ability 
and educ;Uion who were familiar with its 
affairs and fully possessed of the public confi- 
dence." Judge Cooley in his history of Mich- 
igan writes: " The appointment of any one of 
these to the vacant office would have been rec- 
ognized as that of a competent and suitable 
person. Some of them — as for example, Wil- 
liam Woodbridge, who had been secretarj^ of 
the Territory, and as such had occasionally 
acted as governor in the absence of Governor 
Cass, and who, after resigning the office of 
secretary, had been successively delegate in 
Congress and judge ; and Austin E. Wing, who 
had also been delegate to Congress — were 
already well known at Washington, and others 
might have been Icnown through Governor 
Cass had he been consulted." John T. Mason 
was appointed, but did not servo, desiring to go 



abroad on business of a private character. His 
son, Stevens T. Mason, was appointed secretary 
in his place. Ho was but nineteen j-ears of 
age, and not, therefore, of legal majority. A 
committee of citizens called upon him to in- 
quire into the facts. Mr. Mason franklv told 
them he was under age, but that the President 
very well knew the fact when ho made the ap- 
pointment, and ingenuously justified tiie act, 
saying the emolumentsof theoffico were needed 
for the support of his fiather's family during his 
absence abroad. The papers of the day took 
the matter u]) and great excitement prevailed 
that a boy should be put over the heads of ex- 
perienced men ; but nothing moved the deter- 
mined President, and the people, finding they 
appealed to deaf oars, made the best of it. At 
a banquet given bj- Governor Cass, after the 
wine had flowed freely, and good- nature 
reigned, the elder Mason appealed to the guests 
to "give the boy a chance." and thej* heartily 
promised their support.- When the "Toledo 
War" broke out young Mason thi-ew himself 
into the cause of Michigan with all his heart, 
and coniplololy won the good-will of her people. 

Perhaps no State in the I'nion was ever blest 
by a more stable and creditable number of set- 
tlers. They came from the older States where 
they were accustomed to self-rule, and valued 
highly the privileges of the ballot. The census 
taken in 1834 showed the population to he 
87,273, more than the number authorizing them 
to apply for admission into the L'nion, two 
years before the question was agitated and a 
vote obtained in its favor. 

The Black Hawk war had diverted the at- 
tention of those actively engaged in politics. 
Manj- sharp fights occurred, and our Michigan 
volunteers rendered important service. Black 
Hawk was taken prisoner and confined in 
Fortress Monroe for several months. Black 
Hawk was a treacherous chief of the Sacs in 
the employ of the British, upon whom he de- 
pended in his last campaign. He had been 
engaged in the War of 1812, and was familiar 
with the localities about Detroit. On his return 
from prison, his surprise was great to see the 
advance of that city and villages near. 

There was a more silent encmj- at work in the 
Territory and quite as alarming as the Indians. 
The Asiatic cholera reached Detroit early in 
the summer of 1832, and although everj- pre- 
caution was taken by boards of hralth author- 



134 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ized by the Michigan legislative council, it was 
impossible to avert its ravages. People fled 
from Detroit into the country. A church was 
converted into a hospital. Business was para- 
lyzed. Seven per cent, of the population of 
Detroit died in a single month. At night, b}' 
the street crossings, along the roads at inter- 
vals, and before private houses, great kettles of 
burning pitch blazed and filled the air with the 
smoUe, in a vain endeavor to disinfect the 
oppressive atmosphere. The returning vol- 
unteers were attacked, and hundreds of them 
died in the woods on their return from the 
West. Such was the horror and consternation 
of the inhabitants, the/)rt5.Sin^ bell was silenced. 
The continuous tolling for the departed added 
to the general panic, as it was heard early and 
late during those oppressive and solemn days. 
Governor Porter was among the cholera's last 
victims. He died July, 1834. Governor Por- 
ter had been appointed from Pennsylvania. 
Ho took great interest in agricultural pursuits, 
and encouraged the improvement of stock, 
introducing into the Territory a fine treed of 
cattle. 

The boundary question, treated in tlie ciiap- 
teron " The Toledo War," continued to be agi- 
tated with more or less heat. 

In Ma}-, 1835, a constitutional convention 
met in Detroit and framed a State constitution 
to be submitted to the approval of the peoijle. 
An election was called for the first Monday in 
October to vote for a governor, lieutenant-gov- 
ernor, members of the State legislature, and a 
representative in Congress. The constitution 
gave the right of voting to all free adult white 
male inhabitants, then residents of Michigan, 
whether citizens of the United States or not. 
The legislature consisted of a senate and house 
of representatives, over whose acts the gov- 
ernor possessed the power of veto. The 
governor and lieutenant-governor were to be 
elected for terms of two years. The courts 
were to consist of one supreme court, and such 
inferior courts as the legislature might deem 
necessary. Provision was made for courts of 
probate and justices of the peace. Cabinet 
officers and other State officers were to be ap- 
pointed by the governor and senate. County 
and town officers, judicial and ministerial, were 
made elective. Education was to be encour- 
aged, and a superintendent of public instruc- 
tion was provided for. State officers and judges 



in cases of criminal and corrupt conduct were 
subject to impeachment. Slavery and involun- 
tary servitude were not to be countenanced, 
except on conviction of crime. 

The constitution was plain and well adapted 
to the necessities of an ambitious and growing 
State. It was ratified, and Stevens T. Mason 
was elected governor ; Edward Munday, lieu- 
tenant-governor, and Isaac Crar}- was elected 
i-eprcsenlative in Congress. Judges were ap- 
pointed and courts organized. The legislature 
elected Lucius Lyon and John Norvell United 
States senators. 

Michigan constituted herself a State, but as 
she would not consent to the conditions relat- 
ing to the southern boundary, she still remained 
out of the Union, and President Jackson, who 
was greatly displeased with Governor Mason 
in regard to his action on that point, appointed 
John S. Horner, of Virginia, governor of Michi- 
gan. The president directed him not to recog- 
nize the pretended State officers or judges, and 
in accordance with these orders, Mr. Horner 
magnified his office and met with little or no 
respect. He found no one who would co- 
operate with him, and after addressing a meet- 
ing at the Detroit city hall, giving his views 
with much self-assertion, those present organ- 
ized and resolutions were adopted. One hy 
Jacob M. Howard (who espoused the cause of 
Michigan on the boundary question, and had 
gone to Toledo in battle array) was as follows : 

" Resolved, That if our present secretary of 
the Territory should find it beyond his control, 
either from the nature of his instructions, his 
feelings of tenderness toward those who had, 
for a long period of time, set at defiance as well 
the laws of the Territory as those of the United 
States, or any feelings of delicacy entertained 
toward the executive of a neighboring State, 
who has in vain endeavored to take a forcible 
possession of a part of our Territory, to enable 
him to properly carry into effect the existing 
laws of this Territory, it is to be hoped he will 
relinquish the duties of his office, and return to 
the land of his nativity." 

Mr. Horner soon adopted Mr. Howard's ad- 
vice and retired from Michigan. 

Congress passed an act to admit Michigan as 
a State, June 15, 1836, but with a proviso 
''that this act should not take effect until the 
State of Michigan shall be admitted into the 
Union according to the provisions of the act 



CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 



13o 



entitled, 'Aii act to establish the northern bound- 
ary of the State of Ohio, and to provide for the 
admission of the State of Michigan into the 
Union on certain conditions' " (See chapter on 
Toledo war.) Tlie legislature directed au 
election for a convention to meet at Ann Arbor 
the fourth Monday of September, and the con- 
vention refused to purchase admission on those 
terms. Soon another convention, originating 



in the caueiise.H of the Jackson party, assem- 
bled at Ann Arbor. Manj- absented them- 
selves as it was not lawfully called, and was 
known as the " Frost-bitten convention," only 
those favorable to admission being present. 
Thej- gave assent to the conditions and for- 
warded their action to Washington, and Michi- 
gan was finally admitted as a State, January 
26, 1837. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



KVENTS IN MONROE COUNTY 7'-R0M 1825 TO 1834. 



IN the year 182.5 Edward D. Ellis established 
the Michigan Sentinel, the first jiapor pub- 
lished in Southern Miehiwan, and published it 
until 183G, when he sold the press and office to 
Abuer Morton and son. Mr. Ellis, though 
quite young when he came to Monroe, took an 
active part and great interest in the prosperity 
not onl}' of the then small but iri'owing vil- 
lage, but also of the entire Territory of Micli- 
iuan. He became a leading man in the village 
and count}', frequently holding offices of re- 
sponsibility and trust; was one of the delegates 
chosen to form the State constitution, and was 
one of the first State Senators Irom the couiitv- 
of Monroe. 

A very important service was rendered by 
him in the constitutional convention to the 
people of the State of Michigan. When an 
enactment was under discussion for establi-sh- 



remote western Indians, with some of whom 
they had carried on hereditary hostilities for 
ages. But when compact white settlements 
surrounded the reservations, the Indians re- 
ceded as they have always done before the ad- 
vancing tide of civilized population, and sought 
refuge in the ocean of desert stretching along 
the bed of the Rocky Mountains. 

During one day in the third week of June, 
1825, the sales at the land office in Monroe 
amounted to $2,300 — a large amount for those 
early days. The purchasers were from the 
State of Now York, 

During the same week Monroe Lodge of 
Free and Accepted Masons was constituted, 
and the officers installed by A. G. Whitriey, 
Grand Master, by the authority of the Grand 
Lodge of the State of New York. The instal- 
lations and constitution took place at the court- 



ing libraries in all the townships in the State, house, where an appropriate address .was de- 



without any provision either to receive books 
or sustain the libraries, it was Mr. Ellis who 
proposed and carried through the idea that all 
fines imposed for the violation of the penal 
laws through the State, and all sums assessed 
for the non-performance of military duty, 



livered by the Grand Master to an audience of 
ladies and gentlemen. The proceedings were 
preceded and closed with prayer by the Rev. 
Noah H. Wells. The following officers were 
installed: Seneca Allen, Master; Hiram 
Brown, Senior Warden ; Harry Conant (father 



should be set aside as a fund for the support of of our present Secretary of State), Junior War- 
said libraries. The idea was original with him, den ; John Anderson, Treasurer; Charles Noble, 
and has frequently been mentioned to his Secretary; together with subordinate officers, 
credit. He died in Detroit May 15, 1848. The members of the lodge, together with a 
On the first of June, 1825, Governor Cass number of the fraternity from t!ie adjoining 
passed through Monroe on his return from the counties, after the installation partook of an 
Indian council at Wa])akoneta, Ohio. The excellent dinner, prepared bj' Alcott C. Chap- 



object of the council was to purchase the reser- 
vations in the State of Ohio and to induce the 
Indians to join their red brethren west of the 
Missis-sijjpi. It was convened at the request of 



man of the Mansion House, then located where 
the banking office of B. Dansard & Son now 
stands. 

On the 22d of July, 1825, a bateau arrived 



the Cherokees and some of the Shawnees, who at our wharf from the River Thames, U. <!., 

were anxious that all the Indians east of the with one hundred and fifty bushels of wheat 

Mississippi should be removed to the country for grinding, having come a distance of one 

west o( that river. But the Indians in Ohio hundred and eighty miles in consequence of 

were not prepared for such a measure. Many of the scarcity of water in that vicinity. This 

them were respectable farmers and lived com- may be considered a striking evidence of the 

fbrtably; were indisposed to remove among the singular changes which are sometimes effected 

[136] 



EARLY EVENTS IN MONROE COUNTY. 187 

by tiiiie. Tlio depredations of our enemies March 1, 1S2(), a two-mile race on the lake 

twelve years previous had caused tlight from at the mouth of the River Kaisin, was run bj- 

their friends in the deptli of winter to save the celebrated horse, White Stockins;;, owned 

their lives and those of their families ; now, in by Isadorc Navarre, and one owned liy .Slej)hen 

the enjoyment of independence and comfort, l>uval. White Stocking;, whose owner the jear 

liappy were they for the opportunity of ren- belore challenged the world to run against iiim, 

deringto their former enemies good for evil, not and which was prior to that time ticcmed the 

forgetting to take a reasonable amount of toll swiftest horse in North America, catne out 

for the grists. several rods in the rear. 

September IG, 1825, there arrived at the port l)ui-ing thi.s year (1820) the population in- 

of -Monroe a pine pumj) log seventy feet in creased more than one-third, 

length from the River St. Claii- for James Hale, A settlement on Stonj- Creek, four miles north 

who was then building a distiller}- in the ])res- of Monroe, was commenced four miles from its 

ent first ward. It was drawn tVom the River mouth, and in 1826 consisted of fourteen fami- 

Raisin wharf bj' six yoke of o.xen. lies, which was making ra))id improvements. 

Januarj- 26, I82t), the River Haisin was cov- The inhabitants thereof then supplied Monroe 
ered with very thick ice, and colder weather with many of the necessaries of life. An ex- 
had not been experienced for a number of tensive mill and other establi.shment.s were in 
years. Most business men were compelled to operation at the mouth of Stony Creek previous 
suspend opei-ations in consequence. In the to the War of 1812, but were destroyed by fire 
printing office of Kdward I). Kllis, boiling water by Colonel Proctoi- and the forces under his 
congealed instantly on being ajiplied to the command. It was during this year the United 
type. States road between Monroe and Otter Creek, 

February 17, 182(), the trial of Na-a-ga-bo or five miles south, was com])leted. 

Jcick-nes-brow, an Indian of the Ottawa tribe. The Chapman House, the site of which was 

for the murder of Ambegnaw, a squaw of the the corner of Washington and Front street, 

Pottawatomie nation, on the evening of the 6th where B. Dansard & Son's bank now is, fbrt}- 

of January, 1826, at Swan Creek, came on in six feet front and three stories high, was eom- 

the Circuit Court for Monroe county, Hon. picted this j-ear — the highest building occu- 

Solomon Siblej- presiding. The prosecution pied a.s a hotel at that time in the State of 

was managed on behalf of the Government by Michigan. 

Charles Noble, district attorney, and A. M. The assessors of Monroe county C()m])leted 
Robertson, Esq. The prisoner was defended by their assessments for the year 1826 in June of 
Messrs. Wolcott Lawrence and Wiiitney. who that year. The total amount of property assess- 
were assigned him b}- the court. Itwaspi'oven ed was 81,S28.38, an increase from the pre- 
that the accused committed the murder, but vions year of S;56:5.Ho. The assessors made it 
drunkenness was pleaded as an excuse. The a part of their duly to take a censu.s of the in- 
jury bnjugbt in a verdict of not guilty of mur- habitants, and the following was the result : 
der, but guilty of manslaughter. The sentence Monroe Counlv 

of the court was declared, that the pri-soner be x,„nber of white males l,-):56 

confined at hard labor in the county prison for Number of wU'iU- females 1,182 

one year and pay a fine of one hundred dollars, 

together with the costs of prosecution. Total inhabitants 2,618 

The change during the winter of 1826 in the Louiwfc Coun/;/ (attached to Monroe). 

mode of carrying the mails through this part Number of white males 1-14 

of the country from the back of a French pony Number of white females 12:> 

to the inside of a substantial covei-ed wagon, 3 

and an additional trip in the week, proved a Total inhabitants 2io 

great public convenience, and was the first line The result of the census in 1820 exhibited a 

of stages established in Michigan. There were, population in the same district of country of 

however, some old fogies who thought it a use- 1,851. 

less expense to have a mail as often as twice a The officers of the Second Hcgimentof Mich- 
week, igan Militia, under command of f'olonci Oliver 



138 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Johnson, were engaged in military drill and 
maueuvering through the streets of Monroe 
the 16th, 17th and 18th of August, 1826. A 
twenty-dollar sword carried b3' Lieutenant- 
Colonel Briggs (father of Perry Briggs, of this 
city), a general supply of muskets, together \Yith 
the music, formed their equipment. Mili- 
tary affairs received but little attention for the 
two previous years, but the sound of music, 
though consisting of fife and drum, was per- 
fectly exhilarating. 

On the first of September, I82(j, Colonel 
Francis Navarre, the first white settler of Mon- 
roe, departed this life. He located here by the 
invitation of the Indians, the then sole owners 
of the soil, who granted him a tract of 1,200 
or 1,500 acres of land, comjjrising the portion 
of the city of Monroe east of Scott street, ex- 
tending from the Eiver Eaisin south to the 
farms laid out on Otter Creek. He retained 
at the time of his death about five hundred 
acres of great value, which he willed to his 
children. Was the first iterson who attempted 
the establishment of military discipline and 
introduced the forms of civil government in this 
county ; was first appointed captain, afterwards 
colonel, in the first regiment formed in the 
county. He held at different times and for 
long periods distinguished civil offices. He 
maintained during his whole life great influ- 
ence over the Indians: was conversant with 
and spoke fluently the language of many of the 
Indian tribes ; was distinguished for his energy 
in aiding to accomplish the celebrated Indian 
treaty concluded at Greenville, Ohio, under the 
direction of General Wayne, by which the 
United States became jjossessed of an immense 
body of land, and secured the right of con- 
structing roads through a valuable j)ortion of 
the State of Michigan. He witnessed the first 
commencement of a fine settlement here ; saw 
the same destroyed, the bouses of the inhabit- 
ants sacked and burned upon the battlefield, 
and lived to see the remaining inhabitants 
recover from the shock occasioned bj" the war, 
settled anew in comparative affluence, and build 
up a flourishing village within a few rods of 
his own door. He was remarkable for his 
habits of temperance, industry and frugality. 
hospitable to new-comers, and was noted for the 
strictest honesty and uprightness in all his in- 
tercourse with mankind. 

February 11, 1827, at a meeting held at the 



court-house a petition was adopted to be pre- 
sented to the legislative council, praying for an 
act of incorporation. Our citizens were some- 
what divided in opinion, and two parties 
sprang up. The majority were, however, de- 
cidedly in favor of being incorporated. The 
vote stood 43 for and 19 against. 

March 17, 1827, Mr. Price and Mr. Allen, 
from Virginia, seized a colored man at Water- 
loo, one mile west of Monroe, as a slave of 
whom they claimed to be owners. Mr. Allen 
was committed by Peter P. Ferry, a justice of 
the peace, and held a number of months in the 
Monroe county jail, under the care of Captain 
Thorpe, of Swan Creek, a deputy sheriff. The 
examination resulted in their commitment 
under bonds of $250 each to appear at the 
next term of the county court. Mr. Price pro- 
duced on the examination a power of attorney, 
the genuineness of which was very question- 
able, from the owner of the slave in question, 
certified by the pro])er officers of the State of 
Virginia. 

The first annual township election for the 
town of Monroe was held May 2, 1827. Samuel 
Choate was elected sujDcrvisor by a vote of 49; 
Edward I). Ellis, township clerk; assessors, 
Samuel Stone, jr., Joseph G. Navarre, Jere- 
miah Lawrence; commissioners of highways, 
Daniel MulhoUen, Hiram Brown and Samuel 
W. Gale; overseers of the poor, William W. 
Gale and George Alfred ; constables, James 
McManus and Ethel Burch ; collector, James 
McManus; poundmaster, Waterburj- Gray; 
fence viewers, William Page, Francis Robert, 
Aiken Duval, David Barker. 

May 12, 1827, the first village election took 
place, resulting in the election of John Ander^ 
son, president; trustees, Hiram Brown, Ezekiel 
A. Peltier, Edward D. Ellis, Peter P. Ferry, 
Anthony L. Briggs ; treasurer, Thomas Wilson; 
marshal. Otia Stowell. 

Maj'SO, 1827, the annual meeting of the La- 
Plaisance Bay Harbor Comjiany was held. 
Alcott C. Chapman, Charles Noble, Levi S. 
Humphrey, John Anderson and Harry Conant 
were chosen directors for the ensuing j'ear. 
John Anderson, Levi S. Humphrey, Oliver 
Johnson, were chosen to superintend the next 
annual election. The directors chose Levi S. 
Humphrey president; Edward D. Ellis, secre- 
tary; and Oliver Johnson, treasurer. 

On the 23d of June, 1827, Messrs. Miller and 



A DISTRESSING CALAMITY 



139 



Germain sl)i]i])cd from LaPlaisance Bay liarbor 
for the city of New York, two hundred barrels 
of tloiir, manufactured at the mills in tlie vil- 
Ia2;e of Monroe. It is believed to be the first 
flour exported from Michigan, and passed in 
New York market for superfine. 

The election in 1827 for niembers of the 
legislative council in Monroe and Lenawee 
counties resulted in the following vote : 

3I0UTW. Lena ii'ff. Total. 

W'cilcott Lawr.-nce lt>8 41 209 

Charles Noble 12:! 74 197 

Laurent Durocher 170 2(1 196 

Charles James Lanman 109 75 184 

Peter P. Ferry 102 12 114 

Edward D. Ellis 42 42 

Darius Comstock "il :;9 90 

The townships then organized in Monroe 
county in which votes were east, were Mon- 
roe, Frenchtown, Raisinville, Port Lawrence 
(Toledo). In Lenawee county the townships 
were Tecumsch, Logan, Blissfield and St. 
Joseph. 

A distressing calamity, one of wliich the 
history of this county affords no parallel, oc- 
curred January 27, 1828. On the evening of 
that day. the wife and five children of John Bt. 
Couture, who resided on the beach of Lake 
Erie, on the south side of Otter Creek, in the 
township of Lasselle (now Erie), were awak- 
ened by the beating of the ice against the 
little dwelling, occasioned by the rising of the 
waters of the lake during a heavy storm of 
wind. They resolved on making their waj- to 
a neighboring house in the hope of finding 
shelter. Mrs. Couture took two of the chil- 
dren upon her back, the hired girl took two, 
and the oldest, a little bo}' eleven years old, 
endeavored to make his way on foot. They 
bad not advanced far through water and ice, 
waist deep, before Mrs. Couture lost her two 
children. The idea of leaving them to perish 
was insupportable. She endeavored in vain to 
find them, when the little boy requested his 
mother to leave him behind, in the hope of 
rescuing himself and comrades. Mrs Couture 
advanced as far as a fence against which the ice 
appeared to beat without extending beyond. 
She was found Sunday morning with her foot 
caught in the fence; her children were found 
some rods distant, but the affectionate little 
boy was not found until the next da}-. The 
hired girl, findini^ she could be of no assistance, 



went to the house for wliicli they had all 
started ; it was deserted, surrounded by water, 
and the door fastened. She placed the two 
children on a ladder to which they clung, 
while she was endeavoring to gain entrance; 
the}' cluni; for a (ew moments, but benumbed 
by cold, fell into the water and perished. Find- 
ing herself alone, she sought safet}' by climb- 
ing on the top of an outside oven, where she 
remained until morning, when she was taken 
from her perilous situation, where she could not, 
thinly clad, have long survived. Mr. Couture 
was absent on a visit to the only surviving 
child, wno was attending school at Bay Settle- 
ment, now Erie. 

The greatest nuisance to farmers in early 
times was a small blackbird, of insignificant 
appearance, its probable weight two or three 
ounces, the male having a red spot on each 
wing. For ca])ability for destruction there are 
none of the feathered race that can compare 
with them. They attack all kinds of grain as 
soon as formed, or as soon as in the milk. The 
flocks have shown themselves in some instances 
capable of blasting the toil of a \ ear of the 
husbandman in a single day. Edward I). 
Ellis watched one blackbird upon an ear of 
corti, which commenced at the top and stripped 
the husk down as it became necessary to reach 
the kernel, and then devoured the whole ear 
in less than an hour, constituting a weight and 
bulk apparently much larger than the bird. 
They appear to be capable of eating from sun- 
rise to sunset. When the day's work of eating 
is over with them, all within ten miles were at 
an early day wont to resort to one spot to rest 
for the night. This takes place in the marsh 
among the coarsest grass. In November they 
retire to a more southern latitude, and return 
the lastof February, greatly diminished in num- 
bers, generally congregating in their old rest- 
ing-places. The first of May they disappear 
— each pair to building nests and rearing their 
young. About the middle of July they a.s.sem- 
ble in the fields of grain with their replenished 
numbers, and commence the great work of 
destruction. They sought the farms west of 
Monroe in immense numbers every morning, 
and returned to themarshesa little before sun- 
.sct. I have frequentl}- seen files of men on 
Washington street stationed a few rods apart 
with their shot-guns, who fired as the flocks 
pass over, killing in some instances fifty at one 



140 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



sliot. The contrast is great with the present 
time, as we see but comparative!}' few. The 
bountj' offered for their destruction was insuf- 
ficient, and the results were excecdinglj' dam- 
aging to crops. 

Major John Wliijjple, of Detioit, was tiiis 
year (1830) appointed keeper of the light-house 
a short time before erected in the vicinity of 
La Plaisance Bay harbor on Lake Erie. 

On the 22d of January, 1832, a very revolt- 
ing sj)ectacle was witnessed by the citizens of 
Monroe — the whijjping of Edward Dillon 
with fifteen lashes on the bare back, a custom 
which yet prevails in New Jersey. It was, 
however, an efficient mode, as those subjected 
to public whipping were so thoroughly dis- 
graced that they were seldom in those daj-s 
seen twenty-four hours after j^unishment It 
was often adopted as a mode of jiunishment 
for theft. The whipping always took place on 
the public square in Monroe. 

Alcott C. Chapman removed to Monroe from 
Pitt8fiekl,Mas.sachusetts, soon after the close of 
the War of 1812, when the prospects of this 
section of country were at the lowest ebb. He 
continued to i-eside here from that time to the 
date of his death, April 22, 1831, aged thirty- 
eight years. Mr. Chapman was uniformly one 
of its most public-spirited citizens, and to his 
exertions more than to any other single indi- 
vidual was the village of Monroe indebted for 
its then flourishing prosj)ects. He erected the 
largest hotel in the State, and even up to the 
time of his last sickness his enterprise was not 
in the least abated, as he was then engaged in 
erecting another splendid building on Monroe 
street. 

The Eiver Eaisin toll bridge on the 6th of 
March, 1832, left its long established founda- 
tion and departed in solemn majesty down 
stream. This event, from a considerable rise 
of water and the heavy masses of ice that were 
floating with great force at the time, was 
looked for with a great degree of certainty by 
a concourse of the citizens, who had assem- 
bled to witness the exit of the rotten skeleton 
that had so long overshadowed our I'iver. 
Several individuals who had posted themselves 
on the bridge narrowly escaped a similar fate. 
The loss to the owners, Messrs. Henry Dishrow 
and John Bt. Russeau, was severely felt by 
tliem, as they had purchased the charter but a 
short time previous. Some of our older citi- 



zens well remember the old toll bridge. Since 
its day and before the day of iron bridges they 
have seen many a wooden structure sent cavort- 
ing down stream l)y the spring freshets, but the 
day for that kind of entertainment is now 
happily jjast. 

Townshijj election for Monroe resulted April 
14, 1832, in the election of Luther Harvo}", 
supervisor ; Peter P. Ferry, township clerk ; 
Levi S. Humphrey, Nathan Hubbell and Bzekiel 
A. Peltier, assessors : Samuel H. Gale, David 
M. Jacobs and Stephen Duval, commissioners; 
Edward D. Ellis, director of the poor; John 
MulhoHcn, collector; James H. Miller, John 
Mulhollen, Louis E. Bailey, constables: Daniel 
S. Bacon, Phanucl W. Warriner and Harry 
Conant, school inspectors; Waterbury Gray, 
Harr}' Conant, poundmasters ; W. W. Gale, 
David M. Jacobs, Robert F. Navarre, fence 
viewers. 

Village election occurred June 4, 1832, and 
the following persons were elected : President, 
John Anderson ; trustees, Harry Conant, Tim- 
othy H. Lindsley, Samuel P. Munger, Harry 
V. Mann, Thomas G. Cole; treasurer, Edward 
D. Ellis; marshal, Lewis E. Bailey; assessors, 
Levi S. Humphrey, Nathan Hubbell; school 
commissioners, Warner Wing, James (^. Adams, 
Wolcott Lawrence; supervisor of highways, 
Joseph Wood. 

Jeremiah Lawrence came to Monroe August 
5 1817 — was a native of Connecticut. Took 
an active part in the cause of his country dur- 
ing the Revolutionary War; was for many 
years a civil magistrate in Massachusetts, and 
during the most of his residence here acted in 
a similar capacity, besides filling a variety of 
public trusts in the village and township. He 
died at the residence of his son-in-law, Joseph 

C. Garwood, on the 5th of August, 1833. 
Township election in Monroe April, 1834, 

resulted in the election of Edward D. Ellis, 
supervisor; Peter P. Ferrj', town clerk ; Josejjh 
Wood, James H. Miller, Lewis E. Bailey, con- 
stables ; Seneca Allen, Issachar Frost, Nathan 
Hubbell, assessors ; David M. Jacobs, Norman 

D. Curtis, Stephen Duval, commissioners of 
highways; Thomas Wilson, Henry S. Piatt, 
directors of the poor; Wolcott Lawrence, Harry 
Conant, Isaac P. Skinner, school commissioners; 
James Q. Adams, Daniel S. Bacon, Timothy H. 
Lindsley, Harry V. Mann and .Fohn H. Con- 
verse, school inspectors 



TIIK VILI.AGK OF MONROE. 



141 



TlIK VILLAGE OF >[()NR()i:. 

The settlement, so far us it could claim the 
name of a town prior to the disastrous scenes 
of the late war with Great Britain, was con- 
fined to the opposite (north) side of the River 
Raisin, |irincipally at a point where the present 
turnpike road leaves the River Haisin in the 
direction of Detroit, at the place of the princi- 
pal massacre of the River Raisin at the time of 
General Winchester's well-known defeat. The 
town was then known by the name of French- 
town, and was composed of a few dwellings 
and stores of those who were princijially en- 
gaged in the Indian fur trade, but which was 
mainly destro3-ed in January, 1813. 

No efforts were made towards building up a 
town on the south side of the River Raisin 
prior to the year 1817, when b^' an executive 
proclamation of acting Governor William 
Woodbridge, foundetl on the report of Colonel 
John Anderson and Wolcott Jjawrence, ap- 
pointed to examine and report in the premises, 
the town of Monroe was laid out as now exist- 
ing, on the south bank of the River Raisin, 
upon lands belonging to Joseph Loranger and 
others, who dulj- e.xpres.sed their a.ssent to the 
subdivisions tliereol into profier lots, streets, 
commons, and public squares, and moreover 
agreed to make liberal donations for the benefit 
of said count}- and to execute conveyances to in- 
ure to the public use, and said town was at that 
time constituted the permanent seat of justice 
in and for the county of Monroe. The reason 
for locating the town upon the south side of 
the river was that the titles to the lands for 



public gr()un<ls eoulil not be obtaine(l upon the 
opposite side. For the ten following years the 
towni made but trifling progress. 

In 1821: the office for the sale of the public 
lauds in the Southwestern Land District of the 
Territory was opened in the village of Monroe. 
Charles J. Lanman and Dr. Robert Clark were 
appointed register and receiver, and the office 
was continued with advantage to the Govern- 
ment until bj' the passage of an act of Congress 
Februarj- 10, 1831, the office was abolished, the 
district changed, and a new office opened in St. 
Joseph county. The difficulties, however, to 
which the inhabitants were subjected by this 
change soon became apparent to the Govern- 
ment, and accordingly, early in the session of 
Congress, the Southern Lanil District was 
formed, and the office again located in the vil- 
lage of Monroe, and sales were commenced in 
Maj', 1833. Early in the administration of 
General Andrew Jack.son, Messrs. Lanman and 
Clark were removed, and Messrs. Dan. B. Miller 
and Levi S. Humphrey were their successors. 

B}' the census taken under authority of the 
United States in the summer and fall of 1830, 
the village numbered a population of but 478 
souls. The best judges computed the popula- 
tion in 1834 between 1,200 and 1,500. 

The count}' was then subdivided into nine 
townships, all possessing an active and enter- 
prising population, and thought to comprise 
5,000 or tj,000 souls. The county is watered 
by Swan Creek, Otter Creek, Plum Creek, the 
River Raisin and its branches, and Stony Creek ; 
bounded on the north by Huron River. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837. 



.TAMES .JACQUES GODFROY 

WAS born in Detroit in 1824. Was edu- 
cated at Bardstown, Kentucky ; there 
studied law, but abandoned the profession on 
account of ill-health. He formed a copartner- 
ship with his brother Peter, with the firm name 
of P. & J. J. Godfroy. They were conversant 
with the language of the different tribes of In- 
dians then in this vicinity, and spoke fluently 
the English, French and Indian languages. 
The subject of this article was with the Indians 
very popular, and was elected a chief hj the 
Pottawatomie tribe. Their trade was mainlj' 
with the French and Indians, and was con- 
ducted on such thoroughly honest and up- 
right principles that hesecured their confidence 
and friendship. It was rarely the ease that 
any negotiations for farms or transactions of 
importance were made by the French inhabit- 
ants without first submitting them to Mr. God- 
froy, then adopting his advice and counsel. 
His feelings and .sympathies were all with the 
Democratic party, and he wielded a wonderful 
influence with the French vote of the county. 
The common expression at that early day was; 
" As goes Jock Godfroy, so goes the county." 
He was a constant attendant at the polls on 
election days, and as many of the French did 
not read or write, they always felt sure of a 
straight Democratic vote if they received it 
from the hands of Jock, and all efforts to dis- 
suade 01' influence them were fruilless. His 
activity and energy in distributing ballots at 
such times will long be remembered by the 
early settlers. 

As heretofore stated, nearly all important 
negotiations and transfers of real estate were 
made through his counsel and advice, and in a 
large proportion of the early conveyances in 
the register's office of this count}' you find his 
name as the subscribing witness. He was in 
manner modest and retiring, and though much 



interested in politics was averse to having 
his name used as a candidate for any office 
of public trust. In but one instance was his 
name submitted, then as a candidate for mayor 
of the city on the tempoi'ance ticket. He was 
a strong advocate of the temperance cause, was 
elected by a very large majority, and dis- 
charged the duties of the office acceptably to 
the citizens, with credit to himself, and with- 
out compensation. The firm of P. & J. J. God- 
froy built and occupied as a store the building 
on the corner of Front and Macomb streets, 
now owned and occupied by Mr. Eli Eivard. 

Mr. Godfroy resided until 1836 on his farm 
on the north side of the River Raisin, now 
owned and occupied by one of our most enter- 
prising farmers, Mr. Dubois. During that year 
he built for those days a stately residence on 
the farm directly east of the Philij) R. Tull 
residence, which he occupied up to the time of 
his death and which is still owned by his de- 
scendants. 

Wedworth W. (JIark, fiivorably known to 
our citizens, became a copartner of the firm of 
P. & J. J. Godfroy under the name of P. & J. 
Godfroy & Co., removed from the old stand, 
and for many years occupied the store on the 
south side of Front street, in the Dansard 
block, now owned by his son Samuel. 

Until the Indians were by our Government 
removed west of the Mississippi, it was custom- 
ary for the Indians on every New Year's day 
to c:illat the residence of their chief with their 
squaws and jiapooses. A pa])00se was strapped 
tightlj- to a boai-d and carried on the squaw's 
back. An additional leather strap was nailed 
to the " barseau " in order that it might be 
slung over the mother's head, to enable her to 
carry the "barseau" with its contents (the 
papoose). It was so constructed as to hang on 
the bough of a tree, thus serving the purpose of 
a modern cradle. 

The approach of storms of thunder and light- 



[142] 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837. 



143 



niiig was fraught with terror and ap|)rehension 
to Mr. Godfrey, and it was his custom to leave 
his customers and business, hasten iiome, dis- 
robe, iiurry into his hirge feather bed and 
cover his head with pillows, believing it a 
sure protection. When the storm had sub- 
sided he would return to his customers, finding 
tliem waiting for him and indulging in merri- 
ment at his expense. 

Mr. Godfroy vvas employed by our (iovern- 
mcnt to remove the Indians west of the Mis. 
sissippi, and at that time purchased nearly all 
the French ponies in the county. 

Mr. Godfroy married Victoria, the daughter 
of Colonel Francis Navarre. He died in 1847, 
leaving a widow and a fa mily of throe sons and 
five daughters, all of whom are now living 
with the exception of one son, Frederick, who 
died at Plattsburg in 1885. He married the 
daughter of Eichard Phillips, of Brest. Fred- 
erick was intended by his father for the priest- 
hood in the Catholic church, and partially 
completed a course of study in our State Uni- 
vei'.sitv; but preferring a business life, he was 
for man}- years clerk in the dry goods store of 
Charles G. Johnson, afterward clerk in the 
banking' office of Wing & Johnson in Monroe, 
and in tiie banking office of Mitchell &, Wal- 
dron of Hillsdale. Subsequently he was ap- 
]iointcd by our Government a commissioner 
and Indian agent in New Mexico. 

John L. C. Godfroy, the eldest son of J. J. 
Godfroj-, commonly called Columbus, inherited 
many of the characteristics of his father, and 
is one of our most trustworthy citizens. He 
was for main- years a dry goods merchant in 
Monroe. He has enjoyed the confidence of the 
public, has served the county as treafui'cr, is 
frequently sought for as executor and adininis- 
ti'alor of estates, and is now identified in busi- 
ness with the Wilder Manufacturing Company 
in Monroe. 

J. J. Godfrey's eldest dau<,'htci', Celestine 
Ann Godfroy, married the Hon. Frederick 
Waldorf, who was born in Wcll.>to«ii, Ger- 
nianj', January 27, 1825. He came to Monroe 
-May 9, 1842, from Buffalo, and was in the cm- 
))loy ofSamuel J. Holley, the owner of the City 
Mills, on Front street. B}- his industry and 
enterprise he became one of the most ])i-omi- 
nent and wealthy citizens. In politics he is a 
Republican; averse to holding office, though in 
a city where the party is in a large minority 



he has often beeti elected mayor of the cit^-, 
and dischai-ged the duties with great credit to 
liimself, proving worthy of the honor conferred. 
He is highly esteemed as a man of integrity' 
and uprightness, and has been for many years 
and is now the President of the First National 
Bank of Monroe. 

The second daughter of James J. Godfroy, 
Regina Victoria Godfroy, married Thurlow A. 
Strong, present register of deeds of .Monroe 
county. 

The third daughter, Alexandi-ine, mari-ied Mr. 
DeRuttc, who died in Buffalo. The widow and 
children reside in Monroe. 

The remaining sons, Augustus, Samuel and 
Philip, are in business in Monroe, and with 
their brothers have ever adhered to the tem- 
perance principles of their father. 



COLONEL PKTER PF.YRE FERRY 

Was born in Marseilles, France, and received a 
liberal education. He had a commission from 
and fought under Napoleon Bonaparte in his 
campaigns in Italy, Africa, (rermany, and 
Austria, and with him suffered in common 
with his armj- the horrors and hardships of 
bis memorable campaigns, living for days and 
weeks on horseflesh, and when in Monroe in 
subsequent j^ears related the. incident of his 
entertaining at tliuner a number of his fellow 
French officers, .when the bill of fare consisted 
principalh' of rats. 

After the successful campaigns of Napoleon 
Bonaparte in 1800 and 1801, resulting in the 
treaties with Spain, Naples, Bavaria, Portugal, 
Russia and Turkey, it seemed as if a universal 
cessation of hostilities was about to mark the 
history of Europe. To the title of Conqueror, 
the First Consul now added that of Pacificator. 
Many could then understand the cautious steps 
of Napoleon toward a still more absolute 
power — his head was giddy with success, and 
it was apparent he was aiming at the imperial 
diadem. At this time, and two j-ears before 
he was proclaimed Emperor of France, Colonel 
Ferry believed in .service he was contending 
for a rejjublic. When it was a])parent that 
Napoleon Bonaparte's ambition and deter- 
mination was to be the Emperor of France, 
disregarding and setting aside the principles 
that had animated those whose heart's desire 



144 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



was a republic for Franco, and for which they 
supposed they were fighting, Colonel Ferry de- 
manded his passports, which were with reluc- 
tance grunted, and he embarked for America. 
He first sought New York in 1802, in which 
citj' his brother Joseph resided. He could not 
return to France, and authorized his brother by 
a power of attorney to convert his property in 
France into available monoj'. His brother 
proved false to his trust, appropriated his es- 
tate and wealth to his own use, reducing Colo- 
nel Ferry from affluence to poverty. 

In New York city he married Ann Lloyd 
Jones, an English lady, from thence moved to 
Stamford, Connecticut, from thence to Dan- 
bury, Ohio, and from thence to Cleveland, Ohio. 

He arrived in Monroe in October, 1822, and 
occupied one-half of the Lacroix house, now 
standing, on the north side of the River Eaisin 
and owned by Louis Lafontain. After one 
year's residence he was appointed a justice of 
the peace. He also taught school a number of 
years, and is now well remembered by many 
of our older citizens as the keeper of the toll 
bridge that crossed the river at the site of the 
present Monroe street bridge. 

Colonel Ferry was regarded as one of our 
most intelligent citizens, a fine accountant and 
trustworthy, and was for many successive 
3'ears elected treasurer of the county of Mon- 
roe. He resided on Washington street, in the 
homestead now owned and in possession of his 
descendants, Mrs. John TuU and family. 

He died in May, 1845, leaving a widow, two 
sons and two daughters. Lucian Ferry, his 
eldest son, was born in 1811, at Stamford, Con- 
necticut, loft Monroe at the age of .seventeen 
and embarked in the fur trade at Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, where he also studied law and was 
admitted to practice. He was for many years 
prosecuting attorney of that county. He died 
at Fort Wayne, leaving a widow, one son and 
two daughters. The daughters are married 
and now reside in Fort Wayne. The son 
settled in and is now jiracticing law in Port- 
land, Oregon. 

Adelaide, daughter of Peter P. Ferry, was 
born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 5, 1814; married 
in the spring of 1835, but lived but one year 
thereafter. 

Julia Ann was born in Danbury, Ohio, 
November 12, 1816; was married in October, 
1837, to John Tull. 



Lewis Victor Ferry, second son, was born in 
Danbury, Ohio, May 9, 1820 ; died at the age of 
twenty-eight in Monroe. 

Margaret was born at Sandusky, Ohio, May 
23, 1822; married in August, 1842, to Rov. 
Eesing Sapp, a minister of the Methodist 
Bijiscopal church, who died May 5, 1873, leav- 
ing six sons : Dexter T. Sapp, a lawj'er in Colo- 
rado ; William and Edward, both lawyers in 
Galena, Kansas ; Charles, a bookkeeper in 
(rrand Eapids ; and John R. Sapp, who was 
killed bv lightning in his thirty-seventh year, 
while a student at the Michigan University. 

Elisha, the third son of Peter P. Ferry, was 
born in Monroe, August 9,1825; was educated 
in the Branch University of Michigan, at Mon- 
roe, the Rev. Samuel Center, principal. He 
first settled and, practiced law in Fort Wajne, 
Indiana. Practiced law thereafter in Wauke- 
gan, Illinois (then Little Fort). He there 
married tho daughter of Doctor Kellogg, was 
appointed surveyor-general by President Lin- 
coln, and was subsequently appointed for two 
terms governor of the State. He is now living 
at Seattle, Washington Territory, with a family 
of five children. 

Colonel Peter P. Ferry was in sentiment 
and belief an infidel, until his attendance in the 
old yellow court-house on the services con- 
ducted by the Rev. Mr. Frontis, a Presbyterian 
clergyman, at which time he became a Chris- 
tian and united with the First Presbyterian 
church in the 3 ear 1825, saj'ing, however, that 
his father was a member of the Protestant 
Episcopal church in France, and his partiality 
therefor would induce him to dissolve his con- 
nection should a Protestant Episcopal church 
be organized. He was one of the first mem- 
bers of the Protestant Episcopal church in this 
city, was the successor of Doctor Walter Colton, 
the first warden, assisted in organizing the 
Sabbath school therein, and was for some time 
superintendent thereof 



ROBERT CLARK 



Was born June 12, 1777, six months after his 
father's family arrived in America. He was of 
Scotch ancestrj-, concerning whom very little 
is known, beyond the fact that his family emi- 
grated from that part of Scotland known as 
the Lowlands. The family settled in Wash- 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1S37. 



145 



ingtoii county, Mew York, ami tlio t'allifi- of 
Robert Clark died when his son was but thir- 
teen 3'ears old. His early da3's were passed as 
most pioneers, havinij little ease or luxury. Jle 
was wont to relate "how he studied lying on 
the floor in front of the open fire, his student 
lamp a pine knot, and the table upon which 
the book rested being the floor in front of 
him." Probably the minister of the parish 
was hi.s classical teacher, as his knowledge of 
Greek and Latin was most accurate and his 
scientific attainments (|uite level with results 
of college training. His professional studies 
were doubtless pursued in his brother's office. 
Ilis onl}' brotiier. Dr. Thomas CMark, was a 
skillful physician, and jn-acticed in Washington 
county and other places in New York until ho 
removed to Michigan. 

Di-. Robert Clark was married to Catherine 
Reid when ho was twent^'-two years old and 
his bride was barely fifteen. He practiced 
medicine in Galway, Washington county. Now 
York, and although his mother-in-law made 
him an advantageous offer to settle in Canada, 
at LaChyne, his wife's former home, offering 
him a comfortable home and great induce- 
ments, he thanked her profbundl}-, at the same 
time telling her he could never sacrifice his 
])rineiples to his interests by establishing him- 
self in the King's dominions (the spirit of 
Americans was greatly embittered at this time). 
Dr. Clark met with fair success and established 
himself in a comfortable home where two chil- 
dren were born, but one day while they were 
all abroad, the house mj'steriously took fire 
and burned to the ground. Nothing was saved 
and they were in extremities. Neighbors were 
kind and a temporary shelter was sujiplicd, and 
.soon a third child was born. Dr. Clark moved 
soon afterward to Stanford, Delaware county, 
New York, where for a time he lived with the 
Kedzie family, and in the year 1828 he with 
William Kedzie came to Michigan. Dr. Clark 
bought a home eight miles from Delhi, where 
he practiced for some time with marked suc- 
cess. Ho abandoned his profession for the 
broader field of politics. Ho was twice elected 
to the New Y'ork Assembl}- and represented 
his district one or two terms in Congress. 
Through the influence of Colonel John Ander- 
son he came to Monroe, where he secured the 
office from the Government of regi.ster of tho 
land office. Mr. Charles Lanman, a lawyer 



from Norwich, Connecticut, was associaleil with 
him. 

Mrs. Clark, with eight children, the j'oungcst 
but twenty months old, followed the doctor as 
soon as convenient. They cjinie b^- hired 
teams as far as Utica, then by the Hrio canal as 
far as Rochester, and finally by hired teams 
again as far as Buffalo, when they ombarkod on 
the steamer Superior — the second set afloat on 
Lake Erie. The voyage lasted five days, and 
was not altogether favorable as to storms, and 
they were glad to land in Detroit — from which 
place tho journey to Monroe was made in an 
open boat, which had a sort of cabin some- 
where in the hold ; the name of the boat was 
the Firefly; the captain was Luther Harvey. 
When the boat was made fast to the wharf the 
only one-horse wagon owned in tho village met 
the family and conveyed the mother and daugh- 
ters to the little village. The doctor secured 
the best accommodations to be had, which 
were poor enough ; the house was on Monroo 
street, partially finished and unpainted, known 
as the MulhoUen house. There was not a 
church in tho village, but about a mile or per. 
haps two up the river was a Catholic church. 
Meetings were held in the courthouse, which 
served as a jail and residence for tho family of 
the jailer. The summer after the family's arri- 
val, some of the household wore attacked with 
the prevalent disease of the country — ague 
and fever. Dr. Harry Conant, a young physi- 
cian, was called, who understood the treatment 
neces-sary, and the family soon were restored to 
health. The friendshij) contracted in trouble 
endured to the end of their lives. Dr. Conant 
survived his friend Dr. Clark several years, 
and by request of the Medical Association de- 
livered the memorial address, in which he paid 
a deserved tribute to his memory, " whom ho 
revered as a Christian, trusted as a man, and 
honored as a ph3-sician." 

About the j ear 1823 Dr. Clark purchased a 
beautiful farm ju.st at the edge of the village. 
The place had been quite a business center for 
tho French, and had once a distillery, a saw- 
mill, a flouring mill and a bakery, with three 
or four houses besides. It had belonged to the 
Lasselle estate. There were flourishing or- 
chards in various degrees of maturity, beside 
peach and cherry trees. Mrs. Clark, with her 
son Duncan, explored the|)lace and determined 
to utilize the French village. They repaired 



146 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



two or tlii'ee ot the houses and moved into 
them. Many distinguished guests wei'e made 
welcome under these lowly roofs. Wiien Gen- 
eral Jackson was made President of tlie United 
States he called Governor Cass as a member of 
his cabinet, which was disastrous to his Michi- 
gan friends, for instead of iiaving a friend at 
court and being allowed to .still hold his posi- 
tion, the land office was moved to White 
Pigeon, tiius making a place for two favorites 
of the President's. Dr. Clark returned to the 
pi'actice of medicine with his accustomed skill 
but with abated enthusiasm. He found, how- 
ever, pleasant occupation in cultivating his 
narrow French farm — in experimenting with 
fruits and grasses and in draining the lands. 

Dr. Clark was a man of positive convictions 
and never lacked the courage to express them — 
plain-spoken almost to biuntness. He began 
life as a Democrat. Of his party affiliations he 
used to say, " That ho had never changed his 
principles, but found himself a member of the 
Whig party without needing to change." In 
New York he was a Free and Accepted Mason, 
but was not in harmony or fellowship with the 
lodge of Monroe, becau.se men were admitted 
of loose principles and impure lives. He was a 
Presbyterian, and when living in New York a 
member and ruling elder in the Scotch church, 
and alwa3-s retained an aversion to instru- 
mental music in chure^li. He objected to the 
introduction of a flute and bass viol in the 
Presbyterian church, but being out voted he 
submitted very reluctantly, and when the con- 
gregation rose to praise God with the sound of 
the flute and viol he would not rise. At the 
time of the division of the church, his sympa- 
thies were with the old school but as his 
church and presbytery were now school, he 
united with them and was afterward satisfied 
to be so. On the subject of missions, he was 
in advance of his age. A draft of an address 
delivered before the Count}- Bible Society fifty 
years ago, contains a plea for the nations in 
darkne-ss which would still be powerful if made 
before the General Assembly or the American 
Board of Foreign Missions. Dr. Clark was a 
man of fine liter^ny taste, an easy conversa- 
tionalist, possessed of a keen sense of humor. 
His society was always prized. After a long 
and painful illness, he expressed himself thus 
in regard to the hour of his death ; " It would 
seem a joyful privilege to begin to praise God 



in heaven at the hour that he had been accus- 
tomed to worship Him on earth.'" On a Sab- 
bath morning, just as the church bells were 
calling the worshipers, he entered into the 
church of the First Born written in heaven, 
October 1, 1837. 

Mrs. Clark survived her husband twenty- 
two years. She was a woman noted for sound 
judgment and intelligence, and was greatly 
beloved by the community. She was the 
mother of thirteen children, ten of whom grew 
to maturity. 

The second child was Duncan Eeid Clark, 
born August IG, 1802, married Miss Sophie, 
Downing, daughter of Captain Downing, of 
Monroe, June 12, 1829. He acted as crier at 
one of the public land sales and tlie effort 
brought on hemorrhage of the lungs, from 
which he never recovered. He died at his 
father's house in Monroe, February 16, 1835 ; 
was respected as a Christian and a man of much 
promise. He left one son, who is now a 
banker in Reed City, Michigan. 

The fourth child born to Dr. Clark, Maria 
Reid Clark, born February 21, 1807, was a 
peculiarly bright and interesting child and her 
father's pride. She was married January 31, 
1826, and soon removed to White Pigeon, 
where she died August 17, 1839, leaving three 
sons and an infant daughter. The oldest son 
died when quite j-oung. The youngest son, 
Robert Clark Knaggs, was adopted bj' his aunt, 
Mrs. A. E. Kellogg, distinguished himself in 
the Rebellion, was a prisoner at Libby Prison, 
is a respected citizen of Chicago. 

Thomas Clark, son of Dr. Robert Clark, was 
born Februarj' 13, 1809 ; was married to Miss 
Lavonia Hopkins October 24, 1833. He was a 
quiet, careful man, much respected in the city, 
was an older in the Presbyterian church, and a 
firm and devoted friend to every good cause. 
His devoted wife was a bright and shining 
light to all about her, and her patient, unselfish 
life was a great encouragement to many of her 
sisters in the church and city. Her memorj' 
is revered and tenderly cherished by those who 
are left. Three children were born to Thomas 
Clark and grew to maturity : Helen, who was 
married to Mr. J. H. Ainsworth and became a 
resident of Toledo, Ohio. Edward G. Clark 
left college and responded to the call of his 
country — was with Sherman in his March to 
the Sea and participated in many a memorable 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, I<Sl8-l837. 



147 



Struggle. After the war he settled in Chiciigo 
and is one of the firm of Hibbard & Spencer, 
extensive hardware merchants. The younger 
son of Thomas Clark entered the service of his 
country as a member of the Seventh Eogiment 
of Michigan Volunteers, Colonel Grosvenor 
commanding officer. He was not twent3^-one 
when he enlisted, but was mature in firmness 
and Christian principles. He was the favorite 
of his superior officers, and as soon as his age 
would permit, and a vacancy occurred, he was 
promoted to a lieutenancy. He was attacked 
with severe illness in the swamp of the Chick- 
aliominy,aud suffered much in the retreat from 
Richmond to Fortress Monroe. He returm-tl 
iiomc on a furlough after being some time in 
the hospital. He rejoined his regiment just in 
time for the terrible march to the field of 
Antietam, where he laid down his short but 
eventful and noble life. His father, Thomas 
Clark, died Augu.st 28, 187!), and his wife died 
tlie following February at the homo of her 
daughter, Mrs. Ainswurth, in Toledo. 

Jane Stuart Clark, daughter of Dr. Clark, 
was born April 18, 1811 ; was married to John 
Andei'son, jr., when she was fifteen years old. 
Tiiey moved soon to White Pigeon, where 
Joim W. Anderson became the first judge of 
]irobate of St. Joseph count}-. He altorward 
returned to Monroe and received the appoint- 
ment of light-house keeper, which he held four 
years. He again returned to the city, and died 
.soon afterward with typhoid fever, leaving 
eight children: Edwin E. ; Catherine Eliza- 
beth, who was for some time a teacher among 
the freodmen, and was married to Mr. Tayre, 
of South Ijyon, Michigan ; Ijcster T., who lives 
in Washington Territory; Jane Estell was 
marled to William Mitchell, of Freeport. John 
C. Anderson, the third son, entered the service 
of his country as a member of the Seventh 
Regiment; he was promoted to a lieutenancj- ; 
was wounded at Antietam and suffered much 
for want of care until he could be taken to the 
hospital, where ho remained six months and 
left to participate in the battle of Gettysburg; 
he was made prisoner three days before the 
surrender; ho returneil home after the war 
with his constitution broken and gradually de- 
clined ; was gifted with a fine literary taste and 
promised to be a useful Clu-istian man. Willie, 
the fourth son, entered the service as clerk to 
a captain in the Fifteenth Regiment, but his 



health fiiiled under continued exposure, and 
he returned home to die of quick consumption. 
John A., the fourth son of Dr. and Mrs. 
Clark, was born February 20, 1814. He was a 
survej-or for sometime and afterward read law 
and practiced in Illinois. Ho received the ap- 
pointment of Surveyor-(Toneral of Xew Mexico, 
and a few years after the same office for T'tah. 
At tlie expiration of his official tei-m he re- 
moved to Fort Scott, Kan.sas, where ho was 
Land Commissioner and interested in the Fort 
Scott and Gulf Railroad. From (his city he 
removed to Kansas City, whei'o iieilicd August 
.'), 1881. 

Di-. and Mrs. Clark's fourth daughter, Ann 
Eliza, was born February 2, 181G; was married 
to Mr. Hosmer Kellogg, of White Pigeon, a 
prosperous merchant from Sheffield, Massa 
chusetts. She resided in White Pigeon for 
twenty-five j-ears. Two sons and two daughters 
came to her home. Five years after the death 
of Mr. Kellogg his wife removed to Ann Arbor 
in order to secure better advantages for the 
education of her two sons. Mrs. Kellogg, 
owing to her thorough education and earnest 
Christian character, was very influential as a 
member of sociot}- in Ann Arbor. With one 
or two others she originated a Ladies' I^ibrary 
Association, whicli celebrated its twentieth 
anniversary April ;>, 1886. Mrs. Keliogg's 
elder daugliter married Governor Hunt, of 
Colorado, and her younger daughter was mar- 
ried to C. T. McClure, of Denver. The sons 
are settled in Colorado also. Mrs. Kellogg 
calls Denver her home, though much of her time 
is spent in the East. For many j-cars she has 
devoted much time to the study of leaching of 
the Bible in select classes — also to the interest 
of foreign missions. Through her instrument- 
ality a Sunday school was established in a des- 
titute part of the city and a brick chapel 
erected, in part as a memorial to her daughter, 
Mrs. Hunt. 

The twelfth ciiild that came to tlie home of 
Dr. and Mrs. Clark was Catiierine. She was 
married to Colonel James Mitchell, who was a 
successful banker of Freeport, Illinois. 

Charles A. Clark, the child of his parents' old 
age, was the most brilliant of all the brothers 
and sisters. At his birth his parents solemnly 
dedicated him to God for the Christian minis- 
try. He seemed to pos.sess in an eminent de- 
gree the" requisite qualifications for the wi>ik. 



148 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



but liy overstuily hv lost his heallh wliilo in 
college, althou!j;h he gi'aduated with high 
honors and gave the valedictory address. He 
waited some time in the hope of returning 
strength, but was disappointed. He read law 
in his brother's office, was admitted to the bar 
and entered u])on that profession. He died aged 
twenty-nine, July, 1854. 

Up to the present date (1888) tiiere have 
been born to Dr. and Mrs. Clark one hundred 
and eight descendants, of wiioni si.\ty-si.\ are 
still living. 



OLIVER JOHNSON, 



One of the early settlers on the Uiver Kaisin, 
was born in the State of Connecticut, February 
29, 1784. His ancestry is readilj' traced back 
to Isaac John.son, wiio was one of the fifty. two 
original proprietors of Middletown, Connecti- 
cut Eobert Johnson, the grandfather of Colo- 
nel Oliver Johnson, died at Harrington, Con- 
necticut, in 1792. His mother's name was 
Sarah Blake, of Middletown; she was the 
motiier of eleven children, one of whom, Samuel 
Johnson, Esq., by profession a lawyer, resided 
on the south side of First street, corner of First 
and Scott streets, the site of the present resi- 
dence of Louis Freidcnberg, where he died in 
the year 1836. 

Another brother, Elisha, spent several jears 
in Europe during the eventful j' ears of the gen- 
eral war — a gentleman of literarj' tastes, one 
of the American correspondents of that time 
who contributed numerous letters to the Spring- 
field papers. 

Another brother, Royal Johnson, was en- 
gaged in business as a merchant in Detroit, 
where he died in 1819, a copartner with Colo- 
nel Oliver Johnson. 

In the year 1818 Colonel Johnson purchased 
the lot corner of Front and Washington streets 
from the original proprietor, Joseph Loranger, 
erected the first brick residence on the street 
and occupied it as such until the year 1834, 
when he erected the residence on the public 
square east of the court-house, whei-e he re- 
sided until the time of his death. It is now 
the residence of his son, Charles G. Jolinson. 

In 1819 he was married to Eliza, the daughter 
of Henry Disbrovv (sister of Mrs. Thomas G. 
Cole, who survives her), by the Rev. John Mon- 
teith, bishop of Michigan so called, being prob- 



ably the first Pi-esbyterian minister of Michi- 
gan Territory. There were four children born 
of this marriage, two of whom died in early 
childhood. Charles G. Johnson still survives, 
probably one of the very few of his age who 
are natives of Monroe. The daughter, Eliza- 
beth Phillips, was married in 1S44 to Talcott 
E. Wing, Esq., of Monroe; died in the year 
1857, leaving four children : Talcott Johnson 
Wing, now a resident of Westfield, Massachu- 
setts; Charles R. Wing, a lawyer of Monroe ; 
Austin E. Wing, United States Bank Examiner 
for the State of Michigan ; Harriet Armitage, 
who w.as married to James G. Little, a mer- 
chant of Monroe, deceased, now residing in 
Monroe, Michigan. 

For many years after Colonel Johnson set- 
tled on the River Raisin, money was very 
scarce, and merchandising was carried on by 
barter and exchange of grain and furs, which 
were disposed of at Detroit or Buffalo. Colonel 
John.son was at an early day judge of probate 
of the county of Monioe, appointed by the 
governor of the T^rritory, which was the only 
office ever held by him, though alwaj's promi- 
nent in politics and an active member of the 
Whig party. Being a prominent anti-slaver}' 
man, he was one of the original promoters of 
the Republican party, which originated in 
Michigan. Was elected as presidential elector, 
and voted for General Fremont. About that 
time great bitterness of feeling was manifested 
on all sides. Many large business houses and 
leading newspapers catered more or less to the 
slavery element. The Presbyterian general 
assembly passed some resolutions which were 
so strong in sympathy with slavery that they 
were reported adversely upon by the synod of 
Michigan through their committee, one of 
whom was Colonel Johnson. He was for many 
years and until his death one of fjie ruling 
elders of the First Presbj^terian church of Mon- 
roe. The New York Observer, for which he 
had subscribed for twenty-four j-ears, was 
repudiated and declined on account of its pro- 
slavery sentiments. 

Mrs. Eliza Johnson, nee Disbrow, wife of 
Oliver Johnson, was born in Dayton, Ohio, and 
rode from Dayton to the River Raisin on 
horseback, fording rivers, streams and marshes, 
arriving at the River Raisin in 1817, and re- 
sided with her father on the Menard or Stewart 
farm until her marriage to Colonel Johnson in 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837. 



149 



1819. Slio was an active inoniber of tlie Pres- 
byterian church from tiie time of its organiza- 
tion in 1820. Her iiome was the resort and 
house of entertainment for the ministiy at an 
early day, when the Rev. John Monteith, Eov. 
Noaii Wells and Kev. Frontis ministered to 
this people. Mrs. Johnson survived her hus- 
band, dying at her house in Monroe, where she 
had resided for fifty years, aged eighty-seven. 



DANIKL S. BACON 



Was among the earliest emigrants from the 
State of New York to the Territory ol Michi- 
gan, and was a resident of Monroe for nearlj^ 
half a century, lie was born in Onondaga, 
New York, in 1798. lie began his career in 
the new couiitr\- as a teacher of a private 
school ; subsequently he was engaged in devel- 
oping various farming lands. He was also 
associated with Levi S. Humphrey in several 
business projects, and purchased lands in the 
northern part of the State which eventually 
showed his wisdom and foresight, as they 
proved quite valuable. He was at ati early 
date made a member of the legislative council 
of the Territory , and soon afterwards appointed 
associate judge. He served as judge of pro- 
bate for the county of Monroe for three terms, 
and held a number of other local positions in 
which he acquitted himself with ability. He 
was an elder in the Presbyterian church. His 
dignified bearing, pure and unaffected char- 
acter, commended him to the esteem of all who 
knew him. He died in Monroe, May, 18G6, 
leaving one daughter, the widow of General 
George A. Custer. 



PETER BENSON 



Came to Aloriroo in the employ of Musgrove 
Evans, a (Quaker, who was in 1S24 engaged 
in surveying in the northern part of New 
Yiirk. It appears that Austin E. Wing visited 
Watertown, New York, in that year, and rep- 
resented Michigan as tlie garden of the world, 
contradicting the statements we fiml in the old 
Morse history then generally used in schools, 
which represented the Territory as " good for 
nothing; that government agents pronounced 
it a swamp; that one hundred acres could 



be found in ilu' Territory worth cuilivatiiig." 
Musgrove Evans and wife, Peter Benson and 
wife, Mr. Blood, Joseph W. Brown and Mr. 
Stetson were induced to emigrate from Jeffer- 
son county; arrived after a tedious journey of 
a month, at Detroit, from thence to Monroe in 
a small sail vessel, requiring four daj's to travel 
tlic distance that is now accomplished in one 
hour and twelve minutes. On the 2d of June, 
after remaining in Monroe four davs, the party 
purchased two yoke of oxen and journej'ed on 
to the site of the present village of Tec\imsch, 
camping out at the Macon tlie first night — the 
land having previously been entered by Austin 
E. Wing, b}- whom it was platted and laid out. 
He also purchased the adjoining eighty-acre 
tract; Evans and Brown chopped the logs for 
a house, sent fifteen and twenty miles for 
neighbors to help roll them up. and split u|)tho 
shakes to cover it. 

The hardships and privations thej- were com- 
pelled to endure, the difficulties they had to 
encounter, can only be understood by those of 
exfierience in pioneer life — without mills, with- 
out boards, even the roughest, to cover and 
protect from storms. The next j'car (1825), 
by obtaining help from Monroe, thirty miles 
distant, raised a saw and grist-mill, obtaining 
the stone on the opening near for the grist- 
mill. The following year the dam was carried 
off by a freshet, and with the endorsement of 
Mr. Wing and Shubal Conant, obtained the 
pecuniary aid they needed to rebuild. 

Peter Benson, alter remaining with the party 
at Tecumseh a few years, returned to Monroe, 
purchased and settled upon the farm on the 
north side of the River Raisin known as the 
Gabriel Godfroy tract. Mr. Benson was the 
agent in northern Michigan of a railroad com- 
pany in 1887 at the time of his death. 

His sister married Medard Couture, one of 
the pioneers, and after his death married James 
Knaggs, to whom great prominence was given 
in the War of 1812, as a successful Indian 
fighter and spy. 

As the ])ioneers of Tecumseh obtained in 
early days all of their goods and supplies from 
Monroe, the attachment between the citizens 
became verj* strong ; and until tiie year 1845, 
when the railroads were completed, the inter- 
change of social visits was of very frequent 
occurrence. 



150 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



HARRY CONANT 
Was born April 19, 1790, in Mansfield, Connec- 
ticut. He was a lineal descendant of the first 
colonial governor of Ma.ssachusetts, Roo;er 
Conant, who emigrated from England in 1591. 
When Dr. Conant was eleven years old he 
moved with his father to Middlebui'\-, Vermont, 
whore he graduated. He studied medicine for 
a time with a noted physician. Dr. Tudor, 
practicing in that city, and afterwards went to 
Pittsficld, Massachusetts, where he continued 
his medical studies. In 1816 ho passed a suc- 
cessful e.Kamination before the "State Medical 
Censors," and became a member of the Ver- 
mont Medical Society. 

Dr. Conant selected Montreal, Canada, as the 
field of his future labors, but owing to the in- 
fluence of his brothers, Shubal Conant, of De- 
troit, and Dr. Horatio, in Maumee, Ohio, he 
remained but a short time in Canada. He 
invested his means in the lumber business in 
Western Pennsylvania. The venture not prov- 
ing as satisfactory as he was led to e.\'peet, he 
disposed of his interest in lumber and in 182(1 
settled in Monroe, where lie resumed the prac- 
tice of his profession in partnership with Dr. 
Luther Parker, who had been establislie 1 in the 
Territory for some j'ears. 

Dr. Conant soon became a prominent man 
in the community, and widely known in the 
young Territory. General Cass in 1824 ap- 
pointed him commissioner to locate a turnpike 
from Detroit to Pontiac and Paint Creek in 
Oakland county. The same year General 
Cass appointed him sheriff of Monroe county. 
Two years later, when Cass was making 
treaties with the numerous tribes of Indians in 
the Northwest, he made Dr. Conant the at- 
tending physician of his command, and he 
witnessed the signing of a treaty on the banks 
of the Wabash in Indiana. Governor Wood- 
bridge in 1826 appointed him surgeon of the 
Second Regiment of the territorial militia. 

In all that tended to the advancement and 
material interests of the new countrv, he was 
ever foremost with his influence and mone\'. 
Dr. Conant at his own expense provided build- 
ings for that branch of the Michigan University 
located in Monroe, and provided the residence 
for the principal, Rev. Mr. Center, who came 
from Albany, New York, to fill the position. 
He with Mr. Charles Noble and Colonel Oliver 
Johnson founded the first young ladies' semi- 



nary, known as Miss McQueen's school, and 
presided over by an accomplished and brilliant 
corps of teachers, who are still well and affec- 
tionately remembered bj- many prominent 
ladies in this cit^-. In 1850 Rev. B. J. Boyd 
was called to the position of principal of a semi- 
nary founded upon a much larger scale. Dr. 
Conant became a trustee and a ijenerous sup- 
porter of this seminary, whicli flourished for 
over a quarter of a century, and was of ines- 
timable value to many a young woman, who 
otherwise could not have enjoyed the privileges 
of so broad a culture and of such varied ac- 
complishments as The Young Ladies' Seminary 
furnished. 

The first Whig |)a])er, known as the Monroe 
Gazette, was established in 1846 by Dr. Conant 
and the Hon. T. G. Cole. Charles Lanman, 
now of Washington, was the editor for a few 
months. 

When the (i-ibralter and Plat Rock enter- 
])rise promised a brilliant future. Dr. Conant 
was made treasurer of the company, and by his 
energy and capital endeavored to make it a 
success. 

It was in his profession which he loved and 
honored that he was best apjireciated, and not 
until the Great Book is opened shall we know 
how often his helping hand was extended to 
the poor, the suffering and the sorrowing. 

Dr. Conant united with the Presbyterian 
church in 1832, and was elected to the elder- 
ship the same 3'ear. His broad views and 
liberal spirit did much for the prosperity of 
the church, which he recommended by his daily 
living. The older citizens will never forget his 
sterling integrity. His benevolence without 
ostentation, his rare judgment of men, his un- 
blemished i-eputation, deserve the title given 
him in the words of a former biographer, "He 
was a Christian gentleman," which the writer 
from a personal acquaintance heartily endorses. 

He died at his residence in the city of Mon- 
roe September 2, 1851. Dr. Harry Conantwas 
married June 4, 1821, to Miss Maria Stewart, 
of Vermont, who still survives him, residing at 
the old homestead, growing old gracefully, 
cordial, cheerful and happy in the attentions 
and affections of her surviving children, feel- 
ing a lively interest in the current events of 
the day at home and abroad, appreciated by a 
large circle of friends for her charity, liberality, 
influence and interest in all efforts which for 




^liui^^ JlrZ^^^^ 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837. 



Inl 



theii-iiim liavc the prosperity of our Fiedeoiner' 
kiiiijdoni. 



AUSTIN K. WING, 



Sou of Enocli iiiui Mary (Oliver) Wins;;, was 
born at Conway, Massacluisetts, February 3, 
17V»2. When a lad he aecompanied his lather 
to Marietta, Ohio, where the latter engaged in 
mcrehandising and farming, and erected flour- 
ing and saw-mills on the banUs of the Mus- 
kingum about three miles above the mouth of 
the river. Austin attended tiie academy at 
(Jhillieothe, and com])leted his preparation 
for college at Athens College, Ohio. He entered 
Williams College, Massachusetts, in 1810, and 
graduated with honor in 1814. Immediately 
after ho graduated he married Harriet, the 
daughter of Deacon Benjamin Skinner, of 
Williamstown, Massachusetts; returned to Ma- 
rietta and entered the law office of Governor 
William Woodbridge, one of the most promi- 
nent and influential lawyers of Ohio. 

October 13, 1813, General Lewis Cass was 
appointed Governor of the Territory of Michi- 
gan, and continued Governor until August 1, 
1831, when he resigned and became a member 
of General Jackson's cabinet. Governor Wood- 
bridge and Governor Cass were both interested 
in young Wing; advised him to accompan^^ 
them to Michigan Territory, and were strong 
personal friends the remainder of their lives. 
By giving his note he obtained a horse, saddle, 
bridle and saddle-bags, and on horseback ac- 
companied them to Detroit and cntei-ed again 
the law office of Governor Woodbridge. Was 
slieriff of the Territory for a number of 3'ears, 
when his jurisdiction extended over the States 
of Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan; rcsideil 
ou Bates street ; built the red warehouse and 
dock at the foot of the street, which arc now 
I'l'presented on the old maps of Detroit drawn 
ill 1S20. 

lie represented the Territory in Congress 
tVom 1825 tu 1829, successor of Kev. Gabriel 
Richard, and again from 1831 to 1833; was 
appointed and served for one term as United 
States mar.i(hal for the Southern District of 
Michigan; was. for two terms regent of the 
Michigan Universit}' ; represented Monroe 
county in the legislature of 1842; was one of 
the early members of the first Presbyterian 
church of Detroit. He died at the Water-cure 



Sanitarium at Cleveland, August 25, 1849. 
Had one sou and two daughters that attained 
their majority: Talcott E. Wing, attorney and 
counselor, at Monroe ; Eliza, who married 
Moses H. Whittier, merchant, of Monroe; and 
Harriet, who married Charles T. .Mitchell, 
banker, of Hillsdale, Michigan. 

In the language of one of the leading citi- 
zens of Detroit: " Austin E. Wing was a gen- 
tleman of more than ordinarj' gifts and accom- 
plishments, and became prominent in public 
and pi-ivate life. Of great personal attractions, 
the social clement was prominent in him, and 
his wit bi'oadened into a proverbial humor that 
made him sought by all who loved the bright 
side of life. Far from being a raconteur of the 
day's gossip, or the idle dispen.ser of other 
])eople's jokes, he was a man of activity and 
energy, who won the high positions he reached 
by the judicious use of the sterling ([ualities 
which made him a whole man. His tone was 
high. If his humor was broad and surprised 
you into suddcu laughter, its pleasure was al- 
together healthful. He was equal to all the re- 
quirements of the confidence reposed in him." 

He built and occupied during his residence 
in Monroe, the stately mansion on the north 
side of the River Raisin, now occupied by \¥il- 
liam Hall, Esq. 



CHARLES NOBLK, 

Son of Deodatus Noble, was born in Williams- 
town, Massachusetts, July 4, 1797; died in 
Detroit, Michigan, December 26, 1874, aged 
seventy-seven. He graduated at Williams Col- 
lege in 1815, and read law in Williamstown 
with his uncle, Hon. Daniel Noble. He lelt for 
the West in 1818, and after a short residence in 
Cleveland, Ohio, removed in 1820, to French- 
town, now Monroe, Michigan. That place con- 
tinued to be his residence, except from 1849 to 
1853, as surveyor-general of the district em- 
bracing Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, and from 
1807 to 1874, in Detroit. He held many pub- 
lic offices in Monroe county, viz., register of 
deeds, district attorney", postmaster, Indian 
agent, member of the general assembly, mem- 
ber of the legislative council from 1828 to 1829, 
president judge of the county- court from 1846 
to 1850, surveyor-general fi-om 1849 to 1853. 
Mr. Noble was a man of deep convictions 



152 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and decided o])iiiions in all religious mattei's. 
In the year 1831 he first connected himself 
with the First Presbyterian church, and for a 
number of years was a ruling elder therein. 
Short!}- after removing to Detroit, lie became a 
ruling elder in the First Presbyterian cliui-ch 
there, and so remained until his death. 

He married May 16, 1828, Eliza Sims 
Wing, who was born in Marietta, Ohio, May 2, 
1802, daughter of Enoch and Mary (Oliver) 
Wing, of Marietta, Ohio, and Phelps, New 
York. Children all born in Monroe, Michigan. 
Elizabetii Abby Noble, born July 15, 182G ; 
married Eev. Hannibal L. Stanley. Charles 
Wing Noble, born February 13, 1828 ; married 
J. P. M)gatt first, C. G. Van Bui-en second, P. 
Martine third. Ellen Electa Noble, born Au- 
gust 7, 1832; married George S. Frost, of De- 
troit. Judge Conway Whittier Noble, born 
October 7, 1842, is a successful lawj'er of Cleve- 
hind, Ohio, and present Judge of the Court of 
Appeals of Cuyahoga county. 



THOMAS G. COLK 



Was born in Canandaigua, New York. His 
father, Luther Cole, emigrated from Massa- 
chusetts in 1785. He carried the first mail on 
horseback, in a leather pouch strapped around 
hira, tbrougl) the Indian country to Utica; but 
was never molested, as the Indians respected 
and admired his courage and honesty, and were 
wont to consult him on matters of interest to 
the Six Nations. Kod Jacket was a devoted 
friend, as well as other chiefs. Luther Cole 
was also engaged in surveying the " Holland 
Purchase." He was a merchant for a number 
of years in Canandaigua, where his children 
were born and educated. He valued an edu- 
cation above all things, as the following extract 
from one of his letters, dated February 24, 1817, 
to his son, Harry T. Cole, attests : 

"I need not again remind you that it is 
altogether on account of the expense I do not 
consent for you to come home at each vacation. 
You say it is very unpleasant to stay in that 
'Dutch Hole' [Union College]. I know it, my 
dear child, we all have to encounter many un- 
jjleasant things in the course of our lives. I 
did not send j-ou to college tor pleasure. You 
did not go there for ■pleasure, you went for an 
education, and it requires all my efforts and 
economy to keep you there until your educa- 



tion is obtained ; besides once a year is often 
enough to come home, considering the dis- 
tance." 

Thus he early impressed upon his children 
the necessitj- of improving their opportunities, 
as well as a self-respecting economy. His 
children were all remarkable for the purity of 
their language and general intelligence. Those 
identified with Michigan were the Honorable 
Harry S. Cole, of Detroit, who was Attorney- 
General of the Territoiy of Michigan, and dis- 
tinguished as a law^^er ; James Cole surveyed 
some of the first lands in the State, and wrote 
a very readable account of his travels; Joseph 
C. Cole, the younger brother, was also a fine 
writer, and at various times interested with his 
brother Thomas G. Cole in business; one 
daughter, Mrs. Harriet Cole Fifield, was long a 
resident of Monroe, and was noted for her 
lu'illiant wit and kind and generous heart. 

The subject of this sketch, Thomas G Cole, 
was a pupil of the celebrated Canandaigua 
Academy. He came with some of his com- 
panions to Monroe in 1825, where he engaged 
in the mercantile business and various agricul- 
tural pursuits, as well as mills. He proved a 
very public-spirited citizen to tlie growing set- 
tlement, and was ever foremost in improving 
the material interests of the town. It was 
often said of him, "To insure success in any 
public enterprise, it wasonly neeessarj- Thomas 
G. Cole should advocate or lead." He was 
identified with the city canal, the first large 
brick hotel, the erection of the first brick block. 

After leaving the mercantile business, he 
was largely interested in railroads. Mr. Cole 
and the late Walter P. Clark were the contract- 
tors for constructing the road between Monroe 
and Hillsdale, of which when finished he was 
appointed superintendent. He was next inter- 
ested in obtaining the right of way for a rail- 
road from Monroe to Toledo, which right when 
secured was sold to the Michigan Southern and 
Northern Indiana Eailroad Company. Mr. Cole 
obtained the contract for the construction of the 
road, and completed the work in one year. It 
was then pronounced one of the best built roaiis 
in the State. 

During the latter years of his life he devoted 
his time to a largo and beautiful farm on the 
north side of the river, fronting on Noble 
Avenue; from that point it stretched north 
about a mile. He was interested in some of 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837. 



153 



the finest breeds of horses ever brou<rht to the 
county, iuui in the raising of mules, the sale 
of which proved valuable to his estate at the 
outbreak of the war. 

Mr. ('ole married Miss Mary E. Disbrow, a 
beautiful and accomplished young lady of Mon- 
roe, who has long |)rcsided over his home, und 
ever been foremost in promoting every good 
cause. 

Mr. Tiiomas G. Colo was noted for many 
sterling qualities. His integrity, energy, honor 
and benevolence wei-e conspicuous throughout 
hia useful life. He was a firm believer in 
Christianity, and when in health a constant 
attendant upon divine services. 

He died in Detroit (where he was under 
medical treatment), July 25, 18G2. Many of 
the citizens of Monroe repaired to Detroit to 
return with his remains to Monroe, the railroad 
company of which he had long been a director 
sending a special train. He left a wife and 
seven children. The eldest is Mrs. James A. 
Eaynor, of New York. The oldest son, James 
Luther Cole, was born August 25, 18:50; died 
April 25, 1880. The second daughter is Mrs. 
George Armitage, of Monroe. The second son 
is Henry T. Cole, of Monroe Harriet F. Cole 
married Mr. Frank Tryon, of New York, July 
25, 1805. The youngest daughter, Mary Dis- 
brow Cole, was married to Mr. John Bulkley, 
of Monroe, June 22, 18G5. Daniel T. Cole was 
born January- 19, 1837, and is now a resident 
of Monroe. 



EXTR.\CT FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE 
FIRST STATE PIONEER SOCIETY. 

MONROE COUNTY MEETING. 

August 4, 1823, at a respectable meeting of 
the citizens of the county of Monroe for the 
purpose of selecting a suitable person to repre- 
sent the Territory in the next Congress of the 
United States, Oliver Johnson, Esq., was called 
to the chair, and Harry Conant appointed sec- 
retary. 

It was then 

Resolved, That this meeting do now j^roceed 
to select a suitable person to represent us as 
delegate in the next Congress. 

Whereupon Austin E. Wing, Esq., being 
selected, it was 

Resolved unanimously, That we will support 
Austin E. Wing at the ensuing election, as our 



delegate to Congress, and that we will use all 
fair and honorable means to promote his elec- 
tion. 

It was then 

Resolved, That a committee of twelve bo ap- 
pointed to assist in carrying into ell'ect the pre- 
ceding resolution, and that Benjamin Davis, 
Luther Smith, Alcott C. Chapman, John Hobb, 
■lohn Wendell, (ieorge Giles, Thomas Wilson, 
William Gale, Lewis Wells, David M. Jacobs, 
William Brown and Benjamin F. Stickney, 
constitute said committee. 

It was then unanimously' 

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meet- 
ing be signed bj' the chairman and secretary, 
and published in the Detroit Gazette. 

Oliver Johnson, Chairman. 

Harry Conant, Secretary. 

DETKOIT MKRTING. 

At a numerous meeting of the citizensof the 
city of Detroit friendly to the election of Austin 
K. Wing, Esq., at the house of Alexander 
Campbell, on the 18th day of August, 1823, 
pursuant to notice, John Hunt was called to the 
chair, and B. F. H. Witherell appointed secre- 
tary. 

On motion it was 

Resolved unaniynously , That we have the 
most perfect confidence in the talents, integ- 
rity and independence of. Austin K. Wing, 
Esq., and that he be recommended to our 
fellow-citizens as a suitable per.son to represent 
this Territory as a delegate in the next Con- 
gress of the United States. 

Resolved, That the chairman and secretary 
be appointed to draft an address, recommend- 
ing Mr. Wing as a candidate for the office of 
delegate, to the electors of this Territory. 

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meet- 
ing l>e signed by the chairman and .secretary, 
and published in the Detroit Gazette. 

Resolved, That this meeting do now adjourn 
to Thursday evening next. 

John Hunt, Chairman. 

B. F. II. WiTiiKRKLL, Secretary. 

Friknds and Fellow Citizkns: In offering 
to you the name of Austin E. Wing, Esq., as a 
candidate for the office of delegate from our 
Territory to the next Congress, we do not be- 
lieve that his claims will be best e.siabli.shed by 
assailing the feelintrs or characters of opposing 



154 



HISTORY OF MONROK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



candidates or their friends. Let others claim 
for their candidates the exclu.sive talents, in- 
tegrity, wealth, influence, or the entire credit 
of originating the change in the form of gov- 
ernment. We will not. But we will saj' that 
for talents, independence and intrepiditj^ of 
thought and action, Austin E. Wing, Esq., is 
not surpassed by any candidate before trlie pub- 
lic. Ho is not the incumbent of any lucrative 
office under the Government of the United 
States ; he has not a large fortune or powerful 
relatives at Washington. But his friends may 
fearlessly assert that he has ever been the 
friend and invariable supporter of his coun- 
try's rights, and her republican institutions. 
Uniformly accessible to all classes of his fellow- 
citizens, his success will depend on their .spon- 
taneous and unbiased opinions, and not on the 
exertions or influence of the distribution of 
promises and favor. 

Mr. Wing was in Detroit zealously engaged 
with many friends to effect a change in the 
form of government, and the correction of ex- 
isting abuses, before the individual for whom 
the exclusive credit is claimed had ever 
seen our Territory. From that period to the 
present, he has filled offices of trust and im- 
portance under the Territorial and United 
States Government, with intelligence, fidelity 
and firmness. 

To all public improvements and institutions 
he has contributed not unfrequentl^' be3'ond 
his means. To explore our Territory and point 
the stranger and emigrant to its advantages, 
he has given his time and impaired his health. 
Educated at one of the most respectable liter- 
ary institutions of our country, he graduated 
with honorable distinction. With the prin- 
ciples and policy of our Government he is 
thoroughly acquainted. He has been long a 
resident of the Territory and personally ac- 
quainted with the wants and wishes of our 
fellow-citizens; their just claims hitherto neg- 
lected by the Government will find in him a 
warm and able supporter. For this man we 
solicit your support. His virtues and talents 
will never discredit the high estimate his 
friends have formed of them. By the annexed 
nominations you will discover the sentiments 
of a large portion of the American and a por- 
tion of tiie French population. 

John Hunt, Chairman. 

B. F. H. WiTHERELL, Secretary. 



VOICE OF THE FRENCH CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY OP 
MONROE. 

At a large and respectable meeting of the 
inhabitants of Fronchtown, in the county of 
Monroe, holden at the house of Francois Las- 
selle, Esq., on the 27th day of June, A. D. 1831, 
John B't. Cicotte, Esq., was called to the chair, 
and Francois Lasselle and John B't. Besseau, 
Esqrs., were appointed secretaries. 

The object of the meeting iiaviiig been stated 
by the chairman, James J. Godfroy, Esq., Felix 
Mettez, Francoiu Mouton, and Hyacintli Beau- 
regard, were appointed a committee for the pur- 
pose of drafting resolutions and an address to 
the electors on the subject of the ensuing elec- 
tion. 

The committee retired and after a short time 
returned and reported to the meeting the fol- 
lowing resolutions, with the address, which 
were adopted by the meeting without a dissent- 
ing voice : 

Resolved nnanimoudy, That this meetiiii^ do 
approve of the doings of the Republican con- 
vention holden at Detroit on the 4th of March 
last, at which convention Austin E. Wing was 
nominated as a candidate for delegate. 

Resolved, That we will by all fair and honor- 
able means endeavor to secure the election of 
Austin E. Wing, long known to us as a tal- 
ented, industrious and honorable citizen, whose 
interest is identified with our country, and 
wliose best eff"orts we have every reason 
for believing will be exerted in favor of the 
Territory generally, frej from sectional preju- 
dices. 

Resolved, That from a long acquaintance 
with the jjrivate and public character of Mr. 
W^ing, we are well assured of his integrity, pa- 
triotism and love of country ; and we want no 
better evidences of these facts, than the ser- 
vices he has heretofore, in the cajjacity of dele- 
gate, rendered our citizens and our Territory. 

Resolved, That we look upon Mr. Wing as a 
genuineUepublican, educated in the Jeffersonian 
school, belonging to the party consisting of the 
people, and who have the interest of the people 
at heart; and we look upon any attempts to 
deprive him of his hard earned and invaluable 
reputation, as a direct insult upon the jjeople 
themselves, the dernier ressort of unprincipled 
and desperate pioliticians. 

Resolved, That in our endeavors to promote 
the election of Mr. Wing, we shall be content 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837. 



155 



to rely upon his own meiits, upon his knowl- 
edge of our country, and the intelligence of 
our French brethren ; tliat we will not exact 
written pledges in support of Mr. Wing; 
and tiiat tlie friends of General Williams in 
attempting to obtain written pledges to his sup- 
port, and in appointing gentlemen on commit- 
tees without their knowledge, and against their 
known wishes, have endeavored to degrade the 
character of Frenchmen, a character which we 
are proud to own, and determined to maintain. 

Resolved, That a committee of vigilance, con- 
sisting of ten from this township, be appointed, 
and that Hyacinlhe Bougard, .Tosepli Bosome, 
Feli.x Mettez, James J. Godfroy, John B't. 
Besseau, John B't. Cicotte, Francois Lasselle, 
Touissant Soleau, Washington Bond, and Ale-xis 
Labadie, be that committee. 

Ji'e-folved, That the preceedings of the meet- 
ing bo signed by the chairman and secretaries, 
and bo published in the Detroit Journal, and 
in handbills in the French and English lan- 
guages. 

J. B't. Cicotte, Chairman. 



Jean B't. Besseau, / „ 



Francois Lasselle, [ 



Secretaries. 



ADDRESS. 

(Without Date.) 

Fellow-Citizens: By the above proceed- 
ing you will preceive that we have nominated 
as a candidate for delegate at the ensuing elec- 
tion, Austin E. Wing, a man known personally 
to most of you who are now residents of this 
district. His character needs no eulogy from 
us; his talents, acquirements and business 
habits, his long residence in our countr}', and 
the fact of his interest beingidentified with the 
interest of the countj-y, render him eminently 
calculated to promote your interests and the 
interests of the Territory generallj'. His ac- 
quaintance, too, with the officers at Washing- 
ton city, his knowledge of business there, his 
acquaintance with the officers of the different 
departments, with the members of both houses 
of Congress, and his experience in legislative 
proceedings, render him peculiarly well fitted 
for the office of delegate. 

To you, or to our fellow-citizens generallj^, 
it would be unnecessary and worse than use- 
less to attempt any vindication of the charac- 
ter of Mr. Wing. The infamous stories that 
have been set afloat in the Free Press, and 



otherwise circulated by the propagators of 
them to destroy his election, we consider of too 
infamous a character, and the publishers of 
them too well known to you as uni)rinci])led 
demagogues and office seekers, to require from 
us even a passing remark ; suffice it to say, 
therefore, that they have not the semblance of 
truth, and have the mark of falsehood stamped 
n|)on their front. 

Who are they, fellow-citizens, who are ac- 
tivel3' engaged against Mr. Wing'? We ask 
you to look about you and see who are in their 
front ranks. Are they not office holders and 
office seekers'? Have they anything to lose in 
the matter'? Are they not actuated by hopes 
of gain'? Are their interests identified witli 
your own'? Fellow-citizens, wo ask of you to 
pause and reflect. Are they not interlopers 
upon us, j)ensioned agents of a party? Who 
are the opposing candidates'? Is not one a 
vestige of the Hartford convention, a branch 
of one of the most aristoci-atic families in Mas- 
sachusetts, a trumpeter of his own democracy, 
a political demagogue'? When have we ever 
heard any good as coming from him '? Where are 
the public services, what are the claims which 
Samuel Dexter can urge upon us for our suf- 
frages'? Let him answer who can. And who is 
tToneral John R. Williams, whose name lias lately 
been spread in lai-ge ca])itals before the people of 
this Territorj-'? We ask you, fellow-citizens, 
who is he that he should obtain your votes'? Is 
he not the same brave general who abandoned 
his fireside, his friends, and you, fellow-citizens, 
during the late war to get clear of the dangers 
and trials of that war"? When the tomahawk 
and scalping knife were playing about your 
wives and children during the last war, was 
General Williams there to throw over you his 
protecting shield? When the British and In- 
dians were throwing firebrands into your 
houses and barns and leaving desolation and 
death in their progress through our country, 
was General Williams there to assist you in 
warding off the blow '? In these times that tried 
meti's souls, where was the mighty man, this 
hero who has filled the measure of his country's 
glory, this man who spoke hisown mighty deeds 
in a handbill a few years since setting forth his 
own <[ualifications'? Why, fellow-citizens, you 
cannot have forgotten his passage through 
Canada, and that he finally fixed him.self safely 
and away from the dangers of war and the 



156 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



difficulties that .suiToinided you, in the city of 
Albauy, where he couUi remain quite free from 
iiny danger, and when through the instrument- 
ality of friends he received the appointment of 
captain of a company of militia, and was called 
u^jon to lead this comi^any to New York, to 
assist in the defense of our sea-board, where 
was General Williams then ? Whj-, indisposed ; 
yes, fellow-citizens, indisposed, and his lieuten- 
ant bravely led on the company to the defense. 

Who was it that in 1814 vilified and derided 
your reverend prolate, Gabriel Richard, and 
sowed the seeds of discord in your church, and 
published a handbill in French and Eng- 
lish, containing the vilest of slanders'? We 
ask you, was it not the same General Williams? 

Fellou-citizens, we will not longer weary 
you by the recital of the facts respecting these 
men, that would make a patriot blush. These 
are the men that are held uj) before you as 
Republicans, who have rendered services to the 
country, and are, therefore, entitled to your 
support and favors. Is it so? We anticipate 
your answer. To the polls then, fellow-citizens, 
and show by your votes for Austin E. Wing, 
the people's candidate, that you are Republi- 
cans in deed and in fact. That you love your 
country and your country's Iriends, and that 
you are governed by nobler principles than 
the shackles of party could j)rescribe. Give 
your votes to that man who will serve you 
best; and if you do, we are satisfied they will 
be given for Austin E. Wing. 

Similar meeting were held in Oakland county, 
Hamtramck, River Rouge. 

INSTRUCTIONS. 

Detroit, July 31, 1824. 
Gentlemen: The annuities payable by law 
to the Pottawatomie Indians amount to ten 
thousand seven hundred dollars. Of tliis sum 
six thousand five hundred dollars have been 
sent to Chicago, and the residue, being four • 
thousand two hundred dollars, is committed to 
your charge to be transported to the River 
Raisin. Seventeen hundred dollars of this 
amount are destined for the Wabash and Elk- 
hart Pottawatomies and will be paid at Port 
Wayne. You will please delivfer it to Messrs. 
R. A. and T. Forsyth, who will be at Monroe 
on VV'ednesday or Thursday next, and who will 
transport it to Fort Wayne, to be distributed 



by the agent there. You will take a receipt 
for the money there paid. The remainder of 
the annuity, being two thousand five hundred 
dollars, }-ou will distribute equally among the 
Pottawatomies at Monroe. You will first, from 
the best information you can procure, make an 
estimate of the numbers at the different villages 
and bands who will jjrobably attend for the 
purpose of receiving a share of the money. As 
these bands arrive you will collect all the indi- 
viduals together, and divide among them 
equally and fairly the amount allotted to the 
band. The payments will be made by one of 
you and to no other person but an Indian. 
The only distinction you will make in the divis- 
ion will be in favor of a few of the old and in- 
fluential chiefs. To tliese you may allow a 
larger sum, not, however, exceeding forty or 
fifty dollars. 

I am desirous that the Indians should re- 
main as little time as possible at the River 
Raisin. You will therefore use j-our exertions 
to pay them, and persuade them to return as 
soon as you can. 

Some claims against the Pottawatomies will 
be herewith handed you, and should there 
be any others tendered 3'ou, you will re- 
ceive and examine them. If you are satisfied 
of their justice you will make a demand upon 
the Indians for the amount and endeavor to 
persuade them to pay it. Whatever you may 
• receive you will pay to the part#H interested. 
And you will I'eport to me as well those claims 
which are allowed and paid, as those which are 
rejected. You will take regular receipts for all 
your jjaymouts. 

The annuities due to the Ottawa Indians 
amount to five thousand three hundred dollars. 
Of this sum three thousand six hundred dollars 
are ])ayable and have been paid at the Miami 
b}- Mr. Stickney. Six hundred and fifty dollars 
of the residue have been paid here to the band 
of Cocoche or the negroes. The remainder, 
amounting to one thousand and fifty dollars, 
you will pay to the Kekalimazoo and Washte- 
naw Ottawas. You will jjursue the same pro- 
cess both in apportionment and in all other 
respects as I have before provided for the pay- 
ment of the Pottawatomies. I enclose a state- 
ment of Mr. Stickney respecting a claim against 
the Washtenaw Ottawas, which you will ex- 
amine and decide. 

The Ottawa chief, Keewaakwishkum, has 




/: 



rl^ ^i 



^Z^<^z^ 



T^^'C'^ \/ //.\J o(^€iZ<y 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837. 



been a faithful frioiiii oftlie United States, and 
through his exertions prineipally the Ottawa 
cession at the treaty of Chicago was made. I 
wish lio ma}- be jjarticularl}- remembered. 

Vour compensation will be two dollars per 
day, and the expenses of the two gentlemen 
who leave here upon the business will be borne 
liy the United States. 

Very respectfully, gentlemen, 
I am, your ob'l serv't , 

.Iamks Connkr, Lew Cass. 

HnENEZER Reed, 

(Iaiuuet, Godfroy, 

Charles Noiu.e, 

Ksquircs. 



HARVEY STONE 



Was l)orn in Onondaga county, near Syracuse, 
February 19, 1815. At the age of seven j-ears 
he. with his fatlier and mother, their little 
f:imily, and several relatives, emigrated to 
Monroe, Michigan, making nearly the entire 
tlistance with ox teams. They found but few 
white settlers among the mixed French and 
Indians at that place, and Mr. Stone was about 
the last of those earl}- j)ioneers, the others 
having dropped by the wayside as the years 
]iasscd on. He saw the town grow from an 
Indian trading post to the present beautiful 
little city of which every Monroeitc is so justly 
proud, and was always pleased to tell of the 
changes which he had seen take place. He 
lived on the farm which his father settled for 
sixty-two years, selling it in 1884, and i-e- 
moving his family to the city. He was gentle 
and unassuming in his manners, of a retiring 
disjiosition, but thoroughly beloved by all who 
knew him. One I'arcly meets with sucli an u]>- 
right character as was his, or one in whom 
everybody so completely trusted. His kindly 
ilis|iosition was best known in his own home, 
where he was revered and loved. He, with his 
wife, removed to Tjas Vegas in the I'all, to visit 
their children, who had all settled in that 
lily. He had been in good health until Aj)ril, 
I ~^"^, when nervous prostration or general de- 
bility laid hold upon him, terminating in his 
death. All that human skill could devise or 
l"viiig kindness suggest was done to keep the 
'Itar father, but it was not to be. Ho ex- 
jiressed himself as ready to go, anti wanted 



peace. Ho leaves a wife, a daughter. Miss 
Lucy, and two sons, Fred and Frank, to mourn 
his loss. The funeral took place from the 
family residence on Tilden street, Las Vegas, 
March 20, 1888, the services being conducted 
by Rev. James Frazer, and a large concourse 
of friends were in attendance. 



HARVEY AU.STIN 

Was born in Skaneateles, Onondaga county. 
New York, January 9, 180;i. In 182-1 he came 
to Michigan Territory and located at Ann 
Arbor, where he engaged in the manufacture 
of leather. In 1832 he removed to Brooklvn, 
Jackson county, where he engaged in agri- 
culture. His second son, who still survives 
him, was the first male child born in the 
present town of Brooklyn. He was jjost- 
niaster, justice of the peace, and elder in the 
Presbyterian church, in which last relation he 
was very highly esteemed. He removed to 
Monroe and died at hisfarmin the town of Mon- 
roe on the south side of the River Raisin, Feb- 
ruary 4, 1866. He had three sons, all of whom 
enlisted in the War of the Rebellion. The 
youngest was killed at Malvern Hill, Virginia. 
The second son, Henry R. Austin, is the only 
survivor, who is now and has for years been 
eagaged in the United States mail service, and 
highly esteemed as an elder in the First Pres- 
byterian church of Monroe. 



ALFRED G. BATES. 



Among our early pioneers no one was better 
or more favorably known than Alfred G. 
Bates. For years at his farm on the K'ai.sin, 
and later in the city itself, he was thoroufhiy 
identified with the settlement and growth of 
Monroe and Monroe county. Alfred was the 
son of Phineas P. Bates, of Canandaigua, New 
York. Phineas P. Bates was the son of Phineas 
Bates, who purchased in 1790 what is now 
known in Canandaigua as " Brookside " or 
" The Bates farm," and moved his family there 
in February, 1791, traveling from Connecticut 
with a sled drawn by oxen.' His was the 
seventh family settling in Canandaigua, at 
that time the western limit of the settlements 
in the State of New York ; in fact there were 
few settlers west of Schenectadv. 



158 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Phincas Bates liad four sons : Stephen, born 
in Granville, Massachusetts; Asher, born in 
Hartland, Connecticut; Phineas P., born in 
Hartland, Connecticut; and David C, born in 
Canandaigua, New York. These sons all took 
active parts in the early settlement of western 
New York, and were noted for their inde- 
pendence of character and sterling integrit}'. 

Phineas P. Bates had three sons : Alfred G., 
George C, and John S. Alfred and George 
removed to Michigan, where they settled; 
Alfred in Monroe as a farmer in 1834, and 
George C. in Detroit as a lawyer a year or two 
later. John S., well known b}- the older citi- 
zens of Monroe, remained at the homestead in 
Canandaigua and died there in 1855. George 
C, for many years one of the prominent law- 
yers of Michigan, subsequently went to Cali- 
fornia, living at different times in California, 
Utah (whore he was United States District 
Attorney), and Colorado, where he died in 
1885. Alfred remained a citizen of Monroe 
county until his death, in 1881. 

This little sketch of the family of Alfred 
Bates will give to any one familiar with New 
England and New England traditions an idea 
of the character of the man. He was purely 
of the New England type, liberalized in trans- 
planting to western soil. Generous by nature, 
his sympathy for his fellows was strongly de- 
veloped by the struggles consequent xxpon the 
early settlement of the country, and he was 
known as one of the most unselfish and kind- 
hearted of that splendid band of men who 
settled in Monroe at about the same time he 
did. Monroe ■was then a New England colony, 
supplanting the original French settlers; a 
colony composed of men of such intelligence 
and strength of character that in the early 
days of the State it was known as " the Inde- 
pendent State of Moni-oe." Two years after 
his arrival he was elected sheriff of the county, 
and was subsequently appointed deputy United 
States marshal for the district of Michigan. 
While occupying these positions he took a very 
prominent part in breaking up some of the 
wonderfully organized bands of counterfeiters 
and horse thieves, whose operations extended 
from the Mississijjpi to the lakes. The history' 
of the exploits of these bold marauders in the 
great wilderness through which they operated 
seems like the tales that are told of the roman- 
tic characters of the Spanish Main, and of the 



robber bands in the Black Forest of Germany. 
Mr. Bates's intelligence, coolness and dauntless 
courage especitdly fitted him for the dangerous 
work of suppressing these outlaws, and the 
records of the State's prison bear the names of 
many desperate characters that he succeeded 
in placing behind its bars. At different times 
Mr. Bates filled other local positions of moi-e or 
less prominence, serving one term in the legis- 
lature ; but he was a modest, retiring gentle- 
man, devoting most of his life to his private 
business, and interesting himself in the affairs 
of others only as his s^'mpathies were enlisted 
by his neighboi-s and friends, among whom 
he was held in the highest possible esteem. 

A sketch of the life of an ordinary indi- 
vidual, like the history of a peaceful commu- 
nity, requires but little space. Yet it is in the 
homes of those modest American gentlemen, 
and in these quiet religious communities, that 
are planted and cultivated those principles of 
patriotism and unselfish consideration for the 
rights of others, that distinguish Americans 
from the citizens of other nationalities, and 
7iiake the educated Americans the peers of the 
titled aristocrats of the world. Mr. Bates as 
an individual, and Monroe as a community, 
are but fair types of other individuals and 
communities of similar origin. In them we 
see the development under most favorable 
auspices of the character of the Puritan, en- 
larged, broadened and softened of many of its 
asperities by suffering, by struggle and success. 
The devotion to duty is still there, the capacity 
for self-sacrifice daily illustrated, while charity 
for the weakness of others, without which no 
character can be lovely, becomes a mantle so 
large that with it they are enabled to envelop 
the whole human race. 

Toone who hasknown the subjectof this little 
sketch, and known his neighbors and friends in 
Monroe county, it seems a pity that those coming 
after us must, of necessity, have so little appre- 
ciation of the real strength and nobleness of 
their characters. Their lives were passed in 
such quiet and unostentatious ways that with- 
out a personal knowledge of the trials and 
difficulties surrounding them it is impossible to 
appreciate the results of those lives. Their 
descendants and successors who find the forests 
cleared away, the marshes drained, and the 
countr}- converted from a dense wilderness to a 
beautiful park; log school-houses replaced by 



BIOGKAl'HIES OF PIONEKRS, 1818-1837. 



I;-)'.) 



l)iiil(liiii;s \v(ir(li\- of boiiiiC ciillod temples of 
learning; cluirehos everywhere pointing their 
s])ircs to that invisible God upon whom these 
earnest men depended for their dail3' food us 
well as mental strength, can never appreciate 
their struggle as tho}' gave their lives in un- 
interrupted toil to accomplish this magical 
cliangc. They have passed away, hut in this 
case the good tlioy have done lives after them. 
Mr. Bates raised a large family, consisting of 
three sons and four daughters. Like their pre- 
decessors they have all migrated, and are now 
living in different parts of the country. Not 
one of the family so long and so favorably 
known in _Miinroe is now a citizen of the county 
or Stale. 

Alfred G. Bales was born at Canandaigua, 
New York, June 2a, 1810 ; married Miss Betsej' 
Ann Elliot in April, 1S:^3. They were the 
parents of twelve children, of whom seven 
reached the age of maturity. 

Major Elliot Bates, the eldest son, entered 
West Point Militarj- Academj- in ISi'A, gradu- 
ated in 18(55, and was a.ssigned to the Second 
Cavalry, United States army, in which he 
served as lieutenant, adjutant and caj)tain until 
March, 1875, when he wasappoirited major and 
]iaymaster of the Ignited States army, which 
position he now holds and is stationed at St. 
Paul; was married in December, 1875, to Cai'o- 
line K. McCorkle, of New York city; has two 
ciiihlrcii, Elliot and Mar}-. Ho is an accom- 
]>lished gentleman, and much esteemed as a 
wise and prudent officer. 

Miss Nellie married Mr. William Taylor, a 
wholesale merchant of Toledo, Ohio. 

Miss Sarah married Mr. William V. Law- 
rence, a wholesale merchant of Montreal, 
Canada. 

Addle Granger Bates niMrricd Mr. Burk 
Stone, a wholesale merchant of Chicago. 

Agnes A. Bates married Mr. Arthur W. Wel- 
lington, civil engineer, and editor of Eiujineer- 
iiig Newt-, of New York city. 

Ilenr^' Bates, the second son, is a civil and 
mining engineer, a graduate of the Michigan 
I'nivei'sit}', now identified with the fortunes of 
Lcadville and Gunnison, Colorado, and in jjoint 
of time one of the pioneers of that State. 

John S. Bates is married and living in Mont- 
real, Canada, and one of the firm of Davis Law- 
rence Manufacturing Companj-. 



PATRICK (iOl.DEN 
W^as born at Boyle, Ireland, in 1807. He left 
home at twenty-two years of age, and landed at 
Quebec after seven weeks and three dajs of 
sailing. He took steamer from Quebec to Mon- 
treal, then took Durham boat drawn by four 
horses and poled by men to Lachino Rapids — 
their boat was drawn over the rapids by 
twenty-three yoke of oxen; from thence by 
steamer to Oswego, N. Y., from thence to 
Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Toledo, and ar- 
rived at Monroe in October, 18l!5. Was a 
carpenter by trade, and was boss carpenter in 
building the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad 
from Toledo to Adrian. Purchased eighty 
acres of land in Lenawee county. Built by 
contract the Mansion House in Ohio City, the 
first hotel built in that city. Was in the em- 
ploy of Stevens & Storms, and assisted in build- 
ing the residence of Dr. George Landon, near 
the site of the pld Michigan Southern Railroad 
depot in the first ward ; also the residence of 
Parson John O'Brien in the fii'st ward. As- 
sisted Mr. George Bachelor in building the first 
Methodist church on Motiroc street. With 
Peter Beitzel (father of Henry Beitzel, of this 
city), Egbert Cole and Alexander Ragen, built 
the first Methodist church in Ann Arbor. As- 
sisted in building for General Henr^' Smith his 
residence on Elm avenue in the city of Monroe, 
now owned and occupied by L E. Ilgianfritz ; 
also the residence of Mr Clancy on First street 
in third ward, now owned and occupied by 
Sidney Prentiss. 

Patrick Golden was married to Mary Mc- 
Donough May 3, 1838. Immediatelj' there- 
after be took the contract for and built for the 
Michigan Southern Railroad six miles of rail- 
road from Ossco to Hillsdale under General 
Levi S. Humpiirey, commissioner of the State, 
taking three years to complete the contract. 
After completing this contract, he built for 
the same parties eight miles of Michigan South- 
ern Railroad west of Coldwater. Mr. Golden 
was extonsivel}- engaged in burning and selling 
lime for a number of years. He took a con- 
tract for building a large portion of the plank 
road from .Monroe to Flat Rock, which proved 
a total loss to him. Mr. Golden purchased and 
improved a farm of 128 acres on Sandy Creek, 
built a handsome residence thereon, and after 
occupying il^but four years, it was with all his 



160 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



furniture destroyed by fire. He subsequently 
deeded one-half of the farm to his son William. 

Mr. Patrick Golden had four sons and one 
daughter: William, who married Mary Lynch, 
resides on his farm on Sandy Creek; Jo8ej)h, 
who married the daughter of John Davis, 
of this city ; Augustus, who married the 
daughter of James Pentony, of this city ; 
Charles, who married the daughter of Touis- 
sant Soleau, now the prosecuting attorney of 
Monroe county; Maria, who married the son of 
Touissant Soleau, of this city. 

Patrick Golden visited his old home in Ire- 
land in 1885 after an ab.seuce of half a century. 
He found but five of his old acquaintances 
living. 



SEBA MURPHY 



Was bora at Scituate, Ehode Island, July L'5, 
1787, and when quite young was connected 
with the large and respectable mercantile 
and commercial house of DeGraff, Walton & Co., 
of Schenectad}- In 1812 he was sent to Can- 
ada to take charge of a branch establishment, 
and whiletherethe war with Great Britain broke 
out. In endeavoring to effect his escape to the 
United States he undertook with other Amer- 
icans to cross the ice from Bath, Canada West, 
to Cape Vincent. A blinding and furious snow- 
storm coming on at the time caused them to lose 
their way, and he unfortunatel}' fell into the 
ice and froze his feet; being thus discovered by 
the British picket guard, he was seized as a 
prisoner of war and carried back to Kingston. 
He suffered the amputation of both of his 
feet, and was detained there until rescued by 
Ben Johnson and other members of the Ma- 
sonic order of Bath, who managed to conceal 
him in the bottom of a sleigh filled with bags 
of oats, drove him to Prescott, and during the 
night safely conveyed him across the river to 
Ogdensburg. Keturning to Schenectady he re- 
mained there until the spring of 1818, when he 
removed to Ovid, Seneca county. New York, 
and engaged in mercantile business with Colo- 
nel Philip R. Tull, late of Monroe, Michigan. 
He there held the office of county clerk for two 
successive terms. 

In the year 1835 he removed to Monroe city, 
Michigan, in which place he held the office of 
county commissioner. State senator, register of 
deeds, for many years the financial agent in 



this city of the Michigan Southern Eailway 
Corapanj', and county treasurer for two terms. 
The latter office he held at the time of his 
death, and while in the discharge of the duties 
incident to it at the capital, he was summoned 
to exchange the fleeting pleasures of earth for 
the purer and more exalted joys of a higiier 
and better state of existence, and on the morn- 
ing of the 16th of November, 1854, with abid- 
ing faith and unwavering confidence in his 
Redeemer, calmly and sweetly as an infant in 
its mother's arms, " He fell asleep in Jesus." 

He became a member of the Presbyterian 
church in Ovid, N. Y., and continued to the 
day of his death an exemplary Christian, an 
upright and generous man and neighbor, with 
a heart in sympathy with the sick and affiiicted, 
highly esteemed by all who knew him. His 
residence at the time of his death was the two- 
story brick building in the First ward, near the 
Waterloo Mills, recently destroyed by fire. 

Previous to his escape and capture he fre- 
quently visited Bellsville, in Canada, and was 
devoted in his attentions to Miss Margaret 
Davy (sister of the late Mrs. Daniel B. Miller, 
of Monroe, Michigan), whom he subsequently 
married. They had one son, the Hon. William 
Walton Murphy, and four daughters. The 
daughters before marriage spent a number of 
years in Germany, and returned to Monroe ac- 
complished German scholars. 

The Hon. Nathaniel Howe, a lawyer of Mon- 
roe, married the eldest daughter. After her 
decease he married the second daughter, Ann 
Maria. 

The third daughter mai-ricd Edward P. Camp- 
bell, of Conneaut, Ohio, who subsequently re- 
moved to and still resides in Monroe. The 
fruits of this marriage are two daughters and 
three sons, now living; Caroline, who mar- 
ried Mr. James T. Eaglcrfield, of Indianapolis, 
Indiana, both being graduates of the Michigan 
State Universit}'; and Lilla L. Campbell, who 
married Dr. Harry Downs, of Stilson, Kansas. 

The fourth daughter, Sarah, married Dr. 
Luke H. Cooper, a practicing physician for a 
number of years in Monroe, who sub.sequently 
removed to and is now a practicing physician 
in West Bay City, Michigan. 

I may mention here in connection with the 
biography of the Hon. Seba Murphy, that 
Ben Johnson, "the lake pirate," so called in 
early times, was one of the number of those 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEKRS, 1818-1837. 



KH 



who assisted Mr. Murpliy in his escape from 
Canada — an exceedingly courageous, energetic, 
hravo and wealthj' man. He was suspected by 
the British authorities, wiio coiitiseated all of 
his property, for which he ever after enter- 
tained bitter feelings of hatred and revenge 
toward the British (Jovcrnment. He subse- 
qucntlj' owned a number of the islands in the 
St. Lawrence Eivcr known as the Thousand 
Islands, and had frequent opportunities of grat- 
ifying his feelings of hatred and revenge, and 
probably proved as great an annoyance as any 
man on the St Lawrence River to the British 
authorities. He in after jears identified him- 
self with the Patriot cause, and was gi-eatly dis- 
tinguished as one of the most fearless, daring 
and brave, feared by the Canadian authorities 
more than any one man enlisted or engaged in 
the Patriot War, generally accredited with 
having captured and burned the steamer "Sir 
Eoliert Peel." 

The daughter of Ben Johnson inherited the 
courage of her father; was in full sympath}' 
with his feelings of hatred and revenge. She 
was distinguished asan athlete; few excelled her 
in the management of a boat, in skating and 
swimming. Excursions from the main land to 
the islands, eight or ten miles, alone in her 
cedar boat, were frequently made. She was 
very efficient in secretly furnishing supplies 
during the Patriot War, and was known and 
styled on the St. Lawrence iliver as " Queen of 
the Thousand Islands." Her beautiful cedar 
boat, in which she performed so many acts of 
heroism, was finally presented by her to the 
companion of her youthful days, the Hon. 
Joseph M. Sterling, of the city of Monroe, who 
still has it in his possession, preserving it as a 
memento of the Queen of the Thousand Islands. 



HON. WILLIAM WALTON MURPHY, 

Son of Hon. Seba Murphy, was born at Ovid, 
Xew York, April 3, 1816. He came to Monroe 
with his father in 1885, entered the United 
States land office, and during his leisure hours 
studied law. He subsequently entered as a 
student the law office of Wing ct McClelland, 
and was admitted to practice. 

In 1840 he removed to Jonesville, where he 
became a leading lawyer and for some time the 
senior member of the law firm of Murphy & 



Howe. Upon the return of Mr. Howe (his 
brother-in-law) to the East, Mr. Murphy formed 
a copartnership with the lion. Witter J. Bax- 
ter. He was also a partner in the Jonesville 
banking house of Iv O. Grosvenor^ Com]iany ; 
was for several years the editor ami j)ublisher 
of the Jonesville Telegraph. 

In March, 18:-59, he went to the village of 
Branch, then the seat of justice for Branch 
county, and purchased of the executors of the 
estate of Levi Collier, the press which had been 
used in that place. This was the first j)rinting 
press in Hillsdale county, and the first paper 
was issued April 13, 1839. Mr. Murphy repre- 
sented Hillsdale county in the State legislature 
before the removal of the capital from Detroit. 
In the winter of 1849 he was married to Ellen 
Beaumont, of Monroe, who still survives him. 

In 18G1 Mr. Mur]iliy was appointed Ignited 
States consul general at Frankfort-on-the-Main, 
Germany, and served there as consul for eight 
years, performing his duties with signal ability 
and fiiithfulness. Private and public citizens 
united in showing Iheirappreciation and esteem 
of one who was alwaj's their warmest friend in 
the days of their imperial prosperitj-, and sub- 
sequently in their provincial condition. He 
gained, by a peculiar frankness, a firm footing 
among the people, and inspired confidence in 
himself and in his country. Among the great 
financiers of the countrj- he worked with all 
his power in sup])ort of the American cause ; 
and in the years IStil, 18(J2 and 1863, he was 
one of the chief supporters of our securities in 
this country, and therefore in the German and 
continental markets His successful, energetic 
efforts in counteracting the attempt to quarter 
troops upon American citizens in Germany is 
deserving of an extended notice, and will ever 
be remembered b^- American citizens at Frank- 
fort, as well as citizens of F]-aMUfort, with 
gratitude. 

Previous to 1866 Frankfort-on-the-Main was 
a free, republican city, and the seat of the old 
German Bund. When the rupture between 
Prussia and Austria occurred, her sympathies 
wore with Austria and ihc confederate coali- 
tion, though she did not send an}' troops into 
the field, and was herself without the means of 
defense. From the first, Prussia looked upon 
her as a hotbed of Austrian sympathies, and 
on the 14th day of July the Prussian army 
was rejjorted near by, and the reniiiant of the 



102 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



old Bund and the confederate military commis- 
sion took their way to Augsburg. Two da3-8 
after, General Von Falkenstein encamped near 
the city of Frankfort with a lai-ge army, and 
dissolving the city senate and burger repre- 
sentatives, took command ol' the city, which ho 
treated as conquered, levying a war contribu- 
tion of six millions of gulden to be paid in 
twenty-four Ikhii-s. This was done and Falk- 
enstein said that the citizens would now be no 
more molested and ho left the city. 

He had not been gone many hours, however, 
before General Manteuffel, to whom the main 
army had been transferred on the lillth of 
July, entered the city with twenty thousand 
troops, which ho at once quartered upon the 
inhabitants, foreign and native, and then de- 
manded a second war contribution of twenty- 
five million gulden, to be paid within three 
days, or the citj' would be bombarded and 
sacked. The citizens were in a state of dumb 
consternation, and knew not whore to get the 
money. A number of senators and representa- 
tives assembled to discuss the state of affairs, 
and a deputation was sent to General Man- 
teutfel to protest against these excessive meas- 
ures, but with no i-esult. The citizens them- 
selves were subjected to continual insult, and 
required by the soldiers to provide for exor- 
bitant wants. Some preferred to leave their 
houses altogether to the possession of the sol- 
diers. Protests were vain, and General Man- 
teuffel spread most fearful rumors of what he 
should do in case the money was not paid with- 
in the time specified. 

About this time Consul-General William 
Walton Murphy appeared upon the scene. He 
was on business in Hamburg when bo received 
the first news of the invasion of Frankfort, and 
at once endeavored to return to bis post. But 
all the direct roads were interrupted; he pro- 
cured a special passport and a vise from the 
Prussian minister at Hamburg, authorizing him 
to go through ; then pi-oceeded on the Minden 
road to Cologne; then by a Holland boat to 
Mayence; from thence he drove across the 
country, being challenged at everj' hundred 
yards, to Frankfort, where he found the condi- 
tion of thingsalready described. His firstatteii- 
tion was to the troops already quartered upon 
American citizens. He at once informed Man- 
teuffel that the soldiers inust be withdrawn 
from the Amei-icans ; issued a notice to all 



citizens of the United States whose names were 
registered at the consulate, to call for their 
certificates of protection ; and as a correspon- 
dent of the Berne Bund .said at the time, " made 
the Prussian government answerable for all 
and every injury done to an American citi- 
zen." But though this secured American citi- 
zens from the quartering of troops, their prop- 
erty was of course in danger of the threatened 
general bomb:irdmcnt 

A deputation of citizens then had an inter- 
view with General Manteuf!el at his hotel. He 
kept them waiting for three hours before he 
would see them, the meantime being used by 
some members of the deputation to drop into 
Consul-General Murphy's room in the hotel to 
ask his advice. Finally General Manteuffel 
ordered the deputation to appear, and replied 
to the complaints of the treatment of the city, 
that the money must he paid, if not the city 
would be sacked, and he should take the money 
wherever he could lay his hands on it. The 
deputation said, " Surelj- Prussian troops will 
not be allowed to plunder a German city." 
General Manteuffel replied: " For that job I 
have a regiment of Poles with me; I do not 
cai'e if you do call me a second Duke of Alma." 
Affairs looked gloomy enough. General Man- 
teuffel had arranged his cannon in position for 
firing upon the Zeil, the principal street of the 
city, and said as he pointed to them: "These 
are my iirguments to bring the monej', and if 
not paid within the time specified, I shall ex- 
act it." 

Fortunately for Frankfort, General Man- 
teuffel found in the American Consul-General 
Murphy a will prompt in action as his own. 
Mr. Murphy determined to exert what influ- 
ence he possessed in favor of the city, and tele- 
graphed to Governor Wright, then our minister 
in Berlin, the state of affairs and protested 
against the second war levy of twenty-five mil- 
lion gulden. Even this was no ea.sy task. The 
city telegraph stations were all in the hands of 
the military-, and none would transmit the mes- 
.sagc ; he must therefore proceed some miles 
into another territory and send the message by 
way of Heidelberg Fortunately, too, Man- 
teuffel was shortly after called away by firing 
at Wurzburg, and sent a captain with a few 
regiments to enforce the demand. He was 
superseded in a day or so by General Koder, 
backed by a larger force, who, though not 




^>sCV^ -5--"^ 



^ 



^foOcllry. /V^^A/X. 



lilOGRAPHIES OK PIONEERS, 1818-1837. 



ic.;5 



quite so hrutul ;is Maiitoutrd, deiiiaiided the 
immediate iiaymont of tiic tweiity-fivc million 
gulden. The despair of the citizens was com- 
plete ; Burgomaster Foliner had hanged him- 
self for grief, and no man Icncw how long his 
home would l)e secure from bonibardnieiil and 
pillage. 

It was just at this time that our Consul-Gon- 
eral Murphy's influence wa.s efficient. On the 
24lli of July, he received a telegram from Gov- 
ernor W^right, in which lie said ho had called 
upon Von der Ilcydt, Prussian Minister of 
Finance and Foreign Affairs, who said that 
Bismarck was absent, but that he had heard 
nothing at all about the second war lev}- at 
Fi-ankforl, which was perfectly unjustifiable, 
and he would see that the order was not earried 
into execution ; and in fact it was immediately 
revoked, and the citizens of Frank Ibrt were 
released from all further apprehension. The 
popular joj' at this unlooked for turn of aftairs 
was, as might have been expected, exceedingly 
great, and Consul-Geiieral Murplij- was there- 
after regarded by the people as a true bene- 
factor, for to him alone do they give the credit 
of saving their valuable pro])ertv from destruc- 
tion. 

The most ])ron>inent citizens of Frankfort 
determined to show their esteem and apprecia- 
tion of Mr. Muri)hy's character and great 
services to their city by presenting him with 
magnificent silver goblets, valued at six hun- 
dred gulden, with numerous valuable testimo- 
nials, at the consulate rooms, where the pres- 
ents wore deposited. Professor Hamburger, 
attended by a large concourse of citizens, in a 
neat address ])resented them to Consul-Geiieral 
Murph}-. 

The removal of the Consul-General Murphy 
from Frankfort-on-thc-Main elicited from the 
burgers of Frankfort strong and hearty ex- 
pressions of their sympathy for our consular 
representative and regret at his dej)arture. 
After his retirement from the consulship he 
remained in Germany as the trusted financial 
agent of several of the leading railwaj' com- 
panies in the United States, in which he was 
instrumental in securing the investment of 
largo amounts of foreign capital in American 
enterprises. It was through his influence that 
the first bonds of the I'niled States were sold in 
Frankfort. 

Mr. Mur])hy died at Hamburg, June 8, 188G. 



ile was a lirother-in-law of the Hon. Witter .1. 
Baxter, of Joncsville, Professor I. B. Sill, of 
Detroit, and Professor A. S. Welch, of the Iowa 
Ai;ricultural GolleiiC. 



WILLIAM II. 150YD 



Was born in llartwiik, ( )tsogo county. New 
York, October C, 1811. Jlis father, William A. 
Boyd, was born Novon\ber 10, 1785, in Rich- 
mond, Berkshire county, .Massachn.setts, the son 
ofJohn Boyd, who was born in Ii'onc, Scotland, 
in 1739, and emigrated to this country in 1770. 
He was a descendant of the Earl of Hiclinidnd, 
educated in the University of I'klinburgh, a 
lawyer by profession, and made a notary in 17(il. 
On coming to this country was licensed by 
William 'J'rj'on, governor of the 'province of 
New York, in 1774. Married Christina Van- 
dusen. of Kinderhook, and related to the Van 
Burcn family. He removed from Berkshire 
county to Philailelphia. where lie died Sciitem- 
bcr 18, 1798. 

He left four sons, Kobert, William A., John 
and James. John had a large famil}, whose 
descendants are scattered in Wisconsin, \'ir- 
ginia, New Jersey, New York and Pc^nnsyl- 
nia. John E. Boyd, one of the descendants, is 
connected with the Board of Home Missions of 
the Presbyterian church in New York Citj-. 

William A. Boyd, father of William H., re- 
ceived his early education in Philadelphia and 
Albany, and entered a wholesale dry goods 
store in Albany, where he was thoroughly 
trained in the business. He aftei-wards set- 
tled in Otsego county, and mari-ied Miss Rutha 
Sejmour, who was born in J5crlin, Connecticut, 
August 28, 1789. Ih-v father and mother (the 
hitter's maiden name was Hart) were of Puri- 
tan stock, and among the first settlers and 
honored names of Connecticut They possessed 
sterling Christian characters, and trained a 
family of noble Christian men and wonxen, 
numbering among their descendants six who 
have been or now are ministers of the Gospel. 
William A. Boyd had three children, William 
H., Erasmus J. and Mariet. 

Erasmus was educated at Hamilton College, 
New Y'ork, and at the theological seminary- at 
New Y'ork. He entered the ministry, and 
was for years pastor of a church in Brooklyn, 
Michigan. He was princijial of the Young 



164 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Tiadies' Seminary of Monroe from it.s origin 
for twenty-nine years. He married Sarah 
Clark, of Troy, ISTew York ; bad two daughters, 
wlio married and settled in the West. 

Mariet married Charles P. Woodruff, of De- 
troit ; has three sons and three daughters. 

William H. Boyd was educated at Ovid 
Academy, New York, where he pursued a 
course in the languages and mathematics pre- 
paratory for college, but not desiring a profes- 
sion lie turned his attention to naturaK history 
and the sciences. He entered the Rensselaer 
Institute, then under the charge of the dis- 
tinguished Professor Amos Eaton, at Troj-, 
New York, where he graduated in 1835. His 
class contained such scholars as Professor 
James Hall, of Albany, and Hon. S. Wells 
Williams, of Yale College, late of China, the 
last being his roommate for two years. At 
this institute students were required to lec- 
ture in the studies in the in-esenee of the 
whole class and the professors. This exercise 
proved of great value to the students in after 
life. 

Fi-om this institute Mr. Boyd i-eturned to 
his home in Ovid, New Y'ork, and spent some 
two years with his father in the mercantile 
business, during which time he accumulated a 
valuable librar3' of literary, historic and scien- 
tific works, which he diligently studied in his 
leisure hours. He entered heartily into Sun- 
day school work and the cause of temperance. 
In 1834 he was chosen superintendent of the 
Presbyterian church Sundaj- school, which 
ofBce he held while he remained in Ovid, also 
acted as superintendent of a Sabbath school 
three miles outside of the village. 

In the springof 183t5 he made choice of Mon- 
roe as his future residence and engaged a store 
building, returned to Ovid, from thence to 
New York, and purchased a stock of dr}' goods. 
With a capital of $200 purchased $3,000 
on a credit of six months, and returned to 
Monroe in June and oi^ened his stock in 
trade. About the 1st of December he ad- 
ded a stock of groceries. His business in- 
creased and was continued in the stand, in the 
building now occupied by H. Duvall, on First 
street, for ten years, during which time he 
built a store at Hillsdale, and one at Jackson, 
continuing the three stores for twelve j'ears. He 
changed into the hardware trade, which ho 
continued seventeen years, and then took in 



two partners, George W. Bruckner and Eobert 
Powell, and after seven years sold out to them. 
From that time he devoted his time to other 
branches of trade,produce, wool, clover seed, etc. 
In 1868 his hardware store was burned, when 
he went to New York City and spent two years 
in the oil trade, opening an important business 
in native lubricating oils in Russia, Germanj-, 
France and England, which business has been 
carried on most successfully b}' his son and his 
associates to the present time. Returning from 
New York at the close of 1869, he entered into 
the produce trade, in which he has continued 
to the present time, making in June, 1886, over 
fifty years of continued business. 

When he commenced business in 1836, he 
wrote a pledge which he first signed and re- 
quired all his clerks for the first ten years to 
sign, pledging total abstinence from intoxicat- 
ing drinks and saloons, and of the large num- 
ber connected with him in business, all with 
one exception of those now living have kept 
their pledge, and all with two exceptions have 
l>roved in after life to bo men of sterling char- 
acter, and most of them leading business men 
in society where they resided. 

In the summer of 1836 he united with the 
First Presbyterian church of Monroe by letter 
from Ovid, and joining the Sabbath school as 
teacher, was at once made assistant superin- 
tendent, and continued assistant superinten- 
dent until January, 1843, when he was elected 
superintendent and held the office until July, 
1878, some thirty-five j'ears as superintendent, 
excepting two years when absent in New 
York — forty years superintendent and assist- 
ant superintendent of the same school. In the 
Sabbath school work he was active both at 
home and throughout the State, having aided 
in the formation of the State Sundaj' school 
Association, acted as one of its executive com- 
mittee, and twice elected president of the State 
convention, once at Grand Rapids and once at 
P'lint; was a delegate to the national conven- 
tion in Indianapolis in 1872, and to the inter- 
national convention in Baltimore in 1875; was 
a member of the first State temperance con- 
vention at Marshall in the winter of 1838; has 
been a member of the Synod of Michigan re- 
peatedly, and of the General Assembly in 
Buffalo, New York and Cincinnati, and a life 
member of the American Sunday School Union, 
and its vice-president in 1876. He deliv- 



BIOGRAPHIES OF I'lONEERS, 1818-1837. 



165 



ercnl :in historical address on tlie work of Sun- 
day schools during the past century at tlio 
State convention in Owosso in 1876, winch was 
an address of great merit and deemed worthy 
of jtiiblication by the convention. 

In tiie presbytery of Monroe lie lias been 
efficient as an elder ; delivered an historical 
narrative of its fifty years' work in 1844, which 
was published in pamphlet form. He fre- 
((uently responded to calls to deliver Fourth of 
July and historical addresses, as well as ])atri- 
otic addresses. 

He was the first to offera preniiumof twenty- 
five dollars for the first man who would enlist 
as a volunteer in the first company formed in 
Monroe count}- at the opening of the war in 
1861. On the call for the mass meeting in 
Jack.son, July (>, 1854, participated in the or- 
ganization of the Republican party. He never 
manifested any desire for political preferment, 
but was ever an ardent and zealous Kepublican. 

His efficiency iu the Sabbath school work, 
where he labored for forty-two years, can be 
attested by hundreds of teachers and scholars. 
Through his agency every member of the 
Fourth and Seventh Michigan regiments was 
furnished with a copy of the Now Testament, 
and by his efforts the Presbyterian chapel was 
erected, to which he was a very liberal con- 
tributor. Commencing as a Sabbath school 
teacher at the age of sixteen, he labored fifty- 
nine years (at this date sixty-one), for the youth 
of our land, giving a bright example of one 
who had never u.sed intoxicating drinks or 
tobacco in any form, or uttered a profane word, 
or labored or traveled on the Sabbath. 

He was active in every enterprise for the in- 
terests of Monroe, viz.: In building the plank 
road to Saliiie before the railroad was con- 
structed ; in building the Detroit, Monroe and 
Toledo railroad, and the Holly railroad, which 
was absorbed b}' the Flint and Pere Marquette; 
w-as one of the originators of the Monroe Fe- 
male Seminary, and invested S3,000 for the 
brick addition, which proved a pecuniary loss; 
was interested in the Union hotel, now known 
as the Hubble block ; al.so one of the organizers 
of the First National bank, of which he was a 
number of years president and vice-president; 
and for many years, and at the present time, 
president of the Monroe Bible Society, being 
the oldest Bible society in the Northwest, organ- 
ized iu 1821. 



Mr. Boyd married in September, 1S:5!), .Miss 
Lucy Chujjel, who lost her parents in early 
youth, and was adopted by Judge Wolcott 
Jjawrence, an old and honored family of New 
England, who came to Michigan in 1817. Mr. 
Hoyd had five children, three of whom died in 
childhood, leaving Irving P. Boyd, of New 
York, and Carrie L., residing at Monroe. 

Ml'. Boyd's character as a Christian gentle- 
man for fifty ye:irs in the same coniinunily 
was exeraplaiy, and his aim and purpose was 
to so live as to honor his Maker, and to lead all 
under his influence to do the same. In all 
moral and religious work for the good of his 
fellow men he was active and ready, and was 
known throughout the count}' in all its towns, 
attending the Sabbath school work and other 
gatlierinus with a ready address on the Bible, 
temperance and Sabbath school work, with 
illustrations lor almost any emergency, giving 
interest to his efforts. 

I append a partial list of persons who have 
been clerks or partners in business during the 
fifty years of William H. Boyd, and their 
present residence as far as known. Those 
marked * denote time of five years or more : 

Elisha Field, California. 

*Oscar Stoddard, dead. 

*Allen Hammond, Hillsdale. 

James Skinnci', unknown. 

E. A. Peltier, sr., Monroe, dead. 

C. P. Woodruff, Detroit. 

E. A. Howes, dead. 

Mo.ses B. Savage, dead. 

Andrew Hastings, Detroit. 

Reece H. Griffith, Rushtill, Illinois. 

Robert Mockridge, dead. 

*William H. Beach, dead. 

Hosmer Cha])man, dead. 

*William Thompson, Fenton, .Michigan. 

Montgomery Thompson, Chicago. 

Henry C. Seymour, Ohio. 

George Seymour, Lyme, Ohio. 

Byron Hammond, Michigan. 

W. Van Miller, Monroe. 

Henry C. Clark, Michigan. 

C. S. Pratt, Jackson. 

Frank G. Bulkley, Colorado. 

John W. Anderson, dead. 

Edward D. Fisk, dead. 

Erving P. Boyd, New York city. 

W. H. Smith, Brooklyn. 

Edwin J. Mills, dead.' 



166 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



*Frank Lawrence, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. • 

*Eobert Powell, Aiken, South Carolina. 

*George W. Bruckner. Monroe. 

Leslie J. Ander.sou, unknown. 

*E. A. Peltier, jr., Monroe. 

*Eichard Thompson, New York city. 

P. (i. Salter, dead. 

* William Steiner, Monroe. 

C. Shuniway, unknown. 

James Powell, Aiken, South Carolina. 

Henry B. Ujjham, unknown. 

Courtney Hall, unknown. 

Hubert Tucker, dead. 

John LefUer, Monroe. 

*F. H. Hubbard, Monroe. 

Jefferson Thurber, Detroit. 

Morgan C. Tyler, unknown. 

H. E. Austin, Monroe. 

Clark Snedicor, Detroit. 

K. Strickland, unknown. 

Of the many persons connected with him in 
business, it can be said that he never had a 
serious dispute or trouble of any kind. 



DEODATUS NOBLE, 



Son of the Hon. David Noble, was born in New 
Fairfield, Connecticut, July 29, 17t!();died in 
Monroe, Michigan, January 27, 1853, aged 
eighty-six. He was chosen May 18, 1814, a 
deacon of the Congregational church in Wil- 
lianistown. It was upon his farm near the 
haystack that Gordon Hall and his associates 
formed their plan for foreign missions. In 
1833 he removed to Monroe, Michigan. He 
was ever a useful citizen, an upright magistrate, 
and a faithful officer of the church — a holy 
man, living not for this but a bettor world, and 
what he desired for his children was not wealth 
or position but character and usefulness. 

He married February 27, 1794, Betsej- Buik- 
ley, daughter of Charles and Betsey Bulkley, 
of Williamslown, who died in Monroe, Miciiigan, 
October 9, 1847, aged seventy-five. 

The children of Deodatus Noble, all born in 
Williamatown, were: Charles Noble, born 
July 4, 1790; married Eliza Sims Wing. 
Elizabeth Abby Noble, born December 21, 1800; 
married Dr. George Landon. David Addison 
Noble, born November 9, 1802 ; married Sarah 
Shaw. Daniel Noble, born April 15, 1807; 
married Julia Beach; died aged sixty eight. 



Mason Noble, born March 18, 1809; married 
Ann C. Pleasants. William Addison Noble, 
born February 16, 1819 ; married Martha Beach. 
Deodtenus, the twin sister of Deodatus, was 
born in New Fairfield, Connecticut; died in 
Williamstown, Massachusetts, February 7, 1861, 
aged ninety-five years. She married for her 
second husband November 8, 1803, Deacon 
Benjamin Skinner, father of Harriet Skinner, 
the wife of Hon. Austin E. Wing. Mr. Skinner 
died at the residence of his daughter Harriet, 
in Monroe, December 4, 1828. By the second 
marriage of Deacon Benjamin Skinner George 
N. Skinner was born, in Williamstown ; gradu- 
iited at Williams College in 1827; read law 
with his half brother, Samuel Skinner, in Le- 
Eo3', New York ; was a lawyer in LeEoy, New 
York, and subsequently copartner of Hon. 
Chauncey Joslyn, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and 
died in the latter place April 8, 1850, aged 
forty-one years. 



DANIEL NOBLE 



Was born at Williamstown, Massachusetts, in 
April, 1807, and consequently at the time of his 
death was sixty-eight 3-ears of age. In the 
year 1830, while yet our Slate was a Terri- 
tory, his father's famil}' — consisting of father, 
mother, five sons and one daughter — removed 
from their old homo in Williamstown to Michi- 
gan, and .settled in Monroe. 

Before coming to Michigan, while still a 
young man, Mr. Noble experienced religion 
and united with the church in his native place. 
In ;S33, with his father and mother, he united 
by letter with the Presbyterian church in 
Monroe. His Christian life and character was 
not a life of ostentation, display, or froward- 
ness. It seemed the life of a meek and gentle 
spirit, the chai'aeter of a lowly and humble 
mind that disdains the ambitious things of life, 
and was content with that purity and gentle- 
ne.ss of character which is so Christlike. He 
was " a good man " — " a pure man." 

Mr. Noble was for many years a merchant of 
Monroe — a number of years occupied the store 
on the corner of Washington and Front streets, 
afterwards the brick store corner oi' Monroe 
and First streets. Five years before his death 
he removed with his family to Olivet. At the 
time of his death he was on a visit to Monroe. 



1510GRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837. 



167 



In 1834 Mr. Noble \v:is luiiti'il in niurriage to 
Miss Julia Beacli, with wliom lie lias since 
lived in tlio loving intimacy Ihiit belongs to a 
Christian home. Thi!se parents have been 
blessed of God by the birth of eight children, 
four of whom liave gone before, and four 
(three sons and one daughter) still remain. To 
these sons the inheritance of their father's 
blessed memory and pure example is a better 
treasure than anything of earth tiiat he could 
have left them. 

Mrs. Noble now survives him. She was born 
ill Kast Bloomtield, New York, November 5, 
IS 15, the daughter of Elisiia and Jjucrelia 
(Norton) Beach, of Kast Bloomtield, and after- 
wards of Oberlin, Ohio. The children of this 
ntarriage were: Henry Mason Noble, born 
February 2(1, 1839; married Adelaide Morton, 
daughter of Hon. Edward G. Morton, of Mon- 
roe. Mary Lucretia, born Ma^^ 3, 1843; mar- 
ried Itev. Owen D. Fisher. Edward Stanley, 
born November 20, 1849. Addison BulUlcy, 
born September 15, 1850. 



WILLI.'iM ADDISON NOBLE 

Was born in Williamstoun, Massachusetts, Feb- 
ruary 1(5, 1819; died at Monroe, September 21, 
1887. He was the youngest .son of Doodatus 
Noble, who was one of the trustees of Williams 
College, and the donor of the land on which 
the president's house stands; was a deacon in 
the Congregational church, and owned the 
land now known as "Mission Park," where 
Mills Hall and others hold the celebrated mis- 
sionary praj'er meeting at the haystack, the 
origin of the Foreign Missionary Board. 

William A. arrived in Monroe, June 1, 1833, 
after a rough passage from Buffalo. At the 
first port aftei- leaving Buffalo, he had had all 
the experience he desired, and determined to 
make the rest of the journey to Michigan on 
foot, but was overruled by his father. IHs 
academic education was at Gambler, Ohio. His 
companions at the academy from Monroe were 
Charles W. Ford, Charles G. Johnson, William 
Van Horn Miller, and Talcott E. Wing. 

At the age of eighteen he embarked in busi- 
ness at Gibralter, Wayne county, then the 
headquarters of the Patriots in the Canadian 
rebellion. Monroe, Brest and Gibralter were 
rival cities. Mr. Noble identified himself with 



Gibralter, which was attracting the attention 
of Eastern capitalists, and the (iibraltcr com- 
pany was comprised of them with a number of 
Detroit and Monroe cajiilalists. It was in- 
tended to connect Gibralter with Flat Rock, 
availing themselves of the Huron liiver, and a 
largo amount of mone^' was expended in the 
construction of a canal from Gibralter to Flat 
Rock, the banks of which can be seen from the 
Michigan Central railroad. The city of Gib- 
ralter had its bank with a large circulation, 
but it in common with the wild-cat banks col- 
lapsed, and the city with canal s<ioii followcrl in 
its train. 

Mr. Noble made the acquaintance of P. C. H. 
Brothcrton, cashier of the Bank of .Monroe, by 
whom he was employed, having charge of a 
country store at Manchester until 1844, at 
which time he purchased Brotherton's interest ; 
in the following spring sold out, returned to 
-Monroe, and in the spring of 1845 formed a co- 
partnership with Hon. J. M. Sterling in the 
forwarding and commission business, with 
whom he continued ten years. In 184G Ihey^ 
built the " Black Warehouse," so called, which 
is still owned by Mr. Sterling. After the dis- 
solution of this copartnership Mr. Noble was 
engaged in the mercantile business, in the 
plaster trade, in the lumber business, and in 
connection with the late Judge Phinney and 
Charles Tull built the elevator at the Michigan 
Central railroad depot, where he conducted 
business for a number of years. He was (or a 
number of years deputy United States .Mar- 
shal, and under President Grant was ajipointed 
postmaster of Monroe, which office he held for 
eight years. He then engaged in a produce 
and feed store, but in 1885 declining health 
compelled him to retire from business. He 
w-as an ardent Ilepublican, and chairman of the 
Republican county committee for many years. 
His religious associations were with the First 
Presbyterian church of Monroe, of which he 
was a consistent member for very nian\- years. 
He was always enterpi-ising and honorable as a 
business man, and ever highly esteemed as an 
upright citizen. 

Mr. Noble was married October 28, 1844, to 
Martha, daughter of Elisha Beach. Thej- had' 
one son. Mason A. Noble, and two ilaughters, 
Henrietta G., and Lucretia Belle Noble. The 
devotion of his family during his protracted 
illness enlisted the symitathy of a large circle 



168 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of fi-iends; and as a devoted husband, father 
and esteemed citizen, his memory will long be 
cherished. He was a member of Monroe 
Lodge No. 27, Free and Accepted Masons, of 
which lie was once master, and was also a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. 



EDWARD L() RANGER 



Was born at Three Rivers, Canada, February 
IG, 1796, and settled at the River Raisin in 
1816. He was a mason by trade, and lived 
first on the farm adjoining the Evon farm, 
with Alexis Loranger, the clerk of the first 
Catholic church, about two miles west of Mon- 
roe on the north side of the river. He took 
conti-acts from time to time, in Detroit, Maiden, 
Frenclitovvn and Monroe. In 1822 he pur- 
chased the farm on Stony Creek on which he 
resided up to the time of his death. At the 
time of his purchase Indians were encamped 
on all sides of him. 

He built in 1818 the first brick building in 
Frenchtown, known as the Lacroix house, on 
the north bank of the river below the railroad, 
now owned and occupied by Louis Lafontain. 
Ho built also the store next west of our city 
mill for Humphrey it Bacon ; the Godfroy 
store on the south bank of the River Raisin on 
Macomb street ; the printing office on the east 
side of Washington street, now owned bj' Mrs. 
Dr. Dorsch ; helped build the brick store for 
Oliver Johnson on the site of the store on the 
corner of Washington and Front streets, now 
owned by Hon. Frederick Waldorf, and occu- 
pied as a clothing store bj' Louis Freidenburg. 
He also built the brick residence of Jacques 
Lasselle on the site of the Williams farm on the 
north side of the River Raisin. The first 
Catholic brick church was built by him in 
1826, and was located on the rise of ground in 
the fourth ward, fronting on Noble avenue ; 
also the addition to St. Mary's church in 1837, 
on Elm avenue. 

Edward Loranger was married in 1826 to 
Marianne Navarre, who survives him. They 



have five children living: Zoe married Ferdi- 
nand Revane; Josephine is unmarried ; Joseph 
married Peter Lamb ; Exavia married Medard 
Beaubien ; and Emma married Frederick Bez- 
zeau — all living in Monroe county. 

About the time of his marriage he began 
work upon the saw and grist mills that have 
stood upon Stony Creek for more than half a 
century. He was one of the best known men 
of his township, popular with and respected by 
all who knew him — a man of high integrity, 
fine social interests, good business ability, and 
a valuable member of the community in which 
he lived. He died in October, 1887, aged 
ninety-one years. 



JOHN TULL 



Was born at East Locking, Berkshire, England, 
February 12, 1807. With his family he emi- 
grated to America in 1831, and in 1832 settled 
in Monroe, where he resided the remainder of 
his life. 

In 1837 he married Julia Ann, daughter of 
Colonel Peter P. Ferry. As the result of that 
marriage six children were born, of whom two 
sons and two daughters survive. The family 
of children are sottledas far apart as the con- 
tinent will permit. Charles D. Tull, the eldest 
son, who is chief clerk of the transportation 
department of the Philadelphia and Reading 
railroad, resides at Elizabeth City, New Jersey. 
Victor Tull is extensively engaged in mining 
operations on the Pacific coast, and resides at 
Puget Sound. Mrs. Ann Lloyd Kellogg, the 
eldest daughter, resides in Washington Terri- 
tory, and Mrs. Julia M. Carlisle resides with 
her mother in Monroe. 

Mr. John Tull was unostentatious yet intelli- 
gent, and esteemed for many j'ears as an 
earnest advocate of temperance. He died April 
9, 1886. His funeral services at Trinity church 
at Monroe were conducted by the Rev. Mr. 
Brooks, when the remains were taken charge 
of by the Masonic fraternity and buried with 
Masonic honors. 



CHAPTER XV 



THE IiNITEl) STATES GOVEKNMENT IMPROVEMENTS OF LA TLAISANOE AND MONROE IIARHORS. 



THE harbor of Monroe, Midiif^an, is situated 
at the extreme westerly bend of Lake 
Erie, about one and a half miles west of tiie 
mouth of the River Kaisin and about three and 
a half miles from the town of Monroe. 

The attention of the General GovcriinK'nt 
was first oalled to this loealitj- by the act olCon- 
gress approved May 20, 182tJ, wherein an ap- 
priation of 8200 was made for " The survey of 
La Plaisanec Bay in the, Territory of Michigan, 
to ascertain the expediency of improving the 
navigation thereof and the expense of effecting 
the same." 

LaPlaisaiK'C Bav is situateil about two miles 
to the southward of the present entrance to the 
harbor of Monroe. The survey ordered by the 
act of Congress was made b}' (/'aptain T. \V. 
Maurice, of the Corps of Engineers, who re- 
ported that the bay was broad and shallow, the 
greatest depth available being nine or ten feet, 
and that it was surrounded on all sides except 
the lake by a marsh about one mile bi-oad. 
Tlie River Eaisin, upon which the town of 
Monroe is situated, was connected with the bay 
near its head, but the navigable waters of the 
river and baj' were separated by extensive 
shoals. Tlie town of Monroe is connected with 
the bay by a railroad about tour miles long. 

Captain Maurice recommended the construc- 
tion of a harbor of refuge at this locality by 
building a breakwater of cribs filled witii 
stone, at a cost of §C,206.C1. This plan was 
approved and the sum of §3,977.81 was ap])ro- 
priated to carry on the work. Operations 
were commenced in the spring of 1828, and by 
the close of September 1,050 linear feet of the 
breakwater had been completed. It was the 
opinion of Captain Maurice, however, that the 
work should be extende<l for the proper pro- 
tection of the harbor, and he recommended 
the connection of the navigable waters of the 
bay witii those of the River Jiaisin by means of 
parallel piers and dredging. In 1829 a survey 
12 [UV 



was made to ascertain the practicabilitj* and 
cost of uniting the bay and river as recom- 
mended. An additional ajipropriation of 82,- 
318 was made by the act of March 8, 182!t, and 
the breakwater was extended 210 linear feet. 

The works were completed in 18:i0, a break- 
water 1,290 feet long having been constructed 
at a total cost of S6, 21)1.85. This afforded pro- 
tection to vessels di-awing from eight to nine 
feet of water, but the engineer in cliarge again 
called attention to the impracticability of com- 
munication between the baj' and the River 
Raisin for the oi'dinary class of vessels navigat- 
ing the lake, and presented a plan and estimates 
for opening communication between them. 
On the 4th of October, 18:il, a violent gale 
destroj'ed nearly the entire portion of the 
breakwater that had been l)Milt by contract in 
1828, but did not injure the ]iart subsequently 
built by hired laboi-. The engineer in charge 
asked for 87,841 to make the necessary repairs. 

An ap])roprialion of 88,000 was made by the 
act of July 3, 1832, and in September Captain 
Henry Smith, of the United Stales Army, who 
had succeeded to the charge of the harbor, made 
a careful examination of the work; he found 
that tlie whole of the breakwater, with the 
exception of 200 feet, had been washed away 
during the fall and winter of 1831, and that 
the portion built by conti-act had been entirelj- 
destroj'ed, leaving but a few stones to mark its 
position. In 1833 eight liundredand forty feet 
of new breakwater was constructed, and in 
1834 an additional ajipropriation of §4,895 was 
made by the act of June 28th ; but on account 
of the prevalence of the cholera but little was 
done during the year, and in 1835 the work 
was prosecuted to completion. The break- 
water was now 1,320 feet long, 12 feet wide, 
and averaged ten feet in height. The total 
cost was 819,014.87: The original pier cost 
86,295 81, and the repairs and reconstruction 
S12,719.0(i. Tiie work remained in good con- 



170 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



dition until 1838, when some slight damage 
was done, and since that time no repairs of any 
kind have been made. The improvement of 
the present liarbor of Monroe having been 
commenced, rendering La Plaisance Harbor no 
longer necessarj-, the breakwater has gradually 
been destroyed. 

MONROE HARBOR. 

It was seen at an eai-ly day, after work had 
been commenced on La Plaisance breakwater, 
tiiat the navigable waters of the Eiver Kaisin 
siiould -be connected with those of the lake 
and made available for all vessels tlien navi- 
gating Lake Brie. Captain Maurice several 
times I'eferred to this subject in his i-eports, 
and in 1828 by direction of the chief of engi- 
neers he presented a plan and estimate for 
making direct connection between the river 
and La Plaisance Bay. Captain Henry Smith, 
of the United States Army, who succeeded 
Captain Maurice, did not agree with him on this 
subject, and in November, 1834, submitted to 
the chief of engineers a plan for straightening 
the Eiver Eaisin and making direct connection 
with the lake. 

Captain Smith in his report explained the 
disadvantage of La Plaisance Harbor, shovved 
how entirely it failed to carry out the end in 
view and the great necessity for a direct con- 
nection between the lake and the river. 

The Eiver Eaisin has its source in Hillsdale 
county, Michigan, and flows for about one 
hundred and twenty-five miles, measured by 
its channel, on a course generally easterly, 
through a very fertile and productive country. 
At the time the improvement of the river was 
inaugurated it was considered one of the most 
important streams in Michigan, not only on 
account of its geographical position, but also 
for its water power; it had contributed largely 
towards the prosperit}- of many enterprising 
towns along its banks. Monroe, which lies 
about forty miles southwest of Detroit and 
three and a half miles from the mouth of the 
Eaisin Eiver, was at that time a place of some 
prominence, with 3,000 inhabitants. 

The plan of improvement proposed by (Cap- 
tain Smith was to make a direct connection 
with the lake by cutting a canal about 4,000 
feet long and 100 feet wide through the penin- 
sula called "Eiver Eaisin Point," from the 



river directly north of House Island to the 
lake; he jjroposed to protect the entrance into 
the lake by parallel piers 726 feet long and 20 
feet wide, running out to a depth often feet; 
where the canal crossed Sandy Creeli be jno- 
posed to close the south side and to turn the 
creek into the canal. The estimated cost of 
the whole work exclusive of the dredging ma- 
chine was $55,885. 

The first appropriation of $30,000 was made 
by the act of February 24, 1835, antl the work 
was commenced early in May of that year, 
under the direction of the chief of engineers, 
Captain H. Smith being in immediate charge. 
About June 1st a large force of laborers was 
employed, and operations were pushed with so 
much vigor that during the season nearly one- 
half of the entire length of the canal was ex- 
cavated. 

The officer superintending the work asked 
for $60,660 to complete it, giving as a reason 
for the excess over the original estimate, the 
high price of labor and the cost of the dredg- 
ing machine. 

An appropriation of $1,500 was made by the 
act of July 2, 183G. During this year the 
oi^erations advanced satisfactorily, and were 
directed as follows : To constructing perma- 
nent dams on both sides of the canal to pre- 
vent sliding and to secure them from the action 
of the currents, wash of steamboats, etc. — this 
work was finished along 1,880 feet of the canal 
and pai'tially completed upon the remainder; 
the excavation, which, with the exception of 
a lew minor details, was completed upon 1,880 
feet of the canal. The construction of the 
piers on each side of the mouth of the canal 
was completed to the distance of 450 feet into 
the lake. These were built by hired labor and 
purchase in the open market. The officer in 
charge stated that it would require $61,351.50 
to complete the work, in addition to former 
appropriations. An appropriation of $30,000 
was made by the act of March 3, 1837. The 
revetment of the sides of the canal was nearly 
finished and the excavation was continued, so 
that by the close of the season 3,387 feet of 
the canal was completed; the piers were car- 
ried out to a depth of 10 feet, the south pier 
being 597 feet and the north pier 515 feet in 
length. It was, however, deemed necessary to 
continue them out to a depth of 12 feet. 

An appropriation of $1,500 was made by the 



HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. 



171 



act of July 7, 1838. Operations were con- 
tinued upon the canal and piers ; 27,278 cubic 
yards of earth were excavated from the canal 
prism and from between the piers in the lake, 
and about 19,000 j-ards yet remained to be re- 
moved. The north pier was prolonged GO feet 
and the .south pier 30 feet. It was also found 
necessary to protect the lake shore on the 
north side of the canal, where it was rapidlj' 
wearini; away, by si.x cribs filled with stone, 
and to rai.se the walls of the canal to pi'ovcnt 
sand from being washed into the channel. 

The officer in charge asked for $34,920 to 
complete the whole work. Up to the close of 
this 3'ear the entire ajipropriations made up to 
date, amounting to §90,000, had been expended. 

It will be observed fi-om the foregoing his- 
tory that the improvement of this harbor was 
commenced in 1827 at La Plaisance Bay, aban- 
doned there in 1835, and begun in that year on 
the present harbor. 

The policy of the General Government in 
regard to internal improvements was changed 
four years after the work was commenced, and 
with the exception of the appropriations in 
1844 and 1852, which were devoted to repairs 
and dredging, no further funds were availabii^ 
until the year 1866. 

An appropi'iation of $20,000 was made by 
the act of June 11, 1844, and the work placed 
in charge of C^aptain A. Canfield, of the Corps 
of Topographical Engineers. An examination 
of the harbor showed the piers to be in bad 
condition, and that the lake was making in- 
roads at the angles where the piers joined the 
shoi'cs. Materials were collected for making 
the necessary repairs, and in the following 
summer the old piers were thoroughly re- 
paired; 162 linear feet of the old sheet pile 
pier was re])laccd by new cribwork ; the nortli 
pier was extended 300 linear feet into the lake, 
and the south pier 90 feet, but the superstruc- 
ture upon this portion was not completed ; the 
lake shore at the angles where the piers joined 
it was protected by a strong cribwork to pre- 
vent breaching; repairs were made to the re- 
vetment of the United States canal where Sand 
Creek emptied into it ; the artificial channel 
was dredged wherever trouble occurred ; 11,684 
cubic yards of mud, sand, etc., were removed, 
and a depth of nine feet obtained up to a point 
just below the docks at Monroe. An estimate 
of 813,303.95 wassubmitted for completing the 



unfinished work, prolonging the north piei-, 
and putting in a pierhead. 

No appro])riations were made nor any work 
done between the years 1844 and 1852. 

By the act of August 30, 1852, .S14,00(t was 
appropriated, and the money disbursed in 18.53 
bj' a local agent in the repairs of the piers. 
Captain Howard Stansbury, of the to])ograph- 
ical engineers, who assumed charge in 1854, 
reported that the appropriation had been ex- 
pended by the agent betbre he took charge, in 
completing 400 feet of the south pier and par- 
tially rebuilding 700 feet of the nortli pier. 
The latter was hd't in an unfinished condition, 
the style of workmanship being rough and de- 
fective. He asked for an appropriation of 
$19,537.77 to put the harbor in order. 

In 1857 Lieutenant-Colonel (Jraliam re- 
ported that the works were rapidlj- deteri- 
orating, and asked for $23,857 to put them in 
order. No action was taken upon this recom- 
mendation, and nothing more was done until 
1866. 

In February, ISdO, Colonel and Brevet Major- 
General T. J. (Jrain, of the Corps of Engineers, 
made a survey of the harbor, and submitted a 
re))ort with an estimate of the cost of the im- 
provement. General Crain made a careful ex- 
amination of the piei's and reported them to be 
in a dilapidated condition. He recommended 
that the north pier should be repaired for a 
length of 665 feet, and the south pier for a 
length of 180 feet. The heavy ice in the canal 
and lake prevented an}- examination as to 
depth. 

Although the revetment of the banks of the 
canal was decayed and broken. General Crain 
did not think it necessary to rebuild it, as the 
banks had now become quite solid. He esti- 
mated that the cost of the work would be 
$10,423.60. An appropriation of $31,015.27 
was made by the act of June 23, 1866. 

0])erations were carried on during the winter 
of 1866 and 18G7, and the piers were put in 
complete order. A survey of the channel in 
the spring of 1868 showed a sufticient depth of 
water for the retjuirements of the commerce of 
Monroe. The total expenditure in rejiairs up 
to June 30, 1868, was §20,425. 

In April, 1869, Major Waller Mcl'arlaud, of 
the Corps of Engineers, was assigned to the 
charge of this harbor, and he recommended 
that the bar at the entrance to the harbor 



172 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



should be dredged. During the year 38,000 
cubic yards of sand were removed from the 
channel, and a depth of 12 feet obtained over 
the bar and through the United States canal 
into the river. The shore of tlie lake at the 
inner end of the north pier was protected by a 
revetment to prevent the waters of the laice 
from breaking through into the canal. 

In A])ril,1871, Major McFarland was relieved 
by Captain and Brevet Ijieutenant-Colonel G. 
L. Gillespie, of the Corps of Engineers. An 
elaborate survey of the hai'bor was made in 
Septembei-, and Colonel Gillespie presented a 
plan for obtaining a depth of 11 feet up to the 
docks at Moni'oe at a cost of $15,600. 

An appropriation of S10,000 was made by 
the act of June 10, 1872, and in August the 
work of dredging was commenced; 31,029 
cubic yards of mud, etc., were removed, and a 
depth of 11 feet up obtained, except in the 
vicinity of the docks at Monroe, where rock 
was found. At Cooley's Bar stiff clay was en- 
countered. 

Colonel GiUespie was relieved by Major and 
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Harwood in April, 
1873. An approjn-iation of SI 5,000 was made 
by the act of March 3, 1S7:'.. The piers were 
put in complete order and the renewal of the 
canal revetment was commenced. Colonel 
Harwood asked for ■S5((,000 for comjilcting the 
revetment. 

Ad appropriation ofSlO, 000 was made by the 
act of June 23, 187-t. Operations were con- 
tinued upon the can:)l revetment, and 2,710 
linear feet of it was rebuilt. 

Colonel Harwood was relieved in .Tunc, 1S74, 
by Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet Colonel 
Blunt, of the Corps of Engineers. An appro- 
priation of SIO.OOO was made by the act of 
March 3, 1875. During this 3ear work was 
continued renewing the canal revetment, and a 
channel was dredged through the outer bar; 
1,()(J9 linear leet of revetment was renewed, and 
18,(J70 cubic yards of sand removed trom the 
channel at the entrance to the piers. 

An appropriation of S5,000 was made by the 
act of August 14, 187(). Lieutenant-Colonel 
and Brevet Brigadier-General Michler relieved 
Colonel Blunt of the cliarge of the harbor in 
December, 1S7<). Operations were continued 
during the season of 1877, renewing the canal 
revetment, and 1,905 linear feet were rebuilt. 
Some minor rejjairs were made to the jjiers. 



An appropriation of $2,500 was made by the 
act of June 18, 1878. A survey of the channel 
was made between the lake and the docks at 
Monroe, which showed that it had shoaled 
ver}' much, and that a depth of 8 feet could not 
be carried up to the docks. General Michler 
was relieved by Major and Brevet Colonel John 
M. Wilson, of the Cor])S of Engineers, in Decem- 
ber, 1878. 

Operations were commenced in March, 1879, 
and by June both piers had been repaired and 
1)12 linear feet of the canal revetment renewed. 
An appropriation of S2,000 was made hy the 
act of March 3, 1879. It was determined to 
applj' it to dredging and to endeavor to make a 
clear channel 100 feet wide and 9^ feet deep up 
to the docks at Monroe. A contract was made 
at 11 cents per cubic yard, and the work car- 
ricil on in August and September; in the 
pi'ogress of operations 12,370 cubic yards of 
mud, sand, etc., 33 logs, 3 snags and 10 stumps 
were removed, a depth of 11 feet gained up to 
the inner end of the piers and of 10 feet from 
thence up to the upper end of Willow Island, a 
short distance below the docks at Monroe. 

Early in September the dredge was moved 
up near the docks at Monroe in order to exca- 
vate to a depth of 10 feet within 50 feet of them, 
but encountered rock, and after removing 472 
yai'ds the work was found to be imprai-ticable 
without blasting.* 

Major Wilson continued in charge of the 
work until 1882, and from 1882 to the present 
time the work has been in charge of L. Cooper 
Overman, Major of Engineers, United States 
Ami}'. Appropriations have been made since 
1879 as follows : 

Appropriated l)y act of .Tune It, ISSO .^2,000 

Appropriated by act of March 3, IS.Sl 1,000 

Appropriated by act of August 2, 1882 1,000 

Appropriated by act of August 5, 1880 2,000 

These appropriations were expended in 
minor repairs on the piers and canal revet- 
ment. 

The commerce at Monroe harbor by rea.son 
of the (-ompetition of the railroads had become 
so small that an appropriation was not strongly 
advocated T>y the ITnited States Government 
Engineer in charge, and he seems to have 
been in doubt as to the best policy to be j)ur- 

*The foregoing accounts of Monroe and La Plai- 
sance Harbor iniprovements are taken from the (Jov- 
ernment Report of 1880. 



HARHOR IMI'KOVEMENTS. 



173 



siR'il by tlio (iovorniiu'iit : To let the (!overii_ 
inetit works lioro go to ilecuy :uid ruin, or keep 
llii'in in repair for some future development at 
this point. The returns of the customs collee- 
tcir of arrivals and clearances of vessels at this 
port showed that the amount of commerce to be 
benefited was very small and certainly justified 
the United States Engineer's position. But in 
1887 the commerce at Monroe harbor suddenly 
large!}' increased, the Westei-n I'tiion Tele- 
graph Company having make this port the 
distributing point for telegraiih poles for the 
greater part of the I'nited States, and F. S. 
Sterling & Co. having also established a large 
business of the same character at the docks. 
\'essels ari'iving with cai'goes of poles fre- 
quently stranded on the bars in the river, and 
a survej- showed thai bai's had formed at sev- 
eral points, and that Monroe harbor was last 
coming into disrc])ute with lake captains. The 
citizens and common council, recognizing the 
importance of having the obstruction in the 
harbor removed to accommodate the new and 
increasing business, sent tleneral George 
Spalding, Hon. Harry A. Conant and Major 
Gcoi'ge R. Hurd,as a committee to Washington, 
J). C, to procure an ap])ropriation for the im- 
|)rovenieiit of the harbor, and to have the same 
insei-ted in the river and harbor bill then 
jiending. The committee, with the assistance 
of Mr. J. C Sterling, who accompanied them, 
were successful in their efforts, and an ai)])ro- 
priation of 85,(100 was made by the act of 
August 11, 1888. 

The total amount ajipropriated by the Gen- 
eral (lovernmenl for the Monroe harbor and 
I'nited States ship canal (including the S"), 000 
a)ipropriation obtained by the committee) is 
.SL'22,.Jl.-).27. 

TIIK CITY C.\NAI.. 

In 1S:!8 considerable damage was clone to llie 
liarbiir at La F'laisance by a storm, and the 
w<jik ((ininienced by the (lOneral Governnient 
at.Monioe harbor and the I'nited States ship 
canal progressed slowly. The citizens, desir- 
ing that the work should be ]]ushcd more vig- 
orously on the Government work, and I hat the 
channel of the Hiver Haisin should be short- 
ened and straightened at what is called Fisher- 
men's Bend, by the building of the city canal 
across the bend, a distance of about 1,:500 feet, 
procured through the legislatui-e an amend- 



ment to the citj' charter entitled -'An act to 
amend an act to incorjjorate the city of Mon- 
roe," approved April 0, A. D. 1838: 

"The common council of the city of Monroe 
are authorized to finish and complete the canal 
and piers already commenced by the (!overn- 
ment of the United States, connecting the 
waters of the Kiver Raisin with Lake Krie, 
together with proper piers and basins for said 
canal within the limits of said city, and also to 
improve the navigation of said i-iver within the 
limits of said city by cutting through the 
bends of said river, antl for that pur])ose are 
authorized to rai.se a sum not exceeding fifty 
thousand dollars bj' a direct tax upon the I'Cal 
estate situate within the limits of said city, or 
bj- a loan for that purpose to be effected, or by 
both or cither of said wa)-s. The moneys so 
rai.sed to be expended by five commissioners. 
The said commissioners to l)e assessors and 
sworn to assess the real estate in proportion as 
in their opinion the same will be IxMiefited by 
the expenditure of .said monej-, who shall be 
chosen by the freemen of said city in legal 
meeting assembled, provided that no such tax 
be levied or loan effected unless a majority of 
the taxable inhabitants of said city owning 
lands in fee simple therein shall vote for or 
assent to the levying of such tax or for effect- 
ing such loan at a special meeting to be called 
for such purpose by the clerk of said city, by 
giving sixty days' previous notice of the time 
and place of holding such meeting in the j)ublic 
newspaper printed in said city." 

On the 29th day of August, 1838, a poll of 
the taxable inhabitants owning real estate in 
fee simple in the city was taken at a public 
meeting to ascertain the will of the taxable in- 
habitants as to making a loan of 825,000 for the 
purpose of completing the (iovernnient harlior 
and canal, and improving the navigation of 
the river by cutting a channel through the 
bend of the river. The wliole number of votes 
cast was 157, with 142 votes in favor of a loan 
and 15 votes against it. It would ap])ear from 
the returns that the real estate owners of the 
city were almost unanimous for the loan and 
the canal. But the records show that the o])])0- 
sition was quite strong, and that the ]>artics 
who were deeply interested in the project had 
to resort to the expedient of convcj-ing small 
parcels of land to numerous persons who were 



1Y4 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



in favor of the loan and wanted omployment on 
the canal, making them liolders of real estate 
in fee simple, and so qualified them to vote, 
who otherwise would not have been entitled to 
a vote on the question. 

In September, 1838, the common council 
appointed David A. Noble financial agent to go 
to some of the Eastern cities for the purpose of 
negotiating a loan of $25,000 on bonds to be 
issued by the city, with full power to negotiate 
the loan with any company, person or institu- 
tion, in such manner as should appear to him 
most for the advantage of the city. Mr. Noble 
proceeded to the East immediately, and in Octo- 
ber reported to the council as follows : 

To the Honorable the Common Council of the 
City of Monroe — 

Gentlemen : In pursuance of the authority 
conferred on me hy a resolution of your board 
empowering me to negotiate a loan of $25,000 
to complete the shij) canal and improve the 
navigation of the River Eaisin, I proceeded to 
Albany and New York tor the purpose of 
effecting a loan for the city, and after spending 
several days in those cities in endeavoring to 
accomplish the object of my visit there, I 
found that the situation of the nione^' market 
was such that to effect a loan directly on any 
Western securities was entirely impossible; 
tiiat while for all the legitimate purposes of 
commercial business mone}' was abundant and 
obtained with the greatest facility, yet that 
there was still an entire want of confidence in 
all securities of the Western country generall}-, 
and that money could not be raised upon them 
directly without the greatest and most ruinous 
sacrifices, even if at all. Under the circum- 
stances, I deemed any fui'ther exertions to 
effect a loan direct, as futile, and turned my 
efforts to making an exchange of stocks, on 
such favorable terms as I thought would be 
acceptable to your board, and I found that I 
could exchange the bonds of this city for the 
stock of the North American Trust and Bank- 
ing Company in the city of New York. The 
stock of the institution, as stock, I knew this 
city did not wish, and before completing any 
arrangement with that institution, I proceeded 
again to Albany and found that the Farmers 
and Mechanics' Bank, of the city of Albany, 
would take the stock of the North American 
Trust and Banking Comjiany at par, and jjlace 



to the credit of this city $25,000, to be drawn 
for as fast as the money should be needed for 
the progress of the work, allowing ten per cent, 
interest on the balances from time to time not 
drawn from the bank. The arrangement with 
this institution was upon the condition that 
Austin E. Wing, Esq., for himself, and as 
trustee and agent for John P. Gush man, Jacob 
D. Lan.sing, Lewis Cass, Job Pierson, Stephen 
Warren, Thomas W. Olcott, George R. Davis, 
William Porter and Edwin Croswell, should 
enter into a guarantee to the Farmers and 
Mechanics' Bank, of Alban}-, to make up to 
that institution any deficiency that thei'e might 
be on the sale, within a reasonable time, of the 
stock of the North American Trust and Bank- 
ing Company- below par, and those gentlemen, 
with a promptness and public spirit which 
cannot be too highly appreciated, came for- 
ward and gave the bank assurances that such 
guarantee should be given, and immediately 
wrote to Austin E. Wing. Esq., who is jointly 
interested with them in the purchase of lands 
near the contemplated basin of the ship canal, 
and their agent in reference to such lands, to 
give on behalf of themselves and their com- 
pany the required guarantee, and Mr. Wing 
has executed the proj^er papers to complete the 
arrangement with the Farmers and Mechanics' 
Bank. Upon the basis above referred to, I 
made an arrangementwith those institutions, 
respectively, and all that remains now to be 
done to perfect the arrangement and to realize 
the money is to enclose the bonds of the city, a 
form for which is hereunto submitted, with the 
coupons thereto annexed, to Joseph D. Beirs, 
Esq., the president of the North American 
Trust and Banking Company, and that insti- 
tution will issue stock to an equal amount, and 
this stock to the amount of .S25,000 will be re- 
ceived by assignment by the Farmers and 
Mechanics' Bank at Albany, and that institu- 
tion will place to the credit of this city that 
amount of money to be drawn for. 

Respectfully, 

D. A. Noble. 

In pursuance of the plan presented, the city 
issued $25,000 in bonds, payable in twenty years, 
with interest at seven per cent., payable semi- 
annually, and the city undertook to guarantee 
Austin E. Wing and others from any loss on 
account of their guarantee in behalf of the city. 



HARBOR IMTROVEMENTS. 



175 



A large part of the nioiioy raised bj* tlio city 
on its bonds was expended in completing tlie 
Government canal. The citizens hoped tliat 
Congress could be prevailed upon to refund to 
the city the money so expended, but all efforts 
to get a bill through Congress for that purpose 
were unavailing. Taxeswere levied to pay the 
interest on the bonds, the assessments being 
made on the real estate Iti the city in propor- 
tion as it was supposed it would be benefited by 
tlie building of the canal. Money was very 
scarce, and a great deal of real estate in the city, 
especially that near the docks which had been 
assessed very heavily, was leased to pay the 
canal tax — the bidder who would pay the 
canal tax for a lease of the property for the 
shortest term of years receiving a lease from 
the citj'forthe term bid. Some ofthe.se leases 
run for ninety-nine years, and considerable 
])roperty is held underthe.se canal tax leases at 
the present time. The commissioners were 
unable to raise sufficient funds to meet the in- 
terest on the bonds, and the common council 
was compelled to issue new bonds for the semi- 
annual interest as it matured, and to petition 
the bondholders for leniency, and finally the 
bondholders, believing that the citizens were 
unable to meet their obligations and did not 
possess sufficient resources to pay the bonds 
in full, offei-ed a compromise. General Lewis 
Cass, who held a large amount of the bonds, 
took the lead in the matter, and a compromise 
was effected at G2^ cents on the dollar. 

In April, 1840, the canal commissioners made 
a report to the council showing that at the 
commencement of the work it was estimated 
that the amount of excavation neces.sary to 
construct a channel of suitable dimensions to 
correspond with tlie canal constructed by the 
United States, was com))uted at 55,000 cubic 
yards, exclusive of the dams al eitlier end of 
the canal, necessary to ]ireservothe work from 
inundations during the progress of excava- 
tions. The expense of excavation in the body 
of the work was estimated at thirt}- cents per 
yard, and removing the dams by dretlging 
SI. 500, and that the commissioners believe<l 
that the object of the commission would be 
more fully secured by conducting the work 
under their own supervision by the ap|joint- 
ment of an acting commissioner, than by 
accepting any proposals that were offered to 
take the work by contract. The work was 



accordingly commenced, and for some time pro- 
gressed with, a reasonable prospect of an early 
completion according to the original plan, and 
at an expense somewhat within the estimate. 
Their operations were suddenlj' arrested by 
the failure of the banks which had on deposit 
the unexpended portion of the fund which had 
come into the hands of the commissioners, and 
by the withholding of S2,000 of the loan by 
the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank, of Albany, 
New York. At this time the whole of the 
timber dams had been completed, and some- 
tliing more than 45,000 cubic yards of earth 
had been excavated. The amount of money 
expended by the commission for materials, im- 
provements, provisions and labor, was 820, COO. 

The commission being without funds were 
compelled to abandon the further prosecution 
of the work, and they accepted the proposal of 
George W. Strong of October 2, 1839, to take 
the work by contract and complete the chan- 
nel to the depth of eleven feet from the top of 
the capping for $4,030.92, to be paid as follows: 
Upon the execution of the contract, §1,411.78, 
in property belonging to thefund and demands 
due the fund from sundry individuals for pork 
sold ; and upon the completion of the work a 
draft upon the Bank of liiver Raisin for 
S670.69, and upon the Merchants and Mechan- 
ics' Bank of the city of Monroe for 82,535.45, 
in full. The drafts and demands were to be 
taken without any recourse whatever to the 
commissioners of the canal fund or the cit}' of 
Monroe. The work was to be completed by 
the 15th of May following. 

Little was accomplished for the next two 
}'ears for the want of funds to carry on the 
work. Petitions and memorials were sent to 
the House and Senate frequentlj- from Monroe, 
Adrian and surrounding towns, asking for an 
ajipropriation. But the General Government 
refused or neglected to make any further appro- 
priation, and in 1842 the work was istill un- 
completed, and the harbor at I^a Plaisancc in a 
very bad condition. The city, feeling the neces- 
sitj- of sufficient harbor improvements, decided 
to bond the city for 610,000 to complete the 
work. But the credit of the city was so poor 
in the Kast that it was evident that the loan 
could not be made in the monej' market and 
must be taken at home, and Sl,00(t of the bonds 
were issued in denominations as small as 85.00 
and taken up bj' persons of small means. 



1T6 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



F'inally several ])atriotic citizens, David A. 
Noble, Thomas G. Cole, Harry Conant, Dan. 
B. Miller, William V. Studdeford, James Armi- 
tage and Levi S. Humphrey came forward and 
provided for the balance of the loan, $10,000, 
and gave their personal obligation for $9,000. 

The commissioners made a contract in 
August, 1842, with Henry W. Canijibell and 
George W. Strong for the completion of the 
canal, Henry V. Disbrow acting as treasurer 
of the canal fund and superintendent and sur- 
veyor of the improvements. The canals were 
completed in 1843; but from that time to the 
present frequent dredging at certain points in 
the channel has been necessary to keep it clear 
and of sufficient depth for navigation. 

Many attempts since then have been made 
to increase the depth of water in the river and 
canals. At one time the legislature made a 
land grant of 5,000 acres for that purpose, and 
in 1849 the plan of confining all the water in 
the river to the canals and that part of tlie 
river channel connecting them, by dammingthe 
old river channels at the head of the canals, 
and a wing dam at Barn Island to narrow the 
channel and make the water cut its way 
through Barn Island Bar, was adopted. A con- 
tract was made with J. M. Sterling and William 
A. Noble to construct four dams in accordance 
with this plan, for which they were to receive 
2,500 acres of the land grant. The dams were 
built of spiles and plank, but did not remain 
long enough to test the mei'its of the plan. 
The ice raised them and they were carried out 
with the first spring freshet. Isaac P. Chris- 
tiancy, for 320 acres of land, offered the hull of 
the old steamer Constitution to be used for a dam. 
Judging from the records it would seem that 
most of the schemes were proposed for the 
purpose of obtaining the remaiudor of the land 
grant, and that numerous patriotic citizens 
were as much if not more interested in that 
than in the im])rovement of the shipping 
facilities and navigation. Finally Dan. B. 
Miller got the remainder of the land grant for 
building dams in the river at the ])oinls where 
the railroad crossed the old channel. 

There were five commissioners of the canal 
fund elected every fall, and the contests were 
at times quite spirited. As high as twenty of 
the leading citizens were in the field at one 
time as candidates. The five candidates re- 
ceiving the highest vote were elected and con- 



stituted the commissioners of the canal fund for 
the jear. The following is a list of the names 
of persons who held the office of canal com- 
missioners : 

1838 — John Bui-ch, Gershom Bulkle^-, Moses 
B. Savage, James Hervey Miller, Chester 
Stewart. 

1839 — Gershom Bulkley, John Burch, Moses 
B. Savage, James Hervey Miller, George W. 
Strong. 

1840 -Harry V. Man,Aliiheus Felcli, Charles 
M. Humphrey, Luther Harvey, Jacob W. 
Alexander. 

1841 — Charles M. Humphrey, Wolcott Law- 
rence, James Armitage, Enos Jackson, Walter 
W. Prentice. 

1842 — James J. Godfroy, Wolcott Lawi-ence, 
Warner Wing, < Jarlos Colton, Henry Disbrow. 

1843 — James J. Ciodfroy, Henry Disbrow, 
Carlos Colton, Warner Wing, James Armitage. 

1844 — James Ai'mitage, Jefferson S. Bond, 
Titus Babcock, James E. Skinner, Obadiah 
Spalding. 

1845 -James E. Skinner, Titus Babcock, 
Jefferson S. Bond, Obadiah Spalding, Norman 
D. Curtis. 

184C — Hiram Stone, John Burch, Charles 
Noble, Charles G. John.son, Harry Conant. 

John Mulhollen acted as collector of the 
canal fund, and for several years his whole time 
was occupied in collecting the canal tax and 
selling lots and land returned as delinquent 
for non-payment of the tax. 

With all the modern appliances, the exca- 
vating of a canal is a very simple matter; but 
at that early day, witli the primitive methods 
then in vogue, it was a great undertaking. 
The greater part of the excavating was accom- 
plished with the spade, shovel and wheelbar- 
row, operated by the sons of the Emerald Isle, 
a large number of whom were imported for the 
express purpose from " York State." Bulk- 
heads or dams were built at each end of the 
canal, and earth partitions or bulkheads were 
left at diflferent points as long as possible. The 
sections so divided off were kept free from 
water by horse-power pumps, as the work 
progressed. After all the earth possible had 
been removed from between the two dams 
at the end of the canal, they were broken 
through and the water let in, and the re- 
mainder was excavated by means of a horse- 




o 



o 

OS} 



O 



HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. 



177 



power dredge. The liorse-jiower dredge com- 
plete consisted of two scows, one about 50 feet 
long and 2.5 foot beam, with an opening similar 
to a center board box about 6 feet wide and 25 
feot long, and a little aft of the middle of the 
scow. Through this opening a large scraper- 
shaped excavator with loTigarnis wa.s operated. 
The arms were secured at tlie after end of the 
opening with pins, and were of sufficient 
length 80 that the scraper could be let down 
to the bottom of the canal to a depth of 12 or 
14 feet in a position to scrape; the scraper was 
connected with chains to a crank at the for- 
ward part of the opening. 

The other scow was im])rovi.<ed from an nld 
scow that had been used in the coasting trade 
to Toledo and Sandusky. A cap.slan was set 
up in it so that it extended from the l)Ottoni of 
the boat up through the deck. The drum, or 
part around whicli the line wound, was on 
deck. The four swee|)s to operate it were in 
the hole, and were arranged so that a horse 
could be hitched to each sweep, and tl.e horses 
moving around in a cii'cic turned the ilruui on 
deck. This scow was anchored securely in the 
canal, and a line made fast to it ]«issed over a 
sheave on the dredge scow a short distance otf, 
and back around the drum, so as to give a 
double purchase in towing the di'edgc scow. 

When everything was in readiness, the 
scraper was let down to the bottom of the 
canal, the dredge scow made fast to the other 
scow by passing a line over the sheave and 
around the drum, the horses hitched to the 
sweeps in the bole of the .scow. The hor.ses 
then walked around with the sweeps and 
wound up the line about the drum, steadily 
di'awing the dredge scow forward and causing 
the sci-aper to scrape along the bottom of the 
canal and fill itself with dirt. When tiie crew 
on the dredge scow thought tiie scraper was 
full enough, they took hold of the crank and 
with the chains attached to the .scraper hoisted 
it up into the opening, as a center board is 
raised in a sailing vessel, and then with long 
poles poled the dredge scow off into the "old 
river" channel, opened a dump or door in the 
scraper and let the dirt out, then |iolod her 
back again to the canal in position ready to 
scrape up another load. A horse-power drt'dgo 
of another patron was useil for a while, but the 
one above described, invented by 11. W. Camp- 
bell and used by Messrs. Campbell and Strong 



in their work, was considered the best. It was 
estimated that when the scraper was well tilled 
every three linear feet of it contained a cubic 
yard of earth. 

In 1850 a committee consisting of II. V. 
Man, C. G. Johnson, A. A. Kahiiicau, 1. K. 
(irosvenoi' and R. O'Connor, were a))])ointed at 
a ]iublic meeting to investigate into the true 
financial condition of the city, it.s indebted- 
ness, and if possible the causes of such indebt- 
edness, in order that our citizens may hv 
enabled in future to guard against a I'cpetition 
of like evils. 

I give below an extract from the re])ort of 
the conmiittee in regard to the canal loan, 
canal expenditures, etc., in order that the 
present generation ma\- see Ihut il' we do not 
manage our city government at the ])rescnt 
time infinitely better than oui- fathers did, we 
do fully as well, and that there are probably no 
more jobs and politics in the city government 
as it is now conducted than there were when 
our forefathers held down the aldc^rmanic 
chairs. 

E.VTK.VCr FUOM ItEI'OKT. 

It seems to have been contemplated when 
the charter of our city was obtained in the 
year 1837, to procure a loan or vote a tax for 
the completion of the ship canal previously 
commenced by the General (iovernment, as we 
tind in the act of incorporation provision made 
for a loan or tax, not exceedi ng .S50,000. A move- 
ment was made in 1838 under this authority. 
The first step taken by the council, after a vote 
in its favor purporting to have been made by 
the people, was on the 20th day of August, 
183S. appointing an agent to proceed Hast to 
negotiate a loan of 825,000. This was effected 
by said agent by an exchange of the bonds of 
the city lor the stock of the North American 
Trust and Banking Company of the city of 
New York for a simil.ir amount. The stock' of 
the Trust Company was then jdetiged to the 
Mechanics and Farmers' Bank, of Albany, and 
a loan obtained of S25,0lt0, .said stock being 
held as collateral .security and the city said to 
be responsible for the depreciation that might 
arise from a fall in the market value of the 
same. A further guaranty was reiinired hy the 
l>ank at Albany and cl.iimed to have been 
given in behalf of the city by several gentle- 
men residing at Ti-oy and Albany, they being 
owners of property near the present lan<liiig 



178 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and in tlie vicinity of the spot whore the said 
loan was proposed to bo expended — not, liow- 
ever, for the full amount thereof, but limited to 
$10,000, as appears by tlie record on the 22d of 
October following. The powers given to the 
agent seem to have been broad, for, in the 
words of the resolution " The common council 
say they do hereby invest hi'm (the agent) with 
all the powers and authority invested in them 
(the council) by the charter of the city and the 
amendments thereto, so far as relates to the 
negotiation of said loan." Thus it will appear 
that while it was necessary under tlie hiw to 
obtain a vote of the people for a loan of 
$25,000, the council by their subsequent ap- 
proval of this arrangement, seem to have vir- 
tually contracted a debt of a much larger sum; 
for the stock of said Trust Company has been, 
at times, of scarce any value, and at the present 
day is quoted at about ninety per cent, below 
par. Had the loss of this stock fallen on the 
city, as it might have done, if it was liable, 
certainly to the extent of $10,000 if not to the 
whole sum, it would have rendered the evils of 
our situation much greater, and ought to serve 
as a caution in future to reject altogether any 
proposition to involve the city in debt. A 
compromise was made, and the city was finally 
relieved from those demands by relinquishini^ 
their claim upon the bank at Albany for 
$2,000 of the loan which had been withheld by 
them on that account. It is proper here to 
state that it was claimed by the agent who 
negotiated the loan, that the city was not to be 
held accountable for the lessor depreciation on 
the stock before referred to. But subsequent 
proceedings go to show that other parties to 
the contract thought differently, and the final 
action appears to confirm it. The committee 
are, however, of the opinion that the proceed- 
ings were illegal from first to last 

On or about the 27th of October, 1838, the 
commissioners of the canal fund were informed 
that the money was subject to their draft, and 
the work was commenced. The treasurer's 
accounts on the 4th of November, 1838, show 
a credit of $23,000, drawn from the bank at 
Albany or transferred to the credit of the Bank 
of Eiver Raisin and the Merchants and Me- 
chanics' Bankof Monroe. At a meeting of the 
commissioners on the 4th of November, 1838, 
proposals were made by Luther Harvey and 
others to take the contract for the work, esti- 



mated at 55,000 cubic yards, at 40 cents per 
yard, amounting to the sum of $22,000. This 
proposition was rejected, two members of the 
board dissenting. One of them, the acting 
commissioner, believing -that it would have 
been more judicious to let the work by con- 
tract, resigned his appointment. The board 
then proceeded with the work under their own 
supervision, appointing another acting com- 
missioner, and placing in his hands the sum of 
$5,000 to expend on the same. A proposal 
was submitted at this time by the River Raisin 
Bank and Merchants and Mechanics' Bank for 
the use of the funds, $15,000, to be put to the 
credit of the former, and $10,000 to that of the 
latter, they to jjaj' the agent of the cit}- for his 
services in negotiating said loan, but not to pay 
any interest. This proposition seems to have 
been accepted. The committee can see no 
good reason why this money was withdrawn 
from the bank at Alban}- and deposited in the 
banks here, as by the report of the agent the 
city was to have been allowed interest at the 
rate of two per cent, by the bank at Albany. 
Eastern drafts at that time were at an un- 
usually high rate of premium, the profit of 
which was thus given to those banks. A sum 
in all probability equal to $2,000, if not much 
more, was thus relinquished for their benefit. 
How much they paid the agent for his services 
does not appear. The banks did agree by 
their proposals to pay out on the works the 
bills of specie-paying banks. How ftir this was 
complied with the committee are unable to 
say ; but it is reasonable to suppose that they 
availed themselves of every opportunity to pay 
out their own notes instead thereof, the differ- 
ence being very great, as there was at this 
time a general suspension of specie payments, 
and but one or two banks in the State contin- 
ued to redeem their notes. 

Up to the 13th of August, 1839, the board 
had expended in all upon the work the sum of 
$19,611.40, when it was ontirel}- arrested in its 
further progress by the failure of the Mer- 
chants and Mechanics' Bank, and soon alter by 
the River Raisin Bank. In the former at the 
time of its failure there remained the sum of 
$2,033.45, and in the latter the sura of $755.12. 
The Bank of Albany had also at this time re- 
fused to pay the balance of the loan, being 
$2,000 before alluded to, alleging that the stock 
of the Trust Company had depreciated, and 



HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. 



179 



claiming the difference of tlie city. Thus it 
will be seen that more than one-fifth of the 
loan was at a critical time rendered unavail- 
able to the prosecution of the work, causing 
b}- its interruption great injury, no doubt, to 
that which had been done. On the 7th of 
April, 1840, the board presented a report of 
their doings, and claimed to have finished 
45,000 cubic yards out of 55,000 as estimated 
for the whole work, and say " but for the stop- 
page of the banks the loan would have been 
more than sufficient to finish the entire work." 
About 85,000, say they, would bo more than 
sufficient to finish the entire work. Yet that 
sum has been expended with S14,(l00 more by 
sub.seiiuent taxation, and still it is not entirely 
fini.'^hcd 

We present below an abstract ofliie amount 
expended up to this period, and invite the at- 
tention of our fellow-citizens to the fact that so 
small a proportion appears to have been paid 
out for actual labor on the work. It is a fact 
that is to be taken into consideration when we 
are asked to vote for tliis or that appropriation 
and it is desirable to know how much of anj- 
sum is necessarily absorbed in preliminary 
proceedings, or consumed in injudicious man- 
agement of public affairs. 

Ab'lracl of amounts expended out of Canal Fund to date, 
August 13, 1849. 

Interest for six months on loan.. S 87.') 00 

Travelin<; expenses of agent 200 25 

Council fees 70 50 

Piiuting _. 47 00 

Postage 15 75 

OUieers and superintendents.. - 2,049 02 

Surveying ._ 23 G3 

$3,281 75 

Pork, pork barrels and salt |4,.555 06 

Deduct pork sold 885 9G 

3,f)(;!i 10 

Flour $ 058 00 

Beef 47 75 

Potatoes 71 18 

Beans 48 75 

Groceries 387 ()7 

1,213 35 

Blankets and dry goods $ :',5t'> 15 

Crockery 48 30 

Wood 130 25 

534 70 

Hardware $ 351 49 

Blacksmithing 238 08 

Stationery G 91 

Wheelbarrows 22G 25 

Boat 8 00 

Timber, lumber, etc 2 052 02 

2,882 75 

Labor 7,997 63 

Sundries 32 12 

119,611 40 



An examination of tlie foregoing items will 
pre.sent the following result: A loan in the 
hands of the commissioners of the canal fund, 
of §25,000, disposed of as follows: 

Official services, counsel fees, print- 
ing, etc. $2,40() 75 

Interest on loan 875 00 

Pork and other provisions 4,882 45 

Blankets, dry goods, etc. 534 70 

Material, lumber, etc 2,915 87 

Labor 7,997 G3 

Deposited in broken banks and 

withheld on pretense of claims 5,388 GO 

$25,000 

Thus it appears that out of the large sum of 
S25,000 onl)- §7,097.03 was paid out in money 
for labor, 82,882.75 for material, etc., 85,417.15 
for pork, provisions, Idankets, etc., leaving 
about 82,400 consumed chiefly in salaries in a 
period of time but little over nine months. 
Among the items of provisions we observe an 
extraordinary disbursement for pork. We can 
conceive of no ju.sl excuse for such an appro- 
priation of the funds of the city. Was it a 
speculation entered into in its behalf? This 
cannot be supposed, for we find no authoritj- 
for such an operation. It might have been 
considered a safe investment, and perhaps 
proved better than a deposit in the banks; yet 
it was an inconvenient sort of currency. It 
would not have been necessary- for the prose- 
cution of the work, as at all times money has 
been much more available for labor than any 
description of dicker. The accounts show that 
some of it was sold to the merchants in town, 
and, as the committee believe, a portion of it 
was ultimately lost. 

After the failure of the banks, it would ap- 
pear that nearly a year elapsed before any- 
thing more was done on the work. On the 2d 
of November, 1840, George W. Strong made 
application to the board, and they concluded a 
contract with him to comjilctc the canal on the 
following terms, viz. : 

In personal property in hands of coniiiiis- 

sioners ". *770 90 

In debts due them 640 88 

Balance in River Raisin Bank — 670 69 

Balance in Merchants and Mechanics' Bank 2,533 45 

^4.1115 !i2 

to be paid to him upon the I'omjdetion thereof 
by drafts on said banks, which he was to take 
in payment whether paid by the banks or not. 
This was a favorable contract for the city under 
the circumstances, but if the meansof the board 



180 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



had l)cen in their own hands instead of insolv- 
ent banks the}' eould doubtless have effected a 
much moi-o favorable contract. 

On the 29th of August, 1843, the council 
made another contract with Mr. Strong, associ- 
ated with Mr. Campbell, for the further pros- 
ecution of the work or completion thereof, for 
the sum of $7,250, to be paid f500 in advance, 
$5,000 as the work progressed, and $1,750 out 
of a tax to be collected thereafter. This con- 
tract was based upon the expectation of a vote 
of the freeholdci'S authorizing another loan of 
$10,000. The same was obtained on the 11th 
of October following; but instead of a loan an 
issue was made of bonds, which were in fact 
paid out upon the contract. There was a form 
of borrowing and lending, yet there was no 
money passing. Of tiiis loan of $10,000, levied 
and collected by special tax upon the people in 
the year 1843, to pay the bonds last above re- 
ferred to, the following is the disposition : 

Interest on tirst loan $ 7ii5 (i9 

Printing 31S 84 

Stationery 15 41 

Salaries and other services 1,342 66 

Hedeui|)tion of bonds 12 50 

S2,4S5 10 

CainplH'll & Strong, on contract 4,s70 01) 

Excavator |.urcliascd of Campbell &Strong- 1,(1(10 00 
Exfifiided at Bar Point (uuler direction of 

Mr. Disbrow 1,.S04 94 

!i;10,160 04 
The surplus was probably out of city funds. 
By the preceding statement it will be seen that 
out of said tax of $10,000, there was paid to 
Campbell and Strong upon their contract only 
$4,870, leaving due to them, when it should be 
completed, the sum of $2,380, to be i-ai.sed by 
another tax or i)aid out of other funds than 
those proviiled for it. In adtliti(jn to this, 
Messrs. Gamjjbell & Strong presented the fol- 
lowing account on the ISth of February, 18(^5 : 

Extra work and hinderance by washing of 
banksin consequence of running boats__ $2,009 64 

Extra work upper end of canal 222 ;!2 

Lost time and damage in eonsefjuence of 
injunction 200 00 

Discount on funds received 560 00 

$2,901 06 
Of these items the council allowed $1,654.82. 
These sums must have di'awn heavily upon 
subsequent appropriations for the canal, and 
finally, as we believe, upon the general taxes of 
the city. 



The sum expended at Bar Point under the 
direction of H. Disbrow consisted of the fol- 
lowing items : 

Superintending, &c $197 50 

Surveying 8 00 

Boat - 2 25 

Timber, c*tc 10 02 

Rope, tools, &c 168 76 

Repairs of dredge 15 30 

Board 22 00 

Labor on work 1,381 11 

$1,804 94 
When the settlement of this and the preced- 
ing con tract of the city with Campbell & Strong 
took place, they were to have been paid the 
balance due them by agreement, in leases and 
canal bonds to the amount of $1,438.0(5. 

Instead thereof they received in 
canal lionds $400 00 

Leases 266 23 

City orders 771 83 

$1,438 06 

Also, the further sum allowed 
them for interest on their ac- 
count 143 30 

And it here will be noted that a sum that 
should and onlj- could be legally raised by a 
vote of the people, is taken out of the general 
fund and thus collected from personal prop- 
erty, which is not holden under the law for 
any i>art of such expenditures. 

Another loan, or rather tax, is voted by the 
willing people on the 17th of March, 1848, of 
$4,000, and a contract -immediately made with 
11. W. Campbell for the completion of the 
work again lor $4,000. An additional allow- 
ance was subsequently made to him of $104,79 
for discount on funds previously paid to him, 
upon which he claims to have sustained a loss 
of ten per cent., but wliich the committee are 
assured, a large part was used by him at the 
j)ar value thereof The final payments of the 
balance, amounting to $1,200, due to Messrs. 
Strong & Campbell and to H. W. Campbell on 
their several contracts, was paid only a few 
days ago (February 7, 1850), out of the taxes 
collected lor 1849. 



This is a brief history of the amount loaned 
for canal purposes, or raised by direct tax upon 
the inhabitants, for the prosecution of the work, 
the several contracts founded ujiou the .same, 
atid the manner in which the money has been 
disposed of. 



CII AFTER XVI. 



TIIK TOr.Kno WAK. 



UNDER the onlinancc of 1787, the tcrritoiy 
nortliwest of the Ohio Rivor was given a 
teinporaiy i;ovennneiit iiiuior liie name of the 
Territory of the Northwest. It embraced 
what now constitutes the States of Ohio, Michi- 
gan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. In 179G, 
tlie Northwest Territory was composed of five 
counties, with names and boundaries as fol- 
lows: Wayne — including the settlements on 
the Maumee, Raisin and Detroit Rivers, with 
its seat of justice at Detroit: Washington — 
comprising all that portion of the present State 
of Oiiio within fortj' miles of the Ohio river 
and between the Litile Miami and Aluskingum 
rivers, with Marietta for its county seat; Ham- 
ilton — embracing the region between the Little 
and the Great Miami, and within forty miles 
of the Ohio, witli Cincinnati as the seat of 
justice; Knox — containing the country' near 
to the Ohio and between the (ireat Miami and 
the Wabash Rivers, having Vincennos as its 
county seat; and St. Clair — embracing the 
settlements upon the Illinois and Kaskaskia 
Rivers, as well as those upon the Upper Mis- 
sissippi, the scat of justice being at Kaskaskia. 
By the ordinance of 1787, it was provided, 
that when a State should be formed of the east- 
ern portion of the Territory, it would include 
the territory " lying north of line drawn east 
and west, through the .southern extreme of 
Lake Michigan," which should remain a por- 
tion of such Slate until such territory should 
contain GO, 000 inhabitants. In disregard of 
this provision, however, the enabling act of 
Congress (1802) providing for the organization 
of the Stale of Ohio, fixed the northern bound- 
ary of the pro])Osed State on the line above 
mentioned, whcrebj- what is now Miciiigan 
was excluded from the proposed State and 
attached to the Territory of Indiana, with its 
seat of government at Vinccnnes, a distant and 
very inconvenient point. This was very un- 
satisfactory to the inhabitants of tiiat region, 



who protested positively against it. It was 
not long, however (1805), before the Territory 
of .Michigan was eslalilislu'd, with its capital at 
Detroit. 

There were several questions growing out of 
and connected with the organization of the 
State of Ohio, which co-operated to cause mis- 
understanding and unkind feelings l)etweeii 
the people of what is now Ohio and those of 
Michigan. In the first place, the gonei-al senti- 
ment seems to liave been that the movement 
for the formation of a State Government was 
premature and unwise. It was not the act oi' 
the territorial legislature or of the people, as in 
other like cases, but solely that of Congress, 
not only without suggestion by the local 
authorities, but against their known will, and 
upon the petition of a few individualssjieaking 
only for themselves. As already suggested, 
this state of things was then Ijelieved to be due 
to partisan ends sought in the formation of the 
State. Judge Burnet in his " Notes on the 
Northwestern Territory" says that so strong 
was the popular feeling ag:iinst Jefferson and 
for Mr. Adams iu the bitter contest of 1800, 
that there were in Hamilton county but four 
persons known to him as 8up])orting the former, 
to wit: Major David Zeigler, William Henry 
Harri-son (afterwards President), William Mc- 
Millan and John Smitli. The feeling in Wayne 
countj% now Michigan, if anything, was even 
more decided in the same direction. 

But the most serious of the results of ihe 
separation of Wayne county from Ohio in 
1802, are not found in the partisan divisions of 
that day. They were developed in the ijuos- 
tion of boundary, which assumed grave magni- 
tude several years later. Of this, it will be 
fitting here to make as brief a statement as 
may be consistent with a pro|ier undcrslan<liiig 
of its merits: 

1. As already stated, b^- the ordinance of 
1787, creating the Territory Northwest of the 



[181] 



182 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Ohio, the line provided for the northern 
boundary of the State to be formed of that ter- 
ritory (subsequent!}' the State of Ohio) was 
"an cast and west line, drawn through tlie 
southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan." 

2. B3' the enabling act. of Congress, under 
whicli the State of Oliio was organized in 1802, 
the northern boundary of the same was stated 
as " an east and west line drawn througli the 
southerly extreme of Lake Michigan." 

3. The State constitution, formed under said 
authoritjr, declared the northern boundary of 
the State to be " an east and west line, drawn 
througli the southerly extreme of Lake Mielii- 
gan, running east," "until it shall intersect 
Lake Erie or the territorial line ; 

" Provided, That if the southerl}' bend or ex- 
treme of Lake Michigan should extend so far 
south that a line drawn due east from it would 
not intersect Lake Erie, or if it should inter- 
sect Lake Eric east of the mouth of the Miami of 
the Lake (the Maumee River), tlien and in that 
case, with the assent of Congress, the northern 
boundary of this State shall be established by, 
and extending to, a direct line running from 
the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to 
the most northerly cape of the Miami (Maumee) 
Bay, after intersecting the due north line from 
the mouth of the Great Miami River." 

As will be seen the question of boundary 
thus presented rested on what should prove to 
be the eastern termination of a line drawn due 
east from the extreme of Lake Michigan, the 
uncertainty as to which seems to have been 
recognized by the Ohio convention and care- 
fully provided against in fixing the northern 
line of the proiJosed State. In his " Notes," 
Judge .Jacob Burnet, a prominent and active 
member of that convention, and subsequently 
a United States Senator from Ohio, says it was 
generally known to those who had consulted 
the maps of the Western country extant at the 
time the ordinance of 1787 was j^assed, that 
Lake Michigan was represented thereon as 
far north of the position which it has since 
been ascertained to occujjy. On a map in the 
State Department, which was the guide of the 
committee of Congress who framed the ordi- 
nance of 1787, the southern extreme of that 
lake was laid down as near the -ISd degree of 
north latitude; and there was a pencil line 
jjassing through the southern bend of the lake 
to the Canada line, which intersected the strait 



between the River Raisin (Monroe) and De- 
troit. Judge Burnet says "that line was mani- 
festly intended by the committee and by Con- 
gress, to be the northern boundary of this 
State; and on the principles on which courts 
of chancery construe contracts, accompanied 
by plats, that map and the line marked on it 
should have been taken as conclusive evidence 
of the boundary, without reference to the actual 
])osition of the southern extreme of the Lake." 
During the session of the Ohio convention, 
says the same authority, it was the common 
understanding that the maps in use wore not 
correct, and that the line should terminate at 
some point on the strait, far above Maumee 
Bay. But while the matter was under discus- 
sion, a man who had hunted many years on 
Lake Michigan, and thus was well acquainted 
with its position, happened to be at Chilli- 
eothe, and in conversation mentioned that the 
lake extended further south than was generally 
supposed ; and that a map he had seen placed 
its southern bend manj' miles north of its true 
jjosition. Tlie effect of such statement was 
serious appi-ehension on the subject, and led to 
the change of line from that named in the en- 
abling act to the one set forth in the State 
constitution. 

It is said that this change at the time was 
regarded as so serious a matter that some 
members of the convention hesitated to adopt 
it, lest it be rejected by Congress and the ad- 
mission of the State into the Union thereby be 
postponed. But it was finally adopted and 
subsequently approved by Congress, in the 
acceptance of the State with its boundary so 
fixed. Major B. F. Stickney says the man who 
gave the information at Chillicothe in regard 
to Lake Michigan's real position, was named 
Wells, and that he had been long a prisoner 
with the Indians in that region, and had thus 
become (amiliar with the facts. 

The declaration of war with England, which 
followed in June, postponed action in this mat- 
ter beyond the passage of a resolution by 
Congress directing a survey of the boundary 
line to be made. No steps to that end wei'e 
taken until 181G-17, when Governor Cass in 
behalf of Michigan, took measures to secure a 
survey. The consent of the Indians, wbo yet 
held most of the countr}' through which the 
line would pass, was obtained by Major B. F. 
Stickney, by request of Governor Cass, when 



THE TOLEDO WAR. 



183 



the General Land Office directed a siirvej'- 
or (Williiim Harris) to run the line. When 
this was aecoinpiished, it was discovered by 
Governor Cass that the Land Office had fur- 
nished the surveyor with a copy of the con- 
stitution of Ohio, instead of the ordinance of 
1787 or the enabling act of 1802, for his guide. 
To this Governor Cass made vigoi-ous protest 
and complaint, when President Monroe directed 
a second line to be run due east from the 
southern extreme of Lake Michigan. John A. 
Fulton was the surveyor in this case. Hence, 
we have the " Harris line,' as claimed b}' Ohio ; 
and the " Kulton line," as claimed on the part 
of Micliigan. 

While the important (jucstion raised by tlie.se 
two lines was at the time recognized in Con- 
gress, as well as in Ohio and in Michigan, no 
steps were taken toward settling it for many 
years tliereafter. Meantime, the disputed ter- 
ritory continued largely under the jurisdiction 
of Michigan. Now and then the matter would 
come up, as in 1821, when the assessor of 
Waynesfield township, Wood county-, Ohio, 
undertook to list for taxation the property of 
settlers between the Harris and Fulton lines. 

It was not until the northern outlet of the 
Miami and Erie Canal came up for decision, 
that the boundary question assumed an import- 
ance which could challenge the attention of the 
residents. The connection of the two matters 
will be seen from the fact, as then assumed, 
that the most desirable point for such terminus 
was at Toledo, within the disputed territory. 
The thought of Ohio constructing so expensive 
a channel of trade, and then turning its traffic 
into a Michigan port, was not to be enter- 
tained ; while Michigan, no doubt, was not a 
little anxious to avail herself of whatever ad- 
vantage might thus be derived from a neigh- 
bor's necessity. 

Jieterring to this feature of the controversy, 
Mr! Andrew Palmer, among the most promi- 
nent and influential of citizens of Toledo in 
support of Ohio's claim, says it should be noted 
that this was before the utility of railroads 
had measurably superseded canals; and that 
there was among the earlier settlers of Toledo 
a strong conviction that their success in build- 
ing up a town depended largely upon secur- 
ing the terminus of the Wabash and Erie Canal 
— a work in which Inilianaand Ohio were then 
about to embark. Coupled with this convic- 



tion was the belief that there was a strong in- 
fluence being exerted at Detroit and Monroe 
to thwart them in their efforts to build up a 
town at Toledo ; that such was the chief motive 
for the adverse action of Miciiigan to theclaim 
of Ohio to the disputed territorj', including the 
commercial harbor at the moutii of the Maumee; 
and that such influence was sufficient to con- 
trol the authorities of Michigan. Such feeling 
on the part of Detroit and Monroe, it was be- 
lieved, had its source in the appi'ehensioii that 
should a commercial town grow up at Toledo 
it would seriously cripple the trade of those 
points, by taking from them the interior trade 
on which their growth so largely depended. 
On the other hand, Mr. Palmer says that the 
consideration which induced these Michigan 
rivals to desire to get Toledo from Ohio, oper- 
ated with evengreater force upon the people of 
Toledo to see their j'oung town permanentl3' 
fixed in Ohio. In this way he would explain 
much of the excessive zeal manifested by 
them in support of Ohio's claim. 

A public meeting was held at Toledo in No- 
vember, 1834, to consider the matter of the 
boundary question, and more specially to in- 
duce such action on the part of Ohio as should 
assert and maintain her proper jurisdiction 
over the disputed territory. The prevailing 
sentiment on that occasion was in that direc- 
tion, but it was not unanimous. Michigan was 
not without its supi)orters there. Among these 
was Captain .Samuel Allen, who gave reasons 
why he favored the claim of Michigan. He 
said the geographical jjosition of Toledo iden- 
tified it in interest with and made it properly 
a part of Michigan. The Black Swamp, l3'ing 
at the east and south, practically cut off Toledo 
from Ohio, with which for manj- j-cars there 
could be but little communication. On the 
other hand, the town lay immediately on the 
border of the most improved ])ortion of Mich- 
igan, with which it was already" in direct com- 
munication by water, by railroad and other- 
wise. In Michigan, Toledo would become " the 
pet" of the Territory and of the State soon to 
be formed. To such strong points was opposed 
the single consideration of the canals then in 
contemplation, which, as claimed, would come 
to Toledo if Toledo should be in Ohio, but not, 
if in Michigan. The thought of permitting the 
advantages to arise from these improvements 
to inure to Toledo's rivals — Maumee and 



1S4 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Perrysburs — fully overcame Captain Allen's 
arffuments^and controlled the sense of the meet- 
ing and its action in support of Ohio's claim. 

In accordance with his promise, Governor 
Lucas called the attention of the legislature 
to the importance of prompt measures for as- 
suminff jurisdiction over the territory in ques- 
tion, a"nd with such effect, that on the 23d of 
February, 1835, that body passed a law, assert- 
ing the claim of Ohio to all territory south of the 
Harris line,and a purpose to enforce such claim. 
The same act provided for the appointment 
of three commissioners, to run and re-mark 
the Harris line. Uri Seely, of Geauga county ; 
Jonathan Taylor, of Licking, and John Patter- 
son, of Adams, were appointed for such service, 
which was to begin April 1, 1835. 

These proceedings on the part of tlie Ohio 
authorities, of course, did not fail to attract the 
attention of those of Michigan. The Secretary 
and Actin- Governor of that Territory (Stevens 
T. Mason) promptly sent to the legislative 
council a special message, apprising that body 
of what was going on in Ohio, and advising 
action for defending what was assumed to be 
Michigan's claim in the case. The council re- 
sponded on the 12th of February, in the enact- 
ment of a law, providing, " that if any person 
shall exercise or attempt to exercise any official 
functions, or shall officiate in any office or situ- 
ation within any part of the present jurisdic- 
tion of this Territory, or within the limits of 
any of the counties therein, as at this time or- 
ganized, by virtue of any commission or author- 
fty not derived from the Territory or under 
the Government of the United States, every 
such person so offending, shall, for every such 
offense, on conviction thereof before any court 
of record, be puni.shed by a fine not exceeding 
one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment at 
hard labor not exceeding five years, or both, at 
the discretion of the court.'" Like penalty was 
provided for any person who should - accept 
of any office or trust from any State or author- 
ity other than the Government of the United 
States or the Territory of Michigan." An elec- 
tion of officers for Port Lavvrence township, 
under authority of Ohio, was held in April, 
1835, but the persons then elected did not act 
as such, for the rea.son that it would provoke 
extreme measures on the part of Michigan. 
The consequence was, that no taxes was levied 
for that year(lS35) within the disputed territory. 



This state of things made it important for 
the residents of the disputed territory to iden- 
tify themselves with one or the other of the 
claimants for allegiance. They were entirely 
unanimous on that point, as shown by a letter 
to Governor Mason from several residents of 
Toledo. It was as follows : 
To Eon. Stevens T. Mason, Acting Governor of 
Michigan Territory : 

We, the citizens of the township of Port 
Lawrence, county of Monroe, Territory of 
Michigan, conceive ourselves (by force of cir- 
cumstances) in duty bound to apply for a 
special act of the legislative council, authoriz- 
ing the removal of the place appointed for 
holding our township meetings (elections). By 
a vote of the last town meeting (1834) our 
meeting of this year must be held at Toledo, 
on the Maumee Piiver. We apprehend trouble, • 
and pei-haps a riot may be the consequence of 
thus holding the meeting in the heart of the 
very hot-bed of disaffection. 

We therefore pray your Excellency and the 
legislative council to aid us in our endeavors to 
keep the peace and sustain our claims to the 
soil as part of the Territory of Michigan, by an 
act removing the place for the town meeting 
fi-om Toledo to the school-house on Ten-Milo 
Creek Prairie, to he held on the — day of 
April, in preference to the usual day and place 

appointed. 

J. V. D. SCTPHEN-, 
Coleman I. Keelee, 
CvEUS Fisher, 

S-AMCEL HeMMENWAT, 

Delegates from Port Lawrence to the county 

convention at Monroe. 

On the 9th of March, 1835, Governor Mason 
addressed General Joseph W. Brown, in com- 
mand of the Third division of the Michigan 
militia, a letter, in which he said : 

" You will perceive that a collision between 
Ohio and Michigan is now inevitable, and you 
will therefore be prepared to meet the crisis. 
The Governor of Ohio has issued a proclama- 
tion, but I have neither received it, nor have I 
been able to learn its tendency. You will use 
every exertion to obtain the earliest informa- 
tion of the military movements of our adver- 
sary, as I shall assume the responsibility of 
sending you such arms, &c., as may be neces- 
sary for your successful operation, without 



THE TOLEDO WAR. 



185 



■waiting for an order from the Secretarv of War. 
so soon as Ohio is properly in the tield. Till 
then, I am compelled to await the direction of 
the War Department." 

In accordance with these instructions. Gen- 
eral Brown issued a letter to the militia of 
Michigan, stating that — 

"The crisis anticipated by their commander- 
in-chief had arrived: that it had become our 
duty to sustain the executive and the civil 
authorities on our southern border, and to pro- 
tect our soil and laws from the encroachment 
of a powerful neighboring State, manifestly re- 
solved to violate both. Your services will soon 
be required in the field. The undersigned is 
commanded to say that if there is an officer in 
the Michigan militia who hesitates to stake 
life, fortune and honor in the struggle now be- 
fore us, he is required promptly to tender his 
resignation, in order that his place may be 
more efficiently filled. The division quarter- 
master of the Third Division (Major Vllman) 
will forthwith inspect the arms, ammunition 
and military stores at Tecumseh. Mottville and 
Niles. and report to the general commanding 
the division the amount and condition thereof. 
He will also cause the whole to be transported 
immediatelj- from the latter named depots to 
head<)uarters at the village of Monroe. Henry 
Smith, Esq., is appointed division inspector: 
Daniel 8. Bacon, Esq.. division paymaster: and 
Charles Noble, Esq., aid-de-camj) to the general 
of the division.'' 

General Brown's address dosed with this 
stirring appeal : 

'' Fellow-citizens I .V cause which has the 
sanction of the highest authority in our Nation, 
as well as the laws of our Territory, must be 
sustained by us, and will meet the approbation 
of all in our common country who respect our 
institutions and who are capable of appreciating 
the just claims of the weaker and injured partj- 
when they are sought to be borne down and 
trampled upon by mere physical force. We 
cannot submit to invasion of our soil. We 
are determined to repel with force whatever 
strength the State of Ohio may attempt to 
bring into our Territory to sustain her usurpa- 
tion, and let the consequences which may 
follow rest on the guilty heads of those who 
attempt to deprive us by force of our righltul 
jurisdiction." 

March 31st, Governor Lucas, accompanied 



by his military staff and the Ohio boundary 
commissioners, reached Perrysburg on their 
way to re-mark the Harris line as directed by 
the legislature. The Governor had made pro- 
vision for military support in such movement, 
and General John Bell, of Lower Sandusky 
(now Fremont), then commanding the Seven- 
teenth Division of Ohio militia, s(x>n arrived 
and mustered into service a volunteer torce of 
some 600 men. who went into camp at old 
Fort Miami, on the west -side of the Maumee 
River, and below Maumee City. The force 
consisted of five companies of the First Regi- 
ment, Second Brigade, Seventeenth Division, 
under command of Colonel Matthias Vanfleet. 
These were commanded by Captain J. -\ustin 
Scott, of the Perrysburg company; Captain 
Stephen S. Gilbert, of the Maumee company : 
Captain John Petlinger, of the Waterville com- 
pany: Captain Felton, of the Gilead company : 
and Captain Granville Jones, of the Lucas 
Guards, a Toledo independent company. These 
numbered about 300 men. With them was 
part of a regiment from Sandusky county, 
commanded by Colonel Lewis Jennings: and 
a fractional regiment, from Seneca and Han- 
cock counties, commanded by Colonel Henry 
C. Brish, of Tiffin. 

Governor Mason, with General Brown, 
reached Toledo with a force variously esti- 
mated at from SOO to 1.200. about the time 
Governor Lucas appeared at Perrysburg. and 
there awaited a movement from the enemy. 

Governor Mason's staff consisted of: Colonel 
Isaac S. Rowland, of Detroit : Colonel Kint- 
sign Pritchelt, of Detroit : Colonel John Ches- 
ter, of Detroit. 

Major-General Brown (Joseph W.) was com- 
manding officer. His staff consisted of: Wil- 
liam E. Boardman. of Detroit, and Alpheus 
Felch, of Monroe (afterward governor of Michi- 
gan), aids-de-camp; Captain Henry Smith, of 
Monroe, inspector; Charles W. Whipple, divi- 
sion inspector : Daniel S. Bacon, division quar- 
termaster. 

Brigadier-General Martin Davis commanded 
the Second Brigade, with E. C. Eaton, major; 
J. E Field, quartermaster : Isaac J. I'Uman, 
inspector. 

The Second Regiment of Infantry was organ- 
ized in Monroe county, its field and staff con- 
sisting of: Warner Wing, colonel : -\pulus 
Drown, major; Dr. William Smith, surgeon; 



186 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Lewis E. Bailey, adjulaiit ; Ainion II. Wiiite, 
quartermaster. 

The company orticers were: Captains, George 
W. Darrali, Joseph Morass, Gabriel Bissonette, 
Heman N. Spalding, Noyos W. Wadsworth and 
John Bradford ; first lieutenants, Levi Lewis, 
Francis Cousino, George E. Root and David 
Hall ; second lieutenants, Nelson White and 
John G. Derby; ensigns, James II. Withington 
and Peter Moran. 

Light Horse : Captain, Joseph Wood ; first 
lieutenant, James McBride; second lieutenant. 
Burton Hotchkiss ; Stephen Crogo, cornet. 

I have given above only the names of officers 
engaged from Monroe count3-. The troops, 
numbering in all 1,160, were paid bj- the State 
for their services $13,638.76, upon a certificate 
of Daniel Goodwin, quartermaster-general, bj- 
authority of Robert Abbott, auditor general. 
Tinder the act of the Michigan legislature ap- 
proved March 28 and July 26, 1836. 

The two commanders-in-chief were brought 
almost face to face in hostile array. The con- 
dition of excitement throughout the entire 
region was most intense. The active partisans 
of the antagonists were daily growing more 
belligerent and threatening, while others stood 
appalled with a sense of impending bloodshed. 

Throughout the spring and summer Toledo 
was the center of incessant excitement, greatly 
stimulated by frequent incursions of Michigan 
officers in pursuit of citizens holding office 
under Ohio authority or otherwise recognizing 
the same. Arrests made were almost wholly 
of Ohio adherents. Attempts were made bj' 
Wood county officers to cajrture adherents of 
Michigan, but in some way they got informa- 
tion of such j)urpose and kept out of sight. 
Major Stickney, Judge Wilson, George McKay 
and other active jjartisans of Ohio, were taken 
to Monroe, the particulars of some of which 
cases were more ludicrous than serious. Thus, 
Major Stickney when arrested resisted fierceh', 
being actively assisted by his family, until over- 
powered. 

Governor Lucas having undertaken the per- 
formance of definite action in running the line, 
the onus of initiating the proceedings devolved 
upon him. It was understood that he was 
about to order General Bell to march to Toledo, 
and to take the consequences of such a step, 
when Richard Rush, of Philadelphia, and Colo- 
nel Howard, of Baltimore, arrived, as special 



commissioners from President Jackson, with 
instructions to use their influence to stay war- 
like pi'oceedings. Elisha Whittlesey, then a 
member of Congress from Ohio, accompanied 
the commissioners in the voluntars" capacity of 
peacemaker. These gentlemen had several 
conferences with the two governors, the result 
of which was the submission of the following 
propositions for their assent, to wit : 1. That 
the Harris line be re-marked without interrup- 
tion, in accordance with the act of the Ohio 
legislature. 2. That the civil elections under 
the lawsof Ohio having taken place throughout 
the disputed territory, the peoj^le residing upon 
it should bo left to their choice of government, 
obeying the one jurisdiction or the other, as 
the}' might prefer, without molestation from 
the authorities of Ohio or Michigan until the 
close of the next session of Congress. Governor 
Mason refused to accept these propositions, in- 
sisting that he could not honorably- compromise 
the rights of^his people by a surrender of pos- 
session of the disputed territory. Governor 
Lucas finally accepted the plan of adjustment, 
holding that he was dealing wholly with the 
National authorities, and not with the iri'e- 
spousible Executive of a Territor}-; and hence 
properly could assent to the terms proposed in 
the President's behalf, whatever might be done 
by Governor Mason. He then disbanded his 
military force. Governor Mason did the same 
to a large extent. 

Governor Lucas now proceeded with his ar- 
rangements for re-marking the Harris line. S. 
Dodge, an engineer on the Ohio canal, was em- 
ployed for that purpose. FromMaumee, April 
11, 1835, he wrote Samuel Forrer, one of the 
Ohio Canal Commissioners, as to the situation. 
He said that it was evident that there would 
be trouble, in case such attempt be made. He 
said : 

"We shall start to-morrow for the northwest- 
ern corner of the State ; and the ne.^Ct you hear 
from me, I shall probably inform you that I 
am at Monroe, the headquarters of General 
Brown. He was yesterday at Toledo, at the 
head of the sheriff's posse of IQO armed men. 
They came for the purpose of arresting those 
who have accepted office under the State of 
Ohio. He informed me that any attempt to 
run the line would be resisted by the whole 
force of the Territory — that they had 300 men 
under arms at Monroe, and 600 more would 



THE TOLEDO WAR. 



187 



soon be there — tluit lliey liave 1,500 stands of 
arms, taken from the United States arsenal at 
White Pigeon — that they did not mean to be 
rode over, rough shod, by Oliio. I told him 
the line would certainly* be run. The Gov- 
ernor of Ohio started on the Sth for Defiance, 
and is entirely unprepared to meet the forces 
of Michigan. Our party consists of fifteen or 
twenty unarmed men; and if wc proceed we 
shall certainly be made prisoners, there not 
being a sutficicnt number to prevent surprise. 
I think the survey will be delaj'ed." 

The legal status of the case was referred by 
the President to Attorne^'-Gencral Butler, who 
gave as his opinion that the action of Ohio 
in extending its jurisdiction north of the boun- 
darj' (Fulton) line of Michigan, as established 
by Congress in 1805, was in violation of the 
laws of the United States; but that the mere 
act of re-marking the Harris line would not 
be such violation. At the same time he decided 
that the act of the Michigan council, prohibit- 
ing with penalty the exercise of authority 
north of the Fulton line, was valid and would 
remain .so until annulled by Congress. 

Under such state of facts, the Ohio Commis- 
sioners proceeded with the survey, beginning 
at the northwest corner of the State. From 
Perrysburg, May 1st, they made their first and 
only report to Governor Lucas, in which they 
stated, that in pursuance of instructions, they 
had proceeded to the northwest corner of the 
State, whence they moved eastwardly along 
the Harris line, and re-marked the same, as di- 
rected, to the distance of thirtj'-eight and a 
half miles, or more than half its length. 
During their progress, they were constantly 
threatened by Michigan authoritiesand watched 
by spies in their employ. On Saturday, April 
25th, after a hard day's service, they, with their 
party, retired one mile south of the line in 
Henry county, "to enjoy the blessings of the 
Sabbath." Contrary to their expectations, at 
about twelve o'clock of that day, an armed force 
of fifty or sixty men hove in sight, within 
musket shot, all mounted, and well armed with 
muskets, and under command of General Brown. 
Observing the superiority in force, and having 
but five" armed men in their party, the com- 
missioners thought it best to retire, and so ad- 
vised their tnen. They made good their re- 
treat to Perrysburg. •' But, sir," says the re- 
port, " we are under the painful necessity of 



relating that nine of our men, who did not 
leave the ground in time, after being fired upon, 
from thirty to fifty shots, were taken prisoners, 
and carried away into the interior of the coun- 
tr}'." They were Colonels Hawkins, Scott, 
and Gould; Major Rice, Captain BiggerstaflT, 
and Messrs. Ellsworth, Fletcher, Moale and 
Ricketts. They state that their party did not 
fire a gun in return, and that no one was 
wounded, although a ball passed through the 
clothing of one of their men. " Under exist- 
ing circumstances and in the threatening atti- 
tude of affairs," the commissioners " thought 
it prudent for the interest of the State, as also 
for the safety of her citizens, and to prevent 
threatened blookshed, to withdraw from the 
line, and suspend further prosecution of the 
work until some efficient preparatory measures 
can be taken which will insure the coin]iletion 
of the undertaking." 

This report havingbcen sent to the Governor 
and by him to the President, the latter for- 
warded the same to Governor Mason, who re- 
quested Under Sheriff \Vm. McXair, the arrest- 
ing officer, to furnish his statement of the case. 
This he did, under date of June 17, 1835. He 
said : 

"Ou Saturda}-, April 25th, I received, as un- 
der-sheriff of this county, from Mr. Justice C. 
Hewitt, the within warrant from the affidavit 
of Mr. Judson. From the best information I 
could obtain I was satisfied the warrants could 
not be .served without assistance. I therefore 
mustered about thirty men in the village of 
Adrian and armed them with muskets. Early 
the next morning I started, intending to over- 
take and arrest the Ohio commissioners and 
their party. About noon wc came up with 
them, encamped in a small field (owned by one 
Phillips), .seven miles within our Territory. 
When I arrived within one-half mile of the 
Ohio party, I left my assistants under the 
charge of a deputy-sheriff, and accompanied 
by S. BIanchard,Esq., I went forward in order 
to make the arrest in as peaceable a manner as 
possible. On arriving at the camp, I enquire<l 
for Messrs. Seeley, Taylor and Patterson, the 
commissioners, and was told that they had 
stepped out, and would be in in a few minutes. 
While I was waiting for my party to come up, 
and the commissioners to return, my fjarty 
came in sight. Colonel Hawkins observed, 
'Our friends are coming (meaning my escort), 



1! 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and we must be prepared for them.' Then 
eight or ten of the Ohio party armed them- 
selves with rifles and loaded them in my pres- 
ence. In a few moments my friends came up 
and I found the commissioners iiad gone — not 
to return. I then commenced arresting the 
armed party, con.sisting of Colonels Hawkins, 
Scott, Gould and Fletcher, and Major Rice, 
Captain Biggerstaff and Messrs. Ellsworth, 
Moale and Ricketts. After arresting Colonel 
Hawkins, who had in his hand a large horse- 
man's pistol and another in his pocket, both 
loaded, tiie balance of the party took a position 
in a log-house and barricaded the door. When 
I approached with my party within eight rods 
of the house, they all came out, except Colonel 
Fletcher, and as I approached them to make 
arrest, some of them cocked their rifles and 
directed me to stand off, for they would not be 
taken. As I continue<i to advance upon them, 
four of the party turned and ran into the woods. 
A few muskets were then fired over their heads, 
and a rush made after them. Tiiey were pur- 
sued about thirty rods in the woods, when they 
were all arrested. The report of a man hav- 
ing a ball pass through his clothes, is a mis- 
take. * * The nine persons arrested were 
brought to Tecumseh, before C. Hewitt, Esq., 
and they were discharged for want of sufficient 
testimony. Si-x gave l)ail to appear at the next 
circuit court, and one ( Fletcher) refused to give 
bail, as he says, by direction of Governor Lucas, 
and is now in custody of the jailer, who per- 
mits him to go at large, on his ])ar<ile of 
honor. I consider it my duty further to state, 
that the charge that the Ohio officers were 
arrested by a military ]jarty under General 
Brown, is not true. He accompanied me as a 
citizen of Michigan without official position, 
and the whole movement was merely a civil 
operation under the sheriff of the county, to 
sustain the laws of Michigan. There has been 
no call on the inililary of Michigan to my 
knowledge, connected with the Ohio transac- 
tion. And I am happy also to inform your 
Excellenc}' that the commissioners made good 
time on foot through the Cottenwood Swamji, 
and arrived ai Perrysburg tiie next morning 
with nothing more serious than the loss of hats 
and clothing." 

The Miami of the Lake (Porrysburir) of 
April 27, 1835, had the following in regard to 
the affair on the bordei- : 



"General Taylor arrived this morning from 
the disputed territory, with the intelligence 
that an attack had actually been made b\- the 
Michigan troops upon the Ohio commissioners 
while upon the line. The facts, as near as we 
can learn, are these: On the 26th instant 
(Sundaj'), while the commissioners were en- 
canqjcd ujjon the line, which they had the day 
previous been running, a party of the Michi- 
gan troops appeared in sight, when the com- 
missioners left their encampment and fled, but 
heard six or eight rifle-shots exchanged between 
the guard accompanying the commissioners 
and the Michigan troops. Governor Lucas 
has dispatched a surgeon and assistant to the 
scone of action, to take care of the wounded, in 
case there be any, and the result of the engage- 
ment will probably be known before this paper 
goes to j)ress. The scene of the action is about 
thirtj^ miles from this place, and ten or fifteen 
miles southwest from Adrian, Michigan." 

In the same paper, under date of April 28th, 
is this statement : 

" Another messenger has reached us, an- 
nouncing the capture of a portion of the guards 
who accompanied the Ohio commissioners 
while engaged in running line. The last in- 
telligence has dissipated the idea of blood hav- 
ing been spilled. The capture, we learn, was 
accomplished without much resistance, and 
but one slight wound, in arm. The number 
reported taken is eight. We ai'e happy in 
being able to saj- that so far the war has been 
a bloodless one ; but we now fear it will end in 
a bloody and cruel conflict. We have been, 
from the beginning, laboring to preserve the 
public mind free from excitement of passion, 
and have up to the present moment entertained 
the opinion that the difficulty would be ar- 
ranged without forcing our honest and indus- 
trious citizens to shed each other's blood ; but 
we now acknowledge that we can have little 
hojie for the rule oF reason, in case our popu- 
lace be actuated by the same degree of heated 
blood as some of our rulers. 

"Messrs. Seely and Patterson (Ohio commis- 
sioners), while the above transactions were 
being enacted, remained in the forest unob- 
served, until the Michigan forces retired; upon 
which some of their friends brought them their 
horses, and they made their way to this place, 
where they now are, awaiting further orders 
from the Governor." 



THE TOLEDO WAR. 



189 



Willi the cii-cunis(aiK-e.s (luis detailcil ciidod 
the iitlctnpt to survey tlio Harris line, and left 
Ohio's case not materially advanced. So viow- 
intc the situation, Governor Lucas convened the 
legislature in extra session, June S, 1835, when 
was ]>assod an act "to ])revent the forcible ab- 
duction of citi/.ens of Ohio," the object being 
to counteract the legislation of the Michigan 
council. The most important action of that 
session, however, was the erection of the count}' 
of Lucas, from territory- taken from the 
north part of Wood county, with the disputed 
icnitory north of it, and a portion of the north- 
west corner of Sandusky county. The county 
was attached to the Second Judicial Circuit 
(Judge Higgins presiding), and Toledo made 
the temporary couiit3--seat. A term of court 
of common ])leas was directed to be held there 
on the first -Monday in September following, at 
any convenient house. 

At the same session, the Ohio legislature 
passed an act conditioiiall}' acceptingthe propo- 
sition made by Commissioners Rush and How- 
ard. After a preamble reciting features of the 
case, the law provided — 1st, that the Governor 
be requested to comply with the terms of the 
arrangement entered into on the 7th of April, 
at the suggestion of Messrs. Rush and Howard ; 
and if the terms of such agreement shall be 
faithfully regarded b^' the United States, and 
all proceedings of the ilichigan authorities 
against citizens of Ohio be annulled, then the 
laws of Ohio inconsistent with such arrange- 
ment with Rush and Howard, should be sus- 
pended until the close of the next session of 
Congress. But should the United States, mean- 
time, or anj' authoritiosacting under the United 
States, do anything inconsistent with said ar- 
rangement, or the criminal proceedings in 
Michigan not be annulled, then this act to be 
void. The Governor was directed, in case the 
terms of said arrangement should be violated, 
to issue his proclamation declaring such to be 
the fiict. At that session the sum of S300,0(J0 
was appropriated for carrying into eftcct the 
measures adopted for enforcing Ohio's claims 
against the interference by Michigan authorities 
and citizens. This hill passe<l the Senate by a 
vote of 2ti yeas to 7 nays; and the House bj' a 
vote of 41 to 26. The bill to erect the county 
of Lucas passed the House, 41 to 26 ; and the 
Senate without ^a division. The minority in 
each House preferred to submit the entii-e ques- 



tion, as it then stood, to the action of Congi'oss. 
The legislature adjourned on the 20th of June, 
after a session of 13 days. There was through- 
out a division of sentiment as to the policy to 
be pursued, though not as to the rights of Ohio 
in the case. The expenses incurred by the ses- 
sion amounted to $6,823.30. 

Dr. Naaman Goodsell, under date of May 23, 
1835, informed Governor Lucas of his abduc- 
tion April Sth, by a Michigan force. He sa3-8 
the}- appeared ut his house about 2 o'clock a.m., 
demanding admittance, which he refused. They 
finally forced an entrance; overcame him by 
force; roughly treated him and his wife ; made 
him their prisoner, and took him into the 
woods, where ho was mounted on a horse and 
started for Monroe. He was insolently treated, 
and made to ride a horse without a bridle. The 
horse being driven from behind, became fright- 
ened and ran until the Doctor jumped from 
him. He was held at Monroe until the next 
day, and tlien allowed to return. George Mc- 
Kay went to Monroe as a prisoner at the same 
time with Dr. Goodsell. McKay's person had 
marks of violence, and he was compelled to ride 
with his feet tied under the horse. 

Dr. (ioodscll, in a letter dated Perrysburg, 
July 19, 1835, reports to Governor Lucas the 
circumstances of his escape from arrest by the 
Michigan force of 300 or 400 men. He and 
fieorge McKay started together, but being pur- 
sued, they .separated, McKay having the ftistest 
horse. Dr. troodsell's horse not warranting 
such reliance for escape, he dismounted, tied 
his horse, and " placed his back against a tree, 
determined to await the assault," but their 
whole attention being directed to McKay, he 
((roodsell) was enabled to escape, after stand- 
ing by the tree for an hour. He crossed the 
river in a canoe, remaining there all night. 
His iiorsc was brought to him next moruinir. 

In the Toledo Gazette, March 12, LSSd^ap- 
pears the message of Governor Lucas to the 
Ohio legislature, calling for action in support of 
that State's claim to this locality, and the reso- 
lutions of that bod}- claiming such dominion; 
and also the proclamation of Governor Mason, 
setting forth the claimof Michigan to the same, 
and declaring his purpose to maintain the same 
at every and an}- hazard ; with the stirring 
appeal of General Brown, already mentioned. 

In June, 1835, Governor Lucas sent Noah 
IL Swayne, William Allen and David T. Dis- 



190 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



iiey, to confer with President Jackson on the 
subject of the existing troubles. These gentle- 
men, under date of July 1st, addressed Secre- 
tary of State Forsyth, in a letter setting forth 
the case as viewed by the Ohio authorities. 
They I'eforred to an interview held with the 
President, in which they asked that a tempo- 
rary adjustment be had, under which the Harris 
line might be run without molestation ; and 
the prosecution of Ohio citizens by Michigan 
authorities be suspended, which request the 
President favored. The socretarj^, in his reply, 
stated that the President had determined to use 
his influence toward effecting the arrangement 
asked by Ohio, in order that matters remain 
quiet until Congress have time to act. 

The onl_v blood shed in this "War "so far 
authenticated as safely to be made history, 
attended the atteraj)t of Deputy-Sheriff Joseph 
Wood, of Monroe county, to arrest Two .Stick- 
ney, July 15, 1835, the particulars of which 
event are given in an affidavit made by Ijyman 
Hurd, a constable of Monroe county, who ac- 
companied the deputy-sheriff to Toledo for the 
purpose of arresting Geoi-ge McKay, a promi- 
nent Ohio partisan, and said Stickney. Mr. 
Hurd stated that he and Wood went into the 
hotel of J. Baron Davis, where they found 
Stickney and McKay. Hurd attempted to 
arrest McKay, when he sprang, caught a 
chair and told Hurd unless he desisted he 
would sjjlit him down. Hurd then saw that 
McKay had a dirk in his hand. At the same 
time Wood made the attempt to arrest Stick- 
ney, laying his hand on Stickney's shoulder, 
when a scuffle ensued, during which Stickney 
drew a dirk and stabbed Wood in the left side, 
exclaiming, " There, damn you, you have got 
it now." Wood then let goof Stickney and put 
his hand on his side and went to the door, 
saying he was stabbed. A physician (Dr. 
Jacob Clark) was then called to examine 
Wood. When Wood told Stickney he had a 
l^recept for him, the latter asked whether it 
was from Ohio or from Michigan, declaring 
that be would not be taken on a Michigan writ; 
but if it was under Ohio he would go. Mr. 
Hurd says he was advised, for his own safety, 
to leave the place, which he did without arrest- 
ing McKay. 

The effect of this transaction was greatly to 
inflame the passions of the Michigan authori- 
ties. 



In recently speaking of the case referred 
to, Dr. Clark said he found Wood's pulse 
scarcely perceptible, he being very weak. At 
first the case seemed precarious, but he soon 
rallied. The knife had cut an oblique gash 
about four inches long, but had not penetrated 
the lungs. The patient was much astonisiied 
to learn tiiat he was not mortallj- injured. Dr. 
Clark gave directions in the case and left him. 
But Wood was not satisfied, suspecting that 
Dr. Clark's Ohioproclivities had made him in 
different to the case. Hence he sent to Mon- 
roe for a surgeon, when Dr. Southworth came, 
examined the wound, and sustained all that 
Dr. Clark had said of the case At nine the 
next morning. Wood started for Monroe. In 
the treatment of this case, Dr. Clark became 
the only practical surgeon on either side of the 
contest — a position to which his part in the 
incipiency of the trouble entitled him. Stick- 
ney, after stabbing Wood, fled to the interior 
of Ohio, where ho was protected by Governor 
Lucas, who refused to surrender him on requi- 
sition, for the reason that if crime had been 
committed by Stickney, it was done within the 
State of Ohio. 

The Gazette understood the orders of the 
force, as declared by its leaders, to proceed to 
Toledo, to take as prisoners all who were in 
any way implicated in denying the jurisdiction 
of Michigan over Toledo ; and in case of seri- 
ous resistance, to burn and destroj' the town, 
aud fire upon the first man who undertook to 
oppose them. The character of the party was 
said to favor the execution of such plan. The 
occasion for such proceedings was said to hffve 
grown out of a personal difficulty between a 
stranger named Odell, and a man named Clark 
from Monroe, in which, as alleged, Clark, act- 
ing through one Smith, a hotel-keeper and a 
justice of the peace of Michigan appointment, 
undertook to get possession of Odell's team 
without paying for it. The case was such as to 
excite the citizens of Toledo to stejisto prevent 
such action, and to warn Clark to leave the 
town, and Smith not to again attempt the exer- 
cise of his office there. 

July 20th, Judge Higgins, from Perrysburg, 
wrote Governor Lucas in regard to the holding 
of court at Toledo, in September, under the law 
erecting the county of Lucas. He said that, 
while ready to undertake such service, with- 
out regard to "jiersonal consequences," he still 



THE TOLEDO WAK 



191 



slioiild 'fool acutely, as would every citizen of 
Ohio, the disgrace of caiiture and abduction by 
a Michigan mob, of a branch of the judiciary of 
the State, wliile actually- engaged in the per- 
forniaiicc of judicial functions." The judge 
raised the point, whetiier or not the condition 
of things would not warrant the Governor in 
sending to Toledo a force sufficient to ])rotect 
the court when it should meet. 

July 29th, (xovcrnor [jucas wrote the Ohio 
commissioners, informing them of the arrange- 
ment with tiie President, under which the re- 
marking of the Harris line was to bo com- 
|)letod, and that the work would commence 
September 1st. He further advised them that 
he had sent "225 rifles and 61 muskets and 
equipments to Fort Miami (Lucas county), and 
would send more soon," sufficient for the pro- 
tection of the civil authorities in that count}'. 
They would be placed under control of the 
court. He said be would watch proceedings 
and take measures to protect the court from 
insult, and the commissioners while running 
the lint^ 

Notwithstanding the specific arrangement of 
July Hd, made between Ohio and President 
Jackson for the completion of the survej* and 
the suspension of aggressive action b}' Miciii- 
gan, Acting-Governor Mason disregarded such 
agreement, and continued arrests, as already 
stated. For su.ch reason, Secretary of State 
For.sytli wi-ote Governor Mason, stating that 
his zeal in behalf of Michigan had overcome 
his prudence, and he had been superseded by 
the appointment of Charles Shaler, of Pennsyl- 
vania, as secretary of the Territor}-. 'J'he 
same day a letter was sent to Mr. Shaler, noti- 
fy ing him of such appointment, and setting 
forth the position of the President on the 
boundary- question. Ho stated that from the 
first it had been the President's opinion, "that 
without further legislation by Congress, the 
country in dispute was to bo considered as 
fnrming, legally, a part of the Territory of 
Michigan; and that the ordinary and usual 
jurisdiction over it should be exercised by 
Michigan. He had never admitted the right 
set uj) by Ohio." Further, he said the Presi- 
dent had repeatedly and distinctly stated 
" what his duty would compel him to do, in the 
event of an attempt on the part of Ohio to sus- 
tain her jurisdiction over the disputed terri- 
tory by force of arras." He had with regret 



ami surprise noticed that Governor Mason had 
assumed that he (the President) had approved 
the claim of Ohio. "An acknowledgment of 
the right and the temporary arrangement to 
avoid the danger of a hostile collision," was, in 
the President's view, "in no respect incon- 
sistent with the obligations of the constitution 
and laws." The secretary said the President 
" had seen with regret the recent outrages 
committed at Toledo on officers of justice who 
attempted to execute process under authority 
of Michigan," and he " recommended that the 
offenders who resisted and wounded a civil 
officer (Deputy-Sheriff Wood) in the execution 
of his duty, and had fled from the Territory, 
should be promptly demanded from the execu- 
fivo of any State in which they may have 
taken refuge." 

August 29th Secretarj^ Forsyth also wrote 
Governor Lucas, enclosing copies of his letters 
to Governor Mason and Mr. Shaler, and ex- 
pressing the hope that the spirit shown by the 
President in those letters would be " met by 
measures dictated by the same si)irit on the 
part of Governor Lucas. "As it is ajjparent," 
said the Secretary, "from the recent present- 
ment of the grand jury of Wood county, that 
tlu! inhabitants of Toledo have declined, at 
present, the jurisdiction of Ohio, the President 
ho|)es no attempt will be made now to exercise 
it within the disputed territor}-." Itwasstated 
that the claim of Ohio having been publicly 
put forth in the face of the country, the omis- 
sion to enforce it, while awaiting the action of 
Congress, " could not be considered as weaken- 
ing any just foundation on which it might rest." 

The action of the AVood county grand jury 
referred to by Secretary F'oi-syth, consisted 
simply in examining witnesses sent before 
them who testified that individuals had been 
elected to office in Toledo under the laws of 
Michigan and per.'brmed official duties in dis- 
regard of the laws of Ohio. Other criminal 
acts were shown. In view of the fact that To- 
ledo had been set off as part of the new county 
of Lucas, whose court was to meet in Septem- 
ber, and as the alleged offenses were committed 
after the erection of said count}-, the jury de- 
clined action in the premises. 

August 7, 1835, Adjutant-General S. C. An- 
drews issued an order to commandants of di- 
visions throughout Ohio, for them to report at 
once "what numbers of cavalry and mounted 



192 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



riflemen would be willing to march at a mo- 
ment's warning to aid in defending our nortli- 
ern frontier.'' The order was of " a confiden- 
tial character." Previous to such order spon- 
taneous offers had been made of men to the 
number of 2,340, but were not wanted, being 
chiefly infantry and riflemen. In a short time 
thirteen divisions reported 10,021 as ready to 
respond to a call, of whom .5,835 were mounted 
men and 4, 18G infantry and riflemen. The total 
offers were 12,3G1. In several instances the 
commandants were confident the numbers 
named might readily be greatly increased. 

This action on the part of the Ohio authori- 
ties naturally led those of Michigan to counter- 
action. Thus, the Detroit Fi-ee Press of August 
26, 1835, had the following items: 

"The Ohio Controversy. — The legislative 
council yesterday had this subject under con- 
sideration. They have made an appropriation 
of 1315,000 to meet any emergency which may 
arise, and we learn that every arrangement 
will be made to afford a icai-m reception to any 
portion of the ' million ' of Ohio, that may visit 
our borders. Michigan defends her soil and her 
rights, and we would wish our fellow-citizens of 
Ohio to recollect that ' thrice armed is he who 
hath his quarrel just." " 

"War! War!! — Orders have been issued 
for volunteers to rendezvous at Mulhollen's in 
the county of Monroe, on the 1st of September 
next, for the purpose of resisting the military 
encroachments of Ohio. The Territory, it is 
expected, will be on the alert, and we un- 
derstand services will be accepted from all 
quarters." 

The latter movement evidently had reference 
to ijreventing the holding of the court at To- 
ledo, September 7th. What was tlie force which 
finally was employed by Governor Lucas can 
not be ascertained, as no record of the samecan 
be found at Columbus, bej'ond the amount 
paid out for the services rendered. 

The situation as thus shown, while largely 
conforming to the policy and wishes of Gov- 
ernor Lucas, was yet by no means without its 
embarrassing features with him. His arrange- 
ment with the Government was for no action 
on the part of Ohio in connection with the 
boundai-y question, beyond the re-marking of 
the Harris line; while on condition of such 
course by Ohio the Michigan authorities were 



to cease attempts to enforce jurisdiction. But 
the county of Lucas had been created, and by 
law a court was to be held at Toledo on the 
7th of September. The situation was an em- 
barrassing one. Threatened by the President 
with the Federal power in resistance to any 
violation of the compactor truce, it was a nice 
point to determine how jurisdiction so positive 
as the holding of an Ohio court in the disputed 
territory was to be accomplished without 
trouble with the Government. In such emer- 
gency it was decided to substitute strategy for 
force. 

When the time approached for holding the 
court at Toledo, Governor Lucas sent Adjutant- 
General S. C. Andrews to confer with the judges 
and county officers as to the most practicable 
ways and means for holding the court. It was 
finallv arranged that Colonel Vanflcet should 
furnish iiis regiment to act as a posse, subject to 
orders of the sheriff, for the protection of the 
court. Such force accordingly appeared at 
Miami, within the new county. The Adjutant- 
General and Major-General John Bell of Lower 
Sandusky (Fremont), proceeded to Toledo in 
citizen's dress. On Sunday, September 6th, the 
three associate judges, sheriff and others met 
at Miami, read J' to move to Toledo under escort 
of Colonel Vanfleet's force of one hundred men. 
Unfortunately the report was brought in on 
Sunday evening that General Brown had reach- 
ed Toledo with a force of 1,200 Michigan troops, 
to prevent the holding of the court. The effect 
of this information was essentially disturbing. 
The judges and others were in serious doubt as 
to wbat should be done — some favoring a 
'■ back-out," while others insisted on an advance, 
Judge Higgius and Andrew (" Count") Coffin- 
bury (the latter having been appointed prose- 
cuting attorney) were absent when the report 
came in, which embarrassed the associate judges. 
It was finally decided to submit the question 
to Colonel Vanfleet, it being assumed by those 
not willing to make the trif), that that officer 
would hardly feel prepared, with his small 
force, to meet 1,200 Michigan troops. It is 
rej^ortcd that the colonel, turning to the judges, 
said : " If you are women, go home ! If you 
are men, do your duty as judges of the court I 
I will do mine." The colonel then said he 
wanted twenty brave men, who were willing 
to take the risk of a hazardous enterprise ; and 
requested that such of them as were ready to 



THK TOLEDO WAR. 



193 



ilo tliiil, should step four paces to the front, 
when thirty so stepped out. Of these twenty- 
were taken. Captain Granville Jones, of Lucas 
Guards, Toledo, was left in ciiargeof the camp 
at Miami, with directions to be readj- for co- 
ojteralion with the advance. It was then de- 
cided that September 7th beiran immediately 
after 12 o'clock Sunda}- niifht, and as no hour 
for the assembling of the court was mentioned 
in the law, one hour was as good for the ]iur- 
posc as any other, so that the court was held 
and due record of its proceedings made. Ac- 
cordingly at 1 o'clock A. M.thc procession took 
up its march ot eight miles for Toledo, each 
soldier of the escort carr^-ing two cavalry pis- 
tols. They reached Toledo about i! o'clock, and 
])roceeded at once to a .school house which 
stood between Washington and JMonroc ami 
Michigan and Erie streets. It was a frame 
Imilding. At that time it was well "out of 
town," and thus as safe from observation as 
accommodations could have been foiind. 

Here "the Court of Common Pleas, in aii(l 
for the county of Lucas, and State of Ohio," 
for the first time was opened in due form. It 
consisted of the three associate judges — Jona- 
than H. Jerome, Baxter Bowman and William 
Wilson. The president judge (David Iliggins), 
as supposed for reasons already indicated, was 
not present. Junius Flagg, of Toledo, acted as 
sheriff, and Dr. Horatio Conant, of Maumee, as 
clerk. A short session was held, the proceed- 
ings being limited to the appointment of John 
Baldwin, Eobert Gower and Cyrus JloUowaj-, 
as count}- commissioners, and the approval of 
the clerk's bond. The clerk's minutes were 
kept on loose jjieces of paper. The length of 
time occupied in these proceedings is not re- 
corded, but it was as short as was consistent 
with the proper forms; and "no further busi- 
ness appearing before said court, it adjourned," 
literally "without daj'," since its entire session 
and adjournment took place in the dark. 

There seems somehow to have been vei-y 
little interest taken by the people of Toledo in 
thei-ecordof their initial court and its attendant 
circumstances. Hence the difficulty ut this 
late day in obtaining satisfactory particulars 
of the event, and especiallv of the movements 
and experiences of the court in placing a de- 
sired distance between themselves and the sup- 
posed " Wolverine " troops. In the absence of 
local information, we are left, for our most 



detailed staiciiunl in that regard, to the narra- 
tion given by the late Willard V. Way, Esq., of 
Perr^'sburg, in his address before the liaisin 
Valley (Michigan) Historical .Society. With- 
out in any way impeaching the loj'alt}' of that 
gentleman as a citizen of the Commonwealth of 
Ohio, it must be conceded that his account of 
that occasion docs not read in all respects ju.st 
as one of the zealous cham]>ions of Ohio on the 
disputed boundary question would have been 
exjjectcd to tell the story. In this the writer 
does not wish to be understood as questioning 
till' triithfuliicss oi Mr. Way's version, which 
was substantially this: That upon adjourn- 
nuMit of the court, the officers and escort went 
lo (lie tavern then kept by Munson II. Daniels, 
not far from the court hou.se; that while there 
enjoying a season of conviviality natural on 
the accomplishment of important and critical 
])ubiic service, a wag came hurriedly into the 
tavern and reported a strong "Wolverine" 
force a))proaching and close by; that the partj' 
at once left the house, sprang to their horses, 
leaving their bills unjniid; that they look the 
trail for Maumee, following near the river; 
that iijion reaching the hill across Swan Creek 
and near where the Oliver House now stands, 
seeing no pursuit, they came to a halt; that it 
then became known that the clerk had lost his 
hat, and with it his minutes of the court; that 
under direction of Colonel Vanflcet, careful 
search was made for the pa])ers on the line of 
their hasty travel; and that after diligent 
efTorts, the hat and contents were found. Col- 
onel A'anfleet signalized this important success 
b}- firing two salutes, when the pa rtj- continued 
their journej^ to Maumee, where thoj' arrived 
soon after daylight, or about .six o'clock, having 
occupied five hours in goingto Toledo, holding 
a court and getting safely back. The record 
of that court, so c.s.sential to the proper vindi- 
cation of the rights and authority of the State 
of Ohio, is as follows : 

The State of Ohio, Lucas Coinity, ss.: 

At a court of Common Pleas, began and held 
at the court house in Toledo, in said county, on 
the 7th day of September, A. D. 1835. Present, 
the Honorable Jonathan II. Jerome, .senior asso- 
ciate judge of said countj', their honors, Baxter 
Bowman and William Wilson, associate judges; 

The court being opened in due form bj- the 
sheriff of the county. 



194 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Horatio (sonant being appointed olerk of 
said county, exhibited his bond, with sureties 
accepted by the court agreeable to the statute 
in such case made and j)rovided. 

Tiie court appointed John Baldwin, Robert 
Gower and Cjn-us Ilolloway coniniissioners for 
said county. 

No furlhci' liiisincss apjicaring bclbre said 
court, the court adjourned without day. 

J. II. Jeuojie, Associate. fudge. 

Adjutant-ticncrul Andrews. Iti his report to 
Governor Lucas, said : 

" The court was accordingly held under these 
circumstances: The judges and sheritF of the 
county met at Toledo on Monday, which was 
the 7th, and, attended by a small;?o.sse, opened 
court, organized, appointed their clerk, county 
commissioners, etc.; and after performing such 
business as was necessary for a complete organ- 
ization of the count}-, and making up their 
record, adjourned without molestation. In the 
meantime the opposing force had entered the 
place, and taken possession of the adjoining 
village [Vistula, the court meeting in the Port 
Lawrence division], with the express purpose, 
as declared, of preventing the session. They 
had, it is asiserted, information of the fact, and 
made arrangements accordingl}-. Ko inter- 
ruption, however, took place." 

This report elsewhere saj's the Michigan 
forces entered Toledo on Sunday, the 6th, where 
they remained until Monday, and some part of 
them until Tuesdaj' following, when they dis- 
appeared entirely, with the exception of a 
straggling band, who afterwards returned in 
search, as pretended, of the judges of the court, 
but engaging in the customary excesses and 
proceeding to acts of violence against certain 
of the citizens. The inhabitants were aroused 
to resistance, and they were forcibly expelled. 
Their whole number upon entering Toledo, 
appears to have been not to exceed 1,100, and 
to iiave been reduced at the time of their re- 
treat to between 500 and (500. General Brown 
subsequently stated that his main force halted 
at Mulliollcn's, some eight miles from Toledo, 
where they remained Sunday night, he having 
sent Colonel Warner Wing forward with 100 
men, to watch the judges and arrest them if 
they attempted to hold court. The main force 
reached Toledo the next day. 

More or less of excess in drinkin"; and carous- 



ing took place with the Michigan troops, and 
especially in petty robbery of property, al- 
though such action was against the will of the 
officers in command. That Major Stickney 
should be made conspicuous in that connection 
is not remarkable, he being an object of special 
hostility with that side. It was stated that the 
major, on finding a man in the garb of a Michi- 
gan soldier in iiis garden, iu the act of pulling 
u]i potatoes, asked what he was doing, when 
the trespasser replied that he was "drafting 
]iotato tops, to make the bottoms volunteer." 
The major was subsequently paid S300 by the 
State for damages suffered during that contro- 
versy, besides costs and expenses incurred by 
him in connection with his arrests May 8th and 
July 20, 1835, and being taken to the jail at 
Monroe. 

As already mentioned, the body of the Michi- 
gan forces detailed to prevent the holding of 
court at Toledo stopped at MulhoUen's on 
Sunday, the Gth. At that place ex-Governor 
Mason, although then nine days out of office, 
issued an address to the troops, in the charac- 
ter of "the executive," in which he notified 
them that the command was by him at that 
time "assigned to Brigadier General J. W. 
Brown," and enjoined on them due observance 
of that officer's orders. On the same day Gen- 
eral Brown issued from Toledo his address to 
the militia, closing witli. this appeal : 

" Our cause is just. We assemble to defend 
from iuvasio'n our constitutional privileges. 
The voice of law calls us to the field, and al- 
though young in history, Michigan must be 
placed by us in the proud attitude of seeking to 
do no wrong, and never shrinking to defend 
the honor of the country and the inviolability 
of her soil." 

The manner in which these movements in 
Ohio were received by the authorities and peo- 
ple of Michigan is further seen from the follow- 
ing article, taken from the Michigan Sentinel, 
published at Monroe, under date of Sejjfem- 
ber 12, 1835: 

"Wolverines of Michigan! — In anticipa- 
tion o( the proposed organization of the court of 
(Jhio at Toledo, and the approach of Lucas's 
' Million,' Acting Governor Mason Tnade a 
large requisition on the brave Wolverines of 
Michigan ; and on Saturday last (September 
5th) they approached our town under arms by 
hundreds, from the counties of Monroe, W,ayne, 



TlIK T(M,EDO WAK. 



195 



AVaslitenaw, Lenawee, Oaklaini, .Maeoinli ami 
St. Josepli. The whole bodj- entcreil the tils- 
])nted territory on Monday, accompanied by 
Governor Stevens, Generals Brown and Has- 
kail, and Colonels Davis, Wing and others, to 
the number of 1,200 to l,5(i0,and encamped on 
the jilains of Toledo. Governor Lucas did not 
make his appearance. The court is said to 
have been held at the dead of night, by learned 
judges dressed in disguise; and the insurgents 
of Toledo fled precipitately from the scene of 
action." 

The Michigan view of this result was no 
<loubt fairly stated by Hon. A. L, Millard, of 
Adrian, in an address delivered J uly 4, ]S7(i. 
lie said : 

"The result was, that Ohio, influential and 
powerful with her twelve members on the floor 
of Congress, prevailed against her younger and 
weaker sister Micliigan, with her single dele- 
gate, and ho without the right of voting: and 
before Congress would admit her into the 
Union as a State, she was required to assent to 
the change in her boundaries and to ado])t the 
boundary claimed b\- Ohio. But in order to 
make her some amends, ihe Xoi'thern Penin- 
sula, then no part of Michigan, was offered her. 
At first this overture was rejected. A convcTi- 
tion called to act upon it, refused to give the 
assent required. Her people at the time felt 
keenlj' upon the subject. They felt that her 
right to the territory, under the ordinance 
(of 1787), and \inder theactof Congre.«s oflSOo, 
was unquestionable, and there are few, in this 
State, at least, who have examined the question, 
who do not regard it so to this day. But this 
decision of the convention did not finally pre- 
vail. A large and influential portion of the 
citizens — some from public considerations, and 
others, perhaps, from private reasons, thought 
it highly desirable that the State be speedily 
admitted into the Union. Another convention 
was accordingly called, not bj^ the governor or 
other legal authority, but by a Democratic Cen 
iral Committee, requesting the people in the 
■-iveral townships to elect delegates. The con- 
vention met. and in the name of the people of 
the State gave the required assent. This, alter 
considerable diseu.ssion, was accepted by Con- 
gress as a compliance with the condition, and 
the State was admitted b\' an act passed on the 
27th of January, 1837, and thus the controversy 
ended. The people of Michigan wei-o ill-saiis- 



tied at the time, being little aware of the min- 
eral value of the Upper Peninsula, which they 
acquired in lieu of the strip surrendered. But 
the subsequent development of that region has 
shown that they got an ample equivalent, and 
that the bargain, though in a manner forced 
u])on them, turned out to be not a bad one for 
Michigan." 

It was only after such repeated apjieals to 
Congress for the inter]iosition of its authority 
for the .settlement of the (juestion, that Ohio, in 
1S:',5, acting in its own sovereign capacity, set 
out to assert and settle her rights in the case. 
It \vas at such suggestion that Messrs. Rush 
and Howard were sent as (commissioners b}- the 
President for the adjustment of the diificultj'. 
By the agreement made between those commis- 
sionersand the Governor of Ohio, April 7, 1835, 
it was provided : 

" 1st. That the Harris lino be run and re- 
marked, without interruption. 2d. That the civil 
elections under the laws of Ohio having taken 
place throughout the disputed territory, the 
])eo])le i-esiding there be left to their own choice 
as to which of the parties should be accepted 
as authority in government until the close of 
the next session of Congress." This Ohio as- 
sented to, with the proviso that Michigan be 
compelled to abide by the terms of the compact ; 
and especially, that all prosecutions begun 
under the authority of that Territory again.st 
citizens of Ohio, be discontinued. 

The ca.se having been b}- arrangement finally 
referred to Congress, the discussion became 
active there, and was ahly presented on the 
part of Ohio bj- Governor Lucas and the Sen- 
ators and Representatives from this State. In 
a letter to the Secretary of State at Washington, 
November 10, 1835, the Governor stated that 
he was informed by General llaskall, a mem- 
ber of the Michigan legislature, that Governor 
Mason procured the key to the United States 
Arsenal at Detroit, and in that way came into 
possession of government arms for use by his 
forces. Governor Lucas expressed the belief 
that such use of the arms was made " bj- private 
special permission of the Secretary of War" 
(General Lewis Cas.s). Tho Governor stated 
that in private letters to friends in Ohio and 
seen by him. Secretary Cass staled that while 
not a])pearing publicly in the controversy", be 
was doing all he could privately in support of 
the' .Michigan claim. (Governor Lucas attrib- 



196 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



uted to the secretai'y tlio irsjionsiliility of the 
ontire controversy. 

In a hittor of November 19, 1835, .Secretary 
Cass alludes to this expression b\' Governor 
Ijiicas, and |ir<)tcsts ai^ainst tlio same as grossly 
unjust. On the contraiy, he stated, that while 
fully believing in the justice of Michigan's 
claim, and advising tiie exercise of jurisdiction 
over the disputed territory- by tlie use of onli- 
nary civil power, he at all times discDunte- 
nanced the resort to force whii-li tiovernor 
Mason made. 

In a report made Marcl\ 1, LS-ld, the Judici- 
aiy (,'onnnittee of thc^ Senate, of wliii-h Hon. 
John JI. Clayton, ot lU'laware, was chairman, 
discussed the matlci'wilh much clearness and 
detail, going over the essential points and facts. 
The immediate matter in hand was the "bill to 
settle and establish the northern boundary' line 
of the State of Ohio," which provided " that 
the northern boundary of the State of ()liio 
shall be established b^-, and extend to, a 
direct line running froTU thesouthern extremity 
of Ijako Michigan to the most northerly cape 
of the Miami Bay; thence northeast to i\]v 
northern boundary line of the Ignited Slates; 
and thence, with saiil line, to the I'ennsylvania 
line." The result of t he committee's investi- 
gation was to the etlect, that aside Irom the 
declaration made in the constitution, the State 
of Ohio could have no claim to the line therein 
set forth. Thus, the whole question turned up- 
on the validity of that declaration as a basis 
for the claim made by Ohio; while such basis 
could not bo valid, without the " assent of Con- 
gress." 

The bill endorsed by the Senate committee 
fixed the boundaries ot Michigan and Indiana, 
as well as the northern boundary of Ohio, and 
passed the Senate March 10th by a vote of 
thirty-seven to three, and went to the House of 
Representatives. March 22d a hill was intro- 
duced into the Senate by Mr. Benton to estab- 
lish the northern boundary line o( Ohio and to 
admit Michigan into the L^nion. ujion condi- 
tions therein expressed, which bill jiassed the 
Senate April 2d, by a vote of twenty-four to 
eighteen, and went to the House. This bill 
differed from the one passed Marcli 10th, in 
that it contained a proviso that the boundary 
line of Ohio should receive the assent of a 
convention of delegates of the people of Mich- 
igan, as a condition of the admission of Mich- 



igan into the Union. For this reason the sec- 
ond bill was not satisfactory to the larger por- 
tion of the Ohio delegation in Congress, who 
jireferred the unconditional terms of the Clay- 
ton bill, and were not willing that the question 
be left open for further doubt and agitation. 
In tlu^ House the (jueslion of precedence in 
action u|ion the two Senate bills was raised, 
and decided in fiivor of the Benton bill, and 
June l.'llh it ]iassed, hy a vote of one hundred 
and titly-thi'ec to hirty-tive. .lune 15th the 
('laylon hill, unconditionally tixing the north- 
ern line of Ohio, passed tiie House without a 
division, and thus was the long-deferred and 
much dis])iited boundary question and the 
"Toledo War " iletinitely and finally .settled. 

I'\)r reasons which seemed to have been more 
jiolitical than substantial, it was deemed advis- 
able hy the frieinls of the adnunistration to 
connect the admission of Arkansas with that of 
.Michigan, by which association the adjustment 
ol the boundary question probabl_y was delayed 
Um- si.\ months. A prondncnl, if not the con- 
trolling, considcr.-il ion in the matter, was the 
sleepless jealousy of southern politicians, with 
whom it had come to bo settled that no free 
State should lie added to the Union unless as- 
sociated with a new slave State, to the end that 
equilibrium in the ])olitical ])Owcr of freedom 
and of slavci'y might be preserved. This fact 
will ex]ilain the precedence given the Benton 
bill over the Clayton bill in the House. The 
same spirit of jealousy was constantl3' mani- 
fested as long as slavery continued to bo a 
cause of sectional discord. To the same fell 
spirit was the country subsequently indebted 
for the an.nexation of Texas, in order that ad- 
ditional territory for slave States might be ob- 
tained ; and to the same, for the like object, the 
Mexican War; and neither of these recourses 
being found effective, as a last resort came the 
attempt, through the re])eal of the Missouri 
comiiromise, to subject free territory to the es- 
tablish mcnt of slave States. It was the failure 
of this device that drove the slaveholding power 
to the fatal madness of rebellion and an attempt 
to destroj- the Union it was no longer able to 
control to its purposes, and led to the sudden 
and total destruction of the interest so longand 
so desperately defended. 

In this connection, the jiarticulars of the 
Michigan forces as furnished by the pay-roll of 
her soldiers, now among the archives of the 



THE TOLEDO WAR. 



197 



State, will bo of interest. Tliat roll gives the 
name of every soldier (ofHccr and private), the 
amount of pay received, and in most cases his 
receipt therefor. The list has the names of 
1,1()() men. The pay of Major-General Brown, 
commander of tlie territorial army, was S2()(l 
per month. Ho had for aid-de-camp, Alphoiis 
Folch, afterward Governor and United States 
Senator, who received S5(l per month. Colonels 
were paid S75, captains S40, lieutenants SUO, 
ensigns S20, sergeants S8, and privates S(J.6(i 
per month. Considering the " cui-rency " in 
which they were paid (" Wild-eat" bank- notes), 
these rates do not seem to be excessive. The 
several organizations of the Michigan forces 
were known as follows: The Oakland detach- 
ment of 192 men ; Major Bucklin's regiment of 
l.")9 men ; Colonel T. I). Davis's rifle brigade 
of 248 men: Second Regiment (Colonel Warner 
Wing), 140 men ; Captain .1. Wood's company 
of light horse of 01 men; Shelby Volunteers of 
GO men; Acting Bi-igadier-Gencral Martin 
Davis's detachment of 47 men ; Colonel Davis 
Smith's Eighth Regiment of 247 men. Total 
force, 1,254. The aggregate expenditure of 
Michigan in connection with the boumiary 
controversy, is placed at Si:5,(ir)8.7(i. 

The people of Michigan, in tliat controversy, 
labored under two serious embarrassments. 
In the first place, as already stated, theirs 
being onl\' a territorial government, the crea- 
ture of Congress, wholly subject to Federal rule, 
it could have no recognized authority even 
over its domestic affairs, and much less over its 
relations to other governments. Tliis condi- 
tion of tutelage deprived it of the ]iolitical 
status which State organization and power 
alone could confer. In the ne.xt place it was 
largely han(lica|iped b}' an unfortunate head 
of what government it po.ssessed. In 1814, 
General Lewis Cass, then of the United States 
army, but a resident of Marietta, Ohio, was 
made military governor of Michigan Territory. 
Subseijuently he was made civil governor, with 
William Woodbridge, also of Marietta, as sec- 
retary, both appointments being fortunate for 
the Territory. The administration of Governor 
Cass will always stand prominent among those 
of Western Territories. He was specially ser- 
viceable in his relations with the Indians, with 
whom he concluded iinportant treaties and 
largely maintained friendly relations, being 
superintendent of Indian affairs for all the then 



Northwest, as well as civil governor of Michi- 
gan, lie it was who negotiated at Fort Meigs 
in September, 1817, the important treaty by 
which the Seneca, Delavvaro, Wyandot, Shawa- 
nese, Pottawatomie and (^hijipewa tribes sur- 
rendered to the Government about one-fifth of 
the territory comprising the State of Ohio, be- 
side large districts in Michigan and Indiana. 
Beside this treaty, sixteen others were nego- 
tiated, chiefly under his management, and in 
their results transferring to the United States 
vast extents of hinds, both east and west of the 
Mississi])pi. In 18H1 , Governor Cass was called 
to Washington to serve as secretary' of war in 
President Jackson's cabinet. The loss of his 
.services, made so highly valuable by his long 
experience and intimate knowledge of the 
affairs of the Territory, was much regretted at 
the time ; but the measure of the loss was made 
more full3' known only through the man- 
agement of succeeding years. In 18150, the 
Territory had attained to a population 
of 32,538, and was self-supjiorting. With 
such advance in numbers, the people had lie- 
come ])Ossessed of an exceptional degree of 
local pride, no doubt largel}- due to the posi- 
tion which (iovernor Cass's administration had 
given the territorial government. Hence, the 
succession to that officer was a matter of more 
than ordinary concern with them, and they 
were very desirous that it should fall upon one 
of several prominent citizens of the Territory', 
instead ot being utilized in the promotion of 
political interests elsewhere. Secretary Wood- 
bridge and Austin E. Wing were looked upon 
as specially suitable for the governorship. 
Such desire, however, had so little considera- 
tion at Washington that John T. Mason of 
Virginia, a brother-in-law of Postmaster(ien- 
eral Barry, was a]i]iointed secretary of the 
Territory, to act as governor until the latter 
office should bo filled. The appointee, hovv- 
ever, did not accept, but went abroaii on some 
private agency, and the office was transferred 
to his son, Stevetis T. Mason. The choice of a 
non-resident for purelj' political and personal 
reasons, was bad enough ; but that of a mere 
boy — but nineteen j'ears of age — added greatly 
to the disappointment and chagrin of the peo- 
ple, who sent to him a committee for confer- 
ence, when he acknowledged his minority. 

This feeling was greatly intensified by the 
fact that in consequence of (Jovernor Cass be- 



198 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ing removed to become seei-etary of war, the 
secretary would become the acting governor, 
with full executive responsibilities. All pro- 
tests, however, proved unavailing. The Vir- 
ginia '' lad " became Michigan's governor. 

A. B. Porter of Pennsylvania was appointed 
governor, and had he devoted his time and 
attention to the office, the presenceof the "Boy 
Governor" would have been less oifensive. 
The latter by cultivating geniality through the 
social customs of the day, and a course of con- 
ciliation, in a measure modified the intensity of 
the feeling against him, whereby the people 
were led to endure what they could not cure 
Thus matters stood when, in the winter of 
1834-5, the action of the Ohio legislature on 
the boundary question raised an issue which 
with the people of the ambitious Territory 
soon overshadowed that of their governorship. 
Some three years of experience in ofKce had 
measurably fitted Secretary Mason for the 
place; and appreciating the ojiportunity for 
commending himsolfto popular favor furnished 
by the Ohio action, he at once entered in the 
most spirited manner upon such measures of 
resistance as he could emijloy. The result 
was, that he soon largely' removed the feeling 
existing against him. But in doing this, he 
displeased the pow'ers at Washington, whose 
deep concern for the political bearing of the 
controversj' had led them to favor the Ohio 
side of the question. Hence it was, that in 
September, 1835, with the boundary question 
yet unsettled, John S. Horner, another young 
man, ignorant of the country, was appointed 
governor of the Territory. He came on, and 
sought by a policy of conciliation to induce an 
adjustment of the boundary difficulty, whereby 
he seriously disjjlea.sed the peojjle, who looked 
upen him not as the executive of the Territory, 
but as simply the tool of political masters at 
Washington, whose sole interest in the matter 
was to manage it for the greatest partisan ad- 
vantage. This state of things was made the 
more offensive to the people by the fact that 
at that time they bad organized a complete 
State government — in form — with a legisla- 
ture and United States Senators chosen. Ere 
long Governor Horner left the peninsula, for a 
portion of territory beyond the limits embraced 
in the State organization. 

During the summer of 1835, and while the 
boundary question was yet undetermined, the 



peoi)le of Michigan sot about the organization 
of a government in which thej^ could have 
some power. To this end they held a conven- 
tion ; framed a State constitution, which was 
adopted by the people, who at the same time 
chose State officers and a legislature. Secretary 
Mason was chosen governor, and Edmund 
Mundy, lieutenant governor; while Lucius 
Lyon and John Norvell were chosen United 
Slates Senators by the legislature, and Isaac E. 
Crary as Representative in Congress. Such 
action, unauthorized by existing law, was not 
approved at Washington, and especially as its 
tendency was to complicate and intensify the 
boundary issue. The admission of the State 
under such state of things was out of the ques- 
tion. Then it was that the compromise, on 
which the whole trouble was finally settled, was 
projiosed, to wit: That Michigan yield the 
disputed territory, and in lieu of that accept 
the Lake Superior peninsula. This proposition 
was submitted to the people of Michigan, who 
sent delegates to a convention held at Ann 
Arbor, Sejitember 4, 1836, by which the offer 
was rejected. Steps were then taken for an- 
other convention, which, in reality, was little 
more or less than an administration scheme 
for forcing terms upon the jjeople. For such 
purpose, delegates were chosen " direct from 
the jjeople," in local caucuses, without even the 
semblamce of authority in law. The body thus 
chosen met at Ann Arbor, December 6, 1831), 
and assuming to speak for the people of Mich- 
igan, proceeded to accept the terms j)roposed ; 
and by an act passed January 2G, 1837, Con- 
gress declared that a State government had 
been duly formed by the people of Michigan, 
and the same was admitted as a member of the 
Union, and the vexed question of boundary 
was forever settled. A large portion, and prob- 
ably a majority, of the people, with their ^se?<'7o 
State officials, indulged in a liberal degree of 
indignation and protest; but that was the only 
consolation accorded them. They could accom- 
plish nothing in resistance to the wrong they 
felt. Governor Mason indulged in emphatic 
rhetoric about the outrage committed, to meet 
with little more than ridicule of himself as " the 
hero of the bloodless plains of Toledo." 

The people of Michigan regarded it as a 
matter of grave wrong that their Territory 
should be deprived of the few square miles of 
lands which they had hoped would be included 



THE TOLEDO WAR. 



199 



ill their prospective State. And when, as a 
matter of compensation for such loss, Congress 
proposed to give them the great peninsuhi of 
Lake Superior, with all its rich mineral deposits, 
the /)<'o/)^e of Michigan rejected the offer; and 
the arrangement was consummated only 
through the unauthorized manipulation of local 
])oliticians. 

The views thus given on this question, while 
they have now no practical bearing, seem to bo 
proper, as due to all parties concerned. The 
time has come when the people on both sides 
of the line should be able speak freely and 
frankl}' of differences in the past, and in the 



spirit of amity and nuituul coiitiilciice address 
themselves to the many important matters 
wiiicli they have and are to have in common. 
Who was right or who was wrong half a cen- 
tury ago, is now comparatively- of small con- 
cern ; but how the affairs of the future ma\' be 
made promotive of the highest possible welfare 
of all, is a matter of grave concern. It is just 
cause for common gratulation, that asperities 
arising from past antagonism are gradually- 
yielding to more considerate relations, with 
very little now left, outside the record, to indi- 
cate that differences ever existed. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



MONROK STEAMERS AND SAIL VESSELS. 



PRIOR to the settlement of the French on the 
banks of the River Raisin, the only facili- 
ties for trans])ortation was the use of the light 
and graceful bark canoes which glided swiftly 
over the river and lakes, propelled by Indians 
with their jiaddles and oars. At that time 
roads were not constructed through any part 
of the Teri-ilory. As civilization extended 
westward the bark canoe was su])planted by 
improved means of conveyance — the bateau 
was introduced by the French, subsequently 
other styles of crafts by the English and Ameri- 
cans. Voyages were very tedious, requiring 
great patience and energy ; yet a work of great 
importance was gradually accomplished in the 
establishment of missions and trading jiosts, 
thus paving the way to the settlement of the 
country. 

Up to the beginning of this century a very 



this time on a golden era was inaugurated for 
steamers, as well as for the country, and emi- 
gi'ation was greatly stimulated. Freighting 
was not then remunerative. No grain or farm 
jiroduee was furnished from the West, but 
freights were nearlj^all from the East. Now it 
is reversed, and the marvelous amount of pro- 
duce from the We.st, and of iron, lead a7id 
copper from Lake .Superior, is exceedingly 
great. The steamboat passenger trade was at 
its greatest height from 1834 to 1845, but now 
owing to rapid transit by rail the competition 
for passenger traffic is limited to the summer 
months. In 1837 and 1838 I have often seen 
the steamers at Detroit bound for Chicago with 
their decks as black and densely packed with 
human beings as are now the spacious ferry 
boats and excursion steamers during the months 
of July and August. The best of the old line 



limited number of sailing craft had ever spread steamers would not favorably compare with 



their white pinions to the breeze. The first 
was the CTriffin, built by Lasselle near 15utfalo. 
She was destined for Lake Superior, and was 
expected to take on a quantity of furs at Macki- 
nac, but never made her appearance or com- 
pleted her round trip. She is thought to have 
been lost with all on board, as she sailed from 
(ireen Bay, September 18, 1(179, and was sup- 
posed lost in the gale of the following day, 
though the only indication of her loss was a 
number of packages of furs found on the shore 
of Lake Michigan by the Indians. At the com- 
mencement of this century nearly all the better 
class of sail vessels had from four to six berths 



those of late years, either for speed, elegance or 
servici^ 

The first sail vessels that])lied between Mon- 
roe and Buffalo and intermediate ports were 
owned by Captain Luther Harvey (deceased). 
In later 3'ears the enterprising citizens of Mon- 
roe that were interested in or owners of sail ves- 
sels were Jos. M. Sterling, Wm. Addison Noble, 
Frederick Waldorf, John Burch, Mr. Newell, 
Thomas Plues, Mr. Lyons, Christopher Deffen- 
baugh, William Stonner and Joseph Schwap. 
The schooner Cambridge came to Monroe in 
the summer of 1844 in command of Captain 
Helfrich, and hailed from Sackett's Harbor. 



fitted up for passengers, and numerous emigrant She was purchased by Noble & Sterling, com- 



families reached the West thereby. The first 
steamer, Walk-in-the- Water, was built at Black 
Eock in 1817; made several trips to Mackinac 
and Green Bay, but was lost in November, 
1821, near Buffalo, in a gale. 
The same year the Walk-in-the-Water was 



mission merchants; was sold by them in 1853 
to J. M. Booth, a lumber merchant of Buffalo, 
who built tlie schooner Harriet Ross from her 
bottom. Cajjtain Helfrich claimed that the 
Cambridge was built from one of Commodore 
McDonough's gunboats that was in the service 



launched the Erie canal was commenced, but on Lake Erie, and won the naval battle in 
was not entirely completed until 1825. From 1813. It was after Commodore Perry had con- 

[200] 



MONROE STEAMERS AND SAIL VESSELS. 



201 



(luoi-fd in this battle that lie wrote his famous 
dispatch : " We have met tiie enemy and tiiey 
are ours. " 

The first steamer l)uilt at ilonroe was the 
Monroe, by Captain Harry Wliitaker, then a 
resident of Monroe but now of Detroit, and in 
his ci^iity-seventli year in the full possession 
of his faeulties and in the enjoyment of a good 
old age. As Captain Whitaker is regarded as 
one of the most successful captains that has 
ever sailed a steamer on the lakes, as well as a 
former resident of Monroe and well remem- 
bered b^' most of its older citizens, I deem a 
somewhat extended notice of interest to old 
residents. He has state<l to me that he has 
commanded from the commencement of his 
career eighteen steamers, some of them but a 
short time, yet has never lost a life or a pound 
of freight. His first cmplo^-nient was on the 
sloop Huntington at six dollars per month. 
In 1821 was wheelsman on the Walk-in-the- 
Water; in 1824 commanded the schooner Mace- 
donia, and in 1828 the steamers Peacock and 
Pioneer, both but a short time, relieving 
others. He commanded the first steamer that 
saileil up (Irand River, and the first steamer 
that reached the Sault Ste. Marie lliver. In 
1847 he built the tine steamer A. D. Patclun, a 
much finer steamer than any of its prede- 
cessors, but which was wrecked in 1850, caus- 
ing great loss to the Captain. By this disaster 
his fortune was nearly ruined, and he regretted 
lie was not on board, that the loss might po.s- 
sibly have been averted. 

Among the favorite steamers of the old 
timers built or owned by enterprising citizens 
of Monroe, as regards excellence of construc- 
tion and good qualities, were the Monroe, built 
at Monroe, commanded by Captain Harry 
Whitaker; DoWitt Clinton, owned by Stolham 
Wing and Carlos Colton, commanded by Cap- 
tains Brown and Ludlow; Macomb, owned by 
(ieorge W. Strong and commanded by Captain 
Choate; Constitution, owned by Tunis Van 
l?runt and commanded by Captain A. B. Per- 
kins; Southerner, built and owned by Fifield 
& Sterling and commanded by Captain A. 1). 
Perkins; Anthony Wayne, owned by Fifield & 



Sterling and commanded by Captain A. 1). 
Perkins; (iriitith, owned by William V.Studde- 
ford and commanded by Captain Roby ; Helen 
Strong, owned by (ieorge W. Strong and com- 
manded by Captain Albert vStrong. 

The daily line of steamers that plied between 
Detroit and Toledo, calling at the docks each 
w-ay, were the J. Wolcott, commanded by Gov- 

eriieur Morris and Dustin, now of Monroe ; 

General Brady, commanded by Captain Burlis ; 
General Macomb, commanded by Choate & 
Atwood ; Arrow, commanded by Captains A. I). 
Perkins and Ira Davis; Indian Chief, owned 
by J. J. Godfroy ; John Owen, commanded by 
Ira Davis; Hollister, commanded b3' Selah 
Dustin. 

Sail vessels were engaged in the F>ake Su])e- 
rior trade as long ago as the beginning of the 
present century, but the (commerce of that re- 
gion did not assume important projwrlions 
until the opening of the St. Mar^-'s ship canal, 
an event which at once gave an impetus to 
mining as well as commerce, both by steam and 
sail. With characteristicenterpri.se our steam- 
boalowners undertook and successfully carried 
forward the work of transporting steamers 
across the portage before the completion of the 
canal, which was opened for Itusiness in the 
spring of 1855. 

Soon after the ompletioii of the various rail- 
roads having lake ports as their termini, large 
and elegant steamers were built and jjlaccd on 
the lakes, running in connection with the lines 
respectively to Buflalo. The palatial and ele- 
gant steamers that plied between Jlonroe and 
Buffalo were the Southern Michigan and the 
Northern Indiana, commanded respectively by 
Captains A. D. Perkins and Pheatt. Subse- 
quently the Western Metro]»olis, commanded 
by Captain Pheatt; City of Buffalo by A. D. 
Perkins; and Empire State, commanded by 
Captain Van Allen. They were exceedingly 
popular, but the competition with railroads 
w^as sharp, and they were finally all withdrawn 
soon after the railroads were completed on the 
north and south shores of Lake Erie from 
l'>iiffalo West. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE PATRIOT WAR. 



WHAT was known as the " Patriot" insur- 
reetiou in Canada, beginning in 1837 and 
continuing thi'ough 18H8, was the cause of 
much excitement and disturbance along this 
side of the border of that province. The al- 
leged object of the movement on the other side 
WMS the overthrow of British rule and the es- 
tablishment of an independent republican gov- 
ernment, to be known as the "Republic, of Upper 
Canada," with the design, when such should 
be successful, of extending the movement to 
Lower Canada. The enterprise, while su]i- 
ported by a few Canadians, more or less sincere 
in their professions of love for free government, 
depended chiefly for men and means upon co- 
operation from this side. At no time had tlie 
scheme enough of home support to last thirty 
days, and most that it did have was due to ex- 
aggerated ideas of what was to l)e done in the 
United States. 

The work of preparation occupied mostofthe 
year of 1837, wiien there was considerable agi- 
tation, attended by some collisions in Canada. 
Meantime, the work of the " sympathizers " 
progressed on this side. The grossest exagger- 
ation was employed for effect on both sides of 
the line. Thus, in the United States reports 
were rife of wonderful " popular uprisings " all 
over Canada; while in that province equally 
false accounts of .symj)athy and assured su])- 
poj;t from this side were employed to bolster the 
movement: whereas in fact there was in neither 
country any supjiort to justify a moment's con- 
tinuance of the mad scheme. 

B.y December, 1837, such forces as tiie leadei-s 
had been able to raise were gathered along the 
line, with the purpose of a "combined move- 
ment " of .some sort. The recruits from this 
side consisted mainly of the idle and thriftle.s.s, 
which classes had been swollen in numbers by 
the serious financial collapse and business sus- 
pcn.sion of that year. An idea of the sort of 
material that made up the body of the "Patriot" 



recruits, may be had when it is stated that the 
distribution of" rations" to a squad of these at 
Norwalk, while on their wa}- from Akron to 
" the front," consisted of one man pa.ssing along 
the rank with a basket of crackers, followed by 
another with a pail from which was delivered 
to each "soldier" a small cup of whisky. 
Poultry and young pigs were in constant peril 
on the line of march, while dealers in clothing, 
boots, shoes, etc., often had all they could do to 
maintain and enforce their ideas of right to 
property so much coveted by the "Patriots" 
passing through, who could not undei'stand 
why those who stayed at home should not con- 
tril)utc more liberally to the aid of those who 
went to the " battlefields of Freedom." 

The two t'nils of Lake Erie were the scenes 
of the main movements of the " Patriots." In 
JJecember they took possession of Navy Island 
(belonging to Canada) in Niagara Eiver, and 
from there issued a |)roclamation gravely an- 
nouncing that the " Provisional Government of 
the Republic of Upper Canada " was established 

— that a reward of £500 was offered for the 
apprehension of Sir Francis Bond Head, then 
Crovernor of Canada — that 300 acres of her 
Majesty's lands would be freely bestowed by 
the Pi'ovisional Government upon every volun- 
teer who should join the revolutionary forces 

— adding that " ten millions of those lands, fair 
and fertile, would speedily be at their disposal, 
with the other vast resources of a country more 
extensive and rich in natural treasures than the 
United Kingdom or old France." 

For purposes of communication with the 
American shore, the " Puti'iots '' employed a 
small steamboat, the '' Caroline," of which 
Captain " Gil." Appleby (a well-known lake 
navigator) had command. This craft proved 
very useful, and this so fixr aggravated the 
British authorities, that on the night of the 29th 
of December, a British force sent for the purpose 
burned the steamer while lying at Schlosser, 



[202] 



THE PATRIOT WAR, 



203 



on this side of tlie river. This action was a 
godsend never more needed by the failing for- 
tunes of the new-born "Republic," inflaming 
the American people, and arousing our Gov- 
ernment in protest against such unwarranted 
violation of our territorial rights. The ques- 
tion at one time threatened the peace of the 
two countries. 

The eastern campaign of tlu' " Patriots" col- 
lajised with the loss of the Caroline, and opera- 
tions were transferred to the West. In Febru- 
ar}', 1838, the volunteers from this side made a 
movement from Sandusky, crossing on tiie ice 
to Point au Pellet! Island, where they landed 
on the 2ath of that month, and took ])ossessioti. 
The island was the property of a Mi-. McCor- 
itiic, andhad been deserted. It was well stocked 
with provisions, cattle, hogs and poultry — 
wiiich, as reported, proved a very acceptable 
prize with the "Patriots." An ox-mill and a 
supply of corn also were found. On the 3d of 
March, the scene was changed by the arrival of 
British troops, when was fought the" Battle of 
Point au Pellee." The engagement took place 
on the ice. Colonel Edwin D. Bradley, now 
(1S87) of Str^'ker, Williams county, Ohio, was 
in command of the "Patriot" forces. Interest 
will be felt in (Colonel Bradlej^'s report of that 
engagement, which action at the time e.\eiled 
inten.se interest throughout the border. Colonel 
Bradlej' suse(|iU'iitly commanded with credit a 
coni|)any of infantry in the Mexican War of 
184G.7, and afterwards the Thirty-Eighth Ohio 
Volunteers in the Union army, as long as liis 
health permitted. The official report of Colonel 
Bradley- is as follows: 

To Brigadier-General McLeud, Couimandimj WiUern 
iJiviiion of Patriot Service of the liepxMic of L'ppir 
Canada : 

Dkar Sir: I hasten to answer to you for 
the information of the Cominandcr-in-Chief, 
that an action was fought on the morning of 
the 3d instant at Point au Pellee Island, Upper 
Canada, between the Patriot force under my 
command and a detachment ofabout tOO Bi'itisli 
regulars. 

At daybreak the enemy was discovered in 
_irat force a few miles from our encampment, 
wiiich was at the head of the island. Their 
main force, about 700 strong, was marched 
down i|uietly in front; their left, about 200 
strong, flanking off in the direction of the light- 
house at North Point; and their right, consist- . 



ing entirely of British regulars, in sleighs and 
on horseback, were pushing on with great 
speed along the west side of the island to gain 
our rear, for the purpose of cutting off" our re- 
treat should tbo main force succeed in driving 
us from our position. 

After closely examining the force and dispo- 
sition of the enemy, I did not think it ])rudent 
to await the attack of the main body. The 
men were therefore instantly mustered and filed 
off toward the southei'n end of the island, a dis- 
tance of seven miles, to meet and fight the reg- 
ular force, which had already gained our rear. 
This was effected as 8j)eedily as circumstances 
would admit. When we arrived in view of this 
force, which consisted of about three hundi-eil 
and fifty heavy infantry and seventy five well- 
mounted cavalry, drawn up in oi'dinary battle 
array on the ice, one and one half miles from 
the shoi'e, in the direction of Middle Island — 
as we had no time for delaj% in consequence of 
the enemy's main force, which was fast ap- 
proaching — I gave instant orders to form in 
line of battle, which were cheerfully obeyed by 
officers and men. When all was in readiness 
the line moved forward with a firm and unflinch- 
ing resolution worthy of tried veterans and 
advanced within half musket- shot of the enemy, 
when the}' opened a tremendous fire on our 
whole line, checking its progress and com|)el- 
ling us to commence the action at a gi-eater 
distance than we first intended. Nevertheless 
(some of our troops having fired without order.-*), 
to prevent confusion it was thought proper 
that the action should become general. For 
half an hour we sustained the shock of three 
times our number of British regular troops, 
twice throwing them into confusion, breaking 
their ranks, and strewing the battle-ground 
with their dead and wounded. At this time 
the men remained firm, the ranks unbroken, 
and all determined to continue the contest. 
The near approach, however, of the main force 
in our rear, induced some to leave the ranks 
in spite of their officers. Still tlu^ battle was 
continued by a few of themen until the greater 
part of the troops had retired to the island, 
where all assembled to deliberate upon the best 
mode of escape. It was concluded to ero.ss over 
from the east to the west side of the island, and 
under its cover retreat, which was safely ef- 
fected, although the enemy's cavalry hungcon- 
tinually on our flank and rear. 



204 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



I was ably seconded in all my efforts during 
the engagement by Colonel Ward, Major Law- 
ton and Adjutant Olncy, who fought with a 
bravery uneqiialod in modern warfare. It is 
with pain and regret that I announce the fall 
of Major Hoadloy and Captain Van Kensselaer. 
The former displayed a coolness during the 
whole engagement worthy of a better fate. 
ll'iti memory should be engraven on the hearts 
of his countr^'men. Other officers conducted 
themselves with unexamjjled bravery. None 
wore willing to give uj) the contest till com- 
pelled by the superior force of the enemy. 

Our loss is one major, one captain and eight 
privates killed ; one captain and fifteen pri- 
vates wounded, and three taken prisoners. The 
enemy's loss, from the best information re- 
ceived, is Major McCormick and other officers 
(names unknown), and from fifty to si.xty rank 
and file killed, and seventy-five wounded. I 
will further state that we numbered just one 
hundred and fifty on the morning of the en- 
gagement, officers included. 

I have the honor to be. Sir, 
Yours, 
E. I). Ukadlev, Colonel, 
In command Patriot Forces Point, an Pellee 

Island, Upper Canada. 
March 5th, 1838. 

P. S. — I have just received information from 
a Frenchman, who was the owner and driver 
of the teams that carried the enemy from Mai- 
den to Point au Pellee. He states that flfty- 
eight of the enemy were killed and seventy-five 
wounded. E. J). B. 

Coincident with the advance of Colonel 
Bradley's forces aci'oss the lake from Sandusky 
was a similar movement by another " Patriot'' 
command from the Michigan side, to Fighting 
Island, in the Detroit River, some eight miles 
below Detroit, where an engagement took place 
February 25, 18.38. 

The Detroit Free Pi-ess, of February 2Ctli, 
had the following report of the affair : 

" Yesterday the war commenced in or near 
(!anada. On Sunday i-. m. the Patriot forces, 
which had been lurking in small and detached 
squads at various points between Toledo and 
Gibralter, collected on the American shore, o]i- 
])usite Fighting Island, belonging to the British, 
their number amounting to between 200 and 
300, without arms, except five or six muskets 



and a small field piece mounted on two rails 
In this condition, after receiving and cheering 
a patriotic speech from General McLeod, who 
commanded them, they crossed (on the ice) and 
took possession of the island. They did not, we 
understand, intend to cross until their arms, 
which were undoubtedly delayed, had been re 
ceived ; but they were forced immediately to 
abandon the American territory, in order to 
evade the civil authorities, which, aided by the 
United States troof)S, were in close pursuit of 
them. In the course of the night, about fifty 
stands of arms were conveyed to them on the 
island. About daylight j-esterday morning, 
the British troojis opened a fire on them with 
gi'a])e-shot from the Canadian shore. After 
receiving two or three shots and returning as 
many, the islanders retreated in confusion to 
the American shore, with three wounded — 
one severely, and two slightly. At the shore 
they were met by the United States troojjs, 
who arrested and disarmed them as fast as they 
landed. The British troops took ])ossession of 
the island as soon as it was evacuated. We 
have seen and conversed with one of the men 
who wason Fighting Island, and whoinforms us 
that they were assured by their officers that 
500 men had crossed into Canada below Maiden 
from Sandusky. This is the prevalent belief 
here, as heavy cannonading was heard during 
the forenoon of jcsterday in that direction. 
Our informant says he knows of no other force 
in this quarter which has been preparing to 
enter Canada except that with which he was 
connected on Fighting Island, and that which 
is su2iposed to have gone over from Sandusky. 

•'General Vreeland, of the 'Patriot' forces, 
has been arrested by the United States au- 
thorities." 

With the Fighting Island fiasco tlie "Patriot" 
folly collapsed in a failui-e which would have 
been ludicrous but (or the many deluded vic- 
tims of its vain hopes, and the peril in whicth it 
placed the ])eace of two nations. The inspira- 
tion of the movement was two-fold — a zeal for 
liberty without knowledge of the means neces- 
sary to obtain it, and the spirit of plunder ahvajs 
so ready as an incentive in such cases. 

The Caroline affair at Schlosser at once 
aroused the intensest excitement along the 
border, and for a time operated somewhat to 
galvanize the sinking "Patriot" cause. Its 
national bearing, as was to have been expected, 



TllK I'ATRIOT WAK. 



!'(»;-) 



wjis scrioiiH fViiiii llif (jiicstidii ol' lin.stilc iiiv:i 
sion which ^rew out of it. I'uhliv incetiii<5s 
were iit once called at different points aloni^ 
the lakes for the expression of the popular I'oei- 
in<j8 as to the matter. 

The end of the so-called "Patriot" niove- 
ineiit, as niiijht have been expected, was utter 
and coiiiplete failure — both in its |iractical re- 
Mills, and in its claims to consideration on tlu^ 
score of merit. The more it was examined as 
to the grounds iij)on which it was undertaken, 
the moi'e causeless and luiwarrantcd it ap- 
peared. At the outset, and for a time there- 
after, the natural .sympathy of the peo])le of 
(he border States of the I^nion with any sub- 
jects of monarchical power, led them to accept 
(ho stories of " British tyranny and wrong," 
and to wish the victims of such oppression suc- 
cess in their supposed attempt at freedom. 
This sentiment, more or less general, at first 
materially stimulated the " Patriot " cause, and 
aided in securing for it both financial suj)port 
and securit3- for active operations. It was 
greatly strengthened by the sj-mpathy of the 
press, wdiich very generally encouraged the 
movement. It was only necessary for a few 
ac(ivc and persistent men in almost any city or 
town ;ilong the lakes to make the proper 
a|i|Hal. to secure more or less of popular sup- 
jiiirl. It was soon found, however, that the re- 
sponse was more liberal in volunteers for the 
" Patriot" army than in funds for its support. 
The financial condition of the country was 
specially favorable for active recruiting of men. 
The panic and attendant general prostration of 
(radc, commencing early in 1837, had depi-ivod 
large numbers of persons of employment while 
throwing many others out of business, many 
cif whom were thus well prepared to accept 
(he plausible promises of the '• Patriot " leaders 
that the property of the haled British should 
soon be jilaced at their disposal. This con- 
sideration operated powerfully toward raising 
so-called "troops." But the essential supj)lies 
of the commissary department wore lament- 
ably wanting, whereby (he movement was seri- 
ously crippled. The result was that recruits 
drawn to the enterprise by hope of plunder or 
other gain, often without arms, clothing and 
food, were but a charge upon an illy-sup]>licd 
exchequer. As a rule,the3- w^crc anything but 
a hopeful material out of which to make soldiers. 
As in the case of some of the otticers of the 



force, many of (he lank and (ilc no doubt were 
sincere in tlieirdesire to sustain what theysup- 
posed to be a good cause ; but the body of them 
knew nor cared for much beyond the hope foi' 
]>liuulerand a love of venture — the more des. 
perate the better. 

The most important invent coiuu'ctcd wilh 
this mad movcTuent was the burning of the 
Caroline at Schlos.ser. But for (hat the "Pa- 
triot War" would not have attained even (o its 
actual significance, and would have much 
sooner been lost to popular view. The arrest 
and trial of General McLeod by the authori- 
ties of the United States for the part taken by 
him in that event, led to complications and dis- 
cussion with the British Government which for 
a long time excited more or less alarm and ap- 
prehension of serious trouble. The prudence 
of the two Governments, however, prevailed in 
an amicable adjustment of the delicate ques- 
tions involved. Such result was no doubt 
largely promoted by the action of the United 
States in jirotesting against participation by its 
citizens in the " Patriot" movement, and in the 
steps taken toward the maintenance of oi'der 
and peaceful relations with the Canadian Gov- 
ernment by citizens of the border States. In 
securing such end. President Van Buren sent 
Major-General Winfield Scott to the irontier 
for purposes of inspection and the repres- 
sion of participation by American citisiens in 
the acts of hostility to British authority. On 
such mission General Scott spent some time 
along the border, with evident beneficial results. 
Prominent in the " Patriot" movement dur- 
ing the winter of 1838-9, was a Pole, Sholtew- 
sky von Schoultz, who had fled from Poland to 
escape the vengeance of the Russian Govern- 
ment for his participation in the insurrection 
against that power, lie was considered a man 
of exceptional intelligence and energj-, with an 
earnest, burning zeal for an J' cause that promised 
relief of a people suffering oppression such as 
had been forced upon his native land. Volun- 
teering for the " I'atriot " service, he was ap- 
pointed colonel, with authority- to organize a 
regiment to bo constituted chiefly of Poles. 
In prompt response to such appointment, 
Colonel von Schoultz transmitted to Major- 
General Lucius V. Bierce, of Akron, Ohio, a 
detailed plan for the operations of the " Pa- 
triot "army in its advance into Canada. Tlio 
document has historical interest, as better 



206 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



showing the real character of that movement, 
and the sort of men who led it, than could 
otherwise bo done. It was as follows : 

Salina, N. Y., September 28, 1838. 
To Major- General Bierce, Commander-in-Chief : 
Dear Sir : I have the honor to acknowl- 
edge the receipt of your letter dated the 17th 
of September, which this moment was handed 
to me, in relation to the organization of my 
foi'ces and their movements. It is with feel- 
ings of gratification and jjride I accept the 
honorable part you have entrusted to me, and 
I hasten with the utmost disjjatch to fulfill my 
promises. 

As the nature of the troops I organize re- 
quires officers of a particular description, I 
confidently trust you will have the goodness to 
permit me to appoint my officers and staff and 
report them to you for commissions. 

The headquarters of my countrymen being 
at Philadelpliia, I hasten to them through night * 
and day, and will immediately rejiort to you 
from that place. Your orders regarding the 
movement of my companies will be punctually 
obeyed. I hope you will rely with confidence 
upon my discretion in all that regards the 
secrecy and security of our noble enterprise. 

Permit me. General, to lay before j'ou a plan 
of attack for the opening of the campaign, and 
• bo assured at the same time that the rea.son 
why I do it does not originate in a supercilious 
pride, but that I consider it an imperious duty 
on my part, thereby to show myself worthy 
the command wherewith I have been entrusted, 
and add the experience which during twelve 
years' active service I may have acquired in 
the art of war and military combinations to 
the talents with which you have surrounded 
yourself; and further, that if the service of the 
detached regiment is a difficult and bloody one, 
I will regard it as a particular favor to have my 
regiment ordered to execute it. The plan is 
the following : 

Twenty-four hours before you open hostili- 
ties with the main army from Detroit or its 
neighborhood, a regiment will be detached and 
sent around by water to Waterloo. There it 
lands and proceeds immediately to Fort Erie, 
which is stormed and carried ; a small garrison 
and the wounded are left there. The regiment 
will proceed the same night, without repose, 
toward Queenston (twenty-four miles), where 



it arrives the following day; attacks, storms, 
and carries the fortifications and the town. 
Leaves agarrisou and proceeds to Fort George; 
storms and carries it ; leaves a gari'ison, wheels 
to the left and occupies Port Dalhousic; organ- 
izes that town for defense by throwing up two 
strong redoubts, and abides there the move- 
ments of jour main array, which will have 
proceeded in the following manner: 

Twentj'-four hours after the departure of the 
detachment, the army is put in motion, storms 
and carries Fort Maiden ; leaves a garrison and 
proceeds in ordinary marches on the London 
road leading toward Toronto. Arrived at An- 
caster, an express is dispatched to the com- 
mander of the detachment at Dalhousie (who 
will send scouts and reconnoitering parties so 
far), informing him of the very hour you in- 
tend to make the attack on Toronto. The 
commander of the detachment will in the 
meantime have arranged means for crossing 
the lake, and shall at the fixed hour land his 
forces at Toronto, thereby operating on the 
flank of the enemj', and force him to divide his 
troops. I have no doubt the jilace will thus be 
carried. The benefits resulting from this plan 
are the following ; Fort Erie, situated opposite 
and near Buffalo, enables the patriots there to 
send their supplies of arms, etc., to a fortified 
place, and voluntaircs can there be taken uj), 
drilled and forwarded ; the same it is with 
other fortified j'laces. In the meantime, the 
enemy at Toronto dares not venture to advance 
agjiinst the main army, because he would be 
taken in the rear by the detachment. Conse- 
quently, you can advance undisturbed with 
your whole force, incorporating all the Patriot 
forces on your way onward. Your troops will 
bo enlivened and confident of success bj^ the 
information of the victories of the detachment, 
thus raising a moral impulse among the sol- 
diers. The Patriots will more readily hasten 
round your standard, knowing that j'ou have 
places where, in a movement, they can be in 
security and near the frontiers ; finallj-, in case 
of any reverse, the army can rally round the 
fortresses, which thus constitute a sure basis of 
operation and contain excellent dei)ots. Free 
communications cast and west with the United 
States are also opened. 

It is with great anxiety I await j'our answer, 
which I beg you to send on to Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania. 



THE PATRIOT WAR. 



207 



I have the honor to Ijc, General, very resjieet- 
liilly, your obedient serviint, 

SiiOLTEWSKY vox SciiOLLTZ, Colonel. 

During the foilowin<r winter, von Seliouitz 
and liis eommand made (he famous atlaek on 
Preseolt. Upper Canada, in uliieh iio at first 
sueeeeded .so far as to entreneh iiimselfat Wind- 
niill Point, but was overcome, captured, and 
e.seeuted liy hanging. Many other jirisoners 
were taken bj' the Britisli autiiorities, some of 
whom were discharged, andotlicrs banished to 
the penal colonies of Great Britain. Most of 
liie latter died there, wliile a very few were 
permitted, after long jcars of eonfiMcniont, to 
return. 

Volunteer organizations for political pur- 
po.ses had been formed in many of the districts 
of Canada, having secret affiliated .societies on 
this side of the line. These took the name of 
" Hunters' Lodges," and were scattered along 
the frontier from Michigan to Vermont. They 
were more or less influential, according to the 
characters of the men in public or private life 
who belonged to them. It was the duty of tlie 
Federal Government to preserve the neutral 
relations of the country with (Jreat Britain, 
and it was more esi)ecially the duly of the 
Federal officers on the frontier to see that this 
business of the Government was pcrfoi-med in 
good fiiith. And while it was true that the 
judges of the Federal coui-ts and marshals and 
deput}' marshals of the United States engageil 
ostonsibl}- in the work of keeping the ])ublic 
peace, yet it was well known that many of the 
persons who held these influential and |)ublic 
stations were members of the ''llunters' Lodge," 
and that some of them, not excepting judges, 
were eloquent and vehement orators in the 
lodges, and were among the most active of 
those who sought a revolution in Canada ami 
the establishment of a free and indcpemlent 
government there. 

The " Eagle Tavern " now stands on Wood- 
bri<ige street, Detroit. Many will remember it 
as it was kept more than forty j'cars ago bj^ 
Mr. Heath, a warm-hearted and generous man, 
an enthusiastic and liberal " Patriot," who 
literally flung open the doors of his spacious 
hotel and freely- spread his well-loaded table to 
his " Hunters," wishing only what the}' were 
able and willing to pay, and who thus spent a 
handsome fortune and i-educed himself to pov- 



ci-t\-. His house was llu' headquarters lor the 
"Hunters ' in I)etroi(, and its lialls i-ang 
nightly with inflainmator}- harangues and with 
addresses, some of which would have done 
credit to the palmiest days of the era of scventy- 
si.x. This was the summer of 1838, and in the 
fall and winter of 18."{8-;i0, a period which will 
not soon be forgotten by those who were tlicre 
at the time. It was a time when rumor with 
her thousand tongues kejit the whole people in 
a state of suspense and anxiety, and when first 
causes, big with the fate of nations, wei-e in 
active operation, dejiending of course on the 
chances, in this case fully realized, of ultimate 
failure. 

Many generous men, even in Detroit, were 
engaged openly in the enterprise, among whom 
we may name Dr. E. A. Theller and ffeneral 
E. J. Eoberts, both now no more, but who loft 
behind them here many friends who cherish 
their memory. Dr. Theller 's adventures might 
furnish the subject of an e])ic. His short, thick 
frame, his " Patriot coat," and his jolly Irish 
countenance, are still fresh in the recollection 
of citizens of Detroit. His joint "command" 
on Hickor}- Island at the mouth of the Detroit 
Iliver, with Koberts and Hamle}- and Souther- 
land and perhaps others; his unfortunate ex- 
cursions on his little schooner, Anne; his being 
taken i)risoner by Colonel Prince, of Sandwich ; 
his trial for high treason at Toronto on the old 
English doctrine, " Once a subject, always a 
subject," although he had been for a (juartcr of 
a century a citizen of the United States; the 
day fixed for bis execution with the more un- 
hapj)y Lount and Mathews, who suffered death; 
his imprisonment in the fortress at (Quebec, 
from which he finally escaped, with Colonel 
Wallace W. Dodge, of Monroe, Michigan, who 
was captured witli Dr. F. A. Theller on the 
schooner Anne before Maiden. Their escape 
from the strongest fortress on the American 
continent and the only escape therefrom of 
which wo have any record, will ever bo re- 
garded, by tho.sc that have visited (Quebec, as 
one of the most daring feats ever achieved. It 
was impo.ssiblo to induce any of the officei's or 
citizens of (Quebec to believe an escape there- 
from practicable, and the}- continued to prose- 
cute a very vigilant search long after they liad 
passed beyond the limits of the city. The 
conspiracy for their escape could not have 
proved successful but for the co-operation of 



208 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tho citizens who were iu sympathy with the 
Patriot cause. The only opportunity for com- 
municating with friends in the city was during 
their dailj' walk, guarded, on the promenade 
on the highest j)lane of the citadel, from which 
they could have a comj)rehensive view of 
the city, and note the streets and by- 
ways thereof. The care, prudence and caution 
observed for weeks of j^reparation in commu- 
nicating with friends in the city by depositing 
messages and notes in the mouths of cannons 
unobserved, and the subterfuges resorted to in 
obtaining wires, small saws and instruments 
for sawing the iron bars in the windows of 
their prison walls, are truly marvelous. I have, 
in common with most visitors to the fortress, 
had pointed out by the guide the spot from 
■which they made their wonderful leap, strik- 
ing on the solid masonry below at the hazard 
of life and limb. Dr. Theller sprained his 
ankle, and when he recovei-ed from the shock 
he could with great difficulty and severe pain 
crawl along with the assistance of Colonel 
Dodge, who, when captured on the schooner 
Anne, had lost one of his eyes by a spent ball, 
which was with the ej'e extracted in a barbar- 
ous and inhuman manner in the prison at Mai- 
den. The indignities suffei-ed from the time of 
their capture, en route and in prison, until 
they were safely lodged in the citadel in Que- 
bec, were not only inhuman but outrageous, 
ill}^ becoming those having prisoners of war 
and captives under their control. 

A detailed description of their hairbreadth 
escapes in passing the numerous guards, senti- 
nels and police, I have listened to with intense 
interest from the lips of Colonel Dodge. The 
ingenious modes adopted of secreting them by 
the Canadians in sympathy with Theller and 
Dodge after passing the fortifications in the 
city and its vicinity ,were creditable to the heads 
as well as hearts of their constant friends. The 
limits of this work will admit of mentioning 
one only of the modes adopted for concealment, 
which was by removing the floor boards of the 
stalls in which horses were kept, digging a 
hole sufficiently large to accommodate two 
persons, depositing Dr. Theller and Colonel 
Dodge therein, replacing the floor boards, scat- 
tering manure carelessly over them, and then 
fastening the horses over them. As they re- 
mained in some instances three days, released 
only at midnight for exercise and refreshments. 



they suffered intensely from their wounds and 
the filth, more readily imagined than described. 
The large rewards offered for their capture 
stimulated to the very highest degree tho exer- 
tions of all classes of the officers, soldier.^, 
guards and police, as well as citizens, except 
that portion of the citizen.s in sympathy with 
the Canadian Patriots, who were equally vigi- 
lant in concealing them and giving them all 
the aid and comfort in their power. 

Their marvelous escape, hotly pursued until 
they reached and passed the boundary line of 
the State of Maine, has ever been regarded as 
a feat exceedingly hazardous, and that required 
the most wonderful tact, prudence and courage; 
and not until their arrival at Augusta, Maine, 
did they realize that they were safe from re- 
capture and imprisonment. The curiositj'and 
interest manifested to see the heroes of the 
Patriot War, and the ovations that greeted 
them at Augusta, Boston, New York, Philadel- 
phia and Baltimore are yet fresh in the mem- 
ory of many of our old citizens. 

At Toronto Theller was actually led out for 
execution, as it was understood here at the 
time, when it was ascertained that there was 
danger of a mutiny in the British army. The 
regiment stationed at Toronto was filled with 
Irishmen, who, looking straight at the sub- 
stance of the thing, stripped of its technicali- 
ties, saw that Theller was to suffer because he 
was an Irishman. They declared openly that 
while they were ready to put down the rebel- 
lion in Canada, yet that the ministers of the 
law should not hang their countryman be- 
cause he was their countryman. This was the 
common report of the matter at the time, for 
the entire truth of which I am not able to 
vouch. At an}- rate theDoctor was not hung; 
and while all the facts above detailed might 
not have taken place, 3'et there was something 
about it, and at least the authorities at Toronto 
probably thought it best not to risk a mutiny 
in the army, followed up perhaps bj' a popular 
outbreak. 

The proceedings of those in Monroe in sym- 
pathy with the Patriot cause were conducted 
with the greatest secrecy. To avoid attracting 
attention of the public the "Hunters' Lodge " 
congregated in various places in the city, alter- 
nating between the Macomb Street Hotel, the 
yellow tavern that occupied the site of the 
present residence of Mrs. Dr. Dorsch, the old 



THK PATKIOT WAR. 



'J09 



Strong Hotel, itnd (lie " Mulliolleii Sdiool 
House" (now motleriii/AHl and repaired) on 
First street, owned by the Hon. J. M. Stcrliujr. 
The names of citizens of Monroe in sympathy 
witii tiie Patriot cause were for many jears as 
familiar as household words, but the number 
now living is very limited that actually em- 
harUed in the enterprise. Of tho.se who went 
to the front many will recall the names of 
Cunningham, Duff, Ichabod White, a brother 
of the late Arvin "W. Potter whose first name 
1 cannot recall, Captain Joseph Wood, Captain 
John Alford, Lawyer Brophy, Austin Deane, 
Jarvis Hldred, Colonel Wallace Dodge and 
Stephen H. Wakefield — the last named, I am 
informed, guarded the Hunters' Lodge from 
intrusion. But two, Jarvis Hldred and Stephen 
B. Wakefield, are now living in our midst. 

The original design of those engaged in the 
attempt to revolutionize Canada was, that it 
should be done there, among the people them- 
selves and by them.selves; but the first move- 
ment in Canada having failed, large numbers 
who had been compromised by it fled to the 
I'nited States, where, on the northern frontier, 
the enterprise assumed the forms and aspects 
of a threatened invasion. 

This condition of things called for action at 
Washington. The LTnited States was at peace 
with England, and Mr. Van Buren, then Presi- 
dent, was a statesman that loved peace when it 
could be preserved with honor. It was his 
duty to see that the laws were faithfully ex- 
ecuted, among which he found an act of Con- 
gress denouncing high penalties against those 
who should engage in fitting out and prose- 
cuting military or armed en terpi-ises against any 
nation or country with which the I'nited States 
wasat peace. Mr. Van Buren accordingly issued 
his celeljrated proclamation of neutrality, 
which fell heavily on the Patriots and pro- 
duced no little excitement on the frontier. 
Several prosecutions took place, upon which 
convictions were sometimes the result, but pub- 
lic opinion was strong and universal against all 
who attempted to enforce neutrality, and light 
punishments only followed the convictions. 

The administration was of course denounced, 
and the effect of Mr. Van Buren's proclamation 
"vvas felt extensively in the presidential cam- 
paign of 1840, when "Kinderhook" was de- 
feated by "Tippecanoe," to say nothing of 
"Tyler too." Mr. Van Buren has been well 



enough abii.sed to satisfy the ambition of any 
man, but hislorj- will do him justice for that 
])roclaniation. It was simply an act of jiublie 
duty. 

Notwithstanding the interference of the 
(iovernment, the enterprise of revolution W'as 
prosecuted with much vigor und with as much 
secrecy as j)ossible. The ])ublic feeling was 
kept in a high state of excitement, for it was 
expected nightly that the "Patriots would go 
over " to make the attack on the British au- 
thorities, and to erect the standard of revolt on 
Canadian soil. This was the great desidera- 
tum, for it was believed that once erected there 
thousands would flock to it from both sides of 
the line, that sujjplies of every kind could 
easilj' be procured, and that nothing more 
■vonid then bo required but stout resolution 
and good commanders. 

In the meantime the authorities, under the 
administration of that generous young man. 
Governor Mason, deemed it proper, if not nec- 
esar^', to act. The militia was called out, and 
to arm them several hundred muskets, am- 
munition and accouterments were brought in 
from the arsenal at Dearborn. Several hun- 
dreds of these were distributed to the militia. 
Levi Bishop was a private specially detailed 
and charged to place in the hands of each man 
as he passed a complete stand of arms and ac- 
couterments, and eight poundsof ball and buck- 
shot cartridges. This duty he performed in 
each instance as the men filed past the front 
door of the City Hall. It looked rather war- 
like. It appeared as if something serious miglit 
be looked for. It looked as if the authorities 
wore in earnest. 

It was known that the " Patriots" were en- 
camped on the islands at the mouth of the De- 
troit niver, making all neces.sary preparations 
to "go over" on the first favorable opportunit}-. 
It was also well known that the Ijittle Erie, a 
favorite little steamer, which had few equals 
and no superiors in speed, was running irregu- 
larly in their interest. The General Brady was 
another river boat which could run about two- 
thirds as fast as the Erie. This latter i)oat was 
taken into the service of the State for the pur- 
pose of running dowMi and capturing the Little 
Erie. The armed militia, with eight pounds 
of ball-cartridges each, embarked on board of 
her. 

The broad pendant of the Nation waved at 



10 



HISTOr<Y OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



her inasllicii'l, while u liaiij ])l;iyod sliri'iiig 
national airn. Siio left the wiiarf at Detroit 
about ten o'clock in tiie forenoon witli perhaps 
tliroe or four liundreil troop.s on board, bound 
for (iibrallci-, at tiie nioutii of the river. After 
gettinji; fairly under way tlic soldiers "slacked 
arms" on deck and reclined "at ease" about 
the boat, diiiiny in true military style on bread 
and raw salt jiork. 

Arri\H'(| at (iibr-alli^r without fallini;- in with 
the enemy, Governor Mason, the commander- 
in-chief, and staff landed and spent about an 
hour on shore, in a council of war. 

But the Governor returned on hoard and tiic 
boat i)ut about for Detroit. The men and 
oflicers were also all on board as were also 
some of the ])rovisions, but on looking about 
not one of the four hundred stand of arms and 
ball-cartridges could be found, and it was not 
known by what mysterious agency they had 
been removed or the ]iarticiilar time or the 
manner of their reniDval. They disappeared, 
and soon afterwards it was ascertained that 
they were in the hands of the "Patriots" on 
Hickorj' Island. Many of them were after- 
wards lost on tlic schooner Anne, before re- 
ferred to. This ex])edition to Gibralter was an 
impressive commentary upon the state of jiiib- 
lic feeling here and of the manner in wliicli the 
local authorities did their duty. 

The General Bradv returned to Detroit, and 
the next morning Ben Kingsbury, in the Morn- 
ing Post, a paper published by him there at the 
time, gave an account of the los.ses as follows: 
Killed, none; wounded, one man in the cheek 
by handling his musket carelessly; missing, 
none; army, 400 stand of arms, ammunition, 
eight rounds of ball and buckshot cartridges; 
provisions, several barrels of pork and bread. 
Losses of the enemj' not known, as he had not 
been seen, but supposed to be heavy. Such 
was the celebrated expedition to Gibralter 

A squad of militia was kept under arms for 
several days to guard the arsenal at Dearborn. 

Soon after this and while the " Patriots " 
still remained encamped on Hickory Island, 
General Theller made his most unfortunate ex- 
pedition with tlie little schooner Anne round 
the east side of Bois Blanc Island, opposite 
Maiden, having a few men and some three or 
four hundred stand of arms onboard with him. 
When between the island and Maiden they 
were fired on by the militia from the Canada 



shore. Several were killetl or wounded, the 
schooner became unmanageable, and the whole 
party with the schooner fell into the hands of 
the Canadian militia, under the command of 
Colonel Prince. The arms were what the 
Canadians stood much in need of, as regular 
British troops and sup|ilie.s had not yet ai-rivjd 
on the frontier. 

At length the long-expected tijne when the 
" Patriots" should " go over " arrived, and Ihey 
did "go over" some time in the night of the 
latter part of December, 1837, in a small steam- 
boat, pressed into their service for the jjurposo. 
The landing was a short distance above Wind- 
sor, from whence they immediately marched 
down to the village opposite Detroit. Coming 
near a sentry, he fired and the leader of the 
" Patriots " fell dead. 1 think his name was 
Putnam. This was the first misliap. In- 
stantly the sentry was fired on and killed. 
Some store-houses were then set on fire and a 
general alarm was given. The Canadian mili- 
tia sprang to their arms, and a street fight en- 
sued, favored by the bright light of the burn- 
ing buildings and also by that of a boat lying 
at the wliarf which had been set on fire. 
The fight continued until the break of da\ , 
when the "Patriots," outnumbered, fled across 
the fields to the woods in the rear of the village, 
jiursued by their enemies, who shot down 
many and took some, prisoners. The whole 
party was dispersed. Some esca])ed across the 
river. Many were killed. Some were taken 
to Laudem, Canada West, where they were 
tried, cond(^mned and hung. Several were 
scTil to Knglish ])enal colonies, where, after 
drudgei-y and years of misery and suffering, 
those who survived finally esca])ed or were 
pardoned and returned home. 

Those who were here at the time will re- 
member well the intense excitement which 
pervaded the city of Detroit when, between two 
and four o'clock in the morning, it was an- 
nounced that the "Patriots " had made their 
long looked-for attack. In a few moments 
more the wharves on the river and the win- 
dows and roofs were covered with people. 

The firing was clearly heard and the flashes 
of musketry were distinctly seen, but the prob- 
able issue was unknown. At length day broke 
and all eyes were strained to catch the first 
glimpses of the combatants. Men were seen 
hurrying to and fro, for of course the scene of 



THE PATRIOT WAR. 



ill 



combat iireseiited activity ami excitcrnciil. Tlic 
retreat and pursuit across the fields were dis- 
liiictlv seen. As the sun rose the roof of every 
liiiildintc fronting on tiie river or in sight of 
it was literally covered with peojtlc. agitated 
liy the wildest excitement. Every sort of 
rumor was afloat as to'tiie probable success or 
disaster of those who had gone over the river. 

Attiiistime the Thirt^-Fourlli IJritish rcgi- 
iiient, under the coininand of Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Airey, liad ari-ived at Maiden, and was 
ready and perhaps eager for any emergency. 
.Many of the officers of this regiment became 
well known in Detroit, whose hospitalities and 
courtesies were more than once extended to 
tiiem. Besides the Lieutenant-Colonel there 
was Major Deeds, as gallant a man as ever rode 
in front of a regiment; there wore Captains 
I^Iathews, Braderick and Athens; Lieutenant 
Airey, a brother of the Colonel ; Harvey, a son 
of the governor of New Brunswick ; and that 
active and intelligent old gentleman, (Quarter- 
master Dulse, and many others not remem- 
bered, most of them gentlemen of distinction, 
or members of wealthy and respectable families. 

This regiment was at Maiden, eighteen miles 
from the scene of action at Windsor. They 
kept a sharp lookout for the " Hunters," but of 
course it was not known where the first blow 
would fall, or where the first attempt would be 
made. The news, however, that the " Pa- 
triots ' had " gone over " flew with the speed of 
liie wind to Maiden. A detachment of the 
ciiMijianies was at once placed under the com- 
mand of Captain Braderick, who asked for the 
]ilace, assisted by Jjieutenant Airey, with two 
pieces of artillery, and w-as ordered to march to 
the scene of action. The march was as fast as 
])ossible, and the detachment arrived at Wind- 
sor about noon. The " Patriots " were dis- 
persed, but the troops kept on till they reached 
the windmill, about a mile and a half above 
Windsor, in full view of Detroit. Here a man 
was discovered who had seized a canoe and was 
rowing for dear life for Belle Isle. He was 
about two-thirds of the wa}' aci'oss, perhaps 
one-half or three-eighths of a mile from the 
windmill, and hence he presented a 8j)lendid 
mai'k for Lieutenant Airej^'s artillery. In an 
instant a piece was unlimbercd, and in an in- 
stant more three or four nine-pound balls 
whistled successively past the man in the canoe. 
Tiie flashes and smoke were distinctly seen 



from tin: roofs of the stores and houses in 
Detroit. The last shot took effect and cut off 
one of the arms of the man in thccanoe close to 
the shoulder. It was a " charming shot," one 
that might be talked of in all after life. 

In the meantime the liitlic Eric, the steam- 
boat before named, had been taken into tiie 
service of the rniled States, and that veteran 
commander. General Brad}-, was on boai-d of 
her with the veteran military corps, the old 
Brady Guards, cruising about the river to 
assist in keeping the peace, and to render 
assistance to any who might need it. The 
wounded man was taken on board of this boat 
and j)Ut on sliore at Detioit, where he was 
j)roperl3' cared for. 

And here occurred an incident well worthy 
of being placed on record. The Eric landed 
at the foot of Woodward avenue, where the 
General and the guards w-ent ashore. At once 
thev were surrounded by thousands of the 
curious, eager to obtain all the information 
possible of what had occurred. Among them 
were many of the " Patriots " and friends of 
the -'Patriots." It was well known that 
General Brady would do his duty and preserve 
the peace and neutrality of the frontier if pos- 
sible. He had been prompt and firm and 
faithful when and where duty called him. He 
was looked upon somewhat in the way of the 
Revolutionary adventurers. At the time al- 
luded to the crowd were about him, and when 
the news was learned some of tlie boldest be- 
gan to throw- out hints against the conduct of 
the General. lie stood calm and collected, 
about .seventy years old, over six feet in height, 
as straight as a poplar, and fearless and brave 
as the god of war. The excited crowd pressed 
closer and closer about him, as he seemed not 
to regard them, and grow louder and more 
bold in their insults, but still he noticed them 
not.. Finally they got so near as to jostle him, 
when the faithful old hanger which had re- 
mained quietly at his side, leaped from its 
scabbard and flashed above their heads, while 
the keen eye of the brave old soldier flashed 
fire. He proclaimed the supremacy of the law, 
and in an instant he had plenty of elbow room 
within the range of his sword. No more in- 
sults were offered to him, and the impression 
left on the minds of all, even .stout-hearted 
" Patriots," was that "one might chase a thou- 
sand, and two put ten thou.sand to flight." The 



212 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



old Geiicriil diod yi^ars alter Iroiii injuries re- 
ceived from beiiii;' thrown from his carriage 
against a post at the intersection of Monroe 
and Miami avenues in Detroit. He went down 
to the tomb followed by a host of friends and 
acquaintances, covered with honors and with- 
out a stain u]>oii iiis character. 

1 have rcinarUed that the ofticers of the 
Thirty-Fourth British regiment, stationed at 
Maiden, were well and favorably known in 
Detroit. On one occasion they were invited 
to attend a military ball given by the Brady 
(Tuards at the National, sinc(^ tiie Hussel 
House. It was noised about that flic invita- 
tion liad been extended, and so great was the 
feeling of curiosity, mingled with hostile feel- 
ing against all who assisted to obstruct the 
movements of the "Patriots," that a large 
crowd assembled at the ferry, then at the foot 
of Griswold street, to see them land. Violence 
even was apprehended, and precautions were 
taken against it, but none occurred. The 
guests were well received, well entertained and 
returned safely. 

The times and aft'airs of which I have written 
contain many interesting incidents and per- 
sonal adventures. The case of Mr. Sheldon, of 
Lajiecr, ma}' be remembered by many. This 
man was a respectable fiirmer of good circum- 
stances, and perhaps of Ibrty-five years of age. 
As the story went at the time, he came in with 
a load of wheat and hitclied his horses near 
the foot of Woodward avenue. Falling in with 
some of the " Patriots" he took a drop, and 
perhaps several, in consequence of which his 
zeal in the cause of Canada was somewhat im- 
proved. This zeal would not be likely to flag 
in company \vith such men as Putnam and 
J. H. Harmon and Solomon Wcsly and other 
kindred spirits then engaged in the revolu- 
tionary enterprise. This was the evening before 
the " Patriots went over," and as Sheldon 
was a man of coin-age and real pluck, he joined 
the companj' and "went ovei-" with them. 
When the party was dispersed he fell into the 
hands of the authorities, was taken to London, 
('anada West, was tried, convicted and sen- 
tenced, and sent to Botany Bay. Thei-c, dur- 
ing six or seven years, he suffered every hard- 
ship and privation, and saw many of his com- 
panions end their miseriesin thetomb. Finally 
he escaped or was pardoned and found his way 
back. He took a boat at Buffalo for Detroit, as 



the stoiy goes, and as the boat came to her 
dock at the foot of Woodward avenue, he 
Tiaively inquired what had become of the team 
which he left hitched there. 

Some of the prisoners taken at Windsor 
were taken to the village of Sandwich, where, 
after a shoit consultation by a few officers, 
among whom was Colonel Prince, several of 
them were shot without trial and without 
mercy. The modus operandi was said to be as 
follows: A file of soldiers was drawn up, and 
the prisoner to be shot, standing a few paces 
distant, was told that he could run for his life, 
whereupon, taking to his heels, he was fired 
upon. Some were killed, some only wounded, 
and some escaped unhurt. Mr. Sherman is 
said to have been among these prisoners, and 
when his turn came to run his chance, he, in 
view of the officers who directed the execution, 
gave a Masonic sign. Immediately the pro- 
ceedings were suspended, a short consultation 
was held, and Sherman was ordered into close 
custody to be taken to London for trial, the 
result of which is unknown. 

These summary executions at Sandwich, 
where the unfortunate men were overpowered 
and disarmed, were universally censured, and 
Colonel Prince and his associates in the matter 
were blamed by high authority in the British 
Parliament. A special court of inquiry was 
ordered to ascertain and report the facts to the 
Government. The coiiimission sat several days 
at Sandwich, and probably made a report, but 
the matter seems to have been dropped. After 
the excitement of the moment was past and the 
time for cool reflection had arrived, many acts 
which a strict criticism could not approve were 
passed over as belonging to the troubles of the 
times. Colonel Prince had a difficult part to 
act. His life had been repeatedly threatened, 
and his residence at the " Park Farm " had to 
bo guarded nightly to protect it from the in- 
cendiary and his life against the knife of the 
assassin. He was an officer of the peace and of 
the militia, and was compelled to act upon the 
spur of the moment, with a large and perhaps 
loose authority, without direction from the 
colonial authorities. He felt that murderers 
and brigands had invaded his country, and in 
a moment of excitenient he did what he him- 
self probably regretted afterwards. Public sen- 
timent in Michigan ran high against him, and 
for some time he thought it prudent not to 



THE PATRIOT WAR. 



213 



visit our sitlo of the river. But tinio wore 
away, and with it the prejudices and recollec- 
tions of the past. The Colonel has since filled 
high puhlic stations at home, and has been and 
is highly respected at home and abroad. There 
are few who know him who are not glad to 
meet him anywhere and take him by the hand. 

It is well known that the Canadian and 
lii'itish authorities soon crushed out I'cbellion 
at home, and repelled all assaults from abroad. 
Prescolt and Nan\- Island, and Scblosser, and 
Windsor, and Hickory- Island, and also Fight- 
ing Island, in the river about three miles below 
Detroit, where there was a small skirmish, or 
an attempt to skirmish, between the Canadian 
militia and a few hundred "Patriots," the 
latter having among other arms of all sorts, 
a four-pound piece without a carriage and 
mounted on rails, are all distinctly remem- 
bered. Papino and McKenzie, and the gallant 
and unfortunate von Schoultz, and Lount and 
Mathews arc well remembered. But the British 
Government took measures to reform abuses 
and to improve the constitution and the Cana- 
dian people. Upper and Lower Canada were 
brought under one colonial government, and in 
short the wishes of the people were, in the 
main, gratified. The disaffection, which with 
better management might have resulted in 
complete revolution, passed awaj' entirely. It 
may well be doubted if a political revolution 
could now be brought about at all in Canada. 
Nor can the subject of annexation to the United 
States be seriously entertained, nor probably 
any disturbance of the imperial relation with 
the mother country. The people of the neigh- 
boring ])rovinces seem, in short, to be .satisfied. 
They may not subscribe to the doctrine of 
"popular sovereignty,' but they are in a 
condition to make their wishes known and 
respected. 

1 add an extract from a letter of Caleb F. 
Davis, one of the old Brady (luard, written a 
number of years after the Patriot Wai-: 

•' Need I sa3' how the recollection of those 
days aron.sed the almost forgotten glories of the 
old Brad}- Guards in their first service in the 
army of Uncle Sam, under the command of 
that old veteran of the War of 1812, Brigadier- 
General Hugh Brady. Well do I recollect the 
night of which you speak, when the Pati-iots, 
refugees from Canada, left tlieir encampment, 
niarcheii to the steamer and crossed to the 



dominions of her Majesty. But you are mis- 
taken in saying that I was with them. As the 
article reads one would infer that I was one of 
the Patriot expedition. I was only one of a 
number of tiie Brady Guards who were pres- 
sent when the ex])edition sailed ; we were then 
in the service of the United States and were 
merely lookers on and sj-mpathizers, wishing 
CJoil speed and success to the movement. I 
have an indistinct recollection of being with 
3^ou on that night, meeting the Patriot lorce, I 
think, sonu'whei-e on Jefferson avenue, and 
marching with them to the boat on which 
they sailed to Lake St. Clair and landed on the 
Canada side. On the wharf I first saw- John 
II. ILirmon. He was an aid to General Bierce, 
from Ohio. I knew the movement was to take 
place that night, as did many of the Guards. 
A strict sense of duty on our part called for 
information to be given our commander, but 
the truth is, we were, as were many of the reg- 
ulars, full of sympathy with the Canadian 
struggle foi- independence, and could not bo- 
tray them. 

" I was out all that night, waiting the sum- 
mons to the armory, which was sure to be 
sounded sooner or later; witnessed the attack 
of the Patriots on Windsor, tiie capture of that 
place, burning of the public store-houses, the 
government steamer at the wharf, and the bar- 
racks. Soon after daylight the bugle call of 
the Guards was sounded in various parts of the 
cit}-, which was the summons to repair to the 
armory. We were f50onin marching orderand 
embarked on a large steamer and jiatrolcd the 
river for most of the daj'. 

" The result of that expedition was disastrous. 
Troops soon arrived from Maiden with a bat- 
ter}-, recaptured Wind.sor and drove the Pa- 
triots in all directions. We picked up a largo 
number, but I do not recollect seeing John II. 
Harmon among them, but he was captured, 
among others, by our forces, while escaping 
fi-om the British. 

" Do you recollect the second jear of that 
war? Your remembrance of those old times 
brings vividlj- to mind the service of our old 
(•omi)any that year. The battle of Fighting 
[slanil cameoff in February, 1838. The Patriots 
in large force had taken possession of that 
island, and were promised a supply of arms, etc. 
Two companies of the Fifth Infantry and tlic 
Brady Guards were on duty to intercept and 



214 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



capture a]l arms and war material attempting 
to be supplied the Patriot army. Thie was 
effectual, and the poor Patriots with few anus 
and little ammunition were soon driven from 
the island. 

'• At one time after the firing began our com- 
pany was deployeiJ on the ice, our lines ex- 
tended to near the foot of the island, wbile the 
British were firing from the heights on the 
main land. A nine-pounder s<jlid shot struck 
the root of a large tree sfjrne ten yards from 
where I was posted, bounded off and rolled on 
the ice. I ran for it and after something of a 
chase captured and brought it off. I was 
always proud of this present from her Majesty's 
troops, and as our relations with the British 
lion were at tljat period considered precarious, 
and a rupture prol^able, I was expeclirig an op- 
portunity- to return the riine-j>ounder with 
wmplimeuts. J therefore gave it a coat of 
black paint and plac^ed upon it the followijig 
inscription : 

" ' Presented to C". F. Davis by the subjects 
of her Britannic Majesty, at the battle of Fight- 
ing Island, on the 28th day of February, 1838.' 
But I was disappointed in this. The Patriots 
were subduci, pea*e reigned on the frontiers, 
and the wished-for opportunity to send the l.>all 
with our 'y^mplimentsto the hands from whence 
it came was lost forever. 

"Those were exciting times indeed, and the 
recollection of the Sf^enes and incident* of those 
years''1837-8), the marches in the depth of win- 
ter arnid ice and snow to capture arms and 
hreak up encampments, can never be forgotten 
by those who participated in the service of 
Uncle Sam on the frontier of Michigan. 

"But where are the a/.-t'.irs now? Most of 



them have passed on to the other shore, where 
war and its attendant horrors are unknown. I 
can not think of those days without the faces 
of my old comrades rising before me : Captain 
Eowland, Lieutenant Ashlej- and Lieutenant 
Armstrong, .Sergeant Mullett, C. M. and George 
Bull. B. B. Moore, mj- brother, George P. Davie, 
and John Winder. Most of the company- mus- 
tered into into service at that time have de- 
parted this life. I think there are few surviv- 
ors, ' 

In closing the historj- of the Patriot War. I 
mention with pleasure the eminent services of 
Colonel Henr}' .Smith, of Monroe, a retired 
officer of the L'nited Slates Army, who had be- 
come distinguished in theBlacklJawk Waraiid 
as one of General Scott's staff. He is highl3- es- 
teemed in this e'.>mmunity as a jrallant officer 
and exemplary- memljer of the Protestant 
Episcopal church of Monroe, and an accomp- 
lished gentleman. Upon the <ya]\ of Governor 
Mason he organized from the city and county 
of Monroe between .%0 and COO volunteers, 
and with great promptness marched to Gibral- 
ter, the head'juarters of the " Patriots,' and at 
the close of the war at a public meeting presided 
over by Lucius Knapp, and with Walton W. 
Murphy as secretary, the following resolution 
was passed : 

"Re^Aved, That the thanks of the Monroe 
volunteers called out by General Henry Smith 
upon the requisition of Governor Stevens T. 
Miison to preserve the neutrality of the Gov- 
ernment between the UniUid Stat<.'S and Great 
Britain, be presented to General Henry Smith 
for his generous treatment of the volunteers 
while on duty at Gibralter. " 



CHAPTr:R XIX. 



RAILROADS. 



WITH no moans of communication with the 
outer world tlie lot of tlie pioneer would 
simply mean a hand-to-hand strujii;'© with iin- 
siihdued nature, and defeat and death as the 
final scene. Whether in his original journe}' 
he travel on foot, guiding his course by blaz- 
ing the trees or following the trail of the 
primeval inhabitant, the Indian, or whether 
with creaking wagon he threads the primitive 
road, his means of eommunication with those 
lel\ behind constitutes his greatest safety. For 
bv that path can re-entbrcenients come to aid 
him in his warfare against nature, by it can 
the products of his toil go to swell the tide of 
the world's commerce, by it can he retreat 
wMien pressed by savage foe. 

Hut to the pioneei-s of Monroe county com- 
munication with the outside world did not 
mean what it does now, but something so rad- 
ically' ditterent that the young man of the 
present day can have, at best, but a faint con- 
ception of it. In lS;il a young man who had 
but recently arrived in the village of Adrian 
from " York State,"' wanted to obtain a small 
stock of goods from Detroit. Monroe was the 
nearest port, and bright and early one morning 
he started for Monroe on foot. The road was 
a primitive one, and settlers few and far be- 
tween, it hatl rained, and the walking was 
heavy. The tirsl night found him at a tavern 
near the present site of Dundee ; the second 
day brought him to Monroe. -Vfter he had 
procured his goods and mad^ arrangements 
for them to be hauled by wagon to .\drian he 
started on the return journey, still on foot. 
Arrived at a tavern near the site of the 
liresent village of hla, he tbund a teamster 
there who was going a part of the way toward 
\ li-ian the next day. The road was so heavy 
It riding upon the load was impossible; but 
i"v the sake of company along the lonely way, 
he concluded to remain at the tavern over 
night and accompany the freighter's wagon 



on foot the next morning. The literary re- 
sources of the hotel were not extensive; they 
consisted of a copy of the Bible and a much 
worn almanac of the year 1830 : so after a 
hearty su})per of biscuits, butter, milk, fried 
pork and venison, at a little after eight o'clock 
he retired to rest. Before the first gray streaks 
of dawn appeared in the eastern sky he was 
called to a breakfast much like the supper of the 
night before, except that the biscuits were re- 
placed by corn meal griddle cakes. .\fter 
breakfast he indulged in a glass of cider and 
called for his bill, and these were the items: 
Supper, (j cents ; lodging, (> cents; breakfast, 
t) cents; cider, 3 cents : total, 21 cents. Having 
liquidated his indebtedness to " mine host" he 
started on foot alongside the freighter, and late 
that evening walked into the village of-\drian, 
whither a week or two afterward his goods 
followed him. That footsore pedestrian who 
knew by experience the means of commuitica- 
tion used by the pioneers of ilichigan was 
destined to have a wide influence over the 
means of communication in the years to come, 
though at the date of his journey the post- 
chaise and the stage-coach were the best facili- 
ties for travel the world afforded. That young 
man was J. H. Cleveland, destined nine years 
afterward to be the first superintendent of the 
-Michigan Southern Railroad. 

In the " Pennsylvania Railroad — Historical 
and Descriptive, " a work devoted to an intelli- 
gent and faithful chronicle of the rise of one of 
the greatest transportation companies America 
has yet .seen, the artist, Darley, in a frontis- 
piece entitled " The Old Ways, ' has per))etu- 
ated by his pencil a most graphic delineation 
of the methods of travel and transportation in 
the times of the pioneers. In the foreground 
and half way up a hillside stands the country 
tavern, its sign suspended between two posts 
on the side of the road which passes its door. 
On its porch in various attitudes is a group 
[215] 



216 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



awaiting the arrival of the stage-coach, which, 
with a head at everj' window, its roof covered 
with luggage and its driver's whip curling in 
the air, is just drawing nigh. In the fore- 
ground, creeping along, is a large " Conestoga '" 
wagon, with bent hoops supporting a canvas 
covering to protect its load from the rain ; two 
buckets, one for tar and one for water, swing- 
ing to its hind axle; while in the valley to the 
right is seen a canal boat being slowly drawn 
toward a bridge in the far perspective. If we 
oinit the canal boat and put the wayside tavern 
upon a plain instead of perched upon a hill- 
side, the picture would be as true of Monroe 
county in 1830 as of Pennsylvania. The stage- 
coach, however, has long since disappeared 
from the highway. For many years one, and 
probably the last one, of the old-fashioned stage- 
coaclies of the pioneer days to be found in 
Michigan, was kept in one of the warehouses 
at the dock, the property of J. M. Sterling ; 
but this was destroyed in the fire of 1884. The 
country inns, too, have seen theirglorj' depart, 
though at various places in the county the old 
buildings may still be seen. On the road from 
Toledo to Adrian, on the road from Toledo to 
Monroe, and along the old " Chicago turnpike, " 
at Erie, at Laselle, at Brest and in Raisinville 
samples of the old buildings still exist, either 
remodeled into dwellings or standing forlorn by 
the roadside, mute, deserted and crumbling 
monuments of " a day that is past.'' 

When in 1831 Mr. Cleveland made his jour- 
ney from Adrian to Monroe and return, using 
that conveyance which nature alone provides, 
in Great Britain were sprouting the seeds of 
an industry destined to revolutionize the com- 
merce of the world. The Stockton and Dar- 
lington Railway had been eomjjleted and was 
in operation some years previously, but iiad 
only been used for the transportation of freight ; 
only two years before (1829) Steplionson had 
made his famous trial trip with the " Rocket " 
upon the Liverpool and Manchester Railway 
(afterwards a portion of the magnificent Lon- 
don and Northwestern system). The first ex- 
perimental train load of passengers was drawn 
across Chatmoss, January 1, 1830, and the 
line was opened ibr public travel September 15, 
1830. The Jjeicester and Swannington Railway 
(the prccur.sor of the Midland system) was 
opened the 17th of July, 1832. We are accus- 
tomed to boast of the rapidity with which this 



generation takes up and adopts the inventions 
of science, but a comparison with those days 
will convince us that " progress ' was as mucii 
the watchword in 1830 and later as at present. 
In less than a year after the Leicester and Swan- 
nington line was opened, and less than two 
years after the opening of the first railway 
canying I3a.s.sengers, the territorial legislature 
of Michigan was asked for a charter for a rail- 
way. It was promptly granted April 22, 1833,* 
and empowered the corporators to construct a 
railroad from Port Lawrence (now Toledo, and 
then within the boundaries of the State of 
Miehiganf) to the village of Adrian and ihenoe 
to some point upon the waters of the Kalama- 
zoo river, and to use as means of locomotion 
animals, steam engines, locomotives, or any 
other force. This was be known as the " Brie 
and Kalamazoo Railroad. " With this charter 
begins the history of railroads in Michigan, 
and some few miles of the original road (from 
a mile northwest of Sylvania, Ohio, to a short 
distance west of the village of Ottawa Lake) 
now a portion of the Michigan Division of the 
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway-, 
is within the borders of Monroe county. 

Thoujjh chartered in 1833 the project slum- 
bered, and it was not till three years afterward 
that any real work was done ; the fii-st section 
of the road. Port Lawrence to Sylvania, ten 
miles, being opened in 1830. The roadbed was 
composed of wooden stringers laid on ties, with 
strap iron spiked upon the stringers. The cars 
were a modified form of stage-coacii ; the mo- 
tive power, horses. But new life was infused 
into the undertaking the succeeding year. A 
locomotive (the "Adrian, No. 1") was con- 
tracted for to arrive as early in 1837 as the 
steamers on Lake Erie could bring it, and the 
remaining twenty-three miles, Sylvania to 
Adrian via Palmyra, was built and oj)cned for 
travel in 1837. The locomotive arrived June 
20, 1837, but the road was operated by hor.se- 
power till August, when the locomotive began 
to wake the echoes in the woods by the way- 
side. The passenger car run on the Erie and 
Kalamazoo was a cumbersome affair, prone to 
leave the track on slight provocation, and 
having arrangements for two " decks '' of pas- 
sengers. The freight cars were small, carry- 
ing thirty barrels of flour for a load. In 1836 

* Territorial Laws of Michigan, V'ol. fll. 
t See chapter an the " Toledo War." 



Railroads. 



2r 



the hoard of direetoi's Issued a " tariff, " passen- 
ger and frcigbt combined, wliieli is a marvel 
of .simplicity and conciseness. Tiie fare in 
tlic " plea.stire car," Toledo to Adrian, was 
"twelve shillings," each passenger being al- 
lowed to carry fifty jjounds of baggage free, 
[•'rciglit between Toledo and Adrian was four 
shillings per hundred ]iounds ; salt, $1.00 jicr 
harrel. 

'I'he Toledo /i/rt'/f iliily chronicled the arrival 
of the locomotive with a few words of cditoi-ial 
coniinont, and (in its issue of June 20,18:!") 
inserted the following advertisement of the 
(■onipany : 

It affords us i)leasure to announce the iirrival nf 
tlie long cxi>ectecl locomotive (Adrian I'.uldxvin No. 
80) for the Kric and Kalamazoo Railroad. Theliusi- 
ncss of our place has been endjarrasscd for want of 
it : floods have accumulated at our wharves faster 
than we couhl transport them into the interior on 
cars drawn by horses, and as a natural consequence 
several of our warehouses are now crowde<i to their 
utmost capacity. It is expected that the engine will 
be in operation in a f<'\v days, and then, we trust, 
goods and merchandi.se will be forwarded as fast as 
they arrive!. .\ little allowance, however, must be 
made for the time necessary to disencuudier our 
warehou.ses of the large stock alreaily on hand. 



AOVEItTISKMKXT. 




TO I'.MK.UANT.S ANIi TKAVKI.KRS. 

The Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad is now in full 

operation between 

XOI.KDO AMD AI>KIAM. 

During the ensuing sea.son trains of cars will run 
daily to Adrian, there connecting with a line of 
Stages for the West, Michigan City, Chicago and 
Wisconsin Territory. 

Emigrants and others destined for Indiana, Illi- 
nois and the Western part of Michigan 

^'.gr Will Save Two Dayx^,^! 
and the corresponding expense, by taking this 
route in preference to the more lengthened, tedious 
and ex])ensive route heretofore traveled. 

All baggage at the risk of the owners. 

EDWARD BIS.SELL,) Commissioners 
W. P. D.VNIEI.S, - K. & K. R. R. 

(iEOlUiE CRANE, ) Co. 
A. IH'CillES, .'Superintendent Western ."^tage 
Company. 



The captious traveler of to-day might be 
puzzled to know how long the "ensuing season" 
lasted, and at what hours the trains arrived 
and lieparteil. 

This road had a stormy existence t()r some 
twelve years. During its early days it earned 
from (il'teen to twenty per cent upon its capital, 
but in 1840 the competition with the Michigan 
Southern began, which will be noticed in con- 
nection with the story of that road, and though 
it adopted the modern expedient of " feeders " 
by starling a branch i-oad from Palmj^ra to 
Jaclssonbui'gh (now Jackson, but which never 
was built beyond Teoumseh till IS")?), and not- 
withstanding it was allied by the State of 
.Michigan in this lattei- project, it soon became 
embai'rasse<l ; was run a portion of the time by 
a board of directors, sometimes b\- trustees aji- 
l)oitited by llie board, and part of the time by 
a receiver at the Toledo end and a commis- 
sioner in Adrian; wa.s a perpetual defendant 
in the courts; was .sold under numerous legal 
judgments in 18 IS to Washington Hunt, of 
Lock])ort, N. Y., ami (icorge Bliss of Massa- 
chusetts, and was b}- tbem in 184!) leased \)ev- 
petually to its (luondam rival, the Michigan 
Southern, the succe.s.sor of which slill operates 
it as a portion of its main line, liut its stormy 
childhood and youth have been succeeded by 
an ago of peace and ])rosperity, for the " Hrio 
and Kalamazoo Railroad Company " still exists, 
and draws from the trt^asury of the Lake .Shoi-e 
and Michigan Southern Kailw.ay ('oin]iany the 
annual rental of SHO.OOO. 

One who stands by the side of the I'ailroad 
to-day and sees magnificent trains of ba','gage, 
smoking, passenger and sleeping cars go thun- 
dering by, can have but a faint conception of 
the railroading of fifty yeai's ago. Mr. C. P. 
Iceland, the auditor of the present Lake Shore 
and Michigan Southern JJailway Oomjiany, lias 
been for j-ears an enthusiastic student of its 
history; and after much trouble and inquiry 
succeeded in obtaining so complete a descrij)- 
tion of tho celebrated " pleasure car "of the 
old Erieand Kalamazoo, that be bad a drawing 
of it made, together with the engine, " Adrian 
No. 1," thus forming an accurate picture of the 
passenger train of 1887, to enjoy the privileges 
of which the intending passenger was eom- 
]>e-lled to deliver up " twelve sbilling.s." Tho 
drawing was submitted to tho inspection of old 
])eople who had l)oth seen tiie car and ridden 
in it, and is vouched fijr as correct. 



218 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 




FIRST LOCOMOTIVE ON THE ERIE & KALAMAZOO RAILROAD. 



This car was divided into compartmeuts. 
after tiie manner still pursued on English and 
Continental railways, and had three compart- 
ments, each when full holding eight passengers 
— twenty-four in all. The floor of the middle 
compartment was somewhat higher than the 
end ones, and there was a projecting box be- 
low the general level of the ear floor. This 
left a box-like space between the end compart- 
ments and beneath the middle one, and in this 
the baggage of the jjassengers was stowed. 
The road advertised (with numerous exclama- 
tion marks), "Toledo to Adrian — thirty-three 
miles — and return the same day ! ! ! ! ' 

Of the " delights of travel " in those early 
days, Mr. Leland has a graphic description 
from an old Erie and Kalamazoo emploj'c, who 
writes : 

" During most of the year 1841 I was em- 
ployed as repairing agent of the Erie and Kala- 
mazoo Railroad, then in operation between 
Toledo and Adrian. According to schedule 
time, a passenger train with one coach would 
leave Toledo in the morning, make the run to 
Adrian, and return to Toledo in the afternoon, 
arriving about (! p. m. The passenger car then 
used was about the size now in use upon street 
railroads, and was divided into three compart- 
ments, each liaving a front and rear scat facing 
each other and running tVom side to side of 
the car, with a side entrance to each compart- 
ment. The track was ironed with the flat bar 
' strap rail,' as it was called. As mj^ home 
was in Toledo 1 found it necessary to go on 
each Monday morning over the road, spend- 
ing the week in making such repairs as were 



necessary, and returning home on Saturdaj' 
evening. 

" In December, 1841, one iSaturdav the train 
left Toledo on time for Adrian. I was then at 
Palmjra, intending to take the train for 
Adrian and return to Toledo that evening. 
Owing to a severe storm of rain, freezing as it 
fell, the track became covered with ice. The 
train reached Palmyra about 4 p. m. I entered 
the middle compartment of the car as the train 
started for Adi-ian, and met in the car J. Baron 
Davis and wife, of Toledo, sitting in the for- 
ward seat. Being acquainted with them, I 
thought I would take a seat with them, but 
seeing the cushion upon the seat out of ])lace,l 
took the rear seat, facing the one I had rejected. 
We had not gone more than half a mile from 
Palmyra when a ' snake head,' as they were 
called (the loosened end of one of the flat bars, 
or strap rails, which, caught b}- the wheel 
which should ])ass over it, was torn from the 
stringer and forced upward), came crashing 
through the floor of the car, passing diagonally 
through the seat I had left vacant, the end of 
the bar striking me in mj'^ neck under the 
chin, and pushing me backward with such 
force as to break through the panel work par- 
tition which divided the compartments of the 
car. Just at this moment the other end of the 
bar was torn from the track and carried along 
with the ear. Recovering my consciousness a 
little, I found myself with head and shoulders 
protruding through thebroken partition, while 
I held the assaulting 'snake head' firmly 
grasped in both my hands. Being a stormy 
day I had an extra amount of clothing about 



RAILROADS. 



219 



my neck, which the bar did not penetrate, so 
that my injuries were not serious. The train 
was stopped. Frederick Bi.ssell, the i-onductor, 
was much frightened. Before leaving the spot, 
the guilty 'snake head' was once more spiked 
down and wo moved on, reaciiing Adrian at C> 
p. M., having made tiio run of thirty-tiireo 
miles in ten hours. 

'• The train lofl Adrian for Toledo at 7 i'. m., 
and worked its way along over the ice covered 
track until we got out of wood and water, 
when we picked up sticks in the woods and 
ro])ienisiied the fire, and with pails dipped up 
water from the ditches and fed the boiler, and 
made another run toward Toledo. Passing 
Sylvaniu we got the train to a point four miles 
from Toledo, when being again out of steam, 
wood and water, we came to the conclusion 
that it would be easier to foot it the rest of the 
way, than to try to get the train along any 
farther. So we left the locomotive and cars 
standing upon the track and walked into the 
city, reaching there at about 2:30 a. m. I was 
rather lame and sore from contact with the 
'snake head,' but gratified that we were en- 
joying the 'modern improvement' — railway 
travel. " 

Between the dale of the territorial charter 
to the Erie and Kalamazoo, and the journey' 
narrated above, several changes had taken 
jilace. The valiant but bloodless "Toledo War' 
had been fought; that confiict in which the 
gallant troops 

— "inarched up tlie hill, 
.\nJ then marched down again," 

and returned to the " Peninsula" covered with 
dust and glory; the Territory of Michigan had 
been received into the sisterhood of States, not 
exactly with the boundaries she coveted, for 
she had been com])ellcd to exchange the 
— " long, low level of lonesome land " 
for the rugged sliores and pathless forests of 
the Upper Peninsula, and was inclined to 
grumble about it, as mankind are generally 
prone to do at blessings in di-sguise ; the strip 
of territory invaded by the heroes of the 
Toledo war had been set as a jewel in the crown 
of Ohio; prosaic Port Lawrence no longer ex- 
isted, but romantic Toledo occupied its former 
site; another railway had been put into opera- 
tion from the citj' of Monroe westward, whose 
tale is soon to be told; a vigorous rivalry ex- 



isted between the new Toledo and the new 
Monroe, destined to last tor eight j-ears from 
the date of the adventurous journey narrated 
above; several new railroads had been pro- 
jected and partially built, as will be noted far- 
ther on, and the fever of " internal imjirove 
meiits " had taken fast hold of the State of 
Michigan and was fiercely raging. 

Among the projected railroads but oik' ]iar- 
ticularl^', and two incidentally, concern the 
present history. The one of particular in- 
terest was the" liiver Raisin and Lake Erie." 
It may be remarked en pii.fsant that the pro- 
jectors of this line must have been remark- 
»ablj^ modest men. They might have christened 
it the " Atlantic and Pacific," or the "Trans- 
continental," after the usual custom, but they 
were contented to give it an appellation which 
even fell short of its plans, though, strangely 
enough, it exactly described its termini. It 
was projected to extend from some point on 
Lake Krieat or near LaPhiisance Ba3-, through 
the village of Monroe to Dundee, thence to 
Blisstield, and thence to some connecting jwint 
on the Lake Eric and Kalamazoo, presumably 
Tecuniseh, which was located upon the " Pal- 
myra and Jack.sonburgh "' feedei' of the Ei'ie 
and Kalamazoo. The liivcr Raisin and Lake 
Erie as built, however, was two and a half miles 
long, was later sold to the State lor S:^2,500, 
about its cost, and its termini were respectively 
the citj' of Monroe and Lake Fa-'ig. In its 
short career as an individual railroad it never 
arrived at the dignity of owning a locomotive, 
but its trains were drawn b^- horses. The pro- 
jected roads, which are only incidentally' con- 
nected with this history, were the Detroit and 
I'ontiac (later a portion of the Detroit, Grand 
Haven and Milwaukee), and the Detroit an<l 
St. Joseph, the original germ of the Michigan 
Central. The River Raisin and Lake Ei-ie was 
chartered by the legishiture March 20, l.SliG; 
but a few dajs less than a year thereafter 
(M;irch 20 and 21, 1837) two acts were ))assed 
which materiallj' affected the status of these 
roads, as well as of the Erie and Kalamazoo. 

In its later years as a Territory, and its early 
years as a State, Michigan had been advancing 
in population with rapid strides. By steamer 
and sailing vessel, by wagon, on horseback and 
on foot, a continuous stream of people was 
flowing into her borders, coming to " spy out 
the land." The heavily timbered lands of 



■220 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



MoDi-oo county, while giving; evidence of a 
rich and almost exbaustlcss soil, deterred set- 
tlement on account of the labor requisite to 
clear tlie land, and the tide of humanity swept 
through it and around it. The report of the 
observers was generally a favorable one, and 
families followed the men who had " come to 
Michigan." Through what is now the southern 
tiers of counties, numerous hamlets sprang up 
in the wilderness, clear to the borders of Lake 
Michigan on tbc west. The great concomitant 
of prosperity — cheap land — was abundant. 
The countrj^, which an early .explorer charac- 
terized as " unfit for human habitation, swampy 
and unhoaltliy, and which ])robably never 
would sustain a large number ot" inhabitants," 
was raijidly being cleared up by the sturdy 
strokes of the pioneer, and made to yield gen- 
erous iiarvests by the aid of his oxen. It was 
a season of prosi)erity which would have 
ripened into a sturdy, healthful and vigorous 
growth had legislative hands been kept off it. 
But the}' were not. 

The reader of the slor^' of "Law's Missis- 
si])]ii Bubble," will wonder at tbc credulity of 
human kind. But each generation, almost, 
sees a financial craze of a similar character, 
thougli the particular details of its development 
differ. The era of prosjierity in the State only 
stimulated its inhabitants with a desire for a 
still greater prosperity, and induced a specula- 
tive fever which bciian to formulate ilself into 
a demand that the State undertake a system of 
internal im])rovemonts. 

To swell this rising tide came the sud<len 
and marvelous growth of Chicago. Originally 
a few houses clustered on the marshy banks of 
llie Chicago River around Fort Dearborn, it 
had rapidly become, thr<nigh speculations in 
lands, a city of several thousand inhabitants. 
Ford, in his History of Illinois, saj's : "The 
story of the sudden fortunes made tlmre ex- 
cited at first wonder and amazement; next, a 
gambling sjiii'it of advc^nture ; and lastly, an 
all-absorbiiig desire for sudden and sj)lendid 
wealth. . . The eastern people caught 

the mania. Every vessel coming west was 
loaded with them, their money and means, 
l»onnd for Chicago, the gi-eat faii'yiand of foi'- 
lunes." From every hamlet and settlement 
in Jllinois the <-vy went to the legislature, 
" Ititeriial Improvements!" ('andidatcs for 
legislative honors vied with each other in ex- 



travagant promises ; nor were they allowed to 
forget them when the legislature was in session, 
for demands, petitions and memorials were 
jjoured upon them by their constituents. The 
reasoning of these statesmen was terse and 
ajiparently unanswerable. "If we have rail- 
roads," they said, "emigration will come to us; 
emigration will develop a demand for our 
lands ; a demand for our lands will increase 
their value; increased value will so increase 
the t ixes that we can afford to pay interest on 
the bonds necessary to build the railroads ; and 
the earnings of the railroads themselves will 
eventually pay the bonds." Everybody was to 
be benefited at nobody's expense. It was the 
old plan of running a pump by a watcrwheel, 
which, in turn, was to bo operated by the 
water wliich the pump would raise. It was 
perfect in theory; the only trouble was, that 
when it was trie<l, someway it did not woi'k. 
Illinois began railroads, canals and water im- 
provements, and apjjropriatcd $12,000,000. 

The same influences which wrought in Illi- 
nois prevailed in Michigan, and urged by 
popular clamor, the legislature of 1837 took 
the bull of" Internal Improvements" by the 
horns. Ft chartered "Sjji'ing Arbor Semi- 
nary, " the germ of the present Hillsdale ('ol 
lege. It provided for the ineor])oration of the 
ITni versify of Michigan b}' one act, and located 
it at the village of Ann. Arbor by another. It 
foreshadowed, by a charter, the jn-cseiit rail- 
road fi'om Detroit to Toledo, wliich, however, 
was not built till nearly a score of years after- 
ward. It authorized numerous " State IJoads.' 
It provided for the construction of a shij) canal 
ai'ound the ra|»ids of St. Mai-y's. It providtul 
for a common school system. It {lassed a 
" Banking Act.'.' 

On March 20th, Act No. LXVII. provided 
"That the Board of Commissioners of Internal 
Improvenionts in tliis State be, and they arc 
hereby, authorized and directed, as soon as 
may be, to cause survey's to be made foi- three 
several railroad routes across the peninsula of 
Michigan ; the first of said routes to commence 
at Detroit, in the county of Wayne, and to ter- 
minate at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, 
in the county of Berrion, to be denominated 
tbc Central Railroad. The second of said 
routes to commence at the navigable waters of 
the River Raisin, passing thi'ough the village 
of Monroe, in the county of Monroe, to termi- 



RAILROADS. 



2-Jl 



iiatoiU Now Hiitlalo, in l!iiTioii (.oiiiity, :iiid to 
1(0 denoiiiiiiutoii tlic Southern JJuilnnid. Tlic 
third of siiid routes to commence at Palmer, or 
at or near the niouHi of BlacU River, in the 
county of St. Chiir, and to terminate at liie 
navigable waters of tiie (Ji-arid liivcr, in tiir 
county of Kent, or on Ijake Michigan, in ihc 
county of Ottawa, In be denominated liie 
Nortiiern IJailroad ; which roads sliail bo 
h)cated on llie most direct and eligible routes 
between the termini above mentioned.' 

Act No. LXXX'II., a])proved the ne.xt day 
(March 21, 1S:J7), authorized the governor, in 
the name and behaif of the jieojile of the Stale, 
to negotiate a loan or loans, not exceeding on 
the whole live'million.s of dollars, redeemabU^ 
at the pleasui'C of the State at any time after 
the expiration of twenty-five years from Janu- 
ary 1, 18:!8, on the best and inot<t favorable 
term.s that, in his judgment, could be obtained, 
at an interest not to exceed five and one-half 
jier centum, interest payable half Ncarl}^, to be 
exjiendcd foi' internal improvements within the 
State, according to the jtrovisions of law. The 
second section pi'ovided for the issuance of 
bonds and their proper execution, and arranged 
for their sale (which was not to be below par), 
and the transmission of the proceeds. Section 
three pledged the faith of the State for the pay- 
ment of the loans as made by the governor, 
and empowered him to negotiate these bonds in 
the United States or in l']urope, as he might 
deem most advisable for the public interest. 
The fourth section provided for the governor's 
contingent exj)enses out of the fund, and the 
tifth section enacted that the proceeds of all 
railroads and canals constructed by the Slate, 
the interest on all loans made from the internal 
improvement fund, and the dividends on all 
bank stock owned or thereafter to be owned by 
the State, so far as the same might be neces- 
sary, should be set apart, under the direction 
of the legislature, as a sinking fund to pay the 
principal and interest on the loan authorized 
by the act. 

Act No. XCVII., a])]iroved the same day 
(March 21, 1837), provided lor the regulation 
of internal improvements and the a])])ointment 
of a Board of Commissioners. This act pro- 
vided that the governor of the State should be, 
■ / officio, president of such board, but by Act 
I I ., approved the isamo day, this provision was 



repeale<l. anil it was enaeleil that one of the 
members should bo its president. 

Act No. LXVII. provided that the commis- 
sioners should purchase the Detroit and St. 
Joseph Uailwaj', and incorporate il in the line 
denominated the (A'ntral. This they proceeded 
to do ; and this gave the Central an appreci- 
able start, as some small )iortion of the line had 
already I>een constructed, it being virtuall_v 
complete so far as the roadbed was concerned 
from Detroit to Ypsilanti. The comiiany had 
expended about 61 17,()(MI ; this the State |iaid, 
taking the roa<l. 

The appropriati<pn of lSo7 I'oi' the Southern 
road was S1(M(,OOII; but thei'e w^as only ex- 
jiended during the year S12,(>lir).t)7. The aj)- 
priation for 1838 was S:'.r)(),000 ; expended, 823(i,- 
105.51. This put the first division, Monroe to 
A<lrian, well under wa}', though it was not 
completed till the next year. The stringenc}' 
following the financial depression of 1837 had 
by this time begun to be felt, and tlu^ .•ippro))ri- 
ation for 1839 was §100,000. There was ex- 
pended, however, §227,171. 3S. This completed 
the road Monroe to Petersburgh, eighteen miles, 
leaving considerable yet to be done on the 
fifteen miles from Petersburgh to Adrian. JJur- 
ing this same year, 1831), the second division, 
Adrian to Ilillsdale, was located and put under 
eontra('t ; and the third division, Adrian to 
Coldwater, was surv(>viil. Out of a total ap- 
pro)ji'iation of .S550,OOO there had been cx- 
]iended about 8475,000, leaving a Ijalance of 
about 875,000 to the credit of the road from the 
amount a|)proprialed to it. An attempt was 
made this year to j)rocure two locomotives of 
the Baldwins in Philadelphia, but it was found 
impossible to get them to Michigan before the 
close of navigation. On October 4, 1838, this 
firm had shipped from Philadelphia, consigned 
to the State of Michigan, the locomotive 
"Ypsilanti," and this was the only motive 
power used in 1839. It ran " semi-occasion- 
allj^ " between Monroe and Petersburgh, acting 
as a construction train engine jirincipallj'. 

In January, 1840, all contracts were ordered 
stopped. The State had expended about halt 
a million dollars and there were no retiii-ns. 
The road was operated by the Commissioners 
of Internal Improvement, but it had a diffi- 
cult task. The Central on the north was in 
operation from Detroit to Ann .\rbor, wiiii 



IIISTDKY OK MONUOK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



arraiin'i'iiu'iits for passorii^ors ami froit^lit be- 
yond ; on tlio south tlio Erie and Kalamazoo, 
wliich, sjiurred on by the Michigan acts of 
1S;>7, had iiastciu'd to get ils road into opera- 
tion during thai same year, was carrying pas- 
sengers and freight to Adrian, where it deliv- 
ered them to the Western Stage Company ; 
there was access to the wharves at both J)otroit 
and Toledo, while passengers for the Southern 
were drawn from LaPlaisance Bay to Monroe 
by horses over the Eivcr Raisin and Lake Krio 
Kailroad, whicli required |)ay for the service, 
and both tlic Central and the Erie and Kalama- 
zoo were making strenuous cftbrts to build up 
the resjiective ports of J)ctroit and Toledo, 
and break down the port of Monroe.* 

Two other circumstances tended to militate 
against the Soutiiern at this time. The first 
was the tact that prior to 1830 the county was de- 
pendent upon Canada, Ohio and New York for 
its supplies of beef, flour and pork, not raising 
enough for liomo consumption. Thus it ottered 
but meager freight earnings to the new road. 
The second wus the fact that it had become 
painfully aiijiareiil the ?5, 000, 0(10 im])rovemcnt 
fund would not be realized, and that the South- 
ern and the Central would not both be able to 
roach the shores of Lake Michigan. With this 
too, came rumors of a change of commissioners, 
and the aj^pointnient of one coverti}' hostile 
to the Southern and in favor of the Central 
route. 



* Durhii; the summer of lSo7 the Lake Erie and 
Iviver Kiiisin liiiilroad Company, l)y its president, 
Jauics Q. Adams, purcha.sed at a manufactory in 
Troy, N. Y., two splendid passenger cars, which 
wero made to his order. They were jjiven into bis 
jiossi'ssion, their freightage paid and receipts passed 
between luni ami ibe makers. A short time after 
this one of the company being at Troy placed a pri- 
vate mark upon them. Subsequent to this period 
one of the agents for the Detroit and St. Joseph I!ail- 
road by some means succeeded in purchasing of the 
manufacturers tliese same cars for that road. They 
were accordingly forwarded to Detroit to the Detroit 
and St. Josepli Railroad Company. The president of 
the Uiver Kaisin and Lake Krie Railroad Company 
being informeil of the fact went to J>etroit ami re- 
plevined and took the cars. While in the act of 
moving one of them to the boat, the sled on which 
it was placed was stuck in tlie mire — the horses 
balked, and he was obhged to leave it until the 
next morning. On coming to the spot at that time 
a multitude surrountlod the sled, removed it, and 
left the car standing on blocks in the mire. A new 
sled was procured, and after some resistance the car 



The fiscal year of tlic raili-oads ended on the 
HOth of November. During the year 1840, the 
construction of the Soutlieru progressed but 
slowly-. There was expended during this year 
up to November 30th the sum of ,<?1 12,114, and 
on the last day of the fiscal j'oar the first train 
ran triumphantly into Adrian amid great re- 
joicings. Adrian at last had that great tlesidcr- 
atuin of the modern age — a "competing line." 
During the year the TJiver Kai.sin and l>ake 
Krie had been purchased by the Stale for the 
Southern for S:52,5O0, thus enabling it to reach 
Lake Erie. 

The modern machinery of general managers 
and general su])erintendents wa.s utiknown in 
those primitive days. The commissioner man- 
aged the road, made tariffs, kept the accounts 
and made the disbursements. The work upon 
the Southern thus far had been done under the 
control of General Levi S. Humphrey, then 
commissioner, wholiesin an unmarked grave in 
our cemetery. He was succeeded by John Van 
Fossen. With his incumbency arose the fear 
that the Southern would sufter, a fear that 
s])eedily became a certainty. He was a resi- 
dent of Ypsilanti, on the line of the Central, 
and his interests were identified with its ex- 
tension. H had become a matter of certainty 
that in the then condition of the money mar- 
ket the §5,000,000 authorized could not be 
realized, and the probabilities were that the 
commissioners would be compelled to suspend 

was drawn on one of the wharves. After the car 
was on the wharf a writ of replevin was issued in the 
name of the Detroit and St. Joseph Railroad Com- 
pany, which, in consequence of a wrong direction, 
proved ineffectual. Meantime the car was put on 
board of a schooner and removed to the Canada side 
of the river, .\fter this an arrangement between the 
president of the railroad company and the superin- 
tendent of the Detroit road was entered into, by 
which the latter was allowed to retain for a while 
the use of the other car. The schooner came over on 
the .\merican side towards evening, and forgetful of 
their settlement and arrangement, a rally was made 
by the Detroit Railroad Company to get the car 
again into their jiossession. By the timely assistance 
of the Monroe party, the rope which fastened the 
schooner was cut, and again the schooner sought the 
Canada side of the river. A row l)eing about to 
ensue, she sailed to the middle of the river and lay 
there until Friday morning. At that time the 
steamer "Erie" took the car on board. Three cheers 
loud and long for Monroe were given by the crew, 
and away she glided for Monroe. The car was 
landed on the LaPlaisance Bay pier about noon. 



KAII.kOAI^S. 



oy.*! 



work willi two iailr<>;ifJfs, cadi ci)tn|ilfl<.'il frofii 
iiavif^iible walcrM on the caHlerii boumlarius of 
tlio State lo points in its interior, and neither 
would l)c al)le to reaeli Lai<e Mieiiit(an. It in 
allcf^fd that Van Posscn, seoitif; this stale of 
alVair.s, conceived the idea of ahandonini^ one 
line and ])iiHliiii;j^ the otlicr tliroii;^h lo cnniiilc- 
lion. Of courHC the Central was tlie one he 
decided lo fini.sli, and tiie runioi- "gained fw- 
dence thai he j)ro|)o.scd to rob tlie Southern to 
do lliis. There was then lyinjj at the docks at 
Monroe City a consiL'nnient of strap rail, des- 
tined for (lie extension of tlie road. Van Fos- 
sen designed to take this ii'on, remove that 
already spiked down, and carry the whole to 
the Central. 

The situation was becoming strained. Mon- 
roe was on the alert for the first movement in- 
dic;iling any intention of carrying out the 
scheme. It soon came. Deacon French, of 
Detroit, ajijieared in Monroe, accompanied by 
a number of laborers in wagons, bearing tools 
and autliorized by Van Fo.ssen to remove the 
iron. 

On the morning of December 12, 1840, a 
number of large hand-bills were con-ipicuously 
|)osted tlirougli the city of .Monroe, bearing the 
follow ini;: 

1'Kocl.\mation: 

WiiKKKAs, Divers evil ilispo.sed persons and 
de)ircdator8 <jn jmblic jtroperty, actuated by 
the devil and John Van Fossen, arc prowling 
atiout the streets of this city, with the avowed 
intention of seizing upon and carrying away 
fi'om the Southern liailroad the iron, sj)ike, etc., 
now in progress of being placed u))on the I'oad 
for public utility, and some of which is already 
spiked to the work ; 

And Whereas, Great and serious itijur}- to 
the commercial prospects of this city would 
grow out of such ill-advised conduct; 

A.vn WiiKRKAs, It becomes all good citizens 
to bear with patience and magnanimity evils 
that cannot be averted in times of great calam- 
ity; as it also becomes the dut}' of every ra- 
tional citizen to protect his rights in limes of 
opjtrcssion and injustice ; 

JVo'r, Therefore, I hereby, by the authority in 

me invested, call upon all within the precincts 

f this cit}* to assemble at the old court house 

-lunter, at the ringing of the bell, for the 
i"ir])08e of deliberating uf)0n the best mode of 



|irotccling, wilhoul violence, the public jirop- 
crty, which of i-ight belongs to (hat portion of 
the South(;rn liailroad within the limits of this 
city. 

fJivcn under- my hand and seal al tin- mayor's 
office, this iL'th day of December, IHH). 

Dan. 15. Mii.i.kk, Mmjor. 

At the ringing of the bell the citizens turned 
out en manse and packed the old yellow court 
house to the doors, and numbers gathci'ed in 
front unable to gain admittance. TIk; meeting 
was called to order by the mayor; numerous 
sjjceches were made and great enthusiasm jno- 
vailed. It was resolved to resist to the utmost 
any and eV(M'y attemfit to remove the iron, and 
the meeting dispersed with apparently no for- 
mulated plan. Deacon French and his laborers 
found themselves in a very feeble minority, and 
wisely refrained from any overt act. It is pre- 
sumed that h<^ communicated with Van Fossen 
and informed him of the state of affairs, for the 
next morning the steamer " Erie" drew uji at 
the wharves and the Bratiy Guards of Detroit 
filed on shore, with orders to uphold the au- 
thority of the commissioner. IJut they catn(! 
too late ; there remained on the docks no iron 
foi- Deacon French to carry away. 

History may now Icll that which for ycai-s 
was a jirofbund ni^-stery — how it disap]>cared. 
While Deacon French was iloubtless congratu- 
lating himself that the citizens' meeting had 
])assed with no definite (dans of resistance ; 
that the most he would have to encounter 
would be an unoi-ganizcd rabble of townspeo- 
ple, without head or jilan ; while he was pi'ob- 
abl}' wafted away lo dix-ainland with a shrewd 
smile upon his countenance that the rabble 
would be surprised and overawed by the troops 
on the morrow, a small surprise was being 
arranged foi- the Deacon himself While tlie 
meeting w'as listening to fervid oratory and 
shouting "aye" to resolutions, Joseph M. 
Sterling, William A. Noble, Austin Deano, 
Waller I', f'lark, James Hall, Charles B. Mar- 
vin and Looniis I'aliner quietly arranged a 
plan of action. 

The winter night fell upon the city dai-k ami 
cold. One by one the t\\inkling lights in the 
scattered houses disappeared as the tallow 
candles were extinguished, and the weary 
burghers sought their jiillows. Midnight came 
with no soun'l to startle the stillness. Then 



224 



II1S1'(JKY OF MONROt; COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



soltly one door aCtcr uiiotlK!!- opened and the 
plotters, singly or in puirs, sought the docks. 
With no unnecessary noise they promptly pro- 
ceeded to ])ush some flat cars by hand up to 
tlie piles of iron and couple them together. 
They were vigorous young men, full of that 
energy which builds majestic commonwealths 
from the i)rimeval forest, and the}' worked 
lustily. The iron was soon loaded upon the 
cars, and two loams were brought out and har- 
nessed to them — the teams belonging to John 
Hanson and J. M. Sterling. But an unforeseen 
difficulty ai'Dsc. Though the men pushed and 
])ried and the horses tugged and strained, the 
heavily laden cars would not nnjve. There 
was a hurried consultation. The locomotive 
belonging tothei'oad was in the city, but there 
was but one man who could manage it — James 
Kingsland. It was decided to im)iress him 
into the servic(^ He was awakened, and, with 
a great deal of reluctance, consented to act. 
The locomotive was fired up and couj)lcd to the 
train, and the arch conspirators clambered on 
board. The slee])ing inhabitants wondered at 
a train passing in the night, but soon resumed 
their slumbers. Meantime the cars were creep- 
ing through the daidcness westward till they 
reached a point on the Isbell farm, about four 
miles west of the city, at a place known as the 
" Bear Hut." Here they halted. Along the 
road were immense piles of wood, gotten out 
l)y John Mulhollen in clearing up a portion of 
his land. There was a deep ditch by the side 
of the track. First laying stringers in this 
ditch, the iron was unloaded from the cars 
upon the stringers in the ditch, and tlien huge 
jiiles of Avood were placed over it to screen it 
from observation. When all traces of their 
work had been removed, the tired schemers 
were carried back to Monroe to await the 
events of the coming day. 

Deacon French blithely arose the next morn- 
ing, and, gathering his hosts, ])roceeded to the 
dock, expecting to arrive simultaneously with 
the troops, and to ])roeeed to take the iron 
lying there. The troops arrived, as did Dea- 
con French's forces, but they found no iron to 
move. They tested the bottom of the river, 
but found nothing; a search in the city was 
likewise fruitless of results. Then, some ru- 
mor of a train having been heard during the 
night reaching his oars, he got out the locomo- 
tive and a car and proceeded to search along 



the line of the road. There were fearful hearts 
among those in the secret lest some telltale 
evidence might betray the hiding-place of the 
precious rails. But the work had been well 
done. The Deacon's sharp eyes discovered 
nothing, though he extended his search to the 
terminus of the road at Adrian. He then con- 
cluded that the iron had been thrown into the 
liiver llaisin at either Pctersburgh or Le lioy 
(two miles east of Adrian), but search at both 
these places failing to reveal anything, Ik; I'e- 
turned to Monroe in discomfiture, and the iron 
was saved to the Southern. 

At this period the influence of Monroe in the 
councils of the State, was great. It had been 
successfully used in securing the aiipointment 
of General llumjihrey as commissioner; and 
was again used with avail to get rid of Van 
Fosscn, his successor. Van Fossen's reign was 
short and stormy. He failed in his pet scheme 
of building the Central at the ex])ense of the 
Southern, and was succeeded by Shubael 
Oonant, of Detroit. 

Conant was an able and upright man, and 
the citizens of Monroe felt secui'o that under 
his administration the Southern would receive 
fair and im))artial consideration. He issued a 
circular soliciting information as to the dispo- 
sition of the j)i"opcrty which had (lisapi)eared 
from the longing gaze of Deacon French, and 
without hesitation the information was given 
and the iron and material restored. 

With an almost depleted treasury and a vig- 
orous competition on the part of the Fjrie and 
Kalamazoo, the year 1841 was not a jiartieu- 
larly prosperous one lor the new road. Train 
service was instituted and kept up under the 
direction of the commissioner with some show 
of regularity. Some iron was obtained and put 
upon the road west of Adrian upon the section 
between Adi-ian and Hillsdale, and the second 
engine, the "Monroe," arrived from Detroit in 
July. 

The gross earnings of the road for the fi.scal 
year ending November 30, 1841, were $7,399.21; 
expenses, $5,098.05 ; net earnings, $2,301.1(1. 

In 1842 an improvement in its (jondition be- 
gan to be manifest. The management or super- 
intendency had devolved upon the commis- 
sioner, but earlj- in this year it was determined 
to appoint a superintendent, who should have 
charge of the operation of the line, and the 
gentleman who, ten years before, had traversed 



KAII.KOADS. 



till' lino of tlio riKul on foot, J. II. Clovclami, 
of Adrian, was offered and accepted tljc posi- 
tion, taking cliarge in May, 1842. 

lie fouiid the ciiuijiMient in a deiilorabie 
.■iliape. There were two locomotives owned liy 
tiie i-oad : tiie " Yjisilanti,' originally from the 
(Jentral, and which liy hard usage and laclc of 
re|iair was so neiii'l^' worn out as to be practi- 
cally Useless, and the " Monroe," comparatively 
a new engine and ca])aV)le of doing fair sei'vice. 
Tliei'c were also three pa.ssenger cai's, having 
four wheels eacii, three dirt car.-J, oiu? rack 
(cigiit wheels), two very anti(|uc transjiorta- 
tion or freight cars, which had been in use in 
1840, together with .some new ones which had 
been built in 1.S41. The efforts of the Cenlial 
on lln> cmc hand and the Eric and Ivalania/.no 
on the other lia<l made seriou.s inroads into the 
business which the line had anlicijjated would 
come to it, and upon the whole the outlook 
was Jiot encouraging. 

Hut Superintendent Clevehind was cnci'getie, 
and set about improving the shattei-ed fortunes 
ofthcliiio. Making arrangements with William 
II. Hoyd-, of Monroe, to furnish some iron and 
contracting with Pitlshurgli ])arties (ors]>ikc, he 
prepared to |)Ush the line westward, and b}' the 
I nil of the jear had the iron two miles west of 
Clayton. He subdivided his track into sec- 
tions, the first from Monroe to Ida, the second 
from Ida to I'etcrsi)ui-gli, the third from Petcrs- 
L)urgli to Palmyra, the foui-th tVoin Palmyra to 
Adrian. He also planned tlirec sections west 
of Adrian, and jjut the first — Adrian to Clay- 
ton — into commission, and established the 
second to extend from Clayton to Piltsfbrd, 
the third from Pitlsfbrd to Hillsdale. Over 
each section he put a foreman who had two, 
three, and sometimes four men under him, 
whose duty it was to see that the track was 
ke|)t in proper repair. 

The next thing was to establish, if po.ssible, a 
regular line of vessels to make the port of 
Monroe, to bring passengers and freight for 
the road and to receive from it. After con- 
siderable negotiation he succeeded in obtaining 
a line of boats consisting of the " (ieneral 
Scott " (Ca])tain Edwards), the " Fulton " and 
the " General Harrison.' These were steam- 
boats and principally devoted to the passenger 
traffic, though they carried freight as well. In 
addition to these, numerous sailing vessels 



made the port of Monroe and brought and re- 
ceived merchandise. 

The com|)etilion of the I'^rie ami Kalamazoo 
likewise claimed a share of his attention. A 
firm believer in the virtues of printer's ink, 
he began to advertise the many ailvantages of 
the new line between the lOast and the West, 
and Id seek a share of tln^ jiatronage of 
the public. The following will serve ;is an 
examjile : 



^842. 



SEASON ARRANGEMENTS. 
SOUTHERN RAILROAD, 

FROM MONROE TO ADRIAN. 

The most di ivct^ expeditious and mf est lionte. 

The pnljlic are respeetliilly nolilie<l that tlic Soi-ni- 
i:i;n li.Mi.uoAU is now in complete operation/roi/i Mun- 
riH' In Adrian ; and Ijciiii; well furnislied w itii Locomo- 
tives, PassenKcr and Freight Cars, will transport 
Frei<rlit an<l I'assen^ers xiifer, clu'cijiir and more expfdi- 
iiuudy than any other road in competition. 

Tliis road was built by the State of Micldgan, at an 
expense of 

Four liunclrcd tlioiisaud dollars 



and in its (•nnstruction is not suipass'jd \> 
V'nited States. 



PASSENGERS 



III 



Going to Illinois, ludianii, Wisconsin, Iowa and 
Western, Souihern. or Central Tarts of Micligian, 
will perceive, I)y rel'cning to tlie Map, that nu I'uhlir 
tfiorjtifjh/an is .so direct lor them as the 

SOUTHERN RAILROAD. 

t^"Ore(U can' in lakrii in ki'rpini] litis Road in good 
ri'pair, tln'ribi/ avoiding accUfntasiniilarlo those occurring 
upon other roada almost daily, jeopardizing '' life and 
lirnb." 

STEAMBOATS 

.\rc nnining from Mo.mioi; to 111 ii-ai.o, in connec- 
tion with the Cars upon this lioad. 

ST.UilCS, CAHKl.\<iE.-^, W.VtioN.'^, ETC. 
Are always in attendance to convey ( iooJs and Pass- 
engers to any liirection from Adrian. 

8*^' Pa.sscngers passing over this lload will he met 
at the l)oats by Haiboad Cars, and coiiveved to the 
Depot, and from the Depot to the lioats iril'honl charge. 

Cars U'ave Afoiiroe daily for Adrian, Sumlays e.K- 
cci)led, at S o'clock A. .\1. and leave Adrian for Mon- 
r<ie at "_' o'clock !'. M. Itnnning time "25 hours. 

The public may rely upon statements here made, 
and their patronage is respectfully .«olieiti.'d. 



J. II.CLEVKLAND, 



Jnl,,, 1,S4--' 



■Superintendent S. li. K 



Kolj'l. 1>. Foy, Printer, 159 Main si. ijuflalo. 



226 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



When il is boriio in miiiil tiial tlic only 
" other road ' iscokiiii; passengers and traffic 
over the same lines of travel was the rival Erie 
and Kalamazoo, the ])artieular point of the 
italicized jjaragraph, alhidinic to (ho accidents 
"occurring upon oilier I'oads almost daily, 
jeopardizing ' life and liml),' " will i-cadily be- 
come apparent. 

The spring of ISK! found the road ironed 
about two miles west of ('layton, and the bed 
]irei)ared for the iron some four miles further 
west, or to Hudson. Jt was found impracti- 
cal.ilc, howi^s'i^r, toobtain the iron to put down 
at once, and Silas Eaton, of Hudson, then in 
charge of the construction under Superin- 
tendent Cleveland, suggested the idea of using 
sawed maple strips in place of the iron, and 
offered to have enough sawed to finish the 
track to Hudson as an experiment. His sug- 
gestion was accepted, and the strips sawed and 
]uit down. They answered the })urpose fairly 
well, and were actually- used to haul trains over 
until the iron could be procured, when they 
were torn off the stringers and replaced by 
strap rails. 

The i-oa<i was opened to Hudson May 27, 
184.'!. An old advertisement announces the 
fact in grandiloquent sentences, and proceeds 
to advise the ]iublic that stages will meet each 
incoming train fnim Adrian and convc}' ]ias- 
sengers and baggage to Hillsdale, making the 
return trip and arriving in time for the de- 
parture of the train to Adrian. 

The failure of the United States Bank and 
of the Morris Canal and Banking Comjjany 
again hampered the road in the purchase of 
iron, but construction was carried along dur- 
ing the summei', and on September 25th the 
road was opetied to Hillsdale, with the an- 
Douncement of stages to Jonesville and return. 
Hy this time the Erie and Kalamazoo had be- 
gun to feel the pressure of competition, and was 
getting into financial straits. Finding itself 
unable to i)ay §8,000 due on one of its locomo- 
tives, it sold the old " Adrian " to the Michigan 
Southci-n, which now felt the nee<i of more 
nioli\e powei'. A new eight-wheel engine, of 
heavy construction, and calculated to haul 
more freight than any owned by the road, was 
also ordered by Commissioner Wells, and in 
due time arrived and was put in service. This 
was the " Hillsdale." More freight cars were 
also built, and Mr. Cleveland designed and be- 



gan to build a new style of passenger car. Those 
at this time in use were built upon the general 
plan of the "Pleasure Car" of the Erie and 
Kalamazoo, previously described, only they 
were longer and held thirty-lwo passengers. 
They were divided into compartments, with 
seats facing each other in each compartment; 
each seat holding four passengers. These 
compartments were separated from each other 
by sliding j)anel8 or partitions, and a " running 
board " ran along each side of the car, along 
which the conductor walked, opening the doors 
of the various compartments to collect the 
fares. Tho.se designed by Superintendent 
Cleveland were on the same j)lan as the day 
cars of the present day — a car open from end to 
end, with seats for two passengers arranged on 
both sides of a center aisle which ran contin- 
uously from end to end of the car. These 
were pushed to completion as rapidly as pos- 
sible, and were found very pleasing to the 
public whenever put into use. 

The herculean effort which had finished the 
second sectionof the road — Adrian to Hillsdale 
— had exhausted its resources, and its history lor 
the years 1844, 1845 and 1846 is simply a tale ofa 
continued struggle to " make both ends meet." 
The third section — Hillsdale to Cold water — 
was never seriously undertaken, though the 
settlers along the route were clamoring for 
railroad facilities with sturdy voices, until the 
road pa.ssed into the hands of a private corpo- 
ration and out of the control of the State. 

Superintendent Cleveland draws a quaint and 
interesting picture of the railroading of those 
daj's. The roadbed was an unfenced lane cut 
through the woods, with gutters for drainage 
on each side. The dirt from these gutters was 
thrown up on the roadbed, from which the 
stumps had been dug out or cut off. Hollows 
were filled with logs, stumps and branches of 
trees; cuts were made by the plow and scraper, 
and when the bed was finally completed to the 
satisfaction of the engineer in charge, he pro- 
ceeded to have the track laid. There was no 
regularly appointed mechanical or civil engi- 
neer connected with the staff of the road. 
When the route was to be laid out, or bridges 
built, an engineer was hired by the month to 
2>lan and construct the liridges and lay out the 
track. 

When the roadbed was ready ties were nest 
jiut on, and upon these were securely spiked 



RAll,[<f)ADS. 



oak stringers, loiii^lhwisu, six inclics s<niarc, 
ami with a space between tliom equal to the 
space between the outside of the flanges of tlie 
wheels on the cars, being in tlie case of the 
Miciiigan roads what is now known as the 
"standard gauge,' four feet eight and one-half 
inches. The inner and up])er edges of these 
oak stringers were "chamlered" to receive 
(he iron rails. These were simply flat bars 
of iron two and one-lialf inches wide and 
from five-eightlis to three-(iuarters of an inch 
thick, ](nnched for the spikes, and countersunk 
so the head of the spike would not project 
aliovo tiic surface of the rail. These rails wore 
spiked as securely as possible in the "chamfer' 
of the stringer. The joints were made to " lap 
by" by cutting a right-angled triangle from the 
inside end of one rail and the outside end of 
the next one. This left each rail terminating 
iti a sharp point. The continual jar of trains 
tended to loosen the spikes, and after they had 
been driven home two or three times the hole 
became .so worn as to afford but little grip to 
the spike. A passing train would loosen the 
spike, and, running on the yielding structure, 
when the load was transferred toward tlie mid- 
dle of the rail the loose end would fly up, to be 
caught by the next pair of wheels. These 
would rip it loose from the stringer and bend 
it uj)ward, forcing the sharp point through the 
floor of the car to the serious detriment of 
whatever might be in the waj', and derailing 
the train. This was the " snake head " of early- 
railroad experience. An attempt was made to 
avoid this class of accidents by changing the 
joint. Instead of the sharp-pointed end, rails 
were used having a square-ended tongue atone 
end and a cavity cut in the corresponding end 
to receive it; but this was fouTid no particular 
improvement. The imperfection of the fasten- 
ing still remained, and it was found that the 
blunt-ended rail managed to tear its way 
through the car floor about as readily as the 
shar])-pointed one, and " snake heads " wore a 
common incident of railway travel until the 
adoption of the "T" rail some years later. 

The train service was as primitive as tlic 
track. In the carl}' days and in a new country 
a distinctive passenger train was not thought 
of. Each train over the line was composed of 
such cars of freight as were in readiness for 
transportation — and those were put nearest 
the locomotive— in the rear of these was an 



empty freight car', into which wvvv put such 
small packages of freight as were to be un- 
loaded en route and the baggage belonging to 
jiasscngers upon tiie train, and in the rear of 
all the passenger coaciies. No s\ stem of check- 
ing, baggage was in operation, and each pas- 
senger was expected to claim his baggage when 
leaving the train, after the manner still pre- 
vailing on English railways, l'",a(li |iasscnger 
was supposed to purchase a ticket, but as a mat- 
ter of fact did as he ]ileascd about it. It was not 
until trains had been running for some time 
that a conductorand brakeman were cmjjloyed. 
The engineer anil fireman did all the ti'ain 
work. The engineer (n)llccted the tickets or the 
fares, while the fii-cman remained in charge of 
the locomotive. The fireman helped in hand- 
ling the baggage and unloading parcels of 
freight. He also, in conjunction with section 
or track men, loaded up the engine with wood 
and supplied it with water. When, later, a 
conductor and bi-akeman were employed, the 
bi'akeman assisted at this work. 

The usual running time from Monroe to 
Adrian, thirtj--three miles, was two and one- 
half hours; this would be an apparent sjiced of 
a little over thirteen miles an hour, but as a 
matter of fact the rate of speed was about 
fifteen to sixteen miles per hour, owing to the 
length and frequency of the stops. The trains 
were particularly accommodating; if two or 
three ])assengers appeared at some country 
road crossing, the train stopped and picked 
them up. Generally about ten minutes were 
required at each of the two stations between 
Monroe and Adrian, which, with cai'cful run- 
ning over the bridges, consumed considei'able 
time. In dry weather, and when no dcr.iil- 
mentsoraccidentsfrom "snake heads" occurred, 
the runs were made with a considerable ap- 
proach to regularity ; but a "snake head " would 
sometimes occasion a half day's delay. Wet 
weather also brought delny. The friction of 
the driving wheels with " inside connections ' 
upon the track was very light as compare<l 
with the heavy " tread " of the locomotives of 
to-day, and a wet ti-ack meant slow jirogre.ss 
through the slip])ingof the drivers. To remedy 
this, a box of sand was kept on to|) of the loco- 
tive, and when the engine came to a .stand- 
still, the fireman and engineer each took some 
of this sand and sprinkled it from their hands 
upon the track for several rods in advance of 



228 



IIISTOKY OF MONKOli COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tlic engiiic. Then mounting the locomotive, 
all tiie steiuu possible was crowded on and 
sufficient imjictus gaiued to carry the train 
half a mile or more, when the sanding process 
was repeated. Sometimes so much time would 
be consunu'(| in this mannei' between stations 
that the siip]ily of lucl ny water would run 
short. It the lioilcr was imnning low, reeoui'se 
was had to the ditches by the roadside, and 
water was dipped up with a jiail and put into 
the tank; if wood became short, the nearest 
wood pile i)y the side of tiie track was laid 
under c<inli-ibulion, and thus, " painfully and 
slow," the ti-ain crept along to its destination. 

Allhougli the road was uiilenced, accidents 
were of'ijifreipient occurrence. This was prob- 
ably as much owing to the limited rate of sjiccd 
as to any ])artieular care exorcised by tlio ein- 
])loyea. By a reference to the cut of the first 
locomotive on the Erie and Kalannizoo, il will 
be seen at the left of the ]jicture that two 
people in a wagon are running a race wilh the 
train; and, so far as a[ipcarances go, seem to 
have rather I he win ning chance. This, indeed, 
was by no means an inl'ivipieiit occui'rence, and 
horseflesh frecpiently had I he best of the race. 
The most pr(dific cause of accidents was the 
loosening of the rails, occasioning snake heads. 
On one occasion ilr. ClevcUuul was sitting in 
the coach directly across from a rather heavy- 
set gentleman, who was clothed in a thick 
overcoat and winter suit. While the train was 
jogging along at its usual pace a crasliing was 
heard, the car gave a lurch, and directly be- 
tween the passenger's feet appeared a -'snake 
head." Catching bis coat, overcoat and vest, 
it neatly and expeditiously tore out the fronts 
of them and piuuod them to the roof of the car. 
The jjassengcr was greatly alarmed at first, but 
finding himself physically uniiarmed, liis fear 
gave way to indignation, and he breathed ven- 
geance and suits at law for danniges. Upon 
the arrival of the ti'ain at its terminus, how- 
ever, Sii])erintendent Cleveland jmrchased a 
new suit of clothes for him and the lawsuit 
was averted, but the ad\'ertisemciit regarding 
"jeoparily to life and limb" still confronted the 
jniblic. Accidents ai-ising from the careless- 
ness of the j)arties injured were not unknown 
at that early day. (.)n one occasion some track 
laborers were going on their hand car from the 
vicinity of Deerfield to their home at Palmyra. 
The train going west was nearly due and they 



concluded it would be easier to have the train 
jmsli them than to pump the car; so when the 
train came in sight, they stopped the car and 
remained sfaniling upon it till the locomotive 
struck it. Possibly had theearbeen in motion 
no serious results would have followed, but as 
the car was standing still, it was thrown from 
(he tracdi, t wcj of its occupants .seriously bruised, 
one had his leg crushed and was taken on the 
train to Adrian, where it was amputated, and 
anol her was killed. 

Water was su])[ilied to locomotives from 
tanks located at stations as at the ])rcsent time. 
The track men tilled the tanks daily b}' force 
pumps worked by hand. The locomotives 
Used wood for luel, and the country being new 
there was phnity to be had. It was cut along 
the line of the road and ])iled u[) next the 
track, each pile being marked with the owner's 
naine. It was sold to the corajtan}' at prices 
ranging fi-om fifty cents to one dollar jier cord, 
arid paiil for when used b\- the company. As 
needed at sttitions for engine use, a '' wood 
rack" was attached to the rear end of a train, 
carried to the point where it was to bo loadetl, 
detached and left standing on the track. The 
wood was loadcil by the ti'ack men, and on the 
rctui'n tri]) the raidc was taken in front of the 
engine and jiushed to the station wdiere it was 
to bo unloaded. 

The method of freight.shipment was radically 
different from that of the present day. At each 
station along the side track were located the 
jirivate warehouses of tiic " forwarders." All 
freight destined to a station was consigned to 
the care of some forwarder, and was delivered 
by the railroad company to him. He paid the 
charges upon it, imloadod it in bis private 
warehouse and delivered it to- the consignee, 
making a charge for his services. Shipments 
were made the same way. Prom store and 
factory and mill the goods to be shipped were 
brought to some private warehouse and loaded 
by the forwarder, the railroad company advanc- 
inij him his charges and adding it as "exjiensos 
paid '■ to their own fees Not infrequently the 
forwarder was a eoinniission merchant, and 
l)Ought and sold the goods he handled as ware- 
houseman. 

A single " way bill'' or manifest ordinarily 
covered a whole train and a single trip. Upon 
it was entered the freight forwarded from 
tlic terminus, and as each successive station 



RAILROADS. 



OOf) 



\v;i8 reaclu'd tlie froiglit forwardcil I'roiii thai 
station was entci'ed ui)on tlic same waj* bill. 
The station force consisted of but one man, the 
agent, who sold tickets, entered the freight for- 
warded on the wa}- bill and made collections 
of the forwarders for the consignments deliv- 
ered to them. 

The first cars constructed held three to four 
tons of freight. Thirt}- barrels of flour, twenty 
barrels of salt, tiftj' bags of wheat, made a 
car load. Grain was shipped onlj- in bags; 
bulk shipments were not introduced till years 
afterward. Freight consigned beyond the ter- 
minus of the road was delivered to an agent or 
forwarder at the terminus, who in turn deliv- 
ered it to the next carrier. If the succeeiling 
carrier was a boat the grain was emptied fiom 
the bags and carried in bulk. 

For the better part of the time the roail was 
under the management of ]Mr. Cleveland its 
"office" was said to be "in his hat.'' All the 
executive affairs were managed by him; he 
was superintendent, general freight agent, gen- 
eral ticket agent and auditor, all in one. The 
books of the company were kept at the Monroe 
office by Seba Murphy, to whom all remit- 
tances were sent and thi'ougli whom dislnirse- 
monts were made. 

I)uring the entire time the road was run 
under State control it suffered from financial 
embarrassments. The currency was princi- 
])all3' of that character denominated " wild cat," 
and bills on eastern banks, generall}' supposed 
to be solvent, were eagerly sought after. State 
scrip, worth seven shillings on the dollar, was 
also used. Money to jiay the employes was 
generally lacking, and when a man entered 
the company's employ they opened a ledger 
account with him and credited him with his 
earnings monthly, and paid him five or ten 
dollars on account, charging it to him. The 
result was that the company was always in 
debt to its employes, and they in turn were in- 
debted to tradesmen for the necessaries of life. 
When the employe's credit was exhausted he 
was forced to quit, whereupon the company 
would settle with him and pay him u]i. This 
irave him the means to re-establish his credit, 
and lie again sought railroad employ. 

When the five million loan was authoi'ized 
it will be remembereil that the surplus earn- 
ings of the railroads were to be covered into a 
sinking fund to pay tiie loan and the interest 



upon it. Five j-oars had passeil since the firsi 
section of the Southern had been completed, 
and as yet it had been a source only of expen- 
diture. In 1846 the State began to cast about 
for some meansof ridding itself of this -'old man 
of the sea," and the ciueslion of .«ale to a pri- 
vate corporation was agitated. The commis- 
sioners in the meantime had made contracts for 
new locomotives and cars to cost §0,0(10, and 
out of the earnings of 184(j did actually turn 
into the State treasury the sum of •S12,7:>C. 
During Mi'. Cleveland's superintendeiicy a por- 
tion of what is now known as the "Jackson 
Branch " ol the Jjake Shore and Michigan 
Southern had been built. It was originally 
the J^almyra and Jacksonburgh ; was planned 
and promoted by the same jiarties who were 
interested in the Krie and Kalania/.oo, and as 
that road had become financially einbarras.sed 
theSlate advanced S20,0(Mi out of its ?r),flOO,0(IO 
loan to assist in building this branch, and ulti- 
mately acquired possession of it. 

May !), 184(1, an act was passed by the legis- 
lature authorizing the sale of the Southern 
road for half a million dollars, the ]>ui-chasers 
1(1 Uikc the locomotives and cars contracted 
for in lS4r)-(i at their cost (S<|,()0(|), and to i)ay 
the State this sum in addition to the price of 
the I'oad. Active steps were taken to organize 
a company to buy it. Subscription books for 
shares were oj)encd, the shares being §]{)() 
each, and during the summer and fall of ]84fi 
the entire sum of .^500,00(1 was subscribed. 
The following is the list of shareholders, to- 
gether with the number of shares taken b^^each. 
The great interest taken by Monroe in the en- 
terprise will be seen by an examination of this 
list, names to which a star is affixed being 
Monroe subscriber.s. 

A^if/cx. Sliiirr.<. A'a»//'A. Sharrs. 

K. C. T,itcliliolil-_ 1,000 *"Steplien (i. Clark . M) 

W. A. Kichniond .lOO *IIirani .^time .')() 

•Charles Noble „. 100 nv. V. Stii.ldif(ird__ oO 

-T. B. Van Brunt . 2.')0 ».Iohn G. Miller ... hO 

Hi. W. Strong 200 Molin Burcli .')0 

*I). L. Bacon 200 *!•:. G. Morton .^>0 

C. W. I'erris 200 *A. A. Kahineau... .^)0 

Chas. T. Mitchell 200 J. S. Prouty -'.0 

Henry Wal.lron. 120 John I. Wheehr.. .->0 

*Sam'l .r. Ilolley.- 100 Amelia Sprout .''lO 

M. .7. Goilfroy lOo Patrick McAdani.. ."lO 

*.Tamc'S Xel.son 100 'T. E. Wing :!0 

*Ki(iel<l it Sterling 100 ^Benjamin Hansard 30 

»A inbro.se !'.eacli.. 100 *\V. \V. Gale MO 

N. B. Kidder .._. H«> W. V. Gale 2.-) 



230 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Natii€-<. 



20 



*Morton & Wing.. 100 William Mitchell.. 

*Thomas G. Cole. 100 *A. Bentley 20 

*Noble& Sterling. 100 •■'David McCormick 20 

*Chas. G. Johnson 55 *W. Wadsworth, jr 10 

' Harry V. Man.. _ 50 Stillinan Blanchard 10 

"■'George Landon.. 50 ••M. Sweeny 10 

*Wm. M. Smith.. 50 *R. Livingston 10 

* Isaac Lewis 50 *Bronson & Colton 10 

5,000 

'IMic cost of the road liad been ajiproxinialely 
as follows : 

Kxjiended from State treasury ij;()()5.s0l 

Loaned Palmyra and Jacksonbnrgh,for which 
the State alterwards, 18-14, took the road, 
making it the Tecumseh Branch of the 

Southern 20,000 

Paid for the Kiver Raisin and Lake P^rie, 
Monroe to pier r,2,500 

!t;718,304 
All the net earnings of the road had likewise 
been expended in its maintenance and con- 
struction (except 112,736 turned into the 
treasury in 18-1(>), estimated at 117,500 

$835,804 
This represented the cost of seven ty-eiglit 
miles of track and equipment, viz.: 



Monroe to Hillsdale. 
Tecumseh Branch 



.()8 miles 
.10 " 



7S miles 
The new cars contracted for in 1846 were 
put upon the road in July, and on August 3d 
the fifth locomotive, the "Tecumseh," was 
shipped from Philadelphia and went into use 
the same fall. 

The earnings of the road while oj)erated by 
the State were as follows : 

Vein- Endimj. (irms Earnings. E.cijinsis. Kri Earnings. 

jNov. 30, 1841, *7,3!)i) 21 .|5,0!)8 05 $2,301 10 

Nov. 30, 1842, 1.5,248 10 15,248 10 

Nov. 30, 1843, 24,200 31 10,353 46 7,906 85 

Nov. 30, 1844, 00,.340 51 60,340 51 

Nov. 30, 184-5, 62,7.35 62 62,735 62 

Nov. 30, 1846, 88,31)4 30 .56,22195 .32,172. -.5 

$258,378 11 $215,997 75 $42,.380 30 
In making the approximations of the amount 
of the earnings of the road expended in its 
maintenance and con.struction in a previous 
table .($117,500), the net earnings as shown 
above have l)een deducted from the amount of 
expenses, though but $12,730 of the amount 
shown as net earnings were ever passed to the 
treasury of the State. 



The $500,000, the purchase price of the road, 
was to be paid in twenty semi-annual install- 
ments of $25,000 each, taking ten years for the 
paj'meut; the 89,000 for new locomotives and 
cars was to be paid at once on the transfer of 
the property to the newly organized coInpan3^ 
To anticipate a little it may be said that a con- 
siderable i^ortion of the half million was paid 
to the State in depreciated State scrip, bought 
at a very low figure, and the $9,000 was paid 
in three notes. 

The sale was effected December 23, 1840, the 
stockholders of the new comi)any, the " Mich- 
igan Southern Railroad Company,'' elected a 
board of directors, and on Christmas day, 1840, 
this board met and elected James J. Godfroy 
president, Elisha C. Litchfield treasurer, Thos. 
(t. Colo superintendent. 

The president and superintendent were Mon- 
roe men. A settlement was made with John 
F. Porter, acting commissioner of internal 
improvements, for the locomotive and cars, the 
$9,000 was paid by three " promises to pay,' 
and Mr. Porter delivered to the company a 
deed from the State of the road and its equip- 
ment, which the new company had recorded 
in the counties of Monroe, Lenawee and Hills- 
dale. 

The interest taken in the new company by 
the citizens of Monroe will be readily seen by 
consulting the list of subscribers to its cajiital 
stock. The rivalry born of location and in- 
tensified by the " Toledo War," and the strong 
competition between the Erie and Kalamazoo 
and the Southern railroads, will account for some 
of tlie interest displayed. It was presumed 
that l)y controlling the Southern by Monroe 
people the interests of Monroe would be en- 
hanced, and its growth assured. It was but the 
first step towards the upbuilding of its rival, 
the second and final one being taken in 1849. 
The new ('ompany found themselves unable 
to extend the road westward asrajjidly as they 
desired. Money and material was scarce, and 
the treasury of the State was no longer at com- 
maiid. During the next four years, to 1851, 
they only extended the road five miles — from 
Hillsdale to Jonesville. In 1848, under the 
presidency of Tunis B. Van Brunt (who suc- 
ceeded James J. Godfroy in Juno, 1847), bonds 
to the amount of $30,000 were loaned to the 
owners of the steamboats "Baltimore," "South- 
erner," "DcWitt Clinton " and "Franklin," 



RAILROADS. 



•2 P. I 



to control tlu'in for the ])ort of Monroe. The 
growth of the city at this time was rapid, and 
it bade fair to pass it.s rival, Toledo, in the 
race,wheu Van Brunt was succeeded in Decem- 
ber, 1848, by Charles Noble, and he in Angu.st, 
1849, by George Bliss. 

The Erie and Kalamazoo, as has been pre- 
viously noted in the history of that road, had 
become embarrassed, was in constant litigation, 
and in 1848 liad been sold under accumulated 
judgments to Washington Hunt, of I^ockport, 
New York, and (icorge Bliss, of Massachusetts. 
Bliss at about this time would seem to have 
become interested in the Michigan Southern, 
as he became its ])rcsident in August, 1849, and 
in the samemonth leased the bankrupt Erie and 
Kalamazoo to its rival, the Michigan Southern, 
in perjietuity, at an annual rental of $30,(100. 
This was virtually the end of the struggle be- 
tween Monroe and Toledo for coramercial 
supremacy, and it was the child of Monroe's 
loins, the Michigan Southern, which struck the 
blow. The executive of the road was a Ma.ssa- 
chusetts man, who had no interests in Monroe, 
while, it is presumed, he did both in Tojedo 
and Chicago, then looming into prominence. 
Five months after Mr. Bliss became president, 
the superintendent, Thomas (J. Cole, of Mon- 
roe, was succeeded (Janu:iry, 1850) b\- Lewis 
W. Ashley. From this time forth the interests 
of Monroe began to assume a smaller place in 
the counsels of the company and those of Tole- 
do a greater, though it was not till the spring 
of 1869 that Monroe was dropped from the re- 
ports of the company as one of its termini. 

The years 1851-2 witnessed a general 
'• boom " in the affairs of the Michigan South- 
ern, to explain which it will be necessary- to 
briefly sketch another enterprise. Two jears 
before the State of Michigan embarked in rail- 
road building on its loan of 85,000,000, a san- 
guine logi.slator of Indiana introduced a bill 
incorporating the " Atlantic: and Pacific '' rail- 
road. As its termini were necessarily in Indi- 
ana there was much good-natured raillery on 
the ambitious name he gave to the undertak- 
ing, under the lash of which he finall}- con- 
sented to somewhat curtail the boundaries of 
his proposed line, consenting to call it the 
"Buffalo and Mi.ssi.ssippi." This also met the 
jeers of his fellow-members, but ho obdurately 
refu.sed to " take another inch off the name,'' 
and the road was chartered. The aim was to 



build a road fi'om .Mauniee Bay to the Missis- 
sippi river, a resolution of the Congress of the 
T^nited States having foreshadowed such a 
route. It is not intended to entei- into the de- 
tails of the history of this undertaking. Four- 
teen years thereafter (in October, 1849) (lie 
Buffalo and Mississippi jiCMecfully ilicd, having 
graded one mile of road, but not having laid a 
cross lie nor a rail, and from its ashes sprang 
the Northern Indiana. 

The Litchfields, who still retained an interest 
in the Michigan Southern, acquired control of 
the Northern Indiana shortly after its organi- 
zation, George Bliss being also a director, and 
the two roads had the same officers. In 1851-2 
work was begun all along the line, and pushed 
as rapidly as possible, the Michigan Southern 
reaching the State line south and west 
of White Pigeon, and the Northern Indiana 
running thence to Chicago. The first train 
ran into Chicago over the new line May 22, 
1852. 

In the meantime some of the finest steamers 
upon the lakes had been secured for the line, 
and in 1852 the company controlled the fol- 
lowing: On the Buffalo, J\Ionroc and Tole<lo 
route the "limpire State," "Southern Mich- 
igan" and "Northern Indiana;" Toledo, 
Monroe and Sandusky route, the " Fashion ; '" 
on Lake Michigan, the "Baltic" and the 
"Golden Gate." H. M. Kinne represented the 
line at Buffalo, J. D Morton at Toledo and 
G. S. Hubbard at Chicago. 

Supei-intendonl Ashley was succeeded in 
April, 1851, by E. P. Williams, under whose 
superintendence much of the building was 
done. Beff>re the road reached Chicago, how- 
ever, he was succeeded (March, 1K52) by 
Jo.scph II. Moore, and in May, 1854, ho was 
succeeded l)y James Moore. The two com- 
panies were identical in all but name, and were 
consolidated into the Michigan Southern .'umI 
Northern Indiana Railroad Comi)any, Ajiril 
20, 1855, James Moore continuing as superin- 
tendent of the new compan}-. 

With the consolidation new vigor seemed to 
mark the action of the corporation, and five 
new enterprises were inaugurated, two of 
which wci'c of interest to Monroe. A ilii'ect 
line from Elkhart to Toledo was laiil out 
anil ])ut utiiler way (the present Air Line 
division of the Lake Shore and Michigan 
Southern). A road was surveyed and begun, 



232 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 

extending nortliwai-d from White Pigeon ;i9 the sheriff liaving loft nothing 1)iit the bare 

a feeder; tiie .lac-kson brancli was put under walls of tl\e Board room, every chair, table and 

eonslriietion northward from the point where desk having been seized on execution. During 

it had st()])|K'd Icii yearsbefore : the old Detroit 1S58-9 the principal occupation of the officers 

and ^launioe |iniject was galvanized into liCe of the company was ])roniising to pay its debts 

under the title of the Detroit, Monroe and To- — when its financial condition would allow, 

ledo Ii:iilroad, to eonsiruel a linc^ from Detroit Superintendent Moore bad been succeeded by 

through .Monroe to 'I'oleilo, and arrangements Sam Brown and ho by the energetic John D. 

wei'c made to built two of the most magnificent Campbell, who was trying to bringordcr out of 

steamers on the lakes. The Detroit, Monroe (diaos and a dividend to the long-suifering 

and Toledo was the outgrowth of a meeting at stockholders out of the property. He died on 

Detroit February 21!, 1S."),5. The i-oad was com- the very day his efforts wore crowned with 

]iieled to Monroe (Jlirislmas Day, 1S.5.''), and to success, August I, ISO!!. Jt may be imagined 

'I'oledo the .Inly follo'.\ing, and on .Tidy 1, to what straits the road was i-educcMl when the 

^X'^Vi. was leasi'd in perpetuity to the Michigan fact is noted that the stock, which was firm at 

Southern and NortheiMi Indiana. 115 in 18.56, was offered at C> m IS.*)!), with slow 

Tiicse various enterju'iscs were ])ushed to sale, 

completion, all 01- nearly .all being finished in 'i'lie depot, wliieh had thei-etofore beensitu- 

1850 and early in ls.')T. Of the Iwoafl'eeting ated at the corner of Front and Hai-rison 

Monroe, it will sulfiee lo say that theline fi i streets, shortly after the building of the Detroit, 

Detroit to Toleilo was inmu'iliately ])i'os])ei'ous Monroe- ami Toledo line was removed to the 

(and has <'ver remaineil so), and (hal the ]ioirit where this trade intersected the track of 

steamers wci'e huilt and named the " Western tlii' Smithei-n. This made a haul of about 

Metropolis" ami " (Jity of Buffalo." They cost threes fourths of a mile for every pound of nnn-- 

•SfHKl, 00(1, and were the final (ifToii lo resuscitate chandise going out or coming in, and was thus 

the waning eiirrciit ol' l;d<o travcd, then slowly detrimental to the business of the city, but it 

but surely <lying nndeu' the competition of the also establishe(l as a portion of tiic main track 

various lines of railroad whieli hail liidci'd of the railroad a part of tiie line which had not 

Buffalo \vi I h Tojedo along the southern shore (heretofore been thus used, and thereby im- 

oC Jjaku l'';rie. Their subsequent history is paired the use of an entire sti-eet for business 

hrieflj' told. They iicvcr earned expenses and ]Mirposes. 

were finally withdrawn from the I'oule. ;\ n With the death of .Tohn D. Campbell, Henry 

effort was made to sell them, Ijuc the jianie of H. Porter was ap))ointed su]»orintendcnt. He 

1S57 tightened the money market and pricked was a conservator of the " Keep " interest in 

the bubble of speculation, and there were no the line. He continued as executive for two 

buyers. They were brought to Monroe, tied years and was succeeded by Charles F. Hatch, 

up, and tiieir grandeur only met the cya of a who assumed the title of general superinten- 

solKary watchman who was put in (diai'ge of temlent. Mr. Hatch was a thoroughly trained 

them. Tliey were tinally sold in 18(11 for railroad man, and had earned his way from the 

•S50,000 — less than the cost of one of their position of telegra])h operator at White Pigeon 

engines. ' tiirough various grades to the high position of 

The crash of 1857 put an end lo the amhi- chi.^f ofiieer of the line. The old-fashioned 

tious |)lans of the road and eanuMK'ar wrecking methods of railroad management had gradu- 

it. The variou-i ])roieets involved a large ally given way to something like the present 

lloaling ihdit, wliicdi tiie revulsion caught un- system, and Mr. Hatch was progressive. He 

provided foi\ From April, 1857, to April, divided the road into four parts, known re- 

1S5S, the road had four jircsidents. Its stock si)ectively as the Eastern, Western, Air Line 

was 1 15 in 185(;, and in August, 1857, its paper or Southern, and Northern Divisions. The 

went lo pi-otcst. (ieoi'ge Bliss became its latter comprised the Jackson branch, the Mon- 

presidcnt in April, 1858, and found 155 law- roe br.anch and the J)etroit, Monroe and Toledo 

siuts against it. When the board of directors line, known therealter as the Detroit branch, 

met to organize,. when he was elected, they had Over this division, as division superintendent, 

to borrow chairs from the neighboring offices, was placed P. D. Cooper, an energetic and com- 



RAILROADS. 



2.*) 3 



petenl man. The continued upbuilding of the 
main line between Toledo and Chicago had 
told disastrously upon the efficienej' of the 
Northern division, but Mr. Cooper set at work 
to put liis portion of the road in as good condi- 
tion as possible, and to build it up, so far as the 
means granted him by the company would 
jHTinit. He was fairl}- successful, though ham- 
]icred by the polic}' of the compan}', and the 
.stalions ia Monroe count}- received as good 
accommodations at his hands as he could com- 
mand. 

In May, 1869, the Michigan Southern and 
Northern Indiana was consolidated with the 
various roads extending eastward from Toledo, 
Ohio, to Eric, Pennsvlvania, under the title of 
the "Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Rail- 
way Company." In August of the same year 
the link from Erie eastward to Buffalo, New 
York, was added to the consolidation, making 
a continuous line between Buffalo and Chicago. 
In the reorganization, the division formerly 
known as the Northern, became the Detroit 
division, Mr. Cooper remaining in charge and 
Mr. Hatch becoming general superintendent of 
the consolidated lines. In the fall of 1869 Mr. 
Cuoper was promoted, and the Detroit division 
was divided between Superintendent Curtis of 
the Michigan division and H. M. Wright of 
the Air Line, .Mr. (Jurlis taking the Monroe 
branch and Mr. Wright the Detroit branch, 
the actual management of the station being in 
Mr. Wright. Like his predecessor he was a 
practical man, and conscientious, and during 
his administration man^- needed improvements 
were made and the facilities at Monroe largely 
increased. The passenger depot had previ- 
oush- been a small, inconvenient, and badly 
ariangcd building, and it was under the ad- 
ministration of Mr. Wriglit that the present 
commodious building was erected. 

In 1872 Mr. Hatch resigned to accept a more 
responsible position in Boston and was suc- 
ceeded by Charles Paine. In 1874 Mr. Wright 
was compelled, by the failure of his health, to 
seek the climate of California, and was suc- 
ceeded in the management of the Detroit divi- 
sion, which was then again unite<l,by a nephew 
of Mr. T'aine's, P. S. Blodgett. Mr. Paine be- 
came connected with the West Shore in 1880, 
and just previous to his resignation appointed 
Mr. BJodgett to a lucrative position on the 
Western division. Mr. Blodgett was succeeded 



as superintendent by T. .1. Charleswortli, and 
he by George H. Worcester, a son of the sec- 
retary and treasurer of the road. 

T!ie representatives of the road in the city of 
Monroe have been numerous, and the terms of 
their service have extended from sixty days to 
fifteen j'cars. Among them, three have been 
of more than local distinction. J. S. Dickinson 
became a prominent officer of the Wabash com- 
pany; C. C. Haskins achieve<l fame as a poet 
and later as an electrician, and for sixt}' days 
in 1868 the position of agent was held hj- C. D. 
Hanks, who was reputed to be not only a poet 
but a politician as well, having previously been 
one of the State officers of Ohio. 

The history of the Michigan .Southern has 
been given at considerable length and with 
fullness of detail, for the reason that its story is 
intert'.N ined and closely linked with the history 
of Monroe cit^' and county. Had it not been 
for the earnest |)ersistcnce of our early citizens, 
the road would never have been built. Had it 
not been for their energetic action it would 
have been hopelessly destroyed in the interest 
of the Central within a month after its first 
division was finished ; and when tlie amount of 
wealth in the infant community is taken into 
consideration, the list of the stockholders who 
purchaseil it from the State and the amounts 
they subscribed will show how deeply they 
were interested in its presci'vation as a dis- 
tinctively Monroe entei'prise, and at what cost 
to tiiemselves they attompt(Hl to build u]i the 
city of their home. 

"When Bli.ss secured tlie presidency of the 
S()\ilhern and proceeded to saddle upon it the 
bankrupt Erie and Kalamazoo, which he also 
was interested in, and which was a '-cheap 
purchase'' to the syndicate he represented, 
under its burden of judgments, a heavy blow 
was struck at t!ic growtli and prosperity of 
Monroe, and struck through the very means 
the}' had anticipated would build it up and 
maintain its prestige. The gradual transfer- 
ence of its terminal business from Monroe to 
Toledo tended to the upbuilding of the latter at 
the expense of the former. The business men 
of Monroe .sought equal facilities, were prom- 
ised them, but the rival city maintained her 
advantage. Thus a decade passed away, and 
then followed the " dark days" of the financial 
crash, when the road seemed on the verge of 
bankruptcy and could do nothing for either 



234 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



city. But the period of the greatest depres- 
sion was followed by the civil war with its 
fluctuating currency, its feverish excitement of 
speculation, and the increased tide of business 
incident to the transportation of men and 
material of war, animals and sustenance for 
the troops and raw material for manufacture for 
their supplies, and almost every nortliern rail- 
road felt the impetus of the growing activity, 
and began to increase in value. At the termina- 
tion of the war the Southern was again on a 
sound financial foundation. 

It would be strange, taking into considera- 
tion the part which Monroe had played in the 
creation of the Southern, if no feeling should 
arise against the line for the diversion of her 
traffic and the loss of the terminal facilities. 
With a grassgrown track by the side of her 
river, with empty warehouses rotting at her 
wharves, with her harbor deserted and the 
connecting track abandoned and torn up, a 
bitterness of feeling was engendered against 
the Southern that rendered the position of 
representative of the road at Monroe anything 
but an enviable one. Between the demands of 
the patrons on the one hand and the refusals of 
the corporation on the other — with injustice 
undoubtedly on both sides — it was not until 
Mr. Cooper and Mr. Wright became superin- 
tendents that anything like adequate facilities 
were furnished for the business of the place. 
Later the stress of comjjetition brought about 
a uniformity of rates which placed Monroe 
upon an equality with her quondam rival, and 
the antagonism between the city and the coni- 
]iany seems dying out. 

But this antagonism was at its height shortly 
after the close of the war, and was one of the 
controlling causes which brought the second 
railway into the county. .Some years before 
this time a railroad had been built from Holly, 
on the Detroit and Milwaukee, seventeen 
miles northward to Flint. This line was the 
embryo of the pi'e.sent Flint and Pere Mar- 
quette. Later it had been pushed forward 
to Saginaw, then enjoying such a season of 
prosperity as later came to be designated as 
a "boom," and after running a branch for 
si.xtoen miles down the Saginaw river to Bay 
City had cros.sed the river at Bast Saginaw 
and struck out through pathless forests of 
pine tnr the di.stant shores of Lake Michigan. 
A new country was being opened up, and 



strenuous efforts were being made to control 
its trade. 

In the meantime anew and unique method of 
building railroads had come into vogue. Their 
benefits had come to be generallj' recognized, 
and every hamlet was anxious to be upon some 
line of railroad. It became an easy matter for 
people, sanguine of the benefits which might 
ensue, to be induced to discount those benefits. 
The plan was simple and easy. A company 
would be formed, a charter procured, sufficient 
mone\- paid in to pay for two or three pre- 
liminary surveys, and then the aid of the pub- 
lic would be sought to build the line. Each 
location upon the different surveys would be- 
come an earnest rival of the other lines, and 
would strain every nerve to procure sufficient 
financial inducement to cause the forthcoming 
line to pass through its borders. Thus the 
location was virtually put up at auction to the 
highest bidder, and ever}' one who might be 
benefited, no matter how indirectly, was be- 
sought to subscribe in aid of the new project. 
Thus it sometimes chanced that railroads would 
be built at the expense of the communities 
through which they passed, while they would, 
of cour.se, be owned by the company ])Ossessing 
the charter. 

Monroe, conceiving itself ill used by its on\y 
railroad, the Soiilhern, and at the same time de- 
siring to control a part of the trade of the Sagi- 
naw valley, began to talk of a line which 
should extend northward to connect with the 
Flint and Pere Marquette at Holly, and south- 
ward to the State line, t'leretolje met by a cor- 
responding line from Toledo. The civil war, but 
reccnti}- closed, had accentuated the American 
habit of deciding all matters of public interest 
at public meetings, and public meetings were 
called to take into consideration the advisa- 
bility of making an effort to build a north and 
south railroad. 

As to its necessity the speakers were all 
agreed ; the question of expediency and cost 
wasdiscussed,antl committees appointed. Other 
meetings were held, at which favorable re- 
ports from these committees were made and 
much enthusi.asm created. But enthusiasm 
does not build railroads nor provide them with 
rolling stock. The result of the meetings was 
the organization of the Holly, Wayne and 
Monroe Railroad Company'. Capital stock was 
subscribed at Monroe and other points along 



RAILROADS. 



2^5 



the proposed route, aiul committees were ap- 
pointed to solicit aid. A line was surveyed 
wliicli started at sucli a point in the first ward 
of Monroe City as siiouid enable a connection 
to bo made with tiic tracks of the Michigan 
S<juthorii and Northern Indiana. Tlience cross- 
ing; the River Raisin, liie road extended 
througii an excellent farming country for sev- 
eral miles, then entered a belt of hard wood 
timber lying on the boundaries of Monroe and 
AVayne counties, thence through " Catville " 
(later rechristened "New Boston"), crossing 
the line of the Michigan Central at the village 
of Wayne, thence through Plymouth, North- 
viile and Milford to the village of Holly, sixt}-- 
six miles from its commencement. 

For a time everything went swimmingly. 
The soliciting committees were almost uni- 
formly successtul, and aid was liberally prom- 
ised. Construction was begun at the north 
end, and at various places along the line grad- 
ing was done. The most difficult portion of 
the line lay between \Va3Mie and Monroe, and 
at first but little was done upon this. Then fol- 
lowed a season of indifference, during which 
but slow progress was ma<le. The company 
maintained its corporate existence, and occa- 
sionally spurred up the lagging enthusiasm by 
a public; meeting. The year 18(i8 found the 
company- in this position, when the heavy fire 
of that year bore heavily' upon some of the 
road's most ardent advocates. Its treasury be- 
lame exhausted, and several contractors who 
had ventured largely in its construction be- 
came embarrassed ; among them General Levi 
S. Ilumphrej', the commissioner who had built 
the Michigan Southern. But the organization 
pluckily keptat work. During ISOOand 1870 
some work was done, but it became evi<lcntto 
the projectors and promoters of the scheme 
that even if they succeeded in completing their 
roud bed, it would be ditficult to ])ut on equip- 
ment, and the line would be a weakling. 

The Flint and Pere Marquette, under the 
energetic management of George C. Kimball, 
terminated at Holly, reaching Detroit over the 
tracks of the Detroit and Milwaukee. Mr. 
Kimball was dissatisfied with the accommoda- 
tions accorded him bj' that line, and was cast- 
ing about for another outlet. Negotiations 
were entered into betiveon the Holly, Wayne 
and Monroe and the Flint and Pere Marquette 
by which th^ latter were to complete the work 



upon the road bed, iron it and put on the 
requisite equipment, and were to take the vari- 
ous subscriptions to the I'oad. But so long a 
time had elapsed since the work of the solicit- 
ing committee had been done, that some of the 
aid notes had become stale and others value- 
less. The pro])ositioTi was made to obtain re- 
newals of these, which were to be turned over 
to a committee of citizens of whose responsi- 
bility and standing there was no doubt, and 
these citizens were to give their personal bond 
to the Flint and Pere Marquette. As the peo- 
ple were anxious for an early completion of the 
work, at least as far as Monroe, it was stipu- 
lated that connection should be made with the 
tracks of the Lake Shore ami Michigan South- 
ern by the first of January, 1872, the arrange- 
ment being perfected with the Flint and Pero 
Marquette early in 1871. 

With his accustomed energy Superintendent 
Kimball began to push the construction of the 
new line, and from time to time reports reached 
Monroe of its extension southward, and that 
first one and then another point had welcomed 
the advent of the iron steed on its southward 
))rogress. 

Hut doubt began to creep over the inhabit- 
ants of Monroe as the summer passed and 
autumn came on, and no preparation was vis- 
ible to bridge the Raisin. This was a task 
which would require at least several weeks for 
its completion. It was generally supposed 
that the agreement with the Flint and Pei-e 
Marquette, which called for a connection with 
the tracks of the Jjake Shore and Michigan 
Southern, provided for a depot in the first 
ward of the city. The line from Detroit to 
Toledo, while owned and operated by the Lake 
Shore and Michigan Southern, had never been 
consolidated with it, but still maintained its 
organization as an independent company ; and 
it was apprehended that a connection with 
the track of that line .vould not be a com- 
pliance with the conditions of the agreement. 
The curiosity of the people becanie great when 
it was known that the construction force had 
reached within three miles of the city. It was 
now early in December, 1871, and practically 
impossible to bridge the river in time to con- 
nect the tracks before January 1, 1872. But 
the question was speedily settled. Abandon- 
ing the line of the original survey-, about a mile 
north of the city limits a sharp curve was made 



236 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



to the eastward, and near the Detroit, Monroe 
and Toledo track a reverse curve to the south- 
ward brought the line to the right of way of 
the latter road. The acquisition of the neces- 
sary land by arrangement for a part, and the 
purchase outright of another portion, was 
quietly done, the new line was as quietly 
staked out, and before the fact was generally 
known tiie rails had been laid to the track of 
the Detroit, Monroe and Toledo line. No con- 
nection was made, however, and it was at once 
vigorously protested that the agreement had 
been violated, and the signers of the aid notes 
relea.sed from their obligations. But the pro- 
testers evidently failed to reckon upon the 
astuteness of corporations. 

Op])osite the north end of Half street, from 
the main track of the Lake Shore and Michi- 
gan Southern, a long track, curving in a north- 
easterly direction, extends to a point a few 
feet north of the crossing of Fi-ont street, over 
the Detroit, Monroe and Toledo track. This 
curving side track, as well as all the other side 
tracks at the station, extended east and west, 
and were portions of the track of the Lake 
Shore and Michigan Southern ; and the point of 
connection of this curving track with the north 
and south track was in reality the point of 
connection between the Lake Shore and Michi- 
gan Southern and the Detroit, Moni-oe and 
Toledo railroads. Putting in a "frog" about 
three-fourths of a mile north of the river, in 
order to carry the northerly line of rail across 
the west line of rail of the Detroit, Monroe and 
Toledo, the new line was put down parallel to 
and about two inches from the line of rail of the 
Detroit and Toledo road and carried down in 
this manner past Elm avenue and across the 
railroad bridge, and between the 20th and 24tli 
of J)ecember, 1871, the end of this line of rail 
was connected with the north end of the curve 
track before mentioned, thus carrying out the 
letter if not the spirit of the agreement. 

A few days before, a meeting had taken 
place at Monro(i between Superintendents Kim- 
ball of the Flint and Pere Marquette, and 
Wright of the Fiake Shore and Michigan 
Southei-n, at which arrangements had been 
made for the business of the new line to be 
done h3' the force and in the offices of the old 
one, and the agent in charge was instructed to 
make the necessary ])lans for the transfer of 
about six car loads of freight each way daily, 



that being about the anticipated volume ot 
interchange. But twenty-four hours after the 
connection had been made a train arrived at 
Monroe from Holly bringing in over thirty car 
loads of freight and taking out forty-two. 

The dissatisfaction of the people of Monroe at 
the outcome of their effort to obtain a compet- 
ing road was intense, and fanned the antag- 
onism against the Southern into a brighter 
flame. After all their efforts and sacrifices the 
new road had joined hands with the enemy 
and they were no better off than before, after 
their outlay. But even before the new line 
had reached its connection with the old one a 
hope appeared, aroused b}' well-founded rumors 
of still another line which would afford an out- 
let north, south, east and west, and be indeed a 
competing road. 

With the opening to traffic of the Flint and 
Pere Marquette Railroad the business interests 
of Monroe and the surrounding country began 
a healthy and satisfactory growth. Access 
was had to the lumbering regions and a marUet 
afforded for hay and grain. East Saginaw and 
Bay Citj", respectivelj" the distributing points 
for the inland lumber camps and the towns 
along the shores of Lake Huron, furnished a 
ready outlet for berries, vegetables and fruits, 
and the market gardening interest began a 
steady growth, which it has maintained and 
inci-eased year by year until it has become one 
of the prominent industries of the vicinity. 
Through a portion of its route the new railroad 
ran through dense forests of hard woods, 
which difficulty of access had kept from mar- 
ket. Heavy contracts were made whereby 
this timber was to be cut, hauled by train to 
Monroe and there put into the river. Thence 
it was rafted to the St. Lawrence, and from 
there transported to Europe for shipbuilding 
purposes. While this supi)ly of timber lasted 
the docks assumed a semblance of their former 
activity; and when the timber suitable for ship- 
building became scarce, there still remained 
large quantities suitable for cooperage stock, and 
the northern portion of the county began to feel 
the business impetus occasioned by the opening 
of communication with the outside world. It 
was rapidly cleared up, and what had been a 
heavy forest when the road was opened, grad- 
ually became arable land, such timber as was 
not suitable for cooperage purposes being made 
into charcoal, for which the industries of 



RAILROADS. 



rM 



W}-;inilotlo and Delroil fiiriiislie<l :i ready 
market. The now line was found advan- 
tageous in another particular, in that it fur- 
nished the towns in Monroe county a direct 
lino from the great pine regions of the State. 
Theretofore no pine lumber was atlainabU; 
s;ive by pa\'ing transportation charges over 
two roads. This was now changed, and the 
lunihcr trade of Monroe began to assume much 
larger proportions and the building trailes felt 
the increase. 

The dissatisfaction which arose from the 
liiial change of route si)eedily disappeai'od 
wlioii it was found that some of the anticipated 
licnetils which had inspired the building of the 
new line, wcrebeing realized, and thatthc man- 
agement was disposed to deal generously and 
equitably with the businessmen of Monroe. For 
some 3-cars that portion of the road between 
Monroe and Holly was known as the Holly, 
Wayne and Monroe division of the Flint and 
Pei'c Marquette Railway, but a later reorgani- 
zation merged it into the Eastern division, ex- 
tending from Bay City through East Saginaw 
to Monroe. 

In the dark days succeeding the panic of 
1873 the road passed through some of the vicis- 
situdes incident to railwa}' property in times 
of commercial and financial depression. In 
1879 it went into the hands of a receiver ap- 
pointed bj' the courts. After the affairs of the 
old company were wound up, the bondholders 
of the road took the property and again reor- 
ganized it into the Flint and Pere Marquette 
Kailroad. Since this reorganization it has 
steadily increased in value. By means of 
branches run into the pine regions it has main- 
tained its supremacy as one of the leading 
lumber lines, and at the same time has opened 
up a vast area of country for settlement. By 
means of its own steamers between Ludington 
and Milwaukee, it has established itself as an 
important link in the transcontinental isj-stom 
of rail ways, and has been a successful competitor 
for a liberal portion of through traffic. It lias 
steadily improved its property- and equipment, 
promptly adopting every tried and valuable 
improvement. Its iron rails have been re- 
placed by the best quality of steel, its motive 
power and rolling stock are the best obtainable, 
its station buildings and general offices are 
models of elegance and adaptability, and while 
these improvements have boon in steady prog- 



ress, they have been made from the legitimate 
earnings of the road. While its mahagoiuent 
has been careful and prudent it has likewise 
been liberal, and has recognized the truth of 
the adage that " One dollar and a friend is bet- 
ter than two dollars and an enemy."' The 
"Independent State" feels a jjardonable pride 
in the prosperity of the Flint and Pere Mar- 
<[ucttc, since a portion of the line is of her own 
creation. 

For some years jirior to 1873 railroad liuild- 
ing was active throughout the northern section 
of the United States. The completion of the 
first Pacific line, in 18G9, had given an impetus 
to the business in the West; and various con- 
solidations of small and weak lines with largo 
and powerful ones in the middle and eastern 
sections, had again called the attention of cap- 
italists to railroad building and operation as 
an investment. Five trunk lines, more or less 
complete, were in operation between the East 
and the West: tho Grand Trunk, New York 
Central, Erie, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore and 
Ohio. Of these all but the first were wholly 
within tho boundaries of tho United States. 
This skirted the northern shore of Lake On- 
tario, reached the United States at the outlet 
of Lake Huron, and then by connecting roads 
made a detour around the south end of Lake 
Michigan to reach Chicago. Tho second and 
third ran from New York to Buffalo, and thence, 
by two separate lines, deflected southwestward 
along the trend of Lake F]ric, thence westward 
to Chicago. The third ran in an approximate 
air line through Pennsylvania, and tlien bent 
northward to reach the same point ; while the 
Baltimore and Ohio made a more circuitous 
southern route than an}- of the others. Neither 
route was, even approximatel}', an air line, and 
neither the shortest practicable route. Kxam- 
ination of the map will disclose the fact that a 
lino drawn from Western New York to Chicago 
will tend to the northward of Lake Erie rather 
than south of it. Taking advantage of this 
fact the project of another trunk line was de- 
vised, a portion of which, starting at Buffalo, 
should run in an air line through Canada to 
the Detroit Iliver, crossing which a direct 
southwesterly course was laid to tho southern 
point of Lake Michigan, whence a few miles 
northwestward would bring it into Chicago. 
From the starting point, west of the Detroit 
river, a lino was projected to run northward to 



23S 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Detroit and southward to Toledo, pai-allcl with 
the Detroit, Monroe and Toledo line; the point 
where the projected line crossed the Detroit 
river being almost exactly midway between 
Detroit and Toledo. 

Among the many railway enterprises in 
which capitalists were engaged at this time, the 
new line obtained assurance of adequate finan- 
cial backing, and its organization was speedily 
effected. It was composed of four separate 
companies: the Canada Soutlicrn, from the 
Niagara Ki%'er to the Detroit River; the Can- 
ada Southern Bridge Company, for the ferry 
and bridge acro.ss the Detroit River, Amherst- 
burg to Stony Island, Ston}- Island to CTros.se 
Isle and the mainland; the Chicago and Can- 
ada Southern thence to Chicago, and the To- 
ledo, Canada Southern and Detroit, Detroit to 
Toledo. 

The line was a prime favorite from its very 
inception. Itaroiised noantagonisms. It asked 
no bonuses or favors, purchased its right of 
way, paid for its materials and help promptly, 
and proceeded without an^- flourish of trum- 
j^ets, in a methodical and business-like manner, 
to construct it.s road. Work was first begun on 
the Canada portion of it, and when that was 
well under way the crossing at Amherstburg 
was undertaken, and work begun upon the 
division between Toledo and Detroit. The 
number of bridges to be built upon this latter 
portion made the construction proceed some- 
what slowly. Work was also begun on the line 
from the Detroit River to Chicago. It wasprose- 
cuted energetically during the summer of 1873, 
and the autumn of that year found the Canada 
line practically completed, as was the crossing 
of the Detroit River and the Toledo and De- 
troit divi.sion, while the line westward had 
crossed the Michigan line and reached Faj-ette, 
Ohio. The line between Detroit and Toledo was 
opened for business November 13, 1873. 

The opening of this line had a marked effect 
upon the business of the entire county of Mon- 
roe. The Chicago and Canada Southern line 
ran diagonally in a southwestern direction 
through the county. At the crossing of its 
road with the Flint and Pere Marquette sprang 
up the lively and flourishing village of Carl- 
ton, which for some years found a profitable 
industry in working up the hard-wood timber 
of the surrounding country. The villages of 
Scofield and Maybee also came into existence. 



each the center of a lively trade with the sur- 
rounding region. The enterprising inland 
village of Dundee found itself at last with rail 
connections to the outside world, and an era of 
business revival and jirosperity set in. The 
setting up of these surrounding markets tended 
to curtail the territory whose trade had there- 
tofore been tributary to Monroe Cit}-, but such 
was the impetus given to its business that 
property of all kinds appreciated in value; a 
large tract of land east of the new railroad was 
platted and put into the market, as well as an- 
other in the southern part of the cit}' ; new 
manufactories were projected and built, old 
ones were enlarged ; houses were erected, and 
there was such an influx of population that in 
the fall of 1873 rents rapidl}^ increased and 
there was not a vacant dwelling to be found. 
Indeed, in some cases houses in process of 
erection were rented while yet unfinished, the 
prospective tenants paying rent to secure 
them. 

With the opening of the new line Monroe 
became a battleground between it and its com- 
petitor, the Lake Shore. The officers and 
agents of the new line had been selected from 
the ranks of its competitor, thus securing a 
force which had no need to become acquainted 
with its prospective patrons. Its sujjerinten- 
dent was David Edwards, who had been agent 
of the Lake Shore at. Detroit ; its agent at 
Detroit was T. H. Malone, and at Toledo, W. H. 
Minneker, who had respectively been chief 
clerks in the freight dejiartment of the Lake 
Shore at those cities ; and the agent at Monroe 
was W. B. Calhoun, who, some years previ- 
ously, had been telegraph operator and ticket 
agent of the Lake Shore at that point. The 
roadmaster was James Conney, for many j^ears 
in charge of the Lake Shore construction train, 
and even the section foremen were drawn from 
the ranks of the Lake Shore. 

The warfare between the two lines was sharp 
and bitter. Each seemed to be actuated b}' 
tiie same spirit in regard to traffic as moved the 
elderly Quaker in his advice to his son regard- 
ing money: "Get it; honestly if thee can, 
but — get it!" Each agent was presumed to 
have a book of rates, but virtually made such 
figures as would be likely to draw the business 
from his rival. The shipping of freight be- 
came a good deal like an auction sale, and each 
jjatron wanted to " look around" before clos- 



RAILROADS. 



2.'? 9 



inK the (ioiil. But tlic long iimscil |irejiiilicc 
which Monroe t'elt against the Lai<e Shoi-o 
found vent in building up its rival, though hy 
an appeal to the pockets of patrons through 
jiiwering rates down to and below the cost of 
doing the business, the Lake Shore managed 
to make it a losing game for its rival, and for 
mail}' }-ears the Toledo, Canada Southern and 
Detroit did not have earnings enough to meet 
its expenditures. 

Hut the new line, planned as a link in a 
transcontinental chain, was not destined to he 
completed. Just before its Canadian and De- 
troit and Toledo branches were ready to re- 
ceive traffic, and while its main line was being 
rapidly pushed westward it was brought to a 
sudden halt For several days in September, 
ls7:{, the financial ])ul.se of Wall street beat 
feverishly. Excitement, with difficulty sup- 
pressed, marked the transactions of that great 
monetary center. Specie payments had not 
yet been resumed, and gold was the foot-ball 
with which the bulls and bears were playing. 
Day by da}' the stringency of the market grew 
greater, till on " Black Friday '' the first crash 
came; a crash which ushered in a financial de- 
jiression la.sting for seven years. Amid the 
ruins of the earlier shocks were the financial 
backers of the Canada Southern, and construc- 
tion was at once suspended, never to be re- 
sumed. 

For some yoar.s thereafter the Canada South- 
ern led a precarious existence, repudiating 
claims, declining to pay losses, and rapidly ap- 
proaching bankruptcy. The railroad wars in- 
augurated shortly alter it was opened forbu.si- 
ness and continued with unabated violence for 
several j'ears, the great strike of 1877 and con- 
sequent loss of traffic, and the general depres- 
sion of all industries of the country during the 
years following the crash of 1873, conspired to 
depreciate its value and render it an unprofit- 
able venture. Its rolling stock became worn 
out without the ability to replace it, its road 
bed degenerated into " two streaks of rust and 
the right of way,' when the process of dismem- 
berment began. In 1879 the Lake Shore arxl 
Michigan Southern purchased $1,732,500 of the 
first mortgage bonds and -SI, 384, 700 of the 
capital stock of the Chicago and Canada 
Southern, that portion of the line extending 
from the Detroit River to Fayette. Ohio, sixty 
seven miles. Although this purchase nomi- 



nally rcpi-esentcd $3,117,20(1, it cost the pur- 
chasing company but S()t)5,0()() — a little less 
than -SlOjOOO per mile ; and forever put it out 
of the power of the company to complete a 
competing line to Chicago. This pui-chase, 
however, was of a similar character to the 
earlier purchase of the Frie and Kalamazoo by 
the Michigan Southern when George HIiss con- 
trolled both. It was buying the rival up and 
then uidoading it upon the successful road. 
The Vanderbilt interest had controlled the 
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern since 
1873, and had in the meantime acquired con- 
trol of the Canada Southern enterprise. It 
also controlled the Michigan Centi'al. The 
Chicago and Canada Southern lived six years, 
almost to a day. Opened for traffic November 
13, 1873, on November 10, 1870, the Lake 
Shore assumed (-ontrol of it. The remaining 
divisions of the road assumed closer relations 
with the Michigan C!entral,and some two or 
three years later were absorbed by that com- 
pany, the main line becoming the Canada divi- 
sion, and the Toledo, Canada Southern and 
Detroit, the Toledo division of the Michigan 
Central, January 1, 1883. 

With the acquisition of the Vanderbilt party 
of the control of the Canada Southern, compe- 
tition virtually ceased, though an occasional 
desultory war of rates would sometimes break 
out ; but with the advent of the control of the 
Michigan Central regime it ceased entirely. 
Though the two different organizations are 
still maintained, and the roads are managed bj' 
distinct and different heads of departments, 
and the outward semblance of rivalry is kept 
up, the interests of both lines are in effect 
identical, and Monroe is again without compe- 
tition, and practically under the feet of the 
object of its ancient feud. 

While the Holly, Waj'ne and Monroe was as 
yet incomplete, and before the Canada South- 
ern had assumed form, another railroad project 
was started. This contemplate<l a line begin- 
ning at Toledo and extending in a northwest- 
erly direction through Monroe county and into 
Washtenaw, where its southern division was 
to terminate at the city of Ann Arbor. The 
design was ultimately to extend it into the 
pine regions of the State. The original plan 
contem](lated the construction by the Toledo 
and Northern Railroad Company, of a line 
from Toledo to some point on the southern 



240 



HISTORY OK MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



border of Monroe county ; thence the Michigan 
end of the company (the Toledo, Ann Arbor 
and Northern) was to continue the line through 
the city of Ann Arbor to Owosso, Shiawassee 
county. The articles of incorporation of the 
Michigan company bear date October 23, 18(;9, 
and were filed in the office of Uie Secretary of 
State November 26, 1801). 

During 1870 and 1871 preliminary survey's 
were made and the line determined uj)on. Then 
began the solicitation of "aid notes" along the 
line, for this road was to be built in the man- 
ner of the Holly, Wayne and Monroe, largely 
by the contributions of the district through 
which it was to run. Governor Ashley, of 
Toledo, was largely interested in the project, 
and it is only through his almost indomitable 
perseverance that it has been enabled to bo 
brought to completion, for its histoi-y is the tale 
of almost continual struggle against obstacles 
well nigh insurmountable. The work had 
scarcely begun upon the line when the panic 
wave of 1873 swept over the country. Some 
grading had been done on portions of the line; 
the roadbed was ready for the ties at other 
places ; some 70,000 ties had been bought, to- 
gether with several hundred cords of wood. An 
expenditure of about one-fifth of the capital 
stock had been made when the road hecarae in- 
volved in litigation arising from its financial 
difficulties. The aid notes were not playable 
till six months after the first train had run 
over the road, and wore consequently not 
available; subscribers to the capital stock were 
declining to pay, creditons were pressing, and 
the road eventually appeared in the United 
States coiirt as a bankrupt, and Edward D. 
Kinne, of Ann Arbor, became its assignee. 
September 28, 1875, under an order of the 
court, dated August 13, 1875, the road and its 
franchises was sold by the assignee to Benja- 
min P. Crane, of Ann Arbor, for $1,100. 
Governor Ashley at once took steps to reor- 
ganize the project, and on June 9, 1877, pur- 
chased the road and its franchises from Mr. 
Crane for $25,000, and organized the Toledo 
and Ann Arbor Railroad Company, the articles 
of incorporation being dated November 23, 
1877, and filed in the office of the Secretary of 
State the same dny. Construction was at once 
proceeded with, and supplies bought, and the 
road was completed from Toledo to Ann Arbor 



May 18, 1878; and regular trains began run- 
ning July 8, 1878. 

But the road was not through with its finan- 
cial difficulties. The " aid notes " given at 
various intervals during the ])reeeding seven 
years, fell due early in 1879, after the road had 
been si.x months in operation. 

Changes had in the meantime taken place, 
and some of the notes had become value- 
less. Many of the others wore contested when 
payment was pressed, and the litigation of 
the.se claims was still going on as late as 1884. 

Shortly after its completion to Ann Arbor a 
reorganization was had, which, under the name 
of the Toledo, Ann Arbor and Grand Trunk, 
gave it running arrangements with the Grand 
Trunk Railway of Canada. Work upon the 
noi'thern end in the meantime was being 
pushed forward, and in 1880 it was again re- 
organized as the Toledo, Ann Arbor and 
North Michigan, the name it now retains. In 
1886 it was opened to Mt. Pleasant, in the edge 
of the pine belt, 171 miles from Toledo, and has 
projected two lines westward : one from Mt. 
Pleasant to Cadillac, w hich will ultimately be 
extended to Lake Michigan and become a part 
of the main line; the other from Ashley west- 
ward to Muskegon. 

After nearly twenty years of continuous 
struggle against difficulties, the line is at last 
firmly established and seems sure of a prosper- 
ous future. Alon^f its route several busy vil- 
lages have sprung into existence, which, while 
curtailing the market of the city of Monroe, 
still furnish an outlet for the produce of the 
adjacent country, and opportunities for manu- 
factories and stores. 

Passing through the extreme northwestern 
corner of Milan township, its only station in 
Monroe county being the village of Milan, is a 
branch of the Wabash system, the trunk line 
of which extends from Toledo to St. Louis, 
Missouri, and the Southwest. The branch in 
question extends from Detroit southwesterly- 
through Wayne and Washtenaw counties, the 
northwest corner of Monroe, thence diagonally 
through Lenawee to the State line, whence it 
passes to Butler, Indiana, where connection is 
made with the Eel River line, also under con- 
ti'ol of the Wabash. Over this road it passes 
to Logansport, Indinna, where connection is 
made with the main line of the system. The 



RAILROADS. 



241 



Detroit l)raiicli vvus pi^ojcclcil unci l)iiilt .slujrtly 
iifter the Toledo and Ann Arbor was completed, 
llie first train passing in October, 18H1, and an 
independent train service between Toledo and 
I>etroit, running from Toledo to Milan over 
I lie Toledo and Ann Arbor, thence over the 
Wabash into Detroit, was organized. To tlie 
M<irtliwcstern portion of the county this branch 
liirnishes a direct communication with the city 
of l)etroit, and a direct route to St. IjouIs and 
the dislribiiting centers of the West and Soutli- 
wosl. 

Tiic latest railwaj' cntcrpriso within the 
borders of the county, while having passed 
liiroiigli the vicissitudes incident to new roads 
ill seasons of financial slringenc}', now bid.s fair 
to become an important and valuable line. 
This road, now known as the ('incinnati, Jack- 
son and Mackinaw,wasoriginally the outgrowth 
of plans to build a road connecting Toledo with 
some port on the eastern shore of Lake Michi- 
gan, whence a steamboat line could run directl}' 
to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Michigan por- 
tion of it was organized under the name of the 
Toledo and Milwaukee, and under this appella- 
tion the right of way was secured, and in 1882 
construction was begun. Ds I'oute was so laiil 
as to reach many flourishing places in the 
State, and at the sametimcgo through portions 
of the rich fanning land of the lower penin- 
sula somewhat remote from the trunk lines. 
For a portion of its route it r. ins parallel with 
the Michigan Central. Construction was be- 
gun along the central and western portions of 
Iho line fii'st and extended eastward. D was 
well advanced toward Monroe county early in 
1883, but at this time began to bo financially 
embarrassed, and finding itself unable to build 
the last twenty-five miles of its road, it was 
completed to a junction with the Toledo and 
Ann Arbor at Dundee, and perfected arrange- 
ments with that road whereby it acquired the 
privilege of running its trains between Toledo 
and Dundee upon the Ann Arbor track. This 
arrangement was made in tlie autumn of 1883, 
and train service immediately instituted. By 
the terms of its arrangement with the Toledo 
and Ann Arbor, however, its benefit to Monroe 
county was confined simply to furnishing a 
route from Dundee westward, as it was not 
allowed to take passengers or freight between 
Toledo and Dundee, or any of the intermediate 
points. 



When its running arrangements were com- 
plete, it was reorganized as the Michigan and 
Ohio. Its road bed and rolling stock were of 
a high order of construction, and it gave 
promise of much usefulness, when its creditors 
began litigation in the United States courts 
with the inevitable consequence of a I'cceivcr- 
ship. It was operated by J. A. Ijatcha as re- 
ceiver till ])urchased by the (Cincinnati, Jack- 
son and Mackinaw company, who now control 
it, and have made it a portion of their system. 
This company was organized in Ohio, with the 
intent of building a road whicii should e.\teiid 
from Cincinnati through western Ohio to some 
point on the southern line of Lenawee or Hills- 
dale counties, thence northerly- to the city of 
Jackson, and ultimately northward through 
the pine region to the straits of Mackinac. The 
purchase of the Alichigan and Ohio will some- 
what modify the route. The road is now rap- 
idly approaching the Stale line at a ])oint on 
the .southern border of Lenawee county whence 
it will extend northward thi-ough the villages 
of Hudson and Rollin to a junction with the 
Michigan and Ohio line at Addison or Devil's 
Lake, thence the Cincinnati line will be ex- 
tended northward to Jackson. Whether the 
northern division of the line will start from 
Jackson or from the western terminus of the 
Michigan and Ohio at Allegan is at present 
undecided. The officers of the new company 
are energetic and capable, and the road will 
rapidl}' take a front rank under their manage- 
ment. Some method of reaching Toledo over 
a track owned by themselves is alread)' in 
contemiiliition by the company, and among the 
plans is one of extending the line from Dundee 
southeasterly to Toledo. Should this project 
bo finally decided upon, it would add but little 
to the cost and nothing to the diflficiilly of the 
undertaking if the extension were made to 
touch the western portion of Monroe city. 
This would give a direct communication be- 
tween Monroe and Dundee, and also give to 
both a competing i-oute to Toledo uncontrolled 
by the trunk lines. Events move rapidly in 
the railroad world in the present age, and an- 
other decade ma)' make these concluding lines 
of this chapter upon the history of railroads in 
Monroe county, history indeed, in the sense 
that the events recorded, even those w'hich are 
now trans])iring, or oidy projected, will have 
been modified, changed, orentirely passed away. 



24- 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Of the various i-ail\v:ijs,l,lio history of wliicli 
has been tohl in llio prc<;cding pages, but six 
have now "a local habitation and a name" 
within Monroe county. The principal lino of 
the county is the Lake Shore and Michigan 
Southern, which has absorbed those mentioned 
in this cha|)ter under the names of Erie and 
Kalamazoo, Michigan Soutliern, Michigan 
Southern and Northern Indiana, Detroit, Mon- 
roe and Toledo, and Chicago and Canada 
.Southern. Tiie Toledo, Canaila Southern and 
Detroit lino of the old Canada Southern is 
merged into the Michigan Central. The Holly, 
Wayne and Monroe has disappeared in the 
Flint and Pere Marquette. The other lines, 
excepting the Wabash, though changed in 
name atul sometimes in ownershij), remain 
]iractically as projected and built. 

As to facilities of communication, few coun- 
ties are better supplied than Monroe. Two 
trunic lines furnish eas3- and frequent access to 
the neighboring cities of Detroit and Toledo, as 
well as to the great mercantile centers of the 
country east and west. Through these, as 
well as through the Wabash line, the South- 
west is opened. The oil fields of Pennsylvania 
and the coal regions of Ohio are put into direct 
communication with all parts of the county 
through these lines. The early vegetables and 
fsemi-tropical fruits of the South reach our 
markets nearly as quickly as they are found in 
(Jhicago. Three lines connect the county with 
the great fruit belt of western Michigan ; four 
lines bring to it the pine and salt of the north; 
one line already reaches that new and growing 
empire, the northern peninsula, with its wealth 
ol lumber and minerals, and another is pro- 
jected. When to these is added the water 
coinmunication which might be made available, 
the harbor which has been and might again be 
made the busiest spot in the count3', it indi- 
cates that the future of Monroe countj% with its 
strong and fertile soil and its varied produc- 
tions, is not to bo an old age of senilit}- and 
decadence, but a renewed youth of progress 
and prosporit3-. 



Note. — Ft is to be regretted that there re- 
mains so meagre a record of the early history 
of our railroads. The building of a railroad in 
the olden time had in it an element of romance 
differing greatly from the prosaic methods of 



the present day. Then the new outlet became 
a vital subject of interest to every inhabitant 
of tiie route to be traversed; its progress was 
intently watched, its opening hailed with 
bursts of fervid oratory and flaming tar bar- 
rels. It meant a new era of progress and devel- 
opment. Now there is no more enthusiasm 
than in the purchase of a specified number of 
barrels of pork or bushels of wheat. The 
record of our early roads is but scant and 
meagre. Engros.sed in watching for results, 
but slender records of progress were made. 
The early system of transportation did not 
tend to completeness of detail; and the writer 
has been compelled to search through various 
and widely scattered sources to obtain the 
facts hereinbefore set out. The writer can 
scarcely hope that ho has escaped error, but he 
has spared no pains or labor to secure accu- 
racy; though the search has sometimes been 
long and difficult. In justice to the accom- 
plished editor of the work, it should be remem- 
bered that the writer alone is responsible for 
whatever may be found in this chapter. 

It remains to acknowledge the various sources 
fi'om which the material for the foregoing 
chapter has been drawn. The incejjtion of the 
various roads and the legislation which gave 
them being have been drawn from old volumes 
of territorial laws, and the public acts of the 
earlier 3 ears of Michigan's histor}' as a State, 
which the writer has obtained from the library 
of Colonel I. R. Grosvenor. From this source 
have been obtained particulars of the earlj- 
charters and the " acts " for internal improve- 
jnents. Reports of the Supreme Court of the 
State of Michigan have also been freelj' used, 
together with the records of cases submitted to 
ascertain dates of opening and construction of 
the charters of some of the corporations. 

Among the published volumes which the 
writer has consulted at various jjoints of his 
researches should be mentioned : Cooley's 
"Michigan," in the series of " American Com- 
monwealths ; " Landman's "Red Book of Michi- 
gan ;" the publications of the " Pioneer Society 
of Michigan ;" various " Legislative Manuals;" 
" The Annual Reports to the Stockholders " of 
the various railroads mentioned ; " The Re- 
port of Michigan's Semi-Centennial of 1887;" 
" The 1857 Compilation of Lawsrelating to the 
Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana 
Railroad Company," enriched with the manu- 



RAII.KOAOS. 



248 



script notes of the l;ilc Juil<,'c Warner Wiii<j, 
toijothcr with a number of panipiilots and a 
mass of newspaper cuttin^^s. 

Access has also been hnd t.o the letters and 
papers of General Levi S. Ilumpiirey for tlie 
]icriod during whicii, as Commissioner of In- 
ternal Im]>i'ovcmenls, he constructed the Mich- 
igan Soutiiorn road. 

The writer woui<l specially acknowledge his 
great obligations to the eourtos}' of C. P. Fie- 
huid, the auditor of the Lake Shore and Mich- 
igan Southern Hailwa}'. Mr. J>eland was (;on- 
necteil with the old Michigan Southern and 
Northern Indiana as its general ticket agent, 
and after 18(i9 with the cousolidatoil lines as 
auditor. From a connection with the line, ex'- 
tcnding through about a quarter of a (tcntury, 
his own knowledge of the affairs of the Michi- 
gan Southern ie phenomenal and accurate. For 
tea years ho has cmjjloj-ed his leisure in col- 
lecting documents and reports connected with 
the early history of the various roads which 
became merged in the present trunk line. The 
result has been published in the shape of his- 
torical addenda, issued in connection with 
the annual reports of the company. These 
publi(^ations, extending through a sci-ies of 
years, together with a large amount of unpub- 
lished manuscript, covering in detail the earlier 
financial transactions of the companies, both 
under State and corj)orate management, have 
been freely placed at the command of the 
writer; and a liberal u.se of this material has 
been made. As it has been interwoven with 
the writer's own researches through that por- 
tion of the history' of the Erie and Kalamazoo, 



Michigan Southern and Detroit, Monrtie a?id To 
ledo, it is im[iossible to point out the particular 
portions of the chapter for which the writer is 
indebted to Mr. Leiand ; but it maj' well be said 
that had it not been for his researches and 
courtesy that portion of the histoiy would bo 
fragmentary and imperfet^t. 

Farmers admirable ■' History of I)ctr'()it and 
Michigan " has been of great service as a 
means of verifying dates and particulars. The 
painstaking accui-acy of Mr. Farmer's work is 
beyond all ])raise. 

In addition to the publications above men- 
tioned, the wi-iter has availed himself of the 
memories of such of the actors in the long ago 
scones as yet survive. The writer himself was 
connected with the Lake Shore and Michigan 
Southern in the competitive struggle which 
followed the opening of the Canada Southern, 
and for a decade and a half felt the antagonism 
subsisting between Monroe and the Michigan 
Southern. From J. M. Sterling, one of the 
midnigiit band who rescued the iron from the 
machinations of Van Fosscn, the particulars of 
that memorable night were obtained. 

Joseph n. Cleveland, the first superintendent 
of the Southern, and who was the only super- 
intendent it had during the years it was oper- 
ated by the Slate, has furnished from the rich 
storehouse of his memory many of the facts 
and circumstances connected with the primi- 
tive railroading of those early daj's. It is well 
to rescue these memories from oblivion, since 
the actors in the scenes described must very 
soon pass away. 

A. B. Bk.\(ii)0n. 



I 



I 



CHAPTER XX. 



THE BAR OK MONROE IN 1837. 



H(»N. WOLCOTT LAWRENCE 

WAS born in one of the towns :i<ljoining 
J'ittsficld, Maswachusctts, on the first 
(lay of November, in tlie year 178C. Ho was 
married to Caroline Stebbins, of Springfield, in 
the same State, November 26, 1816. In early 
life ho availed himself of the advantages of 
education afforded in the rural district where 
he was born, and, without the advantages of a 
college education, became eventually, by close 
application to study, an e.xceptionally well-in- 
formed and indeed a well-educated man. He 
applied himself to the study of the law in the 
office of one of the most eminent of the profes- 
sion in Pittsfield, and for a time practiced his 
profession in that place. In the meantime the 
new country of the Northwest had begun to 
attract the attention of the enterprising young 
men of the Now England States, and many 
were preparing to seek their fortunes in the 
new land of promise. Mr. Lawrence was one of 
these ; and in accordance with a previous un- 
derstanding between himself and his affianced, 
almost immediately after their marriage they 
came to Michigan and established their home 
on the River Raisin at Monroe. Hero in De- 
cember, 1817, their first child, Luerotia Wil- 
liams, afterwiirds the wife of Aipheus Felch, 
was born. The inhabitants on the River Raisin 
at that time were chiefly French, and the 
daughter above mentioned was the first child of 
American parents born among them. The old 
French settlers were accustomed to tell of the 
enthusiasm with which the newcomer was re- 
ceived by them. The warmhearted French 
mothers and daughters greeted her with gush- 
ing tokens of the mostardent love and affection. 
Tradition tolls that they were accustomed to 
borrow the " Yankee c'.iild " from house to 
house, that they might in turn welcome her 
with their caresses and love. 

Nino children were the issueof this marriage, 
five of whom are now (1889) living. Mrs. 



Lawrence and one of the children died with the 
cholera at Monroe in August, 1834. In March, 
1836, Mr. Lawrence was married to Mrs. 
(.)j)helia B. Hopkins. By the second marriage 
he had two children, both of whom are dead. 

Judge Lawrence died at Monroe April 29, 
1843. 

Although a lawyer by profession, the sparse 
population and meager business affairs of the 
settlement on the Raisin afforded liim at first 
little opportunity for professional practice. 
American settlers, however, rapidly flowed in, 
and they brought with them the means and the 
enterprise which soon changed the business 
character of the j)Iace, and filled the region 
with an active, intelligent and prosperous pop- 
ulation. Courts were established and clients 
were not wanting. He continued to practice 
law for man}- yeai'S, but he gradually with- 
drew from it, devoting his time and attention 
to mercantile and lumber business and to the 
care o his real estate. 

His settlement here was in the d:tj-s of terri- 
torial government of Michigan, and when by 
act of Congress the Legislative Council of the 
Territory of Michigan was established, whose 
members were chosen by popular vote, he was 
elected a member, and he toolv his seat in that, 
body June 7, 1824 ; and by the repeated suf- 
frages of his constituents he continued a mem- 
ber of the council until 1831. During all this 
time he was chairman of the judiciary commit- 
tee, and one of the most active and influential 
members of that branch of the local govern- 
ment. In 1836, after the organization of the 
State government, he was elected one of the 
associate justices of the circuit court for the 
county of Monroe, and he continued to occupy 
that position until 1839, when, by a change in 
the judiciary system of the State the office was 
abolished. 

Judge Lawrence was an active and energetic 
business man, and no one was more efficient or 



[244] 



THE BAR OF MONROE IN 1837. 



•245 



more successful than he in the work of building 
up the new settlements on the River Raisin, or 
in promoting the general interest and pros- 
perity both of the Territory and State of Mich- 
igan. He was, moreover, a kind, generous, 
affectionate and religious man, whose influence, 
always most salutary, never ceased to surround 
him with hosts of ardent friends. Was an 
elder in the First Presbyterian church from 
its orjianization until his death. 



JAMES Q. ADAMS 

Was born at Keene, New Hampshire, February 
IC, 1798. He graduated at Dartmouth ("ollege, 
Hanover, New Ham])sliire, and afterwards 
studied law with Michael Sterling. In 1835 
lie emigrated to Monroe, was admitted to prac- 
tice, and became the law partner of the Hon. 
Robert McClelland; was elected prosecuting 
attorne}' of Monroe county. For years he held 
the office of postmaster of the city of Monroe. 
He was president of the corporation that con- 
structed and e(jui])ped the railroad from Mon- 
roe to LaPlai.sance, and was also president of 
the River Raisin and LaPlaisance Bay Rail- 
road Bank. He was a shrewd and successful 
practitioner. He died in New York City, aged 
sixty-seven. 

ROBERT McClelland 

Was born at Green Castle, Pennsylvania, 
August 1, 1807. He was the son of an emi- 
nent piiysieian of that place. He graduated 
at Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pennsylvania) 
ill 1829; was admitted to the bar at Chambers- 
burg in 1831, and atlcr practicing there a short 
time went to Pittsburgh and practiced his 
profession there for about a }"ear, and then re- 
moved to Monroe, Michigan, in the summer or 
fail of 1833. He went into partnershi)) for 
about two j'ears with James Q. Adams, then 
in 183r> opened an office and practiced alone and 
witli great success. 

He was a member of the constitutional con- 
vention of Michigan in 1835; a member of the 
State legislature in 1838, 1840 and 1843, and 
Speaker of the House in the latter year (and 
the Michigan legislature never had a more 
accomplished Speaker): a member of Congress 
for three successive terms (Twenty-Eighth, 
Twenty-Ninth and Thirtieth Congresses), from 
1843 to 184!) ; member of the constitutional 



convention of 1850; the first Governor for the 
short term under the new constitution for 

1852, elected in 1852 for the term of two years, 
and went into office as Governor January- 1, 

1853. On the inauguration of Franklin Pierce 
as President, March 4, 1853, McClelland was 
appointed Secretary of the Interior, in which he 
continued till the end of Pierce's administration, 
March 4, 1857. This was his last public office. 

This list shows of itself that he must have 
been above the average of men in ability and 
fidelity to the public interests. And when it is 
further stated that he performed the duties of 
these various offices with credit to himself 
and a high reputation among all parties for 
ability and integrity, little more need to bo 
said of him in this direction. 

In 183(5 he married Miss Elizabeth Sabin, a 
beautiful and excellent lady, who survived 
him, but died at Detroit in 1884. He had 
removed to Detroit prior to his election as 
Governor, and resided there afterwards till his 
death, August 30, 1880. 

As a politician, he was eniinently cautious 
and conservative, and when he thought his 
])arty was going to extremes in anj" direction, 
he u.sed his best efforts to restrain them ; but 
like a true politician, if, in spito of his efforts, 
they persisted, he did not denounce them or 
leave them, but went with them, though 
against his better judgment, probably believ- 
ing that by so doing he could have a more 
salutary influence in restraining them from 
dangerous extremes than by coming out in 
open and direct opposition, by which that in- 
fluence would be lost Doubtless many other 
patriotic men of all parties have honest I}- acted 
upon the like principle. 

Few, if an}', knew him more intimatel}' than 
I did, having been a student in his office !or 
two years (from 183<) to 1838), when I was ad- 
mitted to the bar, having, in 1845, taken and 
closed up the business of Wing & McClel. 
land, and been a law partner with him in 1849 
and 1850. 

As a man and a citizen he was strictly just 
and fair, and while exacting what was his due 
he was careful to exact nothing more. He 
was of a cheerful and social disposition, of 
pleasant address and popular manners, never 
morose or fretful, and if ever melancholy or 
despondent he would successfully conceal it. 
Though seldom indulging in witticisms or story- 



246 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



telling, yet he enjoyed these qualities in others, 
and in all circumstances was ready to indulge in 
a pleasant laugh, so much so that his opponents 
asserted that he laughed hi mself into office. 

As a practicing lawyer he was systematic 
and orderly in his habits, strictly and con- 
scientiously faithful to the interests of his 
clients. His industry and care in the prepara- 
tion of his cases were persistent and inde- 
fatigable. No decision bearing upon his case 
escaped his search, and all efforts were made to 
ascertain what the evidence was likely to be, 
and if he failed of success it was no fault of his. 

But he was a lawyer of the old school, and 
adopted A. D. Frazer, of Detroit, as his model. 
This school of lawyers was strong so far as 
they could find decisions sustaining their po- 
sitions, and these decisions were treated as 
texts of revelation, and commented upon much 
as the old Scotch divines commented upon 
texts of Scripture. But they were very timid, 
and therefore not very strong in reasoning up- 
on the fundamental principles of the law and 
demonstrating what the law must be in the ab- 
sence of any authority upon a particular 
point. They did not lack the power of rea.son- 
ing upon such principles, but they did not 
otten venture to exercise it. 

He was ambitious as a lawyer for honorable 
success in his profession. As a politician he 
was also ambitious for success, but though 
after 1848 1 was opposed to him in politics, 
I never doubted his patriotism and do not now. 

1 remember him as I do Judge Warner Wing 
and Hon. Alplieus Felch and many others with 
whom I differed in politics, as excellent men, 
who would be deserving of a high standing as 
true patriots in any country. I believe they 
all honestly strove for what they sincerely be- 
lieved best for the welfare and prosperity of 
our whole country. I think they were in some 
thing.s mistaken as to the best means of ac- 
complishing the result — they thought I was; 
Omnipotence alone can finally decide which 
was right. I. P. Ciiristiancy. 



HON. ISAAC P. CHRISTIANCY 

Was born March 12, 1812, at Johnstown, State 
of New York. His father, Thomas, was of 
Holland descent, though a native of Schenec- 
tady, New York. His mother was a Peekham 



of Rhode Island (hence P. in his name). Isaac 
P. was the second of a family of eight children, 
all of whom lived to manhood and woman- 
hood, the last (William Perry) dying in 1861. 

His father was a poor, hard-working man, 
who, until Isaac was eight years old, was a 
blacksmith and edge-tool maker ; from that 
time engaged in clearing and cultivating a new 
farm. When about twelve years of age, Isaac 
P.'s father, in clearing a piece of new land, met 
with an accident by which seven of his ribs 
and his collur-bone were broken. He recov- 
ered after some months, was enabled to do the 
lighter kinds of work, but with sligiit over- 
exertion would be laid aside a mouth or two. 
This threw upon Isaac P. at the age of twelve, 
a largo part of the support of the family ; 
but he was largo and strong of his age, 
having his full growth before sixteen. He 
could attend school but about three months 
in winter, at a distance of two miles fi'om 
home. His mother was a woman of fair educa- 
tion, and more than average intellectual 
activity and ability, and to a considerable 
extent supplied the place of a teacher dur- 
ing his childhood, takinggreat pains to inspire 
him with the love of knowledge, and furnish- 
ing him with the best kind of books to read. 
His leisure moments were utilized by reading 
and study, generally by fii'clight. His habits 
of study and reading were thus early formed. 

At the age of eighteen he was qualified for 
and began teaching a district school ; was 
occupied thus about three-quarters of three 
years, the balance of the time attending the 
academies at Johnstown and Kingsborough. 
The following two years and a half he taught 
school winters and attended the Ovid academy 
in the summer. In the fall of 18.34 he com- 
menced the study of law with the Hon. John 
Maynard at Ovid, New York, and continued 
with him until May, 1836, when he removed to 
Monroe, Michigan, where he entered as clerk 
of the United States land office under Major 
(iershom T. Bulkley, registrar, and continued 
therein until the removal of the office to Detroit. 

He entered the law office of Hon. Robert 
McClelland in May, 1836, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1838; practiced law with John E. 
Seeleyas a co-partner about one year, and was 
associated with Franklin Johnson a short time. 
In 1849 and 1850 was a law partner of the 
Hon. Robert McClelland. With these excep- 



THE BAR OF MONROE IN 1837. 



247 



tious practiced alone and continued in practice 
until he was elected judge of the Supreme 
Court of Michigan. He was the prosecuting 
attorney of Monroe county six j-cars, from 
1841 to 184G. 

In 1844 he brought from the East his father, 
mother, two brothers and a sister (being all the 
family then living), and furnished them with a 
home on his Macon farm, where his father died 
in 1849, one brother in 1850, his sister in 1856, 
and his brother Perry in 1861. His mother 
died at his home in Monroe in 1864, since 
which he has been the only survi%'or of the 
family. 

From the time of his admission to the bar, in 
whatever engaged, he added to his reputation 
as a lawyer, and came to be regarded as .1 
leader at the Monroe bar. Withal, he was an 
ardent advocate of anti-slavery, and in 1848 
was a delegate and one of the chief spirits of 
the National Free Soil Convention at Buffalo. 
The nomination of both of the old parties as 
State senator came to him unsolicited in 184It 
and he was elected without opposition. The 
district was then compo.sed of Monroe, Lenawee, 
Hillsdale and Branch counties. He was a 
member of the session of 1850 (the last under 
the old constitution), and the regular and 
extra sessions of 1851' under the new; in 1852 
was the Free Soil candidate for governor of 
Michigan. 

It was his plan, more than that of any other 
one man, upon which the Republican party, 
distinctivel}- as such, was first formed — the 
plan of uniting all men irrespective of past 
party affiliations, who were opposed to the 
Kansas-Nebraska measures of President Buch- 
anan's administration and to the extension of 
slavery, into a single harmonious party. To 
this, almost alone at first, ho devoted himself, 
and after long, earnest and persistent efforts in 
overcoming the opposition of some of the lead- 
ing Whigs and in inducing the Free Soilers to 
forego their separate organizations and nomi- 
nations, he finall\- succeeded, and the nia.ss 
convention at Jackson in the summer of 1854, 
when the Republican party was first formed 
and named, was the result. 

He was a delegate to the first Re])ul)lican 
National Convention at Philadelphia in 1856, 
and one of the committee on resolutions which 
framed its platform, and about that time be- 
came proprietor and editor of the Monroe 



Commercial and made it a Republican paper. 
In 1857, he was first elected judge of the then 
new Supreme Court of tliis State and re elected 
for two subsequent terms. As a judge his 
opinions are well and widely known. It can 
be said that he was tenacious for the fullest 
liberties of the people and thoroughly in accord 
witli the spirit of the jurisprudence of a free 
people. His third term began in 1874, and in 
1875 through a combination between the Democ- 
racy and Republicans opposed to Zack Chand- 
ler, in which he had no agency, vvas elected a 
United States Senator. It is certain that there 
was no other possible combination that would 
defeat Zack Chandler, as he was familiarly 
called. 

His popularity- as a judge of the Supreme 
Court may be inferred from the fact that in 
1857, when nominated as justice of the Supreme 
Court for the term of eight years, he was elected 
bj' a very large majority, and when in 1865 re- 
nominated for the same position for the term 
of eight years, the Democratic party would 
make no nomination against him. and at the 
end of this term was again nominated by both 
parties and elected without opposition. In 
January, 1875, without soliciting the office, he 
was elected as before stated to the United 
States Senate, and remained there until Feb- 
ruary 11, 1879, when he accepted the appoint- 
ment of United States Minister to Peru, where 
he remained about two and a half ^-ears and 
returned to his home in Lansing, where he still 
resides, and for a number of years was resorted 
to as counsel and for the argument of causes 
before the Supreme Court. He is now in feeble 
health, and when ab.sent from his home, fre- 
quently' may be found in the State library; law 
and history, the natural sciences being liis 
favorite subjects of study. lie is occasionally 
seen in the Supreme (Courtroom, where his por- 
trait adorns the walls, as of right it should, 
he having formerly for many years occupied a 
seat upon the bench of the Supreme Court, lie 
po.ssessed in an eminent degree the confidence 
of all having business relations with him ; as a 
lawyer and as a jurist was esi)eeially distin- 
guished for his love of justice and for his 
strong, practical common sense. His long and 
successful career upon the bench of the Supreme 
Court is fully evinced by the many able and 
careful judgments found in our State reports. 

He married at Monroe in November, 1839, 



248 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the daughter of Mrs. McClosky. His wife 
died at Lansing, December 13, 1874, leaving a 
large family, but five of whom are now living, 
viz.: Henry Cliristiancy, a man of decided 
ability, who has been for many years and is still 
first assistant in the Detroit custom house; 
James, who is engaged in the Interior Depart- 
ment at Washington; William, who resides at 
Lansing; and one widowed daughter (Mrs. 
Marj- E. O'Brien), who superintends his house- 
hold and is the comfort of his declining years. 

His second marriage at Washington, while 
United States Senator, proved an injudicious 
and unfortunate one. He was soon divorced, 
and an}' person that will peruse the testimony 
taken in the case (which is quite voluminous), 
or who has personally known him through a 
long life, would unhesitatingly approve of the 
conduct and course pursued by the Judge. 

One of the figures often seen at the Capitol 
is that of a tall and sturdily- built man, whose 
frame and stature, once that of a giant, are now 
shrunk and bowed by age. He goes about 
with a cane, and his slow step, due somewhat 
to bodily loebleness, is also in part due to the 
preoccupation of a mind which deals with prob- 
lems of law — a habit of long standing. There 
is a distinguishable difference between the por- 
trait on the wall, which represents a man well 
on in middle life, with a grayish fringe of 
whisker about the lower part of the face, a 
smooth and a rather yellowish countenance, 
keen gray eyes and high intellectual forehead, 
and the furrowed features and whitened hair 
of the living man to-day. Most frequently ho 
may be found in the library — law and history 
being favorite subjects of perusal. His last 
case in the court of which formerly he had 
formed a part was when Begole was gov- 
ernor,and Trustee Walker of the Flint asylum 
resisted the attempt of the governor to re- 
move. His last appearance ;is an advocate in 
any court was two years ago at Monroe, his 
earl}' home. 

There is ponding before the legislature a bill 
to pension at a moderate sum such judges as 
have attained the age of seventy' years and 
have served for a long time. It is said that but 
five men would be entitled to such a pension : 
Judge Turner, of Owosso; Judge Christiancy, 
of Lansing ; Judge Graves, of Battle Creek, 
and Judges Campbell and Swift, of Detroit. 
All these men served long years at very low 



salaries, and gave to the State the time which 
might have been employed in making private 
fortunes. 



ALPHEUS FIXCH 



Was born at Limerick, York county, Maine, 
September 28, 1804. After an academic course 
at Exeter Academy, New Hamshii-e, he 
graduated at Bowdoin College in 1827, and 
immediately became a student-at-law at Frey- 
berg, Maine, and was admitted to the bar at 
Bungor, Maine, in autumn, 1830. Commenced 
pr;ictice at Houlton, Maine, in the fall of that 
year, where he continued in practice until the 
spring of 1833. 

He came to Monroe, Michigan, in the sum- 
mer of 1833, and opened an office there in 
August of that year, and continued to reside 
there until September, 1843, when he removed 
to Ann Arbor, which has since been his resi- 
dence. 

He was elected to House of Representatives 
of Michigan in 1835, and again in 1836. Early 
in 1838 he was appointed Bank Commissioner. 
In February, 1842, appointed Auditor Gen- 
eral of this State; but soon after entering upon 
its duties was appointed by Governor Barry 
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; and in 
January, 1843, was nominated and confirmed 
as such justice, to fill the vacancy caused bj' 
the resignation of William A. Fletcher, and 
also foi' the succeeding full term. 

In November, 1845, he was elected Governor 
of the State. In 1847 was elected United 
States Senator. 

After expiration of his term as Senator, in 
March, 1853, was appointed by the President 
one of the commissioners to settle land claims 
under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and 
was president of the Board. He returned to 
Michigan in June, 185fi (the labors of the com- 
mission being closed), and from that time to 
1873 engaged in professional business as a law- 
yer. From this time for several j'ears he be- 
came nearly blind, and was unable to do busi- 
ness. But in 1879, having partially recovered 
his sight, he was appointed professor of law in 
the law department of the University of Mich- 
igan, and continued to act in that capacity un- 
til 1883, when he resigned, and has not since 
been engaged in any official business. 

In 1877, just fifty years after his graduation. 





/'\rr/ 




>4^j^^^i^^^^;>-«t: ""SX^ ^^^-/^^^t-^^Cj-^-- 



THE BAR OF MONROE IN 1S37. 



M!t 



IJowdoin Collc<!;e conf'orrcil upon liiiii Iho do- 
-ivo ofLL. D. 

IK' was married lo Liu-retia \V. J.iiwrcncc, 
iliiiiyhter of Judge Wolcott Lawrence, at Mon- 
roe, Micliigun, September 14, 1837, wlio died at 
Ann Arbor July :50, 1882. They iiad ei,<,'lit 
children — Caroline O., who married ('l.iudius 
1'.. (irant (now .Tud,i;o Grant); Elizabeth H., 
who married Milton B. Colo; Emma L., who 
mai-ried Horace V. Knight; Arthur Willis, 
who died in 1840 ; Theodore, who married 
llattie C. Ego; Florence C, who died October 
m, 18(52; Francis L. and Helen L , the latter 
of whom married Doctor Chas. G. Jennings. 

It may be readily- and correctly- inferred that 
a man who was called upon to fill so many im- 
portant offices was not a merely ordinarj- or 
commonplace man, but that he must have pos- 
sessed some characteristics which raised him 
above the common level of his cotemporaries. 
But this will still more clearly bo seen when 
the further truth is stated that, so far as the 
public over knew or suspected, and therefore 
as far as truth will warrant us to presume, he 
never sought or made any effort to obtain 
any office which he ever held. And though he 
held those offices when the demands of jiarty 
were as strong and unrelenting, and party 
)irejudiees were as sharp and suspicious as thej- 
have since been, his integrity was never 
doubted by any partj', though he alwaj-s acted 
as a member of tiio Democratic parly. Whj-, 
then, this confidence reposed in him almost 
alone by the opposite party? 

The reason is not far lo seek. First, ho was 
a modest man, entirely clear from all self-asser- 
lion, and frankly i-ecognized in the opposite 
p.'ii'ty the same puril3' of purpose by which ho 
]pr<)fossed to 1)0 guided, and never impugne<l 
tlicir integrity. Secondly, ho showed by bis 
private life the most sincere interest in the 
promotion of every measure for the advance- 
ment, purification anti elevation of society in 
general ; always charitable in his judgment of 
others and lenient oven to their faults. 

As a lawyer, while in practice at the bai-, he 
was not so familiar with the teclinicalilios of 
the law, nor generally .so thoroughly prepared 
with authorities bearing u)ion his ca.se as some 
of his cfilemporarics at the bar, but he was 
familiar with legal principles and strong u])on 
the merits of his cases, and speciallj' successful 
ill the examinations of witnesses, never resort- 



ing to abuse or harshness, but by his mild anil 
gentle course often succeeding in drawing 
from a hostile witness what others had failed 
to elicit. I never heard him impute to the op- 
posite party or to opposing counsel a dishonest 
]uirpose, nor make use of a harsh expression 
under anj- ])rovocation; and this gentleness and 
almost meekness of manner gave to both court 
and jury full confidence in his integrity, and 
made him a formidable opponent on the merits 
of the case. The same qualities in private life 
and the fact that ho never sought to ])romote 
litigation, but rather to avoid it, justly gave 
him the like favorable opinion of the ])ublic. 

And finally, it may be truly said the more 
inlimatel}' he was known the more highly 
was he esteemed. I. P. Ciibisti.ancy. 



.IICFFERSON <;AGE TfllKBKK 

Was born in I'nit}-, New IIam](shire, in 1807. 
He descended from a family actively engaged 
in the Revolutionary War, and among the 
pleasant reminiscences of his childhood were 
the stories of war and adventure related around 
the blazing fire by his grandfather and uncles, 
the "chimney piece" adorned with the mus- 
ket, powder-horn and sword that bad soon 
rough service in their hands. His parents re- 
moved to Western New York when he was an 
infant, and settled on a farm. Mr. Thurber 
received an academi<^al education at the then 
celebrated ('anandaigua Academy. After grad- 
uating he taught Latin and the higher mathe- 
matics in the ))reparatory department, pursu- 
ing his law studies at the same time. In 1833, 
being admitted to the bar, he came with a 
company ofj-ouiig men to Monroe, and opened 
a law office on Washington street. Here ho 
mot and soon married Mar^- Bartlett Gerrish, 
of Boscawen, New Hampshire. He served as 
prosecuting attorney for the county, and in 
1830 was elected Judge of Probate. Judge 
Thurber was State Senator from 1844 to 1847, 
and presidential elector in 1849; State Hojire 
.sontativc in 1851, wben he wascho.sen Sjieaker 
of tlu^ House. He was a constant contributor 
to Eastern and Western ))apersand magazines; 
was interested in all educational subjects, and 
one of the original stockholders and trustees 
of the Young l^adios' Seminary of Monroe. 
During lifeJudgeThiirborwas active and influ- 
ential in the politics of the State, and a public- 



250 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



spirited citizen. He died May 6, 1857, leaving 
a widow and six children. The eldest son, 
Doctor Edward G. Thurber, has for eighteen 
years been pastor of Park Church, Syracuse, 
New York, and this spring (1889) accepted the 
pastorate of the American church in Paris, 
where he now resides. The second son, Jeffer- 
son M. Thurber, of the firm of Buhl Son8& Co., 
J>eti'(iit, Michigan, and the third son, Ilenry T. 
'riiiirher, a lawyer, residing in Detroit, consti- 
tuting one of the firm of Dickinson & Thurber. 
His daughters are Mrs. Talcott E. Wing, of 
Monroe; Mi.ss Julia Thurber, and Mrs. Dr. 
Dunlaj), of Syracuse, New York. 



HON. DAVID ADDISON NOBLE, 

Son of Deodatus Noble, was born in Williams- 
town, Massachusetts, November 9, 1802, and 
died in Monroe, Michigan, October 13, 1870, 
aged seventy-three. He was fitted for college 
in the school of Parson Moses Hallock in Plain- 
field, Massachusetts, and entered Williams Col- 
lege in 1821, from which institution he gradu- 
ated with honors in 1825. In college he was a 
good scholar, distinguished for accuracy- and 
soundness rather than for fluent recitations 
and showy acquisitions. In September, 1825, 
ho entered the law office of Hermanns Blccker 
in Albany, New York, remaining there until 
the winter of 1820, when he went to Hudson, 
New York, where he entered upon his literary 
work as assistant editor of the Columbind. In 
the following year he moved to New York, en- 
tered the law office of Benjamin Clark, on 
Franklin Square, at the same time gave lessons 
in French in Bancell's Academy. He was a 
fine Greek and Latin scholar, and during the 
winter was engaged in correcting the publish- 
er's proof-sheets for a Greek work. He subse- 
(picntly opened a law office with David Logan 
at No. 4 Pine street. He was in the practice 
of his profession about two j-ears in New York, 
and for a short time was in partnershi)) with 
Hon. Charles O'Connor. 

In 1831 he removed to Monroe, Michigan, 
where he resided the remainder of his life. He 
here opened a law office with Hon. Warner 
Wing. He was an accomplished French 
scholar, which was of great advantage to him 
with the Fivnch jiopulation. It was as a 
counseli>r that Mr. Noble was chiefly dis- 
tinguisin-d, lii.s thoroughly disciplined mind, 
liis habits of patient research and his superior 



judgment peculiarly qualifying him to arrive 
at correct legal conclusions. He was elected 
recorder of the city in 1833, and while acting 
in this capacity di-ew up the city charter. Was 
twice elected alderman, and in 1842 mayor of 
the city. In 1845 Mr. Noble was chosen to 
rcpi'oscnt his county in the legislature, which 
he did with ability and to the satisfaction of his 
constituents. On November 10, 1840, Mr. 
Noble secured Che charter of the Michigan 
Southern Railroad. In 1847 he was appointed 
a member of the Harbor and River Convention 
at Chicago. Subsequently he was appointed 
one of the committee of five to cany out the 
wishes of the convention, at which time he 
wrote a full statistical report of the commerce 
of the lakes. In 1852 Mr. Noble was elected 
to Congress from the Second District. In 1858 
he was appointed manager of the Louisville, 
Now Albany and Chicago Railroad, which po- 
sition he held four years. 

He married, July 10, 1832, Sai'ah Shaw, 
daughter of Hon. Henr\- Shaw, of Lanosboro, 
Massachusetts. The children of this marriage 
were: Ilenry Shaw Noble, born Decem- 
ber 10, 1838; married Delia Vrooman ; adoj)ted 
the legal profession ; is at present the post- 
master of Monroe. Laura Wheeler Noble was 
born July 14, 1841 ; married Herbert Lee 
Stoddard, a resident of this citj*. John Savage 
Noble was born November 5, 1848 ; jnarried 
Nellie Kendall, of Monroe ; a lawyer of prom- 
ise, now residing in Brown Valley. He held 
tiie oftice of jirosecuting attorney and is now 
judge of pi'obate of the county. 



HON. WARNKU WING. 



Warner Wing was born in Marietta, Ohio, 
Se]itcmber 19, 1S05 His father's name was 
Enoch Wing and his mother's maiden name 
was Mary Oliver. On his father's side he was 
descended from one of the old New England 
families. His father's grand father, John AVing, 
was one of the two brothers of Welcii extrac- 
tion, who came from England at a very earlj' 
(lay, and with their families were among the 
first settlers of New England. Judge Wing's 
grandfather, also named John, settled in Con- 
way, Mas.sachnsetts, where he had seven sons, 
the names of some of whom were: Peter. 
Isaiah, Ell, Enoch — ."good old Bible and 
Pui-itan names," as Judge Wing noted on a 
scrap uf ]iaper which he has left. His father. 



THE I!AR OF MONROK IN 1 837. 



251 



Kriiicl) Willi;, reiiiovi'il witli liis family to Mar- 
ietta, Ohio, in 170t>, wlierc lie engaged in mer- 
cantile and milling business until 1812, when 
lie removed to Ontario county, New York. 
'I'liere he died in 1840, leaving a family of 
tliree sons — Austin K. Wing, Warner Wing, 
and Rev. Conway P. Wing, 1). D., of Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania, who died in Carlisle in Afaj', 
1SS9, and two daughters, Mrs. Kliza Wing, 
NiiMc, widow of the late Charles Noble, of 
Hctroil, and Mrs. Electa Deane BulkUw, widow 
of the late Solomon BulUley. 

In 1S17, at the age of twelve years, Judge 
Wing came to Detroit and remained some 
years. About the year 1828 removed to Mon- 
roe, where he continued to reside up to the time 
of his death. lie attended a law school at 
Nortlianipton, Mas.sachusetts, for a time, and 
also studied in the office of Judge William 
Woo<lbridge, of Detroit. As early as ISIiS he 
was practicing law in partnership with Jlon. 
I>avid A. Noble, in Monroe. He was elected 
tip the State Senate and served in 1838 and 
ls:'>0, where he is. spoken of bj' one of his life- 
long associates as " one of the foremost of the 
legislature." 

Fn 1S4(I he entered into partncrshii) with 
e.xtiovernor Ivobert McClelland, with whom 
he practiced until lie went uyion the bench of 
the Circuit Court in 1845 — the judges of the 
('ircuit Court constituting the Supremo ("ourt 
of the Stale as then organized. In 1851 he 
was elected Chief Justice, which position he 
lifld until 185(1, when he resigned. After 
ihistinu' lie acted as general counsel for the 
LaUr Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad 
up to the time of bis death, which occurred at 
.Miiiiroe, March 12, ISTli. The funeral services 
were held at the Presbyterian Church in Mon- 
roe, of which ho was a member, (conducted by 
the Doctors Mattoon, Putnam and IJoyd. The 
(iiiieral was very largely attended by the bar 
(if Monroe county, as well as members of the 
bar of Lenawee, Hillsdale and Washtenaw 
counties, also members of the bar from Detroit, 
Cleveland and Toledo. 

One of the most nolal)lc cases that came be- 
fore Judge Wingju<licially was the trial of the 
I'liig, intricate and exciting case gencrallj' 
known as the conspiracy case (for the burning 
of the Michigan Central depot). Speaking of 
this case cx-(ioveriior McClelland .said: "The 
jiatieiice. learning, skill and lourte.sy displayed 



by him on this trial, and his chai-ge to the jury, 
were commended by all," and Governor Mc- 
Clelland further adds, " he was certain Ij- one 
of the best and most upright judges that ever 
sat upon the bench." 

Judge Wing was married in 1831, by the 
Uev. Mr. Warriner, to Miss Eliza A. Anderson, 
daughter of Colonel Anderson, one of Monroe's 
best known and honored citizens. There have 
been born in this family ten children, of whom 
live daughters and one son survive both 
father and mother, Mrs. Wing having died 
in December, 1854. The son, Anderson Wing, 
was educated at the Michigan ITniversity ; was 
admitted to practice at the bar of Monroe, but 
died shortly after his admission. Ilis daughter 
HIizabolh married (ieorge H. Dickinson, com- 
mission merchant, now of Chicago. Ilis 
daughter Helen married Mr. Hoardman, of 
Chicago, and his daughter Belle married Mr. 
George Lake, of Chicago. 

When I first knew him, in 18H(), be was 
jiraclicing law as one of the firm of Wing & 
Noble, in the jjrinie of life, an unusuall}^ strik- 
ing specimen of strong physical manhood, with 
a well rounded muscular development and 
rather more fleshy than the average of men, 
j'ct no tendency to obesity, slightly over the 
average height and very erect, a pleasant 
face with regular features, bright and sjiarkling 
eyes, and a light but ruddy complexion, so 
ruddy in fact that those not well ac(|uaintc(I 
with him sometimes suspected him of indulg- 
ing free!}' in stimulants, which, as he was a 
thoroughly temperate man, often annoyed him, 
since, if nothing was said about it, he couhl 
not volunteer to explain. These leading l)h3'si- 
cal characteristics continued substantially the 
same till they gradually yielded to age and 
disease. His address was frank and manly but 
s(U-ious, with strangers somewhat reserved and 
dignified, an<l though pleasant not inviting 
familiarity. His style of speaking when en- 
gaged in business matters, or before a court, 
was in short, jiilhy and simple setitences, 
directly to the jioinl. 

His strict and conscientious adhorence to 
ab.solute tr«th I have never .seen excelled. It 
maj' well be styled chivalrous. If a «(uestion 
arose between him and another person as to the 
facts of anj' transaction in which he had par- 
ticipated, or a verbal understanding had been 
hail with ojijiosite counsel in a cause, the par- 



252 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ticulavs of which he did not perfect!}- remem- 
ber, ho generally yielded to the statement 
m:id(^ by the other side ; and, no matter how 
prejudicial the truth might be to his own in- 
terests, ho never flinched, nor tried to e.xjilain 
away or evade the full effects of his agreement. 

Like most men of a nervo-.sanguincous tem- 
perainent, his temper was sometimes hasty 
and violent, but well aware of this, he gener- 
ally kept so close guard over himself that the 
public seldom suspected it. He was never vin- 
dictive; and if he discovered that he had said 
anything wrong or injurious of or to any man, 
he availed himself of the first opportunity to 
confess his fault. 

As a lawyer, ho was scrupulnusl}- careful of 
the interests of liis clients, indefatigable in the 
examination of the law bearing upon his cases, 
strictly orderly and systematic in tlic traiisac- 
tiori of his business and in the keeping of his 
papers, and always strong upon questions of law 
belbre the court. But (though the public never 
suspected it) he wasa very diffident and modest 
men, and always distrusted his abilities to 
make an extended argun\ent before a jury ; he 
seemed to fear that he might make some mis- 
take. He had not half the confidence in him- 
self that the public had in him. He seldom 
made a long or even a full argument before 
a jury, and the real cause of this I always be- 
lieved and still believe, was liis utter detesta- 
tion of mere plausibilities, of the actual truth of 
which he was not satisfied ; while others less 
scrupulous often made a successful use of them 
with the jury. But, as the public came to 
understand his conscientiousness, juries paid 
greater attention to his arguments ; and, upon 
the whole, he was as successful before juries as 
others who were less scrupulous. 

In the examination of witnesses he was an 
expert. With great keenness and shrewdness 
he detected any discrepancy in their testimony. 
And if an adverse witness had ventured upon 
a fictitious tale, he was sure to be compelled to 
expose himself before ho left the stand. 

As a judge, or at the bar, he was strictly 
consci(Mitious in the performance of his duties, 
<ircums|)ect in his deportment, patient and 
indelatigable in investigation, im])artial and 
clear in his rulings and decisions, and courteous 
and respectful to the bar. 

Judge Wing, wliile at the bar and on the 
bench, devoted himself exclusively to the duties 



of those positions; and if he had any ability he 
never displayed or exercised it, of improving 
his finances aside from his professional or judi- 
cial duties ; and, as he bad quite a large family, 
never succeeded in accumulating more than a 
fair supj)ort; and the consciousness of this 
often wore upon his mind and sometimes rcn 
dered him melancholy. 

No analysis of the mental characteristics ol 
Judge Wing would be complete without the 
mention of another quality, which tho.sc who 
only .saw him when engaged in serious work 
might never discover or attribute to him. He 
was a man of keen, readj' and brilliant wit, 
and a genial humor which might almost be 
called Shakespearian. These qualities, how- 
ever, ho seldom indulged when engaged in 
•serious affairs. But when oppressed by over- 
work, or depressed by untoward events, or 
gloomy prospects of the future, he needed re- 
laxation to escape from such depression or 
melancholy for a time, he, like Abraham I^in- 
coln, and for like reasons, sought temporary 
relief in the indulgence of wit and humor 
among gonial companions. And, in this field, 
he strongly resembled Lincoln. Neither ever 
told a story without a sharj) point to it, which 
struck the hearer like a flash of lightning, ex- 
citing pleasure and amusement, but generally 
containing a suggestion of ])i'actical wisdom. 
But could the hearers have realized the mental 
suffering which had led to the indulgence of 
this wit and humor, their pleasure would have 
been dashed with a tinge of sadness and sym- 
pathj'. Had he and Mr. Lincoln mot when 
both wore in a like vein, the}' would have be- 
come warm friends for life. 

I. P. CnaisTiANcv. 



HARRY V. MAN 



Was for inanj^ years a practitioner at the bar 
and co-partner of the Hon. Jefferson (1. Thur- 
ber; served a number of terms as the treasurer 
of the county of Monroe, and soon after the 
expiration of his last term removed West, and 
has devoted his time to farming. During the 
year 1887 sold his fixrm, and with his wife has 
retired from active business life, and is spend- 
ing the remainder of his daj's with his sons, 
promising business men, at Davenport. Iowa. 
For a man of eighty-tive, is very active and 
enerijetic. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



POPi:i,ATH)N or MICHIGAN TKKIMTOKY, 
1S10-1,S34. 



ISIO. 
ISL'O. 



.■l,r>L>,s I 



1S3(). 
I.SIM. 



I'dlMl.A TloN OF MONROK COUNTY, ].s:i7-lS,Sl. 



1>S:J7 10,011 

KS40 !I,<)21.' 

18-15 i;i,2.S7 

KS50 1 t,(i!l>S 

1854 1S,030 

m\0 21,593 



1804 22,'.'L'l 

1870 27,475 

1874 30,111 

1880 33,024 

1884 33,353 



STATE SENATOKIAL Dl.STIUCT, 
Asfxcd by the Act of 1881. 
Fil'll) District, county of Monroe, ])Oinil;ition 
1S8U, :«,(;24 ; 1884, 33,344. 

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT, 
As per Act of 1881, County of Monroe. 

KIHST DISTKKT. 

Bcillord 1,835 1,847 

Eiic 1,721 1,.">47 

Mil -],.%',l 1,443 

La.sselle -l,50<i l,47(i 

Monroe.. 1,018 030 

Snnnnerfieia 1,820 1,813 

Wliileford 2.044 1,'JIO 

City of Monroe 4,030 5,210 

10,252 10,202 

SECOND niSTRICT. 

Ash 2,252 2,111 

Berlin .2,246 1,957 

Dundee 3,242 3,032 

Exeter 1,822 1,077 

Frenclitown 2,485 2,191 

London 1,408 1,380 

Milan 1,882 2,213 

Raisinville 2,035 1,921 

17,372 17,082 



Total 33,024 



33,354 



TERRITORIAL DELEGATES TO CONGRESS. 

Tfrms of S^^n'icc. 

William Woodbridge lSlil-1820 

Solomon Sibley 1820-182! 

Solomon Sibley 1821-1823 

Gabriel iRicbard 1823-1826 



Trnna of Scrvicr. 

Austin E. W'iui: , ...1825-1827 

Austin E. Wing 1827-1829 

John Biddle 1820-1831 

Austin E. Wing 1831-1833 

Lucius Lyon 1 833- 1 835 

George W. Jones 18:}5-1837 

George W. Jones was a delegate until Mich- 
igan became a State, with lii.s residence in Wis- 
consin, whicii was then a portion of the Tcri-i- 
tory of Michigan. 

CABINET OFFICERS FOR MICH Hi AN. 

J.ewis Cass, Secretary of War, August 1, 1831. 

Robert McClelland, Secrctar}- of Interior, 
March, 1853. 

Zachariah Chandler, Secretary of Interior. 
October, 1875. 

Lewis Cass, Secretary of State, Jlarch, 1857. 

GOVERNORS OF THK NORTH WE.ST TERRI- 
TORY. 

General Arthur St. Clair, 1787, 18U0. 

Winthrop Sargent, Secretary and Acting 
Governor, 179G. 

GOVERNORS OF MICIlUiAN TKKKI Tl iRY. 

General William Hull, a]>|ii)intcd March 1, 
1805. 

General AVilliani Hull, a[ijnjinic(l .Vjiril 1, 
1808. 

General William Hull, ajipointcd January 
12, 1811. 

General Lewis Cass, appointed October 2!), 
1813. 

General Lewis Cass, appointed January 21, 
1817. 

William Woodbridgc, Secretary and Acting 
Governor, a|)pointcd August 17, 1818. 

General Lewis Cass, a])pointcd January 24, 
1820. 

William Wondhridge, Secretary and Acting 
Governor, Au;,'ust 8, 1820; September IS, 1821. 

General I,ewi« Cnss, appointed December 20. 
1822. 



[2533 



254 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 

Williiiin Wood bridge, Sfcrctury and Acting llobert McClelland, inaugurated January 5, 

Governor, 8ej.tembcr\"J, 1823 ; May 28, 1825. 1853. 

General Jjowis Ca.ss, apjiointed December 22, Andrew Parsons (Lieulenant-tTOvernor and 

],S25. Acting Governor), March 8, 1853. 

William Woodbridge, Secretary and Acting Kinsley S. Bingbam, inaugurated January 

Governor, August 31, 1820; Octobers, 1820; 3, 1855. 

July 25, 1827. Kinsley S. Uingbam, inaugurated January 

General Lewis Cass, ajipoinled December 24, 7, 1857. 

]S28. Moses Wisncr, inaugurated January 5, ISa'.l. 

James Witlierell, Secretary and Acting Gov- Austin Blair, inaugurated January 2, 1861. 

ernor, January 1, 1830, to April 2, 1830. Austin Blair, inaugurated January 7, 18(53. 

General John T. Ma.son, Secretary and Act- Ueiiry H. Crapo, inaugurated January 4. 

ing Governor, September 24, 1830, to October 18(15. 

4, 1830 ; April 4. to May 27, 1831. Henry II. Crapo, inaugurated January 2,1867. 

Stevens Thomson Mason, Secretary and Act- Henry P. Baldwin, inaugurated January 0, 

ing Governor, August 1, 1831, to September 186t). 

17, 1831. Henry P. Baldwin, inaugurated January 4, 

George B. Porter, appointed August 6, 1831. 1871. 

Stevens ThouLson Mason, Secretary and Act- John J.Bagley, inaugurated January 1, 1873. 

ing Governor, October 30, 1831, to June 11, John J. Bagley, inaugurated January 6, 1875. 

1832; May 23 to July 14, 1833 ; August 13 to Charles M. Croswell, inaugurated January 3, 

August 28, 1833 ; September 5 to December 14, 1877. 

1833; February 1 to February 7, 1834. Charles M. Croswell, inaugurated January 1, 

Stevens Thomson Mason, ex officio Governor 187'J. 

as Secretary of Territory, July 0, 1834. David II. Jerome, inaugurated January 1, 

Charles Shaler, appointed August 29, 1S35. 1881. 

John S. Horner, Secretary and Acting Gov- Josiah W. Begole, inaugurated January 1, 

ernor, September 8, 1835. 1883. 

„ „ ...^ Ilussell A. Alger, inaugurated January 1, 1885. 

GOVERNORS OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. ,, rr -, ■ , .t i,oo- 

Cyrus G. Luce, inaugurated January 1, 188 <. 

UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1835. ,-, „ , . . j r i 1 oo<^ 

Cyrus G. Luce, inaugurated January 1, 1889. 
Stevens Thomson Mason, inaugurated Novem- 
ber 3, 1835. " UNITED STATES SENATORS.' 

Stevens Thomson Mason, inaugurated Jan- Lucius Lyon .. 1836-40 

uary 1, 1838. joh,i Norvell 1835-41 

Edward Mundy (Lieutenant-Governor and Augustus S. Porter 1840-45 

Acting Governor), April 13 to June 12, 1838; William Woodbridge 1841-47 

Sejiteniber 19 to December it, 1838. Lewis Cass 1845-48 

William Woodbridge, inaugurated January 7, Alpheus Felch 1847-53 

1840. Thomas Fitzgerald 1848-49 

James Wright Gordon (Lieutenant-Governor Lewis Cass .. 1849-57 

and Acting Governor), February 24, 1841. Charles E. Stewart 1853-49 

John S. Barry, inaugurated January 3, 1842. Zachariah Chandler. 1857-75 

John S. Barry, inaugurated January 1, 1844. Kinsley S. Bingham 1869-61 

Alpheus Felch, inaugurated January 5, 1846. j^cob M. Howard 1862-71 

William L. Greenly (Lieutenant-Governor Thomas W. Ferry 1871-83 

and Acting Governor), March 4, 1847. Isaac P. Christiancy 1875-79 

Epaphroditus Ransom, inaiigurated January Zachariah Chandler 1879 

^' IS*^- Henry P. Baldwin 1879-81 

Johns. Barry, inaugurated January 7, 1850, Qmar D. Conger.. 1881-87 

UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1850. Thomas W, Palmev 1883-89 

Robert McClelland, inaugurated January 1, F. B, Stockbridgc 1887-93 

1862. James McMillen 1889-95 



STATISTICS. 



Cong. 

24. 



28. 



2'.t. 



:ji. 



:w. 



M. 



37. 



38. 



39. 



40. 



FNITKD ST.\TKS RKPRKSENTATIVES. 

T,nm 0/ 

I.saac E. Ciary 1835 37 

Isaac K Crary 1837-3'J 

Isaac K. Ciaiy 1839-41 

Jacol) M. Howanl 1841-43 

( .lames 15. Hunt 1843-45 

] Lucius Lyon ... .1843-45 

( Itobci-t McCK'lland 1843-15 

' .lolin S. I'liiiirnau 184.'i-47 

.^ Janus 1!. Hunt 1845-47 

( KolKi-t McCJIollan.l 1845-47 

(' Kinsley S. J?iTi^rl,;im 1847-49 

' l{)berl McClelland 1847-49 

(diaries E. Stewart... 1847-49 

( Kinsley S. Bitiirham 1849-51 

J Alexander VV. Buel . .. 1849-51 

I William Sjmiiiue 1849-51 

James L. Conger 1851-53 

■ Ehenezer J. Pcnninian 1851-53 

( Charles E. Stewart 1851-53 

I Samuel Clark 1853-55 

> David A. Xoblc 1853-55 

] Hestor L. Stevens 1853-55 

t David Stuart. 1853-55 

f AVilliam A. Howard ..1855-57 

: (ieorge W. Peck 1855-57 

] David S. Walbridge .1855-57 

[Henry Waldron .". 18.55-57 

f William A. Howard 1857-59 

1 DeWitt C. Leach 1857-59 

I David S. Walbridge 1857-59 

[ Henry Waldron 1857-59 

f George B. Cooper 1859-60 

I William A. Howard ... .1860-61 

■{ Francis W. Kellogg 18.59-61 

I DeWitt C. Leach." 1859-61 

[Henry Waldron 1859-61 

f Fernando C. Beaman 1861-63 

J Bradley F. Granger 1861-63 

1 Franci.s W. Kellogg 1861-63 

[Eowland E. Trowbridge 1861-63 

f Augustus C. Baldwin 1863-65 

I Fernando C. Beuman 1863-65 

j John F, Drigp 1863-65 

I Francis W. Kellogg 1863-65 

I John W. Longycar 1863-65 

[Charles Upson 1863-65 

f Fernando C. Bcanian 1865-67 

I Job n F. Driggs 1865-67 

I Thomas W. Ferry 1865-67 

] John W. Longycar 1865-67 

Powland E. I'rowbridge 1865-67 

[Charles Upson .^ 1865-67 

f Fernando C. Beaman 1867-69 

I Austin Blair 1867-69 

J John F. Driggs 1807-69 

] Thomas W. Ferry 1867-69 

Eowlaud E. Trowbridge 1867-69 

[Charles Upson 1867-69 



r 

I 

I 

41. i 

I 
I 
I 

r 



43. 



44. 



45. 



46. 



47. 



Fernando ('. Beaman ...__.... IS(>9- 

Ausliii Blair l.S(i'.t- 

Omar D. Conger 1869- 

Thomas W. Feri-y ]S(;9- 

Williani L. Sloughtun IS(;9- 

Kandolpli Strickland 1809- 

Austin Blair 1871- 

Omar D. Conger 1871- 

Wiider D. Foster .. .1871- 

William L. Stoughton 1871- 

Jabez (J. Sutherland 1871- 

Ilenry Waldron 1871- 



.lusiah W. Uegole 

Nathan B. Bradley 

Julius ('. Burrows 

Omar D. Conger 
Moses W. Field . 

Jay A. Hubbell 

Hcrny Waldron .. 

George Willard 

William B. Williams 



1873- 

187.3- 

1873- 

..-.187.;- 

1.S73- 
. .. 1873- 

1873 

... 1873- 
1873- 



f Nathan B. Bradley 1875-77 

Omar D. Conger 1875-77 

(ieorge II. l>urand 1875-77 

Jay A. Hubbell 1875-77 

-| Allen Potter 1875-77 

Henry Waldron 1875-77 

George Willard 1875-77 

Alpheus S. Williams.... 1875-77 

[William B. Williams. 1875-77 

f Mark S. Brewer 1877- 79 

Omar D. Conger .....1877-79 

Charles C. Ellsworth 1877-79 

Jay A. Hubbell 1877-79 

Edwin W. Keightlej' 1877-79 

Jonas H. McGowan ..1877-79 

John W. Stone 1877-79 

Alpheus S. Williams 1877-79 

Edwin Willits 1877-79 

f Mark S. Brewer 1879-81 

Julius C. Burrows 1879-81 

Omar D. Conger 1879-81 

lioswell G.IIorr 1879-81 

Jay A. Hubbell 1879-81 

Jonas H. McGowan 1879-81 

John S. Newberry 1879-81 

John W. Stone 1879-81 

[Edwin Willits 1879-81 

f Henry W. ]>ord 1881-83 

Edwin Willits 1881-83 

Edward S. Laccy .1881-83 

Julius C. Burrows 1881-83 

George M'. Webber 1 881 83 

■j Oliver L. Spaulding. 1881-83 

Omar D. Conger 1881 

John T. Rich 1881-83 

Roswell G.IIorr 1881-83 

[Jay A. Hubbell 1881-83 



2 0(5 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Cong. Tcrii's of 

Srricc. 

{ William C. MaylHiry 1S,S3-.S5 

I Niitiiaiiicl B. Eldridiic ISS^-Sf) 

I Kdward S Jjacey . .1 LSS3-S5 

(iuoru-c L. Yaplo.. ...1SS:!-S5 

I .luliiis llouscmaii ISSo-S") 

IS. .; Kdwiii B. Wiiuin.s .18sa-S5 

Kzra C. Carlton ]SS:5-85 

I Roswell G. Hon- 1 S83-S5 

JJyroii M. CuUlicoii 18S8-S5 

I Ilcrsc-hol II, Hatch ISSS-S') 

[ Edward Brcituiig ISSH-SS 

f William C. Maybiuy 1885-87 

I Natlianiol B. Eldridgu 1885-87 

I James O'Donuell /. 1885-87 

I JuliiiH C Burrows 1885-87 

I Charles C. Comstock _. 1885-87 

■l!l. -I Jidwin B. Winans 1885-87 

I Ezra C.Carlton ._ 1885-87 

I Timothy E. Tarsney 1885-87 

Byron M. Ciitclieon 1885-87 

I Si)cncerO. Fisher 1885-87 

tSclh C. Moffatt .1885-87 

f J. Logan Chipman, term expires 1889. 

Edward P. Allen, term expires 1889. 
I James O'Donncll, term expires 1889. 

Julius C. Burrows, term expires 1889. 
I Melbourne II. Ford, term expires 1889. 
5(1. -J Mark S. Brewer, term expires 1889. 

Justin K. Whiting, term expires 1889. 
I Timothy E. Tarsney, term expires 1889. 

Byron M. Cutcheon, term expires 1889. 
I S|)encer O. Fisher, term expires 1889. 
(^ Henr3' W. Seymour, term expires 1889. 
f J. Logan Chipman, term expires 1891. 
I Bdwai-d P. Allen, term expires 1891. 
I James O'Donnell, term expires 1891. 

Julius (!. Burrows, term expires 1891. 
I Charles E. Belknap, term expires 1891. 
51. •[ Mark S. Brewer, term expires 1891. 

Justin II. Whiting, term expires 1891. 
I Aaron T. Bliss, term expires 1891. 

Byron M. Cutcheon, term expires 1891. 
I Frank W. Wheeler, term expires 1891. 
[^Sam'l M. Stephenson, term expires 1891. 

TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURES, 1824-1835. 

From the organization of the Territory in 
1805 to 1824 the laws were framed by the Gov- 
ernor and Judges. 

First Legislative Council met at the council 
house, Detroit, June 7, 1824, adjourned August 
5, 1824. Second session held at sanie place, 
January 17, 1825, adjourned April 21, 1825. 
Abraham Edwards, President; John P.Shel- 
don, Secretarj' ; George A. O'Koeffe, Secretary; 
Edmund A. Brush, Secretary ; Morris Jackson, 
Sergeant-at-Arras. Representatives from Mon- 
roe county, Hubert Lacrolx, Prenrhtnwn ; WoU 
cott Luwi'cuco, Monroe. 



Second Ijcgislature — First session met No- 
vember 2, 1820, adjourned December 30; second 
session met January 1, 1827, adjourned Ajnil 
12. Abraham Edwards, President ; J. P. Shel 
don, E. A. Brush, liandall S. Rice, Clerks; 
William Meldrum, Sergeant-at-Arms. Repre- 
sentatives of Monroe county, Hubert Lacroi.x, 
Frenchtown ; Laurent Durocher, Freuchtown. 

Third Legislature — First session convened 
Ma3' 5,1828, adjourned July 3; second session 
convened September 7, 1829, adjourned Novem- 
ber 5. Abraham Edwards, President; John P. 
Sheldon, Samuel Satterlee, Seneca Allen, Clerks; 
William Meldrum, Sergeant-at-Arms. Repre- 
sentatives from Monroe county, Laurent 
Durocher, Frenchtown; Charles Noble, French- 
town ; Wolcott Lawrence, Monroe. 

Fourth Legislature — First session met Maj* 
11,1830, adjourned July 31, 1830; second ses- 
sion met January 4, 1831, adjourned March 4, 

1831. Abraham Edwards, President ; Edmund 
A. Brush, Secretary; William Meldrum, Ser- 
geant-at-Arms. Representatives from Monroe 
county, Wolcott Lawrence, Monroe; Laurent 
Durocher, Frenchtown. 

Fifth Legislature — First session met May 1, 

1832, adjourned June 29, 1832; second session , 
met January 1, 1833, adjourned Aj)ril 23, 1833. 
John McDonell, Pi-esident; Edmund A. Brush, 
Secretary; James T. Allen, Sergeant-at-Arms. 
Representatives from Mpnroe county, Daniel S. 
Bacon, Monroe; Laurent Durocher, French- 
town. 

Sixth Legislature — First session convened 
January 7, 1834, adjourned March 7, 1834; 
extra session met September 1, 1834, and ad- 
journed September 8, 1834; adjourned session 
met November 11,1834, adjourned December 
31, 1834; second regular annual session con- 
vened January 12, 1835, adjourned March 28, 
1835; special session met August 17, 1835, ad- 
journed August 25, 1835. John McDonell, 
President; John Norvell, Secretary; ElishaL. 
Atkins, Sergeant-at-arms. Charles W. Whip- 
ple succeeded Mr. Norvell at second session. 
Morgan Lewis Martin elected President of the 
second annual session. Representatives from 
Monroe county, Daniel S. Bacon, Monroe; 
Laurent Durocher, Frenchtown. 

Senators and Representatives under State 
Government assembled at Detroit, November 
3, 1835, and Monroe county was represented 
for that year and subseqviont yours us follows i 



MEMnKKS OF TIIK I.KGISLATU KP:. 1835-18S9. 



IsPjS — Soiiatoi>, Fiaiircnl l>iirmliLT, I'Mward 
|i KIIIh; Kc'presciilalivx's. Al|)iu'iis l-'okli, 
James J. (.lodfroy. 

1S37 — Scnalors, Ijauroiil Duroclier, Hdwai-il 
l>. Ellis; Kcjjrcsciilaiivos, Aii>licu.s I^'olcli, 
Tliiimas Farriiiglon. 

1,S3S — Soiiators, Norman D. Ciirli.s, Warner 
Wing; lii']iri'.seiilativc's, Fi-amis Cliartcr. itob I 
M. ("Id land. 

183'J — .Scnak>i>, Norman I>. Ciii'lis, Warnor 
Wing; l{c])rcscnlativc.s, Danii'i S. ]5afon, Lau- 
rent l>ur()eiicr. 

l84(t — Senator, Seba Murjiliy; Ke]iresenta- 
livcM, Nelson Dunham, l>obci-t McClelland. 

1S41 — .Senator, .Seba Murpliy; Kepresenta 
lives, Levi S. Hmnpbrey, Homy .Smith. 

1842 — Senator, John Bui'cii ; Re|)reNcntativcs, 
•Levis. Jliimplire^-, Austin 10. Wing. 

1843 — .Senator, .Jolin Hurch ; Ueiiresentatives, 
Itobert McClelland (.S](caker), George Young- 
love. 

1844 — Senator, .Icffei'son G. Tliui-ber; Ueii- 
resentatives, Nelson Dunham, llirani Stone. 

184.T — Senator, Jert'er.son G. Thurbcr; l\e]i- 
resentatives, Hiram Stone, Henry Mason. 

1846 — Senator, .Jeflerson G. Tiiurher; Iicp- 
resentatives, Nelscni J)unham, David A. .\oblc. 

1847 — Senatoi', .Icflerson G. Thurber; Ifep- 
resentatives, Alexander M. Arzeno, Jjcwis 
Darrah, David A. Noble. 

By an act of the legislature ajijiroved March 
It!, 1847, the seat of government of the State 
was removed from Detroit to Lansing. 

1.848— .Senator, Nelson Dunham; IJcprcscn- 
tatives, James Muliioilcn, James L JJusseli, 
Hiram Stone. 

1849 — Senator, Nelson Dunham ; Represen- 
tatives, Edward G. Morton, Junius Tilden, 
.Samuel Mulhollen. 

1850 — Senator, Isaac P. Christiancy; Eeprc- 
sontativcs, Norman Barnes, John B. King, Ed- 
ward G. Morton. 

1851 — Senatoi', Lsaac P. Christiancy; Eepre- 
sentatives, Patrick Corrigan.JofFer.son G. Thur- 
bcr (Speaker), Eleazer Barnes. 

UNDER NEW AI'PORTION.MENT. 

18.52 and 18.5.3— Senator, Alexander M. 
Arzeno; Representatives, Alfred G. Bates, 
Edward G. Morton. 

1855 — Senator, Wm. H. Montgomery; Repre- 
sentatives, Charles T. Cady, George Kirkland. 

1857 — Senator, Lewis Welch ; Representa- 
tives, William Buubar, Samuel Mulhollen. 



l,S5y— Senator, Lewis Wehh ; llepresenla 
lives, William Dunbar, .Samuel MulholKn. 

l.SG I— Senator, Samuel .Mulhollen; Kepn 
scntativcs, Emer.son Choate, George I'eter.^. 

]S(;3— Senator, William Corbin; Kepresen 
lalives, John G. Hood, Andrew J. Hecney, 
Edward G. Morton. 

lS(;5_Senator, Nathan Langdon ; Represen- 
tatives, Victor Dusscau, LdwanI G. Morton, 
Charles W. Pitts. 

18(17 — Senator, George Peters; Representa- 
tives, Charles G. Mallett, John J. Stevens, Joel 
J. Dusscau. 

lS);'.t-Seiiator, Kdward (i. Morton; Rejirc- 
sentatives, Victor A. Dusscau, Henry A. .Nor 
ton, Joseph Weier. 

1871 — Senatoi, Edward (i.JIorton; Repre- 
sentatives, Patrick Gorman, Ira l\. (irosvenoi-, 
John J. .Sumner. 

1873 — Senator, John .1. .Sumner; Kein-esenla- 
tives, Henry B. Welch, Christian Ilerlzler. 

1875 — Senator, Hemaii J. ivedlield; Itcprescn- 
tativcs. Christian Hertzler, Dyckcs McLaciiliii. 

1877 — Senator, Heman J. Red field ; Rc]ire- 
scntativcs, Luciaii B. Miller, Jose])h L. Valade. 

187!) -Senator, Harry A. Conant; Re|>rescn- 
tativcs, Lucian Miller, John Strong, Jr. 

1881 — Senator, John .Strong, Jr.; Kerescnla- 
lives, John C. Eckerman, Walter Hackct. 

1883 — Senator, John Strong, Jr. : Represen- 
tatives, William A. French, Burton Parker. 

1885 — Senator, Christian Hertzler ; Repre- 
sentatives, Seward Baker, Addison E. Dunbar. 

]887— Senator of District, James S. Gorman, 
of Washtenaw count}', which by new apportion- 
ment was included with Monroe county; Repre- 
sentatives, Seward Baker, Addison E. Dunbar. 

1889 — .Senator of District, James S. Gorman, 
of Washtenaw count}', which by ncwapporlion- 
ment was included with Monroe county; Repre- 
sentatives, .Samuel P. Jackson, Charles Angcrer. 

POSTMASTERS AT MONROE. 

John C. Cox (Est.), appointed Nov. 27, 1822. 
Chas. Noble, appointed July 24, 1824. 
Lambert Conchois, appointed A|iril 10, 1828. 
Lyman M. .Stewart, appointed June 23, 1832. 
Jas. Q Adams, appointed November 1, 1834. 
J. G. Godfroy, appointed Januar}- 31, 1838. 
Jo.scph C. Cole, appointed September 13, 1841. 
John I. Wendell, api)ointed June 25, 1845. 
Waller P. Clark, appointed November 4, 1847. 
Joseph C. Cole, appointed Seplcuiber 25, 1850, 



'258 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Fiiwcy M. WiiiaiiB. :i|>i>oiiitcd February 215, 
1854. 

Kdwiii Willils, appoiiiU'd December 16, 1802. 

George S])al(ling, appointed July 27, 1866. 

Milo D. llainiltoi), a])i)ointcd December 15, 
1870. 

Win. A. Noble, ai)pointed December 18, 1874. 

Otis A. Criteliett, appointed March 1, 1883. 

Henry S, Noble, appointed February 22, 1887. 

MONROE CITY OFFICERS. 

1837 — Maj-or, George B. Harleston ; recorder, 
Warner Wing ; .solicitor, Alpbeus Felcli ; clerk, 
(."arlo.s Colton ; surveyor, Nathan Hubble; 
marshal, Jacob W. Alexander. Aldermen: 
First ward, Noi-nian D. Curtis; second ward, 
lioberl McClelland, Harry V. Man ; third ward, 
Walter P. Clark ; fourth ward, Warren Stod- 
dard ; fifth ward, James J. Godfroy. Street 
commissioners: First ward, Luther Harvey ; 
second ward, Benjamin F. Southwick ; third 
ward, Chester Stuart; fourth ward, Andrew 
Weir; fifth ward, Antoine Nadeau. 

1838 — Mayor, James (^. Adams ; treasurer, 
Peter P. Ferry; collector, llod(;lphus Nims; 
recorder, David A. Noble ; marshal, Benjamin 
W. Latham; surveyor, Nathan Hubble ; solic- 
itor, Franklin Johnson. Aldermen : First 
ward, Julius D. Morton ; second ward, Nathan 
Hubble; third ward. Smith Stuart; fourth ward, 
John Bush; fifth ward, Jamc.i J. Godfroy. 
A.sscssors : First ward, George Fish : second 
ward, Eobert G. Clark; third ward, George W. 
Strong; fourth ward, Thomas Clark- ; iifth 
ward, Ezekiel A. Peltier. 

1839 — Mayor, Dan. B. Miller; treasurer, 
Peter P. Ferry; collector, Rodoli)hus Nims; 
recorder, David A. Noble; solicitor, Nathaniel 
S. Howe ; clerk, Carlos Colton; marshal, Theroii 
Taylor, Aldermen : First ward, Julius D. 
Morton; second ward, Obadiah Spalding; third 
ward, Walter P. Clark ; fourth ward, Muuson 
Hurd ; fifth ward, James J. Godfroy. Assessors : 
First ward, Benjamin W. Bevier; second ward, 
Josiah W. Alexander; third ward, John Pax- 
ton; fourth ward, Sizer Stoddard ; fifth ward, 
Ezekiel A. Pelton. 

1840— Mayor, Dan. B. Miller; treasurer, 
Peter P.Ferry; collector, Timothy Hawley ; 
recorder, Franklin Johnigon ; clerk, Allen A. 
Eabinoau; marshal, John W.Anderson; sur- 
veyor, Nathan Hubble ; solicitor, C, H. Van- 
cleve. Aldermen: First ward, E. G. Brigham; 



second ward, Uari-y Conant ; third ward, 
George Clancy ; fourth ward, John Andei-son ; 
fifth ward, Ezekiel A. Peltier. Assessors: First 
ward, Issachar Frost; second ward, Nathan 
Hubble; third ward, Smith Stuart; fourth 
ward, Dan. S. Bacon ; fifth ward, James J. 
Godfroy. Street commissioners : First dis- 
trict, N. D. Curtis; second district, J. B. Bez- 
zoau. 

1841 — Mayor, Robert McClelland ; treasurer, 
Walter W. Prentiss ; collector, Timothy Haw- 
ley ; recorder, Abncr Morton ; clerk, Allen A. 
liabincau ; marshal, Jacob W. Alexander ; 
surveyor, Titus Babcock ; solicitor, Aljiheus 
Felch. Aldermen: First ward, E. G. Brigham ; 
second ward, Loomis Palmer; third ward, 
(ieorge Clancy; fourth ward, Daniel S. Bacon; 
fifth ward, Medard Couture. Assessors: First 
ward, Ambrose Beach ; second ward, Josiah W. 
Alexander; third ward, John Paxton ; fourth 
ward, Daniel S Bacon ; fifth wai-d, Charles M. 
Hunijihrey. Street commissioners : First ward, 
James Murphy ; second ward, Jose])h Lorangcr, 
jr.; third ward, Blisha Brigham ; fourth ward, 
Podolphus Nims; fifth ward, Sylvester God- 
froy. 

1S42- Mayor, Walter P. Clark; treasurer, 
Walter W. Prentiss ; marshal and collector, 
Timothy Hawley; clerk, J. B, Whipple; solic- 
itor, Hiram Stone ; surveyor, Nathan Hubble. 
Aldermen: First ward, Samuel Crcelman ; 
second ward, Josiah W. Alexander ; third ward, 
James McBride; fourth ward, Henry Smith ; 
fifth ward, Ezekiel A. Peltier. 

1843 — Mayor, James J. Godfroy ; treasurer, 
Walter W. Prentiss ; marshal and collector, 
Timothy H, Hawley; solicitor, Charles W, Ford; 
recorder, Henry Smith ; surveyor, Nathan 
Hubble; clerk, James B. Whipple. Aldermen: 
First ward, Samuel Crcelman ; second ward, 
Obadiah Spalding; third ward, James McBride ; 
fourth ward, Alexander D. Anderson ; fifth 
ward, Medard Couture. 

1844— Mayor, Levi S. Humphi'ey; treasurer, 
Walter P. Clark; marshal, Jarvis Eldred ; 
recorder, David A. Noble ; solicitor, Isaac P. 
Christiancy ; surveyor, Titus Babcock ; clerk, 
James B. Whipple, Aldermen: First ward, 
John Mulhollen ; second ward, Obadiah Spald- 
ing; third ward, James McBride; foui-th ward, 
John W, Miller; fifth ward, Medard Couture, 

1845 — Ma3'or, James J, Godfroy; treasui-er, 
John Burch ; marshal, Jarvis Eldred; clerk, 



MONROE CITY OFFICERS. 



2.'>9 



James B. Wliiiijile ; solii-ilor, Ini It. GruNVciior ; 
rocorilcr, Ahiior Morion ; .surveyor, Titus liab- 
c'ock. Alilcriiicii : Fir.sl wjinl, James E. Skin- 
ner ; liilnl ward, John I'axlon ; fourlli ward, 
O.scar Stoddard ; tiftli ward, Ciiarlcs M. 
Ilumplircy. 

ISU! — Mayor, llenrj' Snutli ; treasurer, Jolin 
iiui-eli ; eolieclor and marslial, Jarvis Eidred ; 
cleriv, James ]}. Whipple; recorder, Henry V. 
.Man; solicitor, Ira R. (irosvcnor ; surveyor, 
Titus HalicocU. Aldornien : First ward, Wed- 
worth Wadsworlh ; seiond ward, Isaac Lewis; 
third ward, (ieorj^e W. Stroii;^; i'ourlh ward, 
Alexander D. Andcr.son; fillh ward, ^ledard 
Couture. 

1847 — Mayor, Samuel J. llolle^- ; troasui'cr, 
John IJurch ; marshal and collector, Jarvis 
FIdrcd; clerk, J. B. Whii)ple; recorder, JIarry 
V . Man ; solicitor, Fi-ankliu Johnson ; surveyor, 
Tiuis Habcock. Aldermen: First ward, Isaac 
Mel-rill ; second ward, Isaac Lewis ; third ward, 
l.udior II. Barnes; fourth ward, Alexander I). 
.\iiderson; fifli\ ward. Medard Couture. 

IS IS — Mayor, Harry V. Man; treasurer, 
Daniel S. Bacon; marshal and collector, Jarvis 
Kldred ; ju.sticc of the peace, Clias. W. Ford; 
school inspector, Winfield Smith ; clerk, J. B. 
\Viiip]>le. A.sses.sors : First wai-d, N. 1). Curtis ; 
second ward, Henry D. Walbridge; third ward, 
John Btirch. Ahlcrmen : First ward, Isaac P. 
(Jhristiancy, Eidridgc G. Brigham ; second 
ward, Isaac Lewis, Lutlu'r H. Barnes; third 
ward, Xorman E. Haskell, Talcott E. Wing. 

1840 — Mayor, James Armitage ; treasurer, 
Wedworth VV. Clark; marshal and collector, 
Jarvis Eidred ; justice of the ])cacc, Charles W. 
Ford ; school insi)CCtor, Franklin Johnson; clerk, 
J, B. Whipple ; contractor for dredging canal, 
Harvey W. Campbell. Assessors: First ward, 
Norman D. Curtis; second ward, Henry V. 
Disbrovv ; third ward, Thomas Clark. Alder, 
men : First ward, Walter W. Prentiss, Chester 
Stuart; second ward, Carlos Colton, pjdward 
Crump ; third ward, Warren .Stoddard, Win. 11. 
Voclcy. 

1850 — Mayor, John Burch ; recorder, David 
A. Xoble ; treasurer, Jas. E. Skinner; clerk, 
John B. Whipple ; justice of the peace, Laurent 
Durocher; school inspector, Ephraim Baldwin. 
Assessors; First ward, E. G. Brigham ; second 
ward, N. N. Kendall; third ward, Ira R. Gros- 
vcnor. Aldermen : First Ward, Walter P. 
Clark, Walter W. Prentiss; second ward, 



James McBride, Alexander Kagan , third ward, 
llodolphus Nims, Win. R. Nowlen. 

1S51 — Mayor, Kdward G. Morton ; recorder, 
Gershom T. Bulkloy; treasurer, James F. Skin- 
ner ; marshal and collector, Jarvis Eidred; 
ju.sticc of the peace, Alex. D. Anderson ; school 
inspector, Franklin Johnson ; clerk, John B. 
Whipple. Aldermen: First ward, Walter W. 
Preuti.ss, Lcandcr Kibbe; .second ward, Joseph 
Shouj), Jesse Consor ; third ward, Waller K. 
Nowlen, Thomas Clark. Asscs.sors : First 
ward, E. G.Biigliam; second ward, Alexander 
Kagan; third ward, Ira R. (irosvcnor. 

1852— Mayor, David A. Noble; recorder, 
Franklin Johnson ; tre;isurer, James E. Skin- 
ner; marshal and collector, Jarvis Eidred; 
justice of the peace, Francis Wurtzsmilh ; clerk, 
J.B.Whipple. Aldermen: First ward, Ben- 
jamin Hansard, A. L. Aldrich; second ward, 
Michael Fishburn, William Gilmore; third 
ward, Thomas Clark, Wm. U. Nowlen. Asses. 
sors: First ward, Nathan Hubble; second 
ward, George W. Strong; third ward, Ira IJ. 
(irosvcnor. 

185;^ — Mayor, Silas R. Arnold; recorder, 
Jetferson (i. Thurbcr; treasurer, James E. 
Skinner; marshal and collector, FIdridge (i. 
Brigham ; justices of the iieace, Walter P. Clark, 
Laurent Durocher; school inspector, John 
Burch ; clerk, J. B. Whipple. Aldermen: First 
ward, A. L. Aldrich, Cassimer Waldorf; second 
ward, Jacob VanWormer, Frederick Waldorf; 
third ward, Thomas Clark, (ieo. R. Mandavell. 
Assessors : First ward, John M. Oliver ; .second 
ward, Geo. W. Strong ; third ward, Ira R. 
Grosveuor. 

1854 -Mayor, Walter W. Prentiss; recorder, 
Junius Tilden ; treasurer, James E Skinner; 
marshal and collector, Frederick C. Godfroy ; 
justice of the peace, Luman Stevens; school 
inspector, Jacob VanWormer. Aldermen: 
First ward, Ca.ssimer Waldorf, Addison L. 
Aldrich ; second ward, Frederick Waldorf, 
John W. Little ; third ward, George Mandavell, 
Daniel P. Newell. Assessors: First ward, 
E. G. Brigham: second ward, Geo. W. Strong; 
third ward, John Burch. 

1855— Mayor, George W. Strong ; marshal. 
John Mulhollen ; solicitor, Isaac P. Christiancy; 
surveyor, Nathan Hubble; clerk, James B. 
Whipple; recorder, Jefferson G. Thurber; 
treasurer, James E. Skinner; assessors, Cass- 
imer Waldorf, John Stevens. Aldermen: First 



260 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



wurd, Joseph M SU'i-ling-, Ciissiiiier Waldorf; 
second ward, John J. Stevens, Kichard Gil- 
niorc; third ward, Geo. Jv. Maiidavell, Matthew 
Gibson, t'oiiectors: First ward, A. L. Ald- 
rieh ; seuoiid ward, Joiin W. Little; third ward, 
I'hili]) Nadoaii. Street commissioners : First 
ward.Joim Heritage; second ward, John Tuil ; 
third ward, Kodolphus Nims. 

185(j — Mayor, EldridgeG. Brigham; recorder, 
W. \V. Prentiss; treasurer, James R. SUinner ; 
justice of tlie ]ieuce, Medard Couture; school 
inspector, 11. P. Vroonian ; street commissioner, 
James Murphy. Aldermen: First ward, Gass- 
imer Waldoi-f; second ward, Jas. G. McKride; 
tiiird ward, Benjamin Dan.sard. A.ssessors : 
Fii-st ward, Junius Tilden ; second ward, 
Frazey M. VVinans; tiiird ward, Talcott E. 
Wing Collectors: First ward, A. L. Ald- 
I'ich ; second ward, Thomas Doyle ; third ward, 
Philip Nadeau. 

1857— Mayor, Fredericlc Waldorf; recorder, 
Ira R. Grosvenor ; treasurer, James PI Skinner ; 
justice of the peace, Walter W. Prentiss; school 
inspector, Luman II. Stevens. Asscs.sors: 
First ward, J unius Tilden; second ward, Gouv'r 
Morris; third ward, Wm. H. Wells. Alder- 
men: First ward, Joseph M.Sterling; second 
ward, Luther Bisbee ; third ward, Eliab II. 
Ile>nolds. Collectors: First ward, A. L. Aid- 
rich ; second ward, Alonzo Strong ; third ward, 
Philip Nadeau. Street commissioners: First 
ward, James Murphy ; second ward, Henry 
Shoviii ; third ward, Rodolplms Nims. 

1858 — Mayor, Frederick Waldorf; i-ccorder, 
Luman H. Stevens; treasurer, James E. Skin- 
ner; justice of the peace, Laurent Duroclier ; 
school inspector, Edward G. Thiirber. Asses- 
sors: First ward, Junius Tilden ; .second ward, 
F. M. Winans ; third ward, John Bureh. Alder- 
men : First ward, Leander Kibbe; second 
ward, James McBridc ; third ward, Oscar Stod- 
dai'd. Collectors : First ward. Christian F. 
Beck; second ward, John P. Schluter; third 
ward, Philip Nadeau. Street commissioners; 
First ward, George Lindsley; second ward, 
Francis Ducio; third ward, Hillary Lcmerand. 

1850 — Mayor, Frederick Waldorf; recordei', 
Frazey M. Winans; treasurer, Eldridge G. 
Brigham ; justice of the peace, Gouv'r Morris ; 
school ins]iector, Junius Tilden. Assessors: 
First ward, Junius Tilden ; second ward, John 
W. Little; third ward, Thomas Clai-k. Colleo- 
tors; First ward, Christiau F. Beck; second 



ward, Wra. E. Brouson ; third ward, Wm. E. 
Bronson. Aldermen: First ward, Jacob Cook ; 
second ward, Louis Ijafontain ; third ward, 
Daniel P. Newell. Street commissioners: 
First ward, Daraian Brilhnan ; second ward, 
Henry Shovin ; third ward, Matthew Gibson. 

18ti0 — Mayor, liodcrick O'Connor ; recorder, 
John 11. llauch ; treasurer, Jo.sejih Weier ; 
justice of the peace, John G. Bother; school 
inspector, Charles South worth. Assessors: 
First ward, Junius Tildon ; second ward, John 
J. Stephens ; third ward, Talcott E. Wing. 
Aldermen: First ward, Moses Nadeau ; .second 
Noel Vincent; third ward, Frederick C. God- 
froy. Collectors: First ward, Charles Kirch- 
gessncr; second ward, John Paxton ; third ward, 
Peter Beitzcl. 

18G1 —Mayor, Koderick O'Connor; recorder, 
Alexander D. Anderson ; treasurer, Joseph 
Weier; justice of the peace, Walter W. Prenti.*s; 
school inspector, A. M. Bose. Assessors: First 
ward, Stephen G. Clark ; second ward, Joliii J. 
Stevens ; third ward, Talcott E. Wing. Alder- 
men : P^irst ward, A. L. Aldrich ; second war<l, 
A. T. Eisenman ; third ward, Oscar Stoddard. 
Collectors: First ward. Job C. Eaton ; second 
ward, John P. Schluter; third ward, Leander 
Shovin. 

18(52 — Mayor, Josej)h M. Sterling ; recorder, 
Frederick C. GoJfroy; treasurer, Edward G. 
Morton ; justice of the peace, Alexander D. 
Anderson ; school inspector, Charles Toll. 
A.ssessors: First ward, Stephen G. Clark; 
second ward, James Phelun ; third ward, 
Talcott E. Wing. Aldermen. First ward, 
Joseph Weier; second ward, Alanson Wilson; 
third ward, Joseph Dansard. Collectors: First 
ward, Henry Heck; second ward, Lewis Crow- 
der; third ward, John Davis. 

18G3 — Mayor, Joseph M. Sterling; recorder, 
Frederick Waldorf; treasurer, Benjamin Dan- 
sard ; school inspector, Charles Toll ; justice of 
the peace, Frazey M. Winans. Aldermen: 
First ward, Thomas Norman ; second ward, 
Jacob 'VanWormer; third ward, Michael Cas- 
sady. Assessors: First ward, Eldridge G. Brig- 
ham ; second ward, Michael Phelan ; third ward, 
Talcott E. Wing. Collectors : First ward. 
Christian Eisenman ; second ward, Lewis Crow- 
der; thii'd wai'd. John Davis. 

1864— Maj-or. Silas R. Arnold ; recorder. 
Chnrle.s Toll ; treasurer. William Stcrnes; school 
inspector, M, J, 'Vincent; justice of the pcacC) 



MONROE CITY OFFICERS. 



2r,i 



.liiliii 15iireli. Aliieniu'ii ; I'irst ward, .loh ('. 
IvUon ; soooiid ward, licwis l.alonlaiii ; lliii-il 
ward, Pliilip Weiulcll. Assessors: First ward. 
Ste|tlicii (i. Clai-k ; second ward, Miclial Pliclan; 
lliird ward, .loliii Davis. Collectors: First 
ward. .Toil n Sciii-iber; second ward. George T. 
Beiinolt; third wai'd. I^eandcr Siiovin. 

1S(!5 — Mayor. Silas 11. Arnold ; recorder. 
Ivlward (i. Morton ; ti-easurer. Taleott R. Wing: 
sciionl inspector, Charles Toll ; justice of the 
]>eaee, A. E. Aldrieh. Aldermen : First ward. 
.\ngustus (Jirshlce ; second ward. Jacob Van- 
Wiirniei-; third wai'd, ("harles Toil. Assessors: 
I'irst wai'd, Charles Kirchgessner ; second wanl, 
Mi<hai'l I'helan ; third ward, John Davis. Col- 
lector: First ward, Michael Digert ; second 
ward, licwis Ci'owder; third wai'd. Patrick 
Golden. 

IStiO — Mayor. Frederick Waldorf; recorder, 
Isaac Lewis ; ti-easiirer. Taleott E. Wing : Justice 
ol' the peace, Lewis Darrah ; school inspectoi', 
G<:)uv'r Morris. Aldermen: First ward. John 
Walil ; second ward. Alanson Wilson ; third 
w.-ird, Oscar Stoddard. A.s.sessors : First ward, 
( 'harles Kirchgessner; second ward. Michael 
I'lielan ; lhir<l ward. John Davis. Collectors: 
Fii'st wanl. .Michael Digert ; second ward. Lewis 
Crowdcr; third ward. Moses Robert, jr. 

ISIJT — Mayor. Thomas Do^ie ; recorder. A. L. 
Aldricii; treasurer. Gouv'r .Morris; justice of 
iho peace. Lewis Darrah; school inspector, 
l*'iank Piley. Aldermen: First ward. Augus- 
tus (Jirshke; second ward. John W. Jleisig ; 
thii-d ward, Charles Toll. As.ses,sor8 : First 
ward. (Charles Kirchgessner; second ward. 
.Michael Plielan ; third ward. John Davis. Col- 
lectors: First ward. Bernai'<l l{u|i|) ; second 
ward. Patrick Matthews: third ward, Fred 
Ninis. 

ISCS — Ma3-or, Frederick Waldorf; recorder, 
A \j. Aldrieh ; treasurer. Gouverneur Morris ; 
school inspector, Jarvis FIdred ; justice of the 
peace. John Tull Aldei'men : First ward, 
.loliu Wall); second ward, J. L. C. Godfrey; 
third ward, Michael Cassady. Assessors: First 
ward, diaries Kirchgessner; second ward. 
.Michael Phelan ; third wanl, John Davis, ('ol- 
hiioi-s: First ward, K. liupp: second ward. 
.Inhn Ifobert : thii'd ward. (Jharles Miller. 

1S(;!I — Mayor-. Alfred J. Saw3^er ; recorder. 
Alanson Wilson: treasurer, Anton Dialx-r: 
justices of the peace. Addison Aldriidi. Kdgar 
Stoddard. Aldermen : Fii'sl ward. Jaithcr li. 



l..ittle : second war<l. Patrick Ma^-nes : third 
ward, Charles Toll. Supervisors: I'irst ward. 
Charles Kirchgessner; second ward. Michael 
Phelan; third ward. John Davis. Collt^clors: 
Fii-stward. Bernai-d Jlupp ; second ward. John 
B. Kobeit; third ward, John (Jicotl. 

LS70 — Mayor, Alfred J, Sawyer; recorder. 
Alan.son Wilson ; treasni-er, Francis L. Lafon- 
tain ; clerk, Joseph Weicr ; justice of the jieace. 
Augustus Girshke ; school inspector. Anderson 
Wing. Aldermen: Fii-st wanl. Sebastian Ijainr: 
second ward. J. L. C. Godfroy ; third ward. 
Eilgar C. Stoddard, Assessors: First ward. 
Ciiarles Kirchgessner; second ward, Michael 
Phelan ; third ward, John Davis, Collectors: 
First ward, BtM'nard I?upp; second ward, John 
B. Eobcrt ; third ward, Hillary Lemerand. 

1871 — Mayor, ILeman J. Jiedtield ; recorder. 
Jacob VanWormer; justice of the peace, Lewis 
Darrah; clerk, John Davis; school ins])ectors, 
Rlam Willard, Edgar C. Stoddard. Ahlermen : 
First ward, Christian F, Beck; second ward. 
Chas. G. Johnson (2 years); third wai-d. Harry A. 
Conanl (1 year); fourth ward. Henry Durell. 
Su]iervisors : First ward, Charles Kirchgess- 
ner; second ward, John J. Stevens ; third ward. 
Thomas Doyle; fourth wanl, John Davis. (V)l- 
lectors : First ward, Bernaivl Rup]); scconil 
ward, Peter Hammer; third ward. John Rt. 
Robert; fourth ward. Chai-les Miller. 

1872- Mayor. Henian J. Redfield : recorder, 
Alanson Wilson; justice of the ]ieace. John 
Davis; clerk. John Davis; school inspectors. 
Eiam Willard. H. Lee Stoddard. Su])ervisors : 
First ward, August Gershke; .second ward. 
Constant Luce; third ward, Thomas Do^de ; 
fourth ward, John Davis. Aldermen: First 
ward, John P. Jaminct; second w'ai'd. (ieorge 
N. Strong; third ward, Jacob VanWormer; 
fourth ward. Hdgar C. Stoddard. Collectors: 
First ward. Jo.sepb Brillman ; second ward. 
Peter Hammei'; third ward, John li. Robert : 
fourtii ward. Charles Miller. 

187:5 — Mayor. Heman J. Redfield; clcik. 
John Davis: treasurer, Frank liafontain : mai-- 
shal. John Ducio ; justice of the peace, Addi- 
.son L. Aldrieh ; school inspectors, Flam Willai'd 
and n. Lee Stoddard ; recorder. John Wahl. 
Su|)ervi.sors : First ward, August (Jershke : 
second ward. Constant Luce ; thir<l ward.Sam'l 
J. i{oberl ; fourtli ward, John Davis. Con- 
stables: First wai'd. ('harles Kirchgessner: 
.second ward. John Duclo: thinl ward. John J. 



262 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Cicott ; fourtli ward, Nelson D. Curtis. Alder- 
men : First wan!, Henry Noble ; second ward, 
Chas. G. Johnson; third ward, John A. Wag- 
ner; fourth ward. Bliab H. Koynolds. City 
eollcctors: First ward, Bernard Rupp; second 
ward, Peter Hammer; tliir<l war<l, Lewis Crow ; 
fourth ward. Ciiarles Miller. 

1S74 — Mayor, Heman J. Ked field ; clerk, 
John Davi.s; treasurer, Charles Kruner ; niar- 
slial, John Duclo ; street commissioner, Thomas 
Strong ; collector, Wm. E. Campbell ; justice of 
the peace, August Cerslike ; school inspectors, 
S. W. Curtis, Thomas Doyle and Alanson Wil- 
son. Supervisors: First ward, August Gershke; 
second ward, Harry Conant ; third ward. Thos. 
Doyle ; fourth ward, John Davis. Constables : 
First w ard, Charles Kirehgessner ; second ward. 
James Custer; third \vard, John Duclo; fourth 
ward, Leander Shovin. Aldermen: First ward, 
John P. Jaminet; second ward, John J. 
Stevens; third ward, Henry Durell ; fourth 
ward, Frederick A. Nims. 

1875 — Mayor, Heman J. Eedtield ; clerk, 
John Davis; treasurer, Sebastian Lauer ; mar- 
shal, Jarvis Eldred ; street commissioner, A. P. 
Chapman; city coUector.Patrick Maj-nes; justice 
of the peace, Lewis Darrab; school inspector, 
S. W. Curtis. Supervisors: First ward, Chas. 
Kirehgessner ; second ward, Constant Luce ; 
third wai'd, Thomas Doyle ; fourth ward, John 
Davis. Constables; First ward, Chas. Kirch- 
"•essner ; second ward, Jarvis Eldred ; third 
ward, Jolm Duclo; fourth ward, Leander Sho- 
vin. Aldermen: First ward, H. Shaw Noble ; 
second ward, Gouv'r Morris ; third ward, Henry 
V^andall; fourth ward, Israel E. Hgianfritz. 

1870 — Mayor, George Spalding; clerk, John 
Davis; treasurer, Sebastian Lauer; marshal, 
Jai'vis Rldred ; street commissioner, Aaron P. 
Chapman ; collector, Charles Miller ; justice of 
the peace, John Davis; school inspector, Tiios. 
Doyle. Supervisors: First ward, Anton West- 
erinan, jr.; second wai-d. Constant Luce ; third 
ward, Thomas Doyle ; fourth ward, Frank H. 
Hubbard. Constables: First ward, Samuel 
Schriber ; second ward, Jarvis Eldred; third 
ward, John Duclo; foiirth ward, Leander Sho- 
vin. Aldermen : First ward, Frank Schwing- 
schlege; second ward, Henry T. Cole; third 
ward, Geo. K. llunl; fourth war<l, Frederick A. 
Nims. 

1877 — Mayoi-, Alfred J. Sawyer; clerk, John 
Davis; treasurer, Sebastian Lauer; street com- 



missioner, Jas. A. Wendell ; collector, James J. 
Robert; justice of the peace, Addison Aldrich ; 
school inspector, Sylvanus W. Curtis. Super- 
visors : First ward, Anthony Westerman ; sec- 
ond ward, James P. Scranton ; third ward, 
Thomas Doyle ; foui-th'ward, John Davis. Con- 
stables: First ward, Louis Scribner ; second 
wai'd, Edwai'd Archer; third ward, John Duclo: 
foui-th ward. Philip Godfi-o^'. Aldermen : 
Fii-st ward, H. Shaw Noble ; second ward, 
Gouv'r Morris; third ward, Henry Durell; 
fourth ward, Isi'ael Hgianfritz. 

1878 — Mayor, Jacob VanWormer; clerk, 
John Davis; treasurer, Sebastian Lauer; mar- 
shal. Jai'vis Eldred ; street commissioner, BenJ. 
F. Whitney; collector, Adam Rupp; justice of 
the peace, W. S. Campbell. Supervisors: Fir.st 
ward, Anton Westerman ; second ward, James 
P. Scranton ; third ward, Thomas Doyle ; fourth 
ward, James J. Robert. Constables: First 
wanl, Charles Miller; second ward, John Loef- 
tler ; third ward, John Duclo; fourth ward. 
Philip W. Godfrey. 

1879— Mayor, H. Shaw Noble ; clerk, John 
Davis; treasurer, Sebastian Lauer; marshal, 
Erastus Hubble; street commissioner, James 
A. Wendell; collector, Thurlow A. Strong; 
justice of the peace, John P. Jaminet; school 
inspector, Edward R. Gilday. Supervisors; 
First ward, George Crow ; second ward, James 
P. Scranton ; third ward, Michael Phelan ; 
fourth ward, Jo.seph D. Ronan. Constables : 
First ward, ('harles Miller; second wanl, John 
I>oefflcr ; third ward, John B. Robert; fourth 
ward, Theodore F. Navarre. Aldermen : First 
ward, John Renner ; second ward, John S. 
Noble; third ward, Henry Durell : fourth ward, 
Fr. X. Soleau. 

1880 -Mayor, H. Shaw Noble; clerk, John 
Davis; treasurer, Sebastian Lauer; marshal, 
Erastus Hubble ; street commissioner, James 
A. Wendell; collector, Martin LoefWer ; justice 
of the peace, Thomas Doyle. Su])ervi8ors : 
First ward, Geoi-ge Crow; second ward. John E. 
Landon ; third ward, Michael Phelan ; fourtli 
ward, .Joseph D. Ronan. Constables: First 
ward, John LoefHer; second ward, Josej)h 
Suzor ; third ward, Jose])h Suzor; fourth ward, 
Philip W. Godfroy. Aldermen : First ward, 
Job C. Eaton; second ward, William Gilmore; 
third ward, Lewis Jones ; fourth ward, John P. 
Nelson. 

1881 — Maj'or. Burton Parker; clerk, John 



MONROE CITY OFFICERS. 



263 



l):ivis; trousiiror, Sclta.stiiiii Liuior : iiiarslial, 
Erastiis Hubble: .street commissioner, James A. 
Wendell; collector, Martin Ijoetiler; justice of 
the jieacc, Addison Aldrich. Supervisors: 
First ward, Anton Westerman ; secoTid ward, 
Tliurlow A. Strong: third ward, Michael Phe- 
lan : fourth ward, Charles A. Golden. Con- 
stables: First ward. Bernar<l Iloffnian : second 
ward, Jolm Loeffler : tliird ward, Valentine 
SI(M-in : fourth ward, Loui.i Crowder. 

1S,^2 — Ma3'or, IJurton Parker: clerk, George 
l>. I'auf; treasurer, Seltastian Lauer : marshal, 
.hii-vis KIdred ; street coiiiniissioner, James A. 
Wendell; collector, Philip Godfroy; justice of 
the peace, John Davi.s : school inspector, Ed- 
ward U. Gilday. Supervisors: First ward, 
Anthony Westerman; second ward, Tlnirlow 
Strong; third ward, Michael Phelan ; fourth 
ward, Charles G. Morris. Constables: First 
ward, Charles Miller; second ward, Jo.seph 
Sharbinow ; third ward, Joseph R. Autian : 
fourth ward, Andrew O'Kiley. Aldermen: 
l-'irst ward, Job C. Eaton ; second ward, Henry 
|j. Wood; third ward, Charles Stetzner : fourth 
\v:u-<l, Eliab II. Reynolds. 

1,SS3— Mayor, Ilenrj- S. Noble ; clerk, George 
1>. Paul; treasurer, Sebastian Lauer; marshal, 
F. I'.endereitor ; street commissioner, James A. 
W.-ndcll ; collector, Martin LoefHer ; justice of 
the ]>eace, John J. Jaminct; vucancj', Lewis 
Darrah ; school inspector, George R. Iliird. 
Supervisors : First ward, George Crow ; second 
ward, John E. Landon ; third ward, Michael 
Pholan ; fourth ward, Sylvanus Curtis. Con- 
.stables : First ward, Charles Miller; second 
ward. .Iose])li Sharbinow; third ward, Joseph 1). 
Autian; fourth ward, Edwar<l Ijcmerand. 
Aldermen: First ward, Kol>ert I). Waters: 
second ward, William Gilmorc: third ward, 
Hetirj' Durell; fourth ward, Ferdinand Bezzeau. 

1.SSI— Mayor, Henry S. Noble; clerk, Wni. 
'1'. Soleau: treasurer, Sebastian Lauer; marshal, 
Frank Bendereiter ; street comniissioner, Thos. 
T. Strong: collector, Martin LoefHer : justice 
of the peace, Lewis Darrah ; vacancy-, Patrick 
(iiilden; school inspector, .James York. Super- 
visors: First ward, George Crow ; second ward, 
James E. Landon: third ward, Michael Phe- 
lan ; fourth ward, Sj'lvanus Curtis. C'onstables: 
P'ir.st ward, Charles Miller: second ward, Dan'l 
T. Cole; third ward, .losepli Autian: fourth 
ward, Edward Lemerand. Ahlermen : i''irst 
ward. George Kapp ; second ward, J. llcnr^- 



Kurtz; third ward, Charles Stetzner: fourth 
ward, II. Lee Stoddard. 

188.5— Mayor, Edward R. (lilday: marshal, 
Christian Fay; clerk, William Soleau; treas- 
urer, Sebastian Lauer; collector, John Ren- 
tier; street commi.ssioner, James Wendell: 
school inspector, Alfred .L Massacre ; justice of 
the peace, Anton Daiber. Supervisors: First 
ward, .L George Crow; second ward, John E. 
Landon ; third ward, Samuel J. Itobert ; fourth 
ward, Hillary Lemerand. Aldermen : First 
ward, John JIaurer; second ward, John J. 
Stevens; third ward, Louis Jones ; fourth ward, 
Thomas Keegan. Constables; First ward. 
Josei)h Kirchgessnor ; second ward, Daniel T. 
Cole: third ward, Fred Cooley ; fourth ward, 
Andrew O'lliley. 

188(j— Mayor. Edward R. (niday; marshal, 
George Ellis ; clerk, Thomas I>, Strong; collec- 
tor, George Rammler ; street commi.ssioner, 
James .V. Wendell ; justice of the peace, Charles 
Kirchgessncr ; school inspector, George R. 
Hurd. Supervi.sors: First ward, .1. (Jeorge 
(h-ow ; second ward, John E. Landon: third 
ward, Samuel J. Robert; fourth ward, Hillary 
Lemerand. Aldermen: First ward,. Ta.son P. 
Root: second ward.Gustavc Stier ; third ward, 
Alfred J, Massacre; fourth ward, Eliab 11. Re}-- 
nolds. Constables: First ward, Joseph Kirch- 
gessncr; second ward, Daniel T.t'ole; thii-d w;ird, 
John Bouchard ; fourth ward, Henry Ranch. 

1887— Mayor, George Ii. Hurd ; marshal, 
George Ellis; clerk, Thomas T. Strong; treas- 
urer, James .1. Robert; collector, George 
Ilamnilcr; street comniissioner, Ferdinand 
Bezzeau ; city attornej', Alonzo B. Bragdon : 
school inspector, Anton Westerman; justice of 
the peace, .Tohn P, Jaminct; survej'or, Willis 
Baldwin ; phj-sician, Charles T. Southworth ; 
chief engineer, (Jhas. A. (ioldeii. Supervisors : 
First ward, Charles A. Maurer ; second ward, 
John E. Landon ; third ward, Samuel J. Iloliei-t: 
fourth ward, Clias. G. Morris. Aldei-men: l''irsl 
ward, George Ilapp ; .second ward, .lolin .1. 
Stevens; thir<l ward, Lewis Jones: fourth ward, 
I. !"]. Ilgianfritz. ('onstables: First ward, 
Charles Miller; second ward, Joseph Shar- 
binow ; third ward, Henry V'andall ; fourth 
ward, Theodore Navarre. 

1888 — Maj'fir, George R. Hurd; marshal, 
Frank Lemerand; clerk, TIkiuius T. Strong; 
treasurer, James J. Robert; collector, Geoi'ge 
Rammler ; street commissiimcr Fi-rdiuaud Bez- 



264 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



zeau ; city attorney, Alonzo B. Bragdoii ; justice 
oftiio peace, John P. Jainiiiet; surveyor, Willis 
HaUlwin; physician, Charles T. Southworth ; 
chief engineer, Charles A. Golden; fii'st assist- 
ant, J. H. Kurz; second assistant, Jac. Martin. 
Supervisors: First ward, Charles A. Maurer ; 
second ward, .Fohn E. Landon; third ward, 
Samuel J. llobei-t; fourth ward, Charles G. 
Morris. Aldermen : First ward, George Rapp; 
second ward, Gustav Stier; third ward, Ijewis 
Jones; fourth ward, I. B. Ilgianfritz. Con- 
stables: First ward. Anton Westerman, Jr.; 
second ward, Ed. G. J. Laner; thii'd ward, 
Charles Hoyt; fourth ward, H. A. Bourdeau. 

1889 — Mayor, Charles A. Golden ; marshal, 
Frank Lemerand ; clerk, Thomas T. Strong ; 
treasurer, James J. Robert; collector, Patrick 
II. Matthews ; street commissioner, James A. 
Wendell; .school inspectors, Edward C. Ilauch, 
Benjamin Dansard, George R. Ilurd ; justice of 
the peace, William J. Danz. Supervisors: First 
ward, Charles Maurer; second ward, John E. 
Landon; third ward, John E. Cooper; fourth 
ward, Thomas E. Keegan. Aldermen : Fir,st 
ward, George Rapp ; second ward, Gustav Stier; 
third ward, C. William Beck ; fourth ward, I. E. 
Ilgianfritz. Constables: First ward, John Eber- 
linc; second ward, Daniel T. Cole; third ward, 
Henry Vaiulall; fourth wai'd, T. S. Navarre. 

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE OF MONROE COUNTY, 

Friivi 18;!G lo 1888 inclndiv. 
ISHfi — VanBuren (Democrat), ; Harri- 
son (Whig). 1,147. 



1840— VanBuren (I)en\ocrat), 1,02:5 ; Harri- 
son (Whig), 930. 

1844-Polk (Democrat), 1,2S2; Clay (Whig), 
S70. 

1848 — VanBuren (Free Soil), 398; Ca.ss 
(Democrat), 1,155; Taylor (Whig), 791. 

1852— Hale (Free Soil), 109; Pierce (Demo- 
crat), 1,582 ; Scott (Whig), 1,112. 

185fi — Buchanan (Democi-at). 1.703 ; Fremont 
(Whig), 1,777. 

1800— Douglas (Democrat), 2,105; Lincoln 
(Rci)ublican). 2,282. 

1S04— McClellan (Democrat), 2,331; Linc<dn 
(Republican), 1,659. 

1808— Seymour (Democrat). 2,914; Grant 
(Republican), 2,029. 

1872— Black (Prohibition), — ; O'Connor 
(Democi'at), 72; Greeley (Democrat), 2,192; 
Grant (Republican), 2,045. 

1876 - Smith (Prohibition), I ; Cooper (Green- 
back), 23; Tilden (Democrat), 3,893; Hayes 
(Republican), 3,032. 

1880- Labor, 10; Dow (Prohibition), 2; 
Weaver (Greenback), 224; Hancock (Demo- 
crat), 3,701 ; Garfield (Republican), 3,178. 

1884 -Butler, 51 ; St. John (Prohibition), 224; 
Butler (Greenback and Anti-Monopoly), 190; 
Cleveland (Democrat), 3,735; Cleveland and 
Butler Fusion, 3,920; Blaine (Republican), 
3,025. 

1888— Streeter (United Labor), 15; Fisk 
(Prohibition), 182 ; Cleveland(Democrat), .3,940; 
Harrison (Republican), 3,450. 



•STATE OFFICERS, IsSi). 



(iovornor 

Licntenant-iiovernor 

Secretary ot State 

Treasurer 

Auditor (ieneral 

Com. of LandOllice 

Attorney Ueneral 

Supt. Pub. Instruption 

A<ljut.antGeufnil 

(, Jiiartcrmastcr (icMicral 

Inspcrtor Gcnenil 

Insurance CDUiniissioner 

Railniail Cuniinissioner 

I,al)or ('onniiissicjncr 

Coin. I'liinking Department. 
Librarian 



Cvrus(i. Luce - 

.las. H. Macdnnald.. 
Oilbert U. Osniun___ 

(iecir-c L. Maltz 

Henry II. Aplin 

Roscoe D. Dix 

S. V. R. Trowbridge 
Jo.sepli Estabrook ._ 
Daniel I'>. jViiifjcr _ . 
Slu'rmaii U. Dat>oll . 

F. D. Newberry 

H.S. Raymond 

JolmT. Rich 

Alfred II. Heath. . 
Theo. C. Sbcrwood _ 
Harriett .\. Tcnncy ._ 



.Tan.,lSsn. 
.Jan.,lSS!l_ 
Jan., 1SS1I_ 
Jan., I.S89. 
.Ian., ]S.S!I. 
.Ian., 1880, 
Jan., 1889- 
.Tan., 18,S9_ 
.Ian., 188<1. 
Jan., 1889. 
,Tan.,l,sS!l 
Jan.. 18.S9. 
.Ian.. lS.S<t_ 
Feb. 28, '87 
Jan., l.S.S9_ 
.Ian.,18.S9. 



Jan., 1891., 
Jan., 1891 . 
Jan., 1891 . 
Jan., 1.S91.. 
Jan., 1891.. 
Jan., 1891.. 
Jan., 1891.. 
Jan., 189I-. 
Jan., 1891 _. 
Jan., 1S9K. 
Jan., 189!.. 
Jan , 1891.. 
Jan., 1891 _ 
Mar. I, '89 
Jan., 189:; _ 
Jan., 1891 . 



.1; 1,000 
f :^> jir (lav 

.f.snb 

1 ,000 
2,900 
,S()0 
.S90 
1 ,000 
1,009 
1.01)0 
1,090 
2,000 
2,.">00 
2,000 
2,. 500 
1.000 



STATISTICS. 



265 












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266 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



POLITICAL CKNTKAL (.OMMITTEES. 

KEPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE. 

Officers.— George H. Hopkins, chairmau, De- 
troit; Charles Wriglit, treasurer, Detroit : Harry 
C. Tillman, secretary, Detroit. 

Executive Committee. — Henry M. Duttield, 
Detroit ; T. S. Applegate, Adrian ; T. F. Gid- 
dings, Kalamazoo; Chas. E. Kimball. Pontiac ; 
F. C. Stone, Saginaw; E. T. Garrington, Bay 
City; D. B. Ainger, Charlotte; G. W. Webber, 
Ionia; A. R. Avery, Port Huron. 

District Committee. — First district. Heni'y M. 
DutReld, Charles Wright, Detroit; second dis- 
trict, T. S. A]iplegate, Adrian, J. T. Jacobs, 
Ann Arboi- ; third district, D. B. Ainger, Char- 
lotte, W. H. Withington, Jackson; fourth dis- 
trict, T. F. Giddings, Kalamazoo, A. B. Copley, 
Decatur; fifth district, G. W. Webber, Ionia, 
Wm. Alden Smith, Grand Rapids; sixth dis- 
trict, Chas. F. Kimball, Pontiac, Otis Fuller, 
St. Johns; seventh district, Wm. H, Acker, 
Richmond, A. R. Avery, Port Huron ; eighth 
district, N. J. Bi'own, Stantou, F. C. Stone, 
Saginav?; ninth district, Newcomb McGraft, 
Muskegon, E. Broox Martin, Reed City; tenth 
district, E. T. Garrington, Bay City, I).. G. 
Page, Petoskey ; eleventh district, Thomas T. 
Bates, Traverse City, H. O.Young, Ishpeming. 

DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE. 

Officers. — I. M. Weston, chairman, Grand 
Rapids; J. W. Fiynn, treasurer, Detroit; Fi-ank 
H. Thomas, secretary, Caro. 

E.vecutive Committee. — I. M. Weston, chair- 
man. Grand Rapids; 1). J. Campau, Detroit; 
Frank H. Thomas, Caro ; Styles Kennedy, St. 
Louis; Geo. H. House, East Saginaw. 

District Members. — First district, D. J. Cam- 
pau, J. W. Flynn, Detroit; second district, 
Chas. S. Gregory, Dexter, Chas. Humphrey, 
Adrian ; third district, W. H. Porter, Marshall, 
J. Shean, Hickory Corners; fourth district, C. 
H. Kimmerle, Dailey, C. J. Lockwood, Sturgis; 
fifth district, T. B. Preston, Ionia, A. E. Cal- 
kins, Allegan ; sixth district, J. H. Fedewa, St. 
Johns, F. G. Rounsville, Fowlerville; seventh 
disti-ict, Robert Willis, Marlette, G. M. Crocker. 
Mt. Clemens; eighth district, G. H. House, 
East Saginaw, Styles Kennedy, St. Louis ; 
ninth district, R. R. Blacker, Manistee. L. J. 
Law, Cadillac ; tenth district, Fi'ank H. Thomas, 
Caro, George J. Robinson, Alpena; eleventh 



district, H. C. Davis, Traverse City, G. W. 
Hayden, Ishpeming. 

rROIIIHITIOX STATE CENTRAL COM.MITTEE. 

Officers. — Albert Dodge, chairman, Fowler- 
ville: Williiim W. Wise, secretary, Lansing; 
Alfred Wise, treasurer, Lansing. 

District Members. — Fh-Bt district, Charles P. 
Russell, Jerome B. Stevens, Detroit ; second 
district, G. P. Waring, Ridgeway, B. J. Conrad, 
Ann Arbor; third district, 1). P. Sagendorph, 
Charlotte, A. G. Bruce, Albion ; fourth district, 
Henry I. Allen. Schoolcraft, H. S. McMaster, 
Dowagiac ; fifth district, A. O. Crozier, Grand 
Rajjids, J)r. Milton Chase, Otsego ; sixth dis- 
trict, Alfred Wise, Lansing, James Houston, 
Pontiac; seventh disti'ict, Roljert King. Lapeer, 
L. Granger, Armada ; eighth district, H. W. 
Parker, Owosso, Newell Leonard, St. Louis ; 
ninth district, E. S. Palmiter, Hart, G. R. Ma- 
lone, Big Rapids; tenth district, J. Van Zolen- 
burg, Petoskey, S. A. Lane, Vassar ; eleventh 
district, George H. Cobb, Traverse City, Rev. 
1). B. .Fohnson, Menominee. 

THE EARLY COURTS. 

May 8, 1807, the Court of Common Pleas 
was organized by appointment by the governor 
and judges. John Anderson was ajipointed 
chief justice, Moses Morse, Francis Navarre, 
associate justices. Francis Lasselle was ap- 
pointed by the courts treasurer of district ; 
John Bt. Fjasselle, assessor on north side of 
River Raisin; Giles Barnes, collector; Jacques 
Navarre, assessor on south side of River Raisin. 
Israel Ruland was appointed associate judge in 
place of Moses Morse. 

1809-10 — Same officers continued in ofiBce. 

We find no records of courts held from this 
date until May 4, 1818, when Isaac Lee pre- 
sided as chief justice, John Anderson, Francis 
Lasselle, associate justices; Hubert Lacroix, 
sheriff; Oliver Johnson, treasurer; Charles 
Noble, prosecuting attorne\' ; Hubert Lacroix, 
collector of taxes. 

COMMISSIONERS AND SUPERVISORS. 

1824 — County commissioners were elected as 
follows : Henry Disbrow, Gabriel Godfroy, jr., 
Hubert Lacroix, Harr^' Conant, Josejjh Far- 
rington ; Laurent Durocher, collector of taxes. 

1827 — July 1st, first meeting of board of 
supervisors. Erie was represented by Levi 



STATISTICS. 



267 



Collier; FroiR'lito«'ii,Edimiiid Ijitllotioki ; Mon- 
roe, Samuel Choato ; Eaisinville, Thomas B. 
Beiijaniiii : clerk, Feter P. Ferry ; treasurer, 
Daniel MullioUen. 

ISL'8— LaSalle, .loliii .Miller; Krie. Levi Col- 
lier; Port Lawrcnee, .lohu T. Baldwin: Raisiii- 
ville, Riley Ingersoll; Freiielitowii, Hdmuiid 
l.ittleticld ; Monroe, Samuel Clioate: clerk. 
Peter P. Feriy. 

1829 — Monroe, Walter Colton ; Frenohtown, 
.loliii Bt. Cicotte; Erie, James Cornell ; Eaisin- 
villo, Samuel Atkinson : clerk, P. P. Ferry. 

SIIPKRVISOU.S. 

1S:S0 — RaLsinville, Richard Mcttez ; French- 
town, John Bt. Cicotte ; Port Lawrence. Alvin 
Evans; Monroe, Walter Colton: Erie. James 
Cornell; clerk. Peter P. Ferry. 

18151 — Summcrfield, Benjamin Davis : Erie, 
James Cornell: Port Lawrence, Eli Hubbard : 
Frenchtown, Richard Mettez; Raisinvillc, John 
Bt. Cicotte; Monroe, Daniel S. Bacon : LaSalle. 
Francis Charter; clerk, P. P. Ferrj-. 

1832 — Summerficld, Benjamin J)avis: Erie, 
James Cornell ; Port Lawrence, Eli Hubbard : 
Frenchtown. Richard Mettez : Raisinville. John 
Bt. Cicotte ; Monroe, Daniel S. Bacon ; LaSalle, 
Francis Charter : clerk, Petci' P. Ferry ; Solo- 
mon Kecney, of Erie, justice of the peace. 
Benjamin Davis and James Cornell wei-e, by 
the board, authorized to purchase land for a 
poor-house. 

1833— I'ort Lawrence. Eli Hubbard; LaSalle. 
Francis Charter ; Eric, James Cornell ; Monroe, 
Luther Harvey ; Frenchtown. Louis Bond : 
Whiteford. Daniel White; Raisinville, John B. 
Cicotte : I>aSalle, Francis Charter; clerk, P. P. 
Ferry. 

1834 — Summertield, .lohn B. King; I'aisin- 
ville, Eliphalet B. Clark ; Port Lawrence, Fli 
Hubbard ; LaSalle, Francis Charter ; Erie, 
James Cornell; Monroe, liUther Harvey: 
Frenchtown, Laurent Durocher: Whiteford, 
Daniel White: clerk, Peter P. Ferry. 

COMMISSIONERS. 

1838 — Seba Murphy-, James Mulhollen, Gid- 
eon Thomas; clerk, (,'arlos Colton. 

1839— Seba Murphy. James Mulhollen. Gid- 
eon Thomas; clerk, Carlos Colton. 

1840 — Seba Murphy, James Mulhollen. IJans- 
ford E. Whiting; clerk, Carlos Colton. 

1841 — Ransford E. Whiting, James Mulhol- 
len, John Paxton ; clerk, Carlos Colton. 



srrKiiVisoii.s, 

1812 — Ash,(iidcon Thomas; Bedford. Farlej- 
McLouth : Dundee, Junius Tilden ; Erie. James 
Mulhollen ; Exeter, .lohn Murphy: Frenchtown, 
Fiaurent Durocher; Ida, Richmond Cheadle: 
LaSalle, Samuel iL Bartlett; London, Rans- 
lord E. Whiting; Monroe, Nathan Hubble; 
Milan, John Spalding: Raisinville. (ieorge 
Younglove; W'hiteford, ^Varren liurnhani; 
clerk, Carlos Colton. 

1843 — Ash, Isaac M. AsseUyne ; Bedford, Far- 
ley- McLouth; Dundee, Junius Tilden; Erie, 
James Mulhollen; Ivxeter, John Murphy; 
Frenchtown, Ijaurent Durocher: Ida, Peter K. 
Zacharias : LaSalle, Samuel M. Bartlett : Lon- 
don, Lleazer Barnes; Monroe, Gershom T. 
Bulkley; Milan, Daniel Kelsey ; Raisinvillc. 
John Wadsworth ; Whiteford, Liber Allen; 
SummcrtieM, Ri'hard Pett-rs; clerk-, Cai-los 
(Bolton. 

1844— Ash. Isaac M, Asseltyne; Bedford, 
Daniel Hungerford ; Dundee, Junius Tilden; 
Erie, Janies Mulhollen; E.Keter, Luke Dunn; 
Frenchtown. Tiaurent Durocher; Ida, Peter K. 
Zacharias: LaSalle, Samuel M. Bartlett ; Fion- 
don, R. K. Whiting; Monroe, (iershoni T. 
Bulkley; Milan, Daniel Kelse.}-; Raisinville, 
George Younglove ; Whitefoi'd, Warren Burn- 
ham : Summcrfield. Richard Peters: clerk, 
Carlos Colton. 

1845 — Ash. Alexander M. Ai-zeiio : Bedford. 
Farlej' McLouth ; Dundee. Junius Tilden : Erie. 
James Mulhollen; Exeter, Lewis W'elcli ; 
Frenchtown. Laurent Durocher; Ida, Peter Iv. 
Zacharias; LaSalle. Samuel S. Parker; Ijondon, 
Elea/.er Barnes: Monroe, Norman D. Curtis; 
Milan, Noble S. Squires ; Raisinville. George 
Younglove; Whiteford, Liber Allen : Summer- 
field. Richard Peters; clerk, Carlos Colton. 

1846 — Ash. Alexander M. Arzeno; Bedford, 
Farley McLouth ; Dundee. Junius Tilden; Erie. 
James Mulhollen, Exeter, John Murphy; 
Frenchtown. Laui'ent Durocher; Ida, W'esley 
Conant; LaSalle, Lewis Darrah : F^ondon, 
Eleazcr jjarnes ; Monroe. Gershom T. Bulkley; 
Milan. R. Squii-es; Raisinville, tieorge Young- 
love ; Whiteford, W^m. Bancroft ; Summcrfield, 
John B. King; clerk. Cailos Colton. 

1847 — Ash, Alexander M. Arzeno ; Bedford, 
Farlev McF>outh ; Dundee. J unius Tilden; Krie, 
L. H. Bailej- : Exeter, John Murphy; French- 
town. Laurent Durocher; Ida. Wm. L. Riggs : 
LaSalle, Jacob Leonard ; London, Wm. B. 



268 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Bradford; Monroe, Nonnan D. (Jurtis; Milan, 
Noble S. Squires ; Raisinville, Robert Talford; 
Whiteford, Wm. Bancroft; Summcrfifld. Rich- 
ard Pctei-s ; clerk. Carlos Colton. 

1848 — Ash, Alexander M. Arzcno ; Bedford, 
Ilenry Mason ; Dundee, Junius Tilden ; Erie, 
L. H. Bailey; Exeter, Luke Dunn; French- 
town, Alfred G. Bates ; Ida, P. K. Zucharias : 
LaSalle, Samuel M Bartlett ; London, Wm. B. 
Bradford ; Monroe, E. Choate ; Milan, David A. 
Woodward ; Raisinville, Robert Talford; White- 
ford, Wm. Bancroft; Summerfield, Richard 
Peters. City of Monroe, first ward, N. D. 
Curtis; second ward. Franklin Johnson; third 
waril. John Burch. 

1S49— Ash, Alexander M. Arzcno; Bedford. 
Henry Mason ; Dundee, Junius Tilden; Erie, 
L.H.Bailey; Exeter, Lewis Welch; French- 
town, Alfred G. Bates; Ida. Nathaniel Lang- 
don ; LaSalle, Lewis Darrah ; London, Eleazer 
Barnes; Moni'oe, Emerson Choate; Milan, Har- 
mon Allen; Raisinville, Henry B. Marvin; 
Whiteford, Sylvester E. Hathaway; vSummer- 
field, James J. Russell. City of Monroe, first 
ward, N. D. f!urtis; second ward. Nathan N. 
Kendall; third ward. Thomas Clark. Clerk. 
Titus Babcock. 

1850 — Ash, Alexander M. Arzeno; Bedford. 
Thomas F. Aldrich ; Dundee. Junius Tilden; 
Erie, Samuel Mulhollen ; Exeter, Barnard 
Ealeigh ; Frenchtown, Gouverneur Morris ; Ida, 
Nathaniel Langdon ; LaSalle, Jacob Leonard; 
London, Eleazer Barnes; Monroe, Joseph (J, 
Navarre; Milan, Harmon Allen; Raisinville. 
John B. King; Whiteford, Cains Candee ; Sum- 
merfield, James J. Russell. City of Monroe, 
first ward, E. G. Brigham ; second ward, Nathan 
N. Kendall ; thir<l ward. Ira R. Grosvenor. 
Clerk, Titus Babcock. 

1851 — Ash, Alexander M. Arzeno; Bedford, 
C. F W. Rawson ; Dundee, J. D. Babcock ; 
Erie, F)-ancis Duval; Exeter, John Murjihy; 
Frenchtown, Touissant Navarre ; Ida, Nathan- 
iel Ijangdon ; LaSalle, Lewis Darrah ; Lou- 
don, Rausford E. Whiting; Monroe, Joseph G. 
Navarre ; Milan, I). A. Woodward; Raisinville, 
Robert Talford; Whiteford, Cains Candee; 
Summerficdd, Oliver Rose. City of Monroe, 
first ward, i<;idridge G. Brigham ; second ward, 
Alex. Ragan ; third ward, Ira R. Grosvenor. 

1852 -Ash. A. M. Arzeno; Bedford, C, F. W. 
Raw.son; Dundee, Wm. H. Montgomery; Erie, 
Francis Duval; Exeter, Lewis Welch; French- 



town, Touissant Navarre; Ida, A. J. Briggs; 
LaSalle, Lewis Darrah ; London. Ransford E. 
Whiting; Monroe, Emerson Choate; Milan, 
Wm. E.Marvin; Raisinville, Robert Talford; 
Whiteford, Wm. Bancroft; Summerfield, Horace 
Hill. City of Monroe, first ward, Nathan Hub- 
ble ; second ward, George W. Strong ; third 
ward, I. R. Grosvenor. 

1853— Ash. Josiah Littlefield : Bedford, Geo. 
Kirkland; Dundee, J. D. liabcock : Erie, 
Stephen Bradford; Exeter, Lewis Welch; 
Frenchtown, Touissant Navarre; Ida, A. J. 
Briggs; LaSalle, Jacob Shew ; London, Nathan 
Stuart ; Monroe, Emerson Choate ; Milan, Har- 
mon Allen; Raisinville, George Younglove; 
Whiteford, Henry Vaughn ; Summerfield, Wm. 
Corbin. Citj^ of Monroe, first ward, J. M. 
Oliver ; second ward, George W. Strong : third 
ward, I. R. Grosvenor. 

1851— Ash, Josiah Littlefield ; Bedford, 
Henry Mason ; Dundee. J. D. Babcock ; Erie, 
Samuel Mulhollen ; Exeter, John Murphy ; 
Frenchtown, Touissant Navarre; Ida. Nathaniel 
Langdon ; LaSalle. Jacob Shew ; London, 
Eleazer Barnes ; Monroe. Emerson Choate ; 
Milan, D. A. Woodward ; Raisinville, John 
Chase ; Whiteford, Hiram Wakely ; Summer- 
field, Wm. Corbin. City of Monroe, first ward, 
E. G. Brigham ; second ward. Geoi'ge W. 
Strong; third ward. Jolin Burch. 

1855— Ash. Edward McCormick ; Bedford. 
Caleb D. Sumner; Dundee, J. W. Vandevcnter; 
Ei-ie, Stephen Bradford ; Exeter, Lewis Welch ; 
Frenchtown, Touissant Navarre ; Ida, Nathan- 
iel Langdon; LaSalle, Joseph W. Hall; Lon- 
don, Nathan Stuart; Monroe, Emerson Choate; 
Milan, A. H. Parsons; Raisinville, Franklin 
Moses; Whiteford, Hiram Wakely; Summer- 
field, George Peters. Cit}' of Monroe, first 
ward, E. G. Brigham; second ward. P. John- 
son ; third ward, John Burch. 

185G— Ash, Edward McCormick; Bedford, 
Caleb D. Sumner; Dundee, J. W. Vaudeventer; 
Erie, James Mulhollen ; Exeter, Lewis Welch ; 
Frenchtown, Touissant Navarre; Ida, Nathan- 
iel Langdon ; LaSalle, John Miller; London, 
R. E, Whiting; Monroe, Emerson Choate; 
Milan, A. H. Parsons ; Raisinville. Franklin 
Moses; Whiteford, Hiram Wakely ; Summer- 
field, Jas. J. Russell. City of Monroe, first 
ward, Junius Tilden ; second ward, Frazey M. 
Winans; third ward, Talcott E. Wing. 

1857 — Ash, Edward McCormick; Bedford, 



SUrERVISORS. 



209 



R. S. .Iiuiiie3'; Dundee. C. F. W. Rawsun; I'',rie. 
Andrew J. Kceney; Kxeter. Cornelius Ding- 
man; Frenchtown, Touissant NavaiTe ; Ida. 
Xatlianiel Langdon ; LaSalle. Jacob Leonard ; 
London, R. K. Whiting; Monroe, Tlionias Ke- 
gan; Milan. D. T. Hazen ; Hai.sinville. Robert 
Talford ; Whitcford, Hiram WaUely; Suininer- 
lield. James J. Russell. City of Monroe, fii-st 
ward. Junius Tilden ; second ward. Gouv'r 
Morris; third ward, Wm. H. Wells. 

1S58 — Ash. Kdward McCoi-mick; !5edt'ord. 
C. D. Sumner; Dundee, C. F. W. Rawson; Eric. 
Andrew J. Keetiej'; Exeter, John Murjjhy; 
Frenchtown. Toui.ssant Xavarre, Ida. Nathan- 
iel ijangdon ; LaSalle, Jacob Leonard ; JiOn- 
don, Henrj* Palmer ; Monroe, Illmerson Choato; 
Milan, D. T. ILizen ; Raisinville. Robert Tal- 
ford; Whiteford, Hiram Wakely ; Summerfield. 
George Peters. City of Monroe, finst ward. 
Junius Tilden , second ward, F. M. Winans ; 
third ward, John Burch. 

1850-A8h, Wm. H. Hooper; Bedford, C. D. 
Sumner; Dundee, C. F. W. Rawson; Erie, Ira 
Smith; Exeter, John ilurphy ; Frenchtown, 
Touis.sant Xavarre; Ida, Nathaniel Langdon ; 
LaSalle, Joseph Hall ; London, Ilenrj' Palmer; 
Monroe, Emerson Choate; Milati, Harmon Allen; 
Raisinville, Charles H. Pitt.s; Whitelord. Hiram 
Wakelj- ; Summerfield. Geoi-ge Peters. City of 
Monroe, first ward, Junius Tilden ; second ward. 
James Phelan ; third ward, Thomas Clark. 

1800 -Ash. Wm. H. Hooper; Bedford. C. D. 
Sumner; Dundee. J. H. Vandeventer; Erie. S. 
Bradford; Kxetcr. B. Raleigh; Frenchtown. 
Touissant Navarre; Ida. Nathaniel Langdon; 
LaSalle. John Miller, London. Sol. G. Goodale; 
Moni'oe. Emerson Choate; Milan, Daniel T. 
Hazon; Raisinville. M. H. Frcst ; Whiteford. 
Hiram Wakely ; Summerfield, George Peters. 
Cit}' of Monroe, first ward, Junius Tilden ; sec- 
ond ward. John J. Stevens ; third ward.Talcott 
K. Wing. 

lS(il — Ash, John G. Hood ; Bedford. Wm. 
Jenney ; Dundee. Hcnrj' Watling; Erie, S. 
Bradford; Exeter, John Murphy ; Frenchtown. 
Touissant Soleau ; Ida. Natlianiel Langdon; 
LaSalle. John Miller; London, E. Barnes; 
Monroe. Kraerson Choate; .Milan. F. Mead ; 
Raisinville. — Baldwin ; Whiteford. Hiram 
Wakeh" ; Summerfield. George Peters. Cilj- of 
Monroe, first ward, Stephen G. Clark; second 
ward. John J. Stevens; third ward. Talcott E. 
Wing. 



1S(;2— Ash. John G. Hood : Bedford. Wm. 
Jennej' ; Dundee. Heniy Watling; Erie, A. J. 
Keeney; Exeter, John JIurphy; Frenchtown, 
Touissant Navarre; Ida. Nathaniel Langdon; 
LaSalle. John Miller; London. B. Barnes; 
Monroe. Emerson Choate; Milan. F. Mead; 
Raisinville. Charles Pitts; Whiteford. Hiram 
Wakely; Summerfield. J.J.Russell. City of 
Jlonroe. fii-st ward. Stephen G.Clark; second 
ward, M. Phelan ; third ward, Talcott E. AVing. 

1803— Ash, B. McLaughlin; Bedford, II. 
.Mason; Dundee, Hcni-y Watling; Hrie, C. 
liertzler; Exeter, John Murjjhy ; Frenchtown, 
Touissant Navarre ; Ida, Nathaniel I^angdon ; 
LaSalle. John Miller; London, S. Goodale; 
^[onroe, Emei-son Choate; Milan, F. Mead; 
Raisinville, Charles Pitts ; Whiteford, — West; 
Summerfield, George Peters. City of Monroe, 
first ward, E. G. Brighara ; second ward, M. 
Phelan; third ward, Talcott E. Wing. 

1864— Ash, B. McLaughlin; Bedford, M. 
Mason; Dundee, Henry Watling; Erie, C. 
Hcrtzler; Exeter, John Mur])hj' ; Frenchtown, 
N. Jarbo; Ida, Nathaniel Langdon; LaSalle, 
J. Leonard; London, S. Goodale; Monroe, 
Kmerson Choate; Milan, F. Mead; Raisinville, 
Charles Pitts ; Summerfield, George Peters. 
City of Monroe, first ward, E. G. Brighani ; sec- 
ond ward, M. Phelan: thir<l ward, Talcott E. 
Wing. 

1805 -Ash, John G.Hood; Bedford, C. D. 
Sumner; Dundee, Heniy Watling; Erie, C. 
Htrtzler ; Exeter, J. Murphy ; Frenchtown, N, 
Jarbo; Ida, Nathaniel Langdon; LaSalle, S. 
Bartlett ; London, E. Barnes; Monroe, Kmerson 
Choate ; Milan, D. T. Hazen : Raisinville, 
Charles Pitts; Whiteford, H. Wakely; Sum- 
merfield, J. J. Russell. City of Aloni-oe, first 
wai'd, C. Kirchgcssner; second ward, M. Phelan; 
third ward, John Davis. 

1806 — Ash, Edward .McCormick ; Bedfoi'd, 
C. I). Sumner; Dundee, Henry Walling; Erie, 
C. Hertzlcr ; Exeter, J. Murphy; Frenchtown. 
J. Du.sseati : Ida, Nathaniel Langdon; liaSalle, 
S. Bartlett ; London, Henry Palmer: Monroe, 
iMnerson Choate; Milan, D. T. Hazen; Raisin- 
ville, Charles Pitts; Whiteford, — Lambert; 
Summerfield, George Peters. City of Monroe, 
first ward. C. Kirchgessner ; second ward. M. 
Phelan: third ward, John Davis. 

1S07— Ash. Benj. ,AIcLaughlin ; Bedford, 
Lewis McLouth ; Dundee, — Wilcox ; Erie, C. 
Hcrtzler; Exeter, J. Murphy; Frenchtown, J. 



270 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Dnsseau : Ida, Nathaniel Langdon ; LaSalle, 
Thos. MeMauus; London. S. (Joodale ; Monroe, 
Emerson Ghoate ; Milan. II. Allen ; Kaisiuville, 
Chas. Pitts; W'liiteford, — Lambert; Summer- 
field, T>. McLaughlin. City of Monroe, first 
ward, C. Kirchgessner ; second ward, George 
Strong; third ward, John Davis. 

1S(!S— Ash, Jk^nj. McLaughlin : Bedford, A. 
(". Lambert; Dundee, J. W. Jenney ; Erie, C. 
HcrtyJer; Exeter, J. Murphy; Frenchtown, 
George E. Hurd ; Ida. Nathaniel Langdon ; La- 
Salle, Thomas McManus; London, S. Goodale; 
Monroe, Emcr.son Choate ; Milan, S. McManus; 
J{aisinville, Charles Pitts ; Whiteford, II. Wake- 
ly ; Summerfield, D. McLaughlin. City of 
Moni'oe, fir.st ward, C. Kirchgessner; second 
ward, George Strong; third ward, John Davis. 

1869— Ash, Benj. McLaughlin ; Bedford, J.J. 
Sumner; Dundee, Delos Wilcox; Eric, C Hertz- 
ler ; Exeter, J. Murphy ; Frenchtown, George 
R. Hurd ; Ida, Nathaniel Langdon ; LaSalle, 
J. D. Conlisk; London, Nathan Stuart ; Mon- 
roe, Wm. Dunbar; Milan, D. T. Hazen ; Raisin- 
villo, Charles Pitts; Whiteford, (!ains Candee; 
Summerfield, K. Camburn. City of Monroe, 
first ward. C. Kirchgessner; second ward, M. 
Phelan ; third ward, John Davis. 

1870 -Ash, Richard Gilmore ; Bedford, J. J. 
Sumner; Dundee, Delos Wilcox; Erie,C. Hertz- 
ler; Exeter, H. B. Welch; Frenchtown, Geo. 
R. Hurd; Ida, Nathaniel Langdon; LaSalle, J. 
D. Conlisk; London, Nathan Stuart; Monroe, 
Emer.son Choate; Milan, F. Mead ; Raisinville, 
Charles Pitts; Whiteford, Cains Candee; Sum- 
merfield, Wm. Corbin. City of Monroe, first 
ward,C. Kirchgessner; second wai-d, .1. Stevens; 
third ward, John Davis. 

1.S71- Ash, Levi B, Littlefield ; Bedford, J. .1. 
Sumner: Dundee, Delos Wilcox; Erie, C. Hertz- 
ler; Exeter, H. B. Welch; Frenchtown, George 
R. Hurd ; Ida, Nathaniel Langdon ; LaSalle, J. 
D. Conlisk ; London, H. Palmer; Monroe, Emer- 
son Choate ; Milan, D. T. Ilazen ; Raisinville, 
Frank Jackson; Whiteford, Cains Candee; 
Summerfield, George Peters. City of Monroe, 
first ward, <-. Kirchgessner ; second ward, J. 
Stevens; third ward, Thomas Doyle. 

1872— Ash, Levi B. Littlefield; Bedford, J. J. 
Sumner ; Dundee, Delos Wilcox ; Erie, C. Hertz- 
Icr ; Exeter, H. B. Welch: Frenchtown, Geo. 
R. Hurd ; Ida, M. Freidenburg ; LaSalle, Lucian 
B. Miller; London, Albert Bond ; Monroe, 
Emerson Choate; Milan, Moses J. Howe; 



Raisinville, Samuel McFetridge ; Whiteford, 
Cains Candee; Summei-field, George Peters. 
City of Monroe, first ward, August Gershke; 
second ward, C. Luce; third ward, Thomas 
Doyle. 

ASn TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1873 TO ISSS INCLl'SIVE. 

1873 — Supervi.sor, John L. Hood; clerk, 
Vincent E. Bnri'oughs; treasurer, Robert 
Stumm. 

1874 — Supervisor, John L. Hood; clerk, 
Vincent E. Burroughs; treasurer, Robert 
Stumm ; justice of the peace, Joseph B. Crane. 

1875— Supervisor, John L. Hood ; clerk, John 
Gorman ; treasurer, Robert Stumm ; justice of 
the peace, Hugh McKenzie. 

1870 — Supervisor, Benj. McLaughlin; clerk, 
Alfred McCoUum ; treasurer, Robert Stumm ; 
justice of the peace, William Oaks. 

1877 — Supervisor, Levi B. Littlefield ; clerk, 
Alfred McCollum ; treasurer, Robt. McKenzie ; 
justice of the peace, John Clark. 

1878 — Supervisor, Robert Stumm: clerk, 
Wesley Robinson ; treasurer, Cash D. Fuller: 
justice of the peace, Wm. C. Lewis. 

1879 — Supervisor, Robert Stumm; clerk, 
Alfred McCollum ; treasurer, Robt. McKenzie; 
justice ofthe peace, Hugh McKenzie, 

1880— Supervisor, Benj. Mcl^aughlin ; clerk, 
Alfred McCollum : treasurer, Robt. McKenzie; 
justice ofthe peace, V. E. Burroughs. 

1881— Supervisor, Levi B. Littlefield; clerk, 
Alfred McCollum; treasurer, Hubert Spicer : 
justice of the peace, John Clark. 

1882 — Supervisor, Alfred McCollum; clerk, 
Gustavus Brandis; treasurer, Hubert Spicer; 
justice of the peace, Harrison Baker. 

1883 — Supervisor, Alfred McCollum ; clerk. 
Gustavus Brandis; treasurer, Wm. D. House; 
justice ofthe peace, Hugh McKenzie. 

1884— Supervisor, John L. Hood : clerk. John 
A. Streit ; treasurer, Wm. L. House; justice of 
the peace, Vincent E. Burroughs. 

1885 — Supervisor, John L. Hood ; clerk, John 
A. Streit; treasurer, Charles Riley: ju,stice of 
the peace, Gustavus Brandis. 

1886 — Sujjervisor, John L. Hood; clerk. 
Porter Eighmey; treasurer, Charles Riley; 
justices ofthe peace, Harrison Bakei-. Thos. E. 
Allen. 

1887 — Supervisor, John L. Hood: clerk, 
Frank L. Edwards ; treasurer, Russell A. 
Johnson ; justice of the peace, James F. Barrey. 



i 



TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



271 



1888 — Supervisor, Jolin L. Hood; fleiU, 
Charles Depiii; treasurer, Eugene Armstrong; 
school inspector. James Daley; justice of tlic 
peace, Milton Artlcy; highway commissioner. 
Enoch Lang; constables, .Tohii John.soii, Joseph 
Doty. Nathan Turner, Samuel Wallace, jr. 

IIICKI.IX TOWSSIIII' OI-FICERS, l.S7:i TO 1888 INCH SIVE. 

1S78 —Supervisor, Pred'k Niedemeicr; clerk, 
Geo. Martin, jr.; trea.suier, Alex. Iiusseau ; 
justice of the peace. Jas. J. Soleau. 

1S74 — Supervi-sor, P'red'k Niedemeicr ; clerk, 
Geo. Martin, jr.; treasurer, Alex. Kiisseau; 
justice of the peace. Josiah Young. 

1875 — Supervisor, Geo. Bathgate; clerk, Geo. 
^tartin,jr.; treasurer, Robert P. Navarre; justice 
of the peace, David Larabell. 

1876 — Supervisor, Geo. Bathgate; clerk, Robt. 
Francisco; treasurer, Robert 1*. Navai're; justice 
of the peace, Alex. Russeau. 

1877 — Supervisor, Robt. N. Francisco; clerk, 
Moses D. Trombley ; treasurer, Robert P. 
Navarre ; justice of the peace, Hiram Goff, 

1878 — Supervisor, Robt. N. F"rancisco ; clerk, 
Moses D. Trombly ; trcasurei-, Robert P. Na- 
varre; justices of the peace, Frank Allen, Edwin 
Crook. 

187".t — Supervisor. Augustus Niedemeicr; 
clerk, Sam'l Lapoint; treasurer, Geoi-ge Strong; 
justices of the peace, David Larabell, James J. 
Soleau. 

18S0 — .Supervisor. .Vugustus Niedemeicr: 
clei-k, Sam'l Lapoint; treasurer, Geo. Strong; 
justice of the peace, Alex. Russeau. 

1881 — Supervisor, Augustus Niedemeicr; 
clerk, Antbony Gee; treasurer, Jno. K. Gard- 
ner: justices of the peace, Irving T. Han ley, 
Louis Montrj-. 

1882 — Supervisor, Augustus Niedemeicr: 
clerk, Geo. Strong ; treasurer, Edwin W. Crook; 
jiistices of the peace, Fi-ancis .Mien. John W. 
Ward. 

188H — Supervisor, Augustus Niedemeicr: 
clerk. Edwin W. Crook; treasurer, Eli Loranger; 
justices of the peace, Moses S. Trombly. 
Eustache Bondy. 

1884 — Supervisor, Augustus Niedemeicr: 
clerk, G. Bondy: treasurer. Eli Loranger; justice 
of the peace. Abraham Blanchett. 

188.^ — Supervisor, Eli Bronchan : clerk. G. 
Bond}- ; treasurer. Robt. P. Navarre : justices 
of the peace, Moses D. Trombley. George W. 
Shippie. 



188(5 — Supervisor. HIi Bronchan; clerk. 
Aaron Gambee ; treasurer. Robt. P. Navarre ; 
justices of the peace, Garret Vrieland, B. Bulger. 

1887 — Supervisor. Eli Bi'onchan ; clerk. Den- 
nis Bondy; treasui-cr, Eli Loranger; justice of 
the peace, Eustache Bond}-. 

1888 — Supervisor, Eli Bronchan; clerk, Den- 
nis Bondy; treasurer, Eli Loi'anger; school in- 
spector, Chas. L. Trombly; justice of the peace, 
George Martin; highwaj' commissioner, John 
B. Ragle; constables, Fred Laflan, Win. Bach- 
gatc, Peter Beaubien, Albert Flint. 

TO«X OK BEDFORD OKKICEltS, 1S73 TO 1888 I.N'CI.ISIVE. 

1873 — Supervisor, Obcd Smith ; clerk, Jo.seph 
R.Rogers; treasurer. Madison Butler; justice 
of the peace, Wm. S. Tuttle. 

1874— Supervisor, Moses J. Howe; clerk, 
Edw. W. Mead; treasurer, Shubael Lewis; 
justice of the peace, Jno. P. Richardson. 

1875— Supervisor, Obed Smith ; clerk, Joseph 
R.Rogers; treasurer, Madison Butler ; justice 
of the peace, J. W. Jennej'. 

187() — SujJervisor, Obed Smith ; clerk, Geo. 
B. Brown; treasurer, Madison Butler; justice 
of the peace, Edward Rawson. 

1877 — Supervisor, Obed Smith; clerk, Joseph 
R. Rogers; treasurer, Madison Butler; justice 
of the peace, Jas. H. Hitchcock. 

1878 — Supervisor, Obed .Smith ; clerk, Joseph 
R. Rogers ; treasurer, Madison Butler ; justice 
of the peace, W. S. Tuttle. 

1879 - Supervisor, Obed Smith ; clerk, J. W. 
Vaughn; treasurer, Alson Green ; justice of the 
peace, Theophilus Osgood. 

1880— Supervisor, .John J. Sumnei'; clerk, 
Obed Smith: treasurer, Joseph R. Rogers; 
justice of the peace, Josiah C. Corell. 

1881 — Supervisor, Obed Smith ; clerk, Joseph 
R. Rogers ; treasurer, Samuel H. Weeks ; justice 
of the peace, Josiah C. Corell. 

1882 — Supervi.sor, Josejib R. Rogers: clerk, 
Arthur 0, Kcnney ; treasure!-, Madison Butler; 
justice of the peace. Ezra J. Hungerford. 

1883 — Supervisor. Joseph R. Rogers; clerk, 
Arthur O. Kcnney; treasurer, Madison Butler; 
justice of the peace, John J, Sumner. 

1884 -Supervisor, Joseph R.Rogers; clerk, 
Arthur 0. Kcnney ; treasurer, Elwood Jenne\ ; 
justice of the peace, Jas, H. Hitchcock. 

1885— Sujiervisor. Josejjh R. Rogers; clerk, 
Silas P. Butler ; treasurer, Elwood Jenney ; 
justice of the peace, Edward Rawson, 



272 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



188(i — Supervisor, Joseph E. Eogers ; clerk, 
Arthur O. Kenney; treasurer, William Dun- 
bar ; justice ol the peace, Roger Willard. 

1887— Supervisor, Joseph E. Rogers; clerk, 
George J. Eiseiiinaii ; treasurer, William Dun- 
bar; justice of the peace, Heman Bristol. 

1888--Supervisor, Obed Smith; clerk, Austin 
B. Tuttle; treasurer, Silas P. Butler; school in- 
spector, John B. Sillier; justice of the jjeace, 
James S. Hitchcock; highway commissioner, 
Edmund Dull. 

TOWN OK DUNDEE OFFICERS, 1.S73 TO 1 HSS INCLUSIVE. 

1873— Supervisor, Delos F. Wilcox ; clerk, 
John J. Munger ; treasurer, John T. Joimson ; 
justice of the peace, Joseph Parker. 

1874— Supervisor, Albert J. Wilkinson: clerk, 
Geo. D. Babcock ; treasurer, John T. Johnson ; 
justice of the peace, Lewis M. McBride. 

1875 — Supervisor, Delos D. Wilcox ; clerk, 
Geo. D. Babcock; treasurer, John II Owen; 
justice of the peace, Alfred Wilkinson. 

1876 — Supervisor, Albert J. Wilkinson; clerk, 
Geo. D. Babcock ; treasurer, Henry Voglesang; 
justice of the peace, John H. Owen. 

1877 — Supervisor, Albert J. Wilkinson; clerk, 
Geo. D. Babcock; treasurer, John H.Owen; 
justice of the peace, Melvin Lathrop. 

1878— Supervisor, Albert J. Wilkinson; clerk, 
Henry A. Stewart; treasurer, John H. Owen; 
justice of the peace, Daniel H. Corell. 

1879— Supervisor, Albert J. Wilkinson; clerk, 
Henry A. Stewart; treasurer, Judson B. Jolin- 
son ; justice of the peace, Nathaniel Duston. 

1880— Supervisor, Albert J. Wilkinson; cleric, 
Henry A. Stewart; treasurer, Judson B. John- 
son ; justice of the peace, John H. Owen. 

1881 — Supervisor, Albert J. Wilkinson; clerk, 
Henry A. Stewart; treasurer, Judson B. John- 
son ; justice of the peace, Charles S. Ingersoll. 

1882 — Supervisor, Albert J.Wilkinson ; clerk, 
Wm. Clute ; treasurer, Lucian B. Smith ; justice 
of the peace, Daniel H. Corell. 

1883— Supervisor, Andrew Jcnnc)-; clerk, 
Wm. Clute; treasurer, Lucian B. Smith ; justice 
of the peace, X. W. Duston., 

188-1— Supervisor, Andrew Jennc}- ; clerk, 
Wm. Clute; treasurer, John F. Slaj'ton ; justice 
of the peace, Truman Gee. 

1885— Supervisor, Andrew Jenney; clerk, 
Wra. Clute; treasurer, Benj. H. Hendricks; 
justice of the peace, Henry Watling. 

188(i — Supervisor, Horace A. Wilkinson; 



clerk, Wm. Clute; treasurer, Benj. H. Hen- 
dricks ; justice, of the peace, Daniel A. Corell. 

1887 — Supervisor, Horace A. Wilkinson ; 
clerk, Wm. Clute; treasurer. William H. Pulver; 
justice of the peace, .John H. Owen. 

1888 — Supervisor, Horace A. Wilker.'^on; 
clerk, Norton B. Spauldinj^; treasurer, Wm. H. 
Culver; school inspector, Lucian B. Smith; 
justice of the peace, Henry A. Stewart; high- 
way commissioner, Daniel Smith; constables, 
Foster Ostrander, Jerome B. Galloway, Nelson 
J. Carney, Abram H. Johnson. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICEIiS OF ERIE, 1873 TO 1888 INCLUSIVE. 

1873 — Supervisor, Christian Hertzler ; clerk, 
Eli Jacobs; treasurer, Dominique E. Robert; 
justice of the peace, Geo. B. Smith. 

1874 — Supervisor, Christian Hertzler; clerk, 
Eli Jacobs; treasurer. Dominique B. Robert; 
justice of the peace. Christian Santschi. 

1875 — Supervisor, Christian Hertzler; clerk, 
Eli Jacobs; treasurer, Victoi- A. Dusseau ; justice 
of the peace, Thos. J. Thompson. 

187(5 — Supervisor, Christian Hertzler; clerk, 
Eli Jacobs; treasuroi-, Victor A. Dusseau ; justice 
of the peace, John Hall. 

1877 — Supervisor, Christian Hertzler; clerk, 
Eli Jacobs ; treasurer, W. W. Delphi ; justice of 
the peace, J. M. Wigton. 

1878 — Supervisor, Christian Hertzlei'; clerk, 
Eli .Tacobs ; treasurer. Reed M. Brigham ; justice 
of the peace. Christian Santsclu. 

187H —Supervisor, Christian Hertzler; clerk, 
Eli Jacobs ; treasurer, Reed M. Brigham ; justice 
ot the peace, Geo. B. Smith. 

1880 — Supervisor, Christian Hertzler; clerk, 
Eli Jacobs; treasurer, Isadore C. Cousino; 
justice of the jieace, Moses A. Lapoint. 

1881 — Supervisor, Christian Hertzler; clerk, 
Eli Jacobs; treasurer. Reed M. Brigham; justice 
of the peace, Francis C. Lavoy. 

1882 — Supervisor, Christian Hertzler; clerk, 
Maurice Weil ; treasurer, Sam'l S. Lapointe ; 
justice of the peace, Edwai'd W. Hilton, 

1883 — Supervisor, Christian Hertzler; clerk, 
Maurice Weil; treasurer, Sam'l S. Lapointe; 
justice of the peace, Francis F. Smith. 

1884 — Supervisor, Sam'l S. Lapointe; clerk, 
Maurice Weil ; treasurer, Edward H. Hilton ; 
justice of the peace, Victor D. Dusseau. 

1885 — Supervisor, Sam'l S. Lapointe; clerk, 
Maurice Weil; treasurer, Edward H. Hilton; 
justice of the peace, Francis Lavoy. 



TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



27a 



lSS6--Siipervisoi', Sam'l S. Lapoiiile : clerk, 
Maurice Weil ; treasure)-, Isadore C. Cousino; 
justice of the peace, Cyrus Bradford. 

I8S7— Supervisor, Sam'l S. Lapointe; clerk, 
Maurice Weil ; treasurer, Edward W. Hilton ; 
justice of the jjcace, Peter Jacobs. 

ISSS — Supervisor, Peter Drabick; clerk, 
Cornelius Drouillard; treasurer, Bdw. W. Hil- 
ton; school inspector, Frank N. Campbell; 
justice of the peace, Victor A. Dusseau; liigli- 
way commissioner, Dennis Iiavo\'; constables, 
Samuel Woolen, John Manore. Christo])licr 
Morin, David Kinsoy. 

TOWXSHIl' orFICEUS OK E.XETEK, 1S73 Tu 1S8S INCI.l Sl\ K. 

1873 — Supervisor, Henry B. Welch ; clerk, 
Eobert VanKleek; treasurer, Jos. Klutz; justice 
of the peace, Ijuke Dunn. 

1874 — Suj^ervisor, John Murphy, jr.; clerk, 
Pati'ick Corris^an ; treasurer, Wm. F. Fulcher; 
justice of the ]>eace, Matthew Burns. 

1S75— Supervisor, John Murphy, jr.; clerk, 
Patrick Corrigan ; treasurer, Wm. F. Fulcher; 
justice of the peace, John A. Paltee. 

1S76— Supervisor, John Murphy, jr.; clerk, 
John Riley; treasurer, Wm, F. Fulcher; justice 
of the peace, F'erdinand Ma^-nes. 

1877 — Supervisor, John Miirpii)-, jr.; clerk, 
John Riley; treasurer, Joseph Robert; justice 
of the peace, Lorenzo Fay. 

1878 — Supervisor, John Murphy, jr.; clerk, 
John Rilej-; treasurer, Joseph Robert; justice 
of the peace, Wm F. Fulcher. 

1879 -Supervisor, John Murpliy. jr.; clerk, 
W}n. F. Fulcher; treasurer, Joseph Robert; 
justice of the ]ieace, Phillip Miller. 

188(1— Supervisor, Joiin Murphy, jr.; clerk, 
John Riley ; treasurer, Charles Riley ; justice of 
the peace, Charles Happy. 

1881 — Supervisor, Ijuke Dunn; clerk-. Joliu 
Riley; treasurer, Charles Riley ; justice of the 
peace, Lorenzo Faj\ 

1882 — Supervisor, i>uke Dunn ; clerk, John 
Riley; treasurer, Michael Cunningham ; justice 
of the peace, R. C. Herkimer. 

1883— Supervisor, John Murphy; clerk, Wm. 
F. Fulcher: treasure)', Michael Cunni)ighatn ; 
justice of the peace, Lanibert Wcss. 

1884— Supervisoiv John Murphy; clerk, Wtn. 
F. Fulcber; treasu)'or, Joseph Robert; justice 
of the peace, Chas. Angener. 

1885 — Supervisor, JoIdi Mui-phy; clerk, 



Daniel Haslej-, jr.; treasurer, Joseph Robert ; 
justice of the peace, Justin Sissing. 

lS8(i— Supervisor, John Murphy ; cici-k, 
Daniel Hasley, jr.; treasurer, Matthew Burns; 
justice of the peace, John Ward. 

1887 — Supervisor, Ta)kc Dunt) ; clo'k, John 
Riley; treasurer, Matthew Hums; justice of 
the peace, John Wilson. 

1S88 — Supervisor. Luke Duiiti; cleik, John 
Riley; trcasu)-er, Ignat Ilort'man; school i)ispcc- 
to)'. Tlio.s. Nolan; justice of the peace, Charles 
Angener; highway cotnmissioncr, Fe)"di)iand 
Uofftnan; constables, Hen)-y Martin, Win. Law- 
ler. Charles Rivers, Jonas Boiiatn. 



i))A TowNsnii 



)I-KIIF.RS, IS74 TO l.SSS I.NCLl-SIViC. 



1S74 — Supe)-viso)-, Nathaniel Langdon; clerk, 
Joseph Riley; t)'easurer, Har)non Gardner; 
justice of the jieace, Boij. Southwick. 

187.1 — Supervisor, Sitneon Van Aiken ; clerk, 
James Ricliardso)); treasurer, Wm. McFetridge; 
justice of the peace, K. Daigo)i. 

187(5— Supe)-viso)-, Si)iieon Van Aiken ; clerk, 
Ja)nes Richardson; treasurer, Wm. McFet)-idge; 
justice of the peace, Adam Shi)'e. 

1877 — Supervisor, Geo)'ge Willaril : clc)-k, 
Peter P. Rilej'; ti-oasurer, Herman Gestner ; 
justice of the peace, Sylvester Snell. 

1878 — Supervisor, Simeon Van Aiken ; clerk, 
James Richardson; treasu)'e)-, Hertuan (iesttier; 
justice of the peace, Charles Streeter. 

1870 —Supervisor, Simeon Van Aiken ; cio-k-. 
Janies Richardson ; treasurer, Herman (Jeslner; 
justice of the peace, Jo.seph Teal. 

1,S80 — Supervisor, Situeo)! Vatt Aiken; clerk, 
Joh)i Martin; treasurer, Wm. Rcssler ; ju,sticc 
of the peace, A. 11. King. 

1881— Supervisor, Nathaniel Langdoti; clo'k, 
Jo.seph E. Gilday; treasm-cr, Wni. Rcssler; 
justice of the peace, Stnith Todd. 

1882 — Superviso)', Nathaniel Langdon; clo'k, 
Joseph E. Gilday, treasure)-, Jos. J. Riley; 
justice of the peace, Charles T. Sli'ceter. 

1883 — Sitpervisor, Nathaniel Langdon; clerk, 
Joseph E. Gilday ; treasurer, Jos. J. Riley ; 
justice of the ])eace, Edwin Moses. 

1884 — Supervisor, Joseph E. Gikla\'; clo-k, 
George Langdon; treasui-er, Chas. Fciiaur; 
justice of the peace, Joseph Teal. 

1885- Supervisoi", Jo.seph E. Gilda}'; clerk, 
George Langdon; treasurer, Chas. Foiau)-; 
justice of the peace, S)nith Todd. 



274 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1886 — Suporvisor. Joseph E. Gildaj"; clerk, 
George Langdon ; trcasui-er, Joseph Gilda}' ; 
justice of the peace, Charles F. Streeter. 

1887 — Supervisor, Joseph E. Gilday ; clerk, 
Frank B. Gcrvveck ; treasurer, Joseph Gilday ; 
justice of the peace, Edwin Moses. 

1888 — Supervisor, John E. Sykes; clerk, 
Frank B. Gervvick; Ireasni-er, John Heckel; 
school ins]3ector, Eli Ganby; justice of the 
peace, Simeon VanAkiu; highway commis- 
sioner, Nicholas Weipert; constables, Charles 
Snell, Augustus Braumlick. 



1880 — Supervisor, Lucien B. Miller; clerk, 
Charles Kirby; treasurer, Peter Dusseau; justice 
of the peace, Henry Ross. 

lS87--Supervisor, Orrin J. Leonard; clerk, 
Charles Kirby; treasurer, Clarence L. Miller; 
justice of the peace, John M. Blouek. 

1888 — Supervisor, Ormi J. Leonard; clerk, 
Chas. E. Kirby; treasurer, Clarence L. Miller; 
school inspector, Peter P. Kelly; justice of the 
peace, Jacob Keinhart ; highway commissioner, 
John X. Kinne; constables, Frank Gagnier, 
Thos. Duffey. 



1,AS.\LLE TOWN.SIIIP OKFICKRS, 1873 TO 1888 INCLUSIVE. LONDON TOWNSUIl" OFFICERS, 1873 TO 1888 INCLUSIVE. 



1873- Supervisor, Lucien B. Miller; clerk, 
Chas. Villett; treasurer, John G. Kielil ; justice 
of the peace, Bonj. T. Green. 

1874 — Supervisor, Lucien B. Miller; clerk, 
Wm. H. Kief; treasurer, John G. Kiehl ; justice 
of the jjeace, Thos. Rogers. 

1875 -Supervisor, Lucien B. Miller; clerk, 
Wm. H. Kief: treasurer, Neal O'Connor ; justice 
of the peace. Miles J. Plumb. 

1876 — Supervisor, Dennis Sharkey; clerk, 
Wm. H. Kief; treasurer, Neal O'Connor ; justice 
of the peace, Adam Shire. 

1877- Supervisor, Dennis Sharkey ; clerk, 
Wm. H. Kief; treasurer, Neal O'Connor ; justice 
of the peace, James G. Gilday. 

1878- Supervisor, Dennis Sharkey ; clerk, 
Wm. H. Kief; treasurer, Neal O'Connor; justice 
of the peace, Peter Shire. 

1879 — Supervisor, Johu G. Kiehl ; clerk, John 
Miller ; treasurer, Peter Dusseau ; justice of the 
peace, Wm. F. Knapp. 

1880 — Supervisor, John G. Kiehl; clerk, Wm. 
H.Kief ; treasurer, Peter Dusseau; justiceofthe 
peace, Miles J. Plumb. 

1881— Supervisor, Lucien B. Miller; clerk, 
Wm. H. Kief; treasurer, Neal O'Connor; justice 
of the peace, James G. Gilday. 

1882— Supervisor, Lucien B. Miller; clerk, 
Wm. H. Kief; treasurer, Neal O'Connor; justice 
of the peace, Jacob J. Wahl. 

1883 — Supervisor, Lucien B. Miller ; clerk, 
Wm. H. Kiel'; treasurer, Charles Kiehl; justice 
of the peace, Alonzo D. Anderson. 

1884— Supervisor, Lucien B. Miller; clerk, 
Charles Kirby; treasurer, Charles Kiehl; justice 
of the peace, Pi-ed Ward, 

1885 — Supervisor, Lucien B. Miller ; clerk, 
Charles Kirby; treasurer, Peter Dusseau; justice 
of the peace, James B. Gilday. 



1873 — Supervisor, Albert Bond; clerk, Albert 
McKinney ; treasurer, Hiram Smith ; justice of 
the peace, James M. Blackmar. 

1874 — Supervisor, Albert Bond; clerk, Robert 
McKinney ; treasurer, Hiram H. Smith ; justice 
of ihe peace, Hcnr^- 1). Everett. 

1875 — Supervisor, Albert Bond; clerk, Robert 
McKinney ; treasurer, Hiram H. Smith ; justice 
of the peace, Wells Sprague. 

1876 — Supervisor, Albert Bond : cleric, Mil- 
ton Snell: treasurer, Charles O. Curtis ; justice 
of the peace, Henry Palmer. 

1877— Supervisor, Albert Bond ; clerk, James 
C. Crichett; treasurer, John J. Bunce; justice 
of the peace, Edmund C. Green. 

1878 — Supervisor, Albert Bond ; clerk, John 
W. Griswold ; treasurer, Henry Smith : justice 
of the peace, Milton W. Snell. 

1879 — Supervisor, Wm. Ostrander; clerk, 
John W. Griswold ; treasurer, William Worth ; 
justice of the peace, John Manning. 

1880 — Supervisor, Albert Bond; clerk, John 
W. Griswold ; treasurer, William Worth: justice 
of the peace, Henry Palmer. 

1881 — Supervisor, Albert Bond; clerk, John 
W. Griswolil ; treasurer, George B. Richards ; 
justice of the peace, Levi E. White. 

1882 — Supervisor, Michael Gramlick ; clerk, 
Donu Barnes; treasurer, George B. Richards; 
justice of the peace, B. F. Lombard. 

1883— Supervisor, Michael Gramlick ; clerk, 
Donn Barnes ; treasurer, Thomas C. Howell ; 
justice of the peace, Daniel T. Devee. 

1884 — Supervisor, Michael Gramlick ; clerk, 
Geo. B. Richards ; treasurer, N. C. Harwood ; 
justice of the peace, Charles Dodge. 

1885 — Supervisor, Thomas C. Howard ; clerk, 
Geo. B. Richards ; treasurer, Donu Barnes ; 
justice of the peace, Heury Palmer. 



TOWNSIiri' OKKlCKkS. 



18S(i — Supervisor, Thomas C. Ilowanl : clerk, 
Geo. B. Richards; treasurer, Ooiin Harries: 
justice of tiie peace, Ciias. Farrinifton. 

1887 — Supervisor, Thomas C Howard : cleric, 
(leo. B. Richards; treasurer, Ijee If. Tafl; 
justice of the peace, John \V. Griswoid. 

1888— Supervisor. Thos. C. Howard ; clerk, 
Geo. H. Richards: treasurer, Lee H. Taft; 
school inspector, ^lilton W. Snell ; justice of 
the peace, J no. W. Griswoid ; highway commis- 
sioner, Perry E. Palmer; constables, P^dward C. 
Green, A. K. Youngs, 11. M. Bedell, John 
Pool. 

MIL.\N TOWNSHII" OFFK'KKS, 1871? TO 1S8.S I.VCI.USI VE. 

1873 — Supervisor, Moses J. Howe; clerk, C. 
I{. Bcntle\'; treasurer, Shubacl Lewis; justice of 
the peace, Ed. T. Howe. 

1874 — Supervisor, Moses J. IIowo; clerk, 
Kdgar W. Mead; treasurer, Shubacl Lewis; 
justice of the peace, John P. Richardson. 

187") -Su|)ervi8or, Moses J. Howe; clerk, 
Edgar W. Mead; treasurer, Jacob G. Hafford ; 
justice of the peace, Simeon Southwick. 

187G —Supervisor, Moses J. Howe; clerk, 
Edgar W. Mead; treasurer. Jacob G. Hafford ; 
justice of the peace, Buckley W. Marble. 

1877 — Supervisor, Moses J. Howe; clerk, 
Edgar W. Mead; treasurer, Moses C. Edwards; 
justice of the peace, Benjamin J. Bird. 

1878 — Supervi.sor, Moses J. Howe; clerk, 
Edgar W. Mead; treasurer-. Win. H. Hack; 
justice of the peace, Kldarus C. Mead. 

187!> — Supervisor, Moses J. Howe; clerk, 
Edgar- W. Mead; ti-easurer, XeKson Taylor; 
justice of the peace, Wm. H. Hack. 

1880 — Supervi.sor, Moses J. Howe ; clerk, 
Edgar W. Mead; tr-casurcr, Wm. H. Hack; 
justice of the peace, Buckley Mar-ble. 

1881 — Supervisor, Moses J. Howe; clork, 
Edgar W. Mead; ti-easui-ei-, Wm. H. Hack; 
justice of the peace, Horace H. Allen. 

1882 — Sujiervi.sor, Moses J. Howe; dci-k, 
Edgar- W. Mead; tr-easurer, Albertus Densmoi-e; 
justice of the peace, Benj. F. Paine. 

188;^ — Super-visor, Moses J. Howe; clerk, 
Edgar W. Mead; tr-casirrer, Wm. Lee; justiceof 
the peace, Peter M. Gettj-. 

1884 — Supervi.sor, Moses J. Howe; clci-k, 
1'. Jgar W. Mead; ti-easur-er, Wm. Lee; justice of 
the peace, Bucklej- W. Mar-ble. 

1885— Supervisor, Moses J. Howe; clerk. 



Edgar W. Mead; tr-easur-er, Win. II. Hack; 
justice of the peace, Horace Allen. 

18StJ -Supervisor, Mo.ses J. Howe; clei-k, 
Kdgar W. Mead; treasurer, Wm. H. Hack; 
justice of the peace, Henj. \\ Paine. 

1887 -Supervisor. Mo.ses J. Howe; clerk, 
Kdgar W. Mead; treasurer, Ferriden Phillips; 
justice of the peace, Nelson Rice. 

1888 — Supervisor, Moses J. Howe, clerk, 
Pjdgai- W. Mead; tr-easur-er, Ferriden Philli])s; 
school inspector, Winfield A. Mead; justiceof 
the peace, Heni-y T. VanWormcr; highway 
commissioner, Edw. F. McMullen ; constables, 
David C. Speai-s, Wm. Bidford, Eilward Reeves, 
Josiali F. Defter-. 

MONUOE TOW.NSrril' OKKKEItS, 1,873 TO 1.SS8 I.NCI.ISIVE. 

1873— Super vi.soi', Emerson Choate; clerk, 
Ale.x. T. Navarre; ti-easurcr, Mike Brown: 
justice of the peace, Levi Buck. 

1874 — Supervisor, Michael Brown; clerk, 
Alex. T. Navari-e ; treasurer, George Loranger; 
justice of the peace, Stephen B Wakefield. 

1875 — Supervisor. Michael Br-owii; clerk, 
Alex. T. Navarre; treasurer-. Henry Younglove; 
justice of tlie peace, Heni-y Hei-i-rnan. 

1876 — Supervisor, Michael Brown; clerk, 
.Mcx. T. Navarre; treasurer, Henry Younglove; 
justice of the ])eace, John W. Grenning. 

1877 — Supervisor, Michael Brown; clerk, 
Alex. T. Navarre ; treasurer, Henry Y'ounglove; 
justiceof the peace, Addison E. Dunbar. 

1878— Supervisor, Alex. T. Navarre; clerk, 
.\. K. Dunbar; ireasui-er, Heni-y Younglove; 
justice of the peace, Peter Hoffman. 

1879 — Supervisor, Alex. T. Navarre; clerk, 
A. E. Dunbar-; treasui-er, Ileni-y Younglove; 
justice of the peace, Henry Kcnriman. 

1880 — Supervisor, Alex. T. Navai-re; clerk, 
A. E. Dunbar; treasurer, Henry Younglove; 
justice of the peace, Geo. C. W. Grciiriiiig. 

1S81 —Supervisor, Stephen B. Wakefield; 
clerk, A. 1'^ Dunbar; treasurer, Henry Herr- 
man, justice of the peace, Thomas Kegan. 

1882 — Supervisor, Geo. C. Lorangei-; clerk, 
A. K. Dunbar; treasurer, Charles Haw ; justice of 
the peace, I^evi Buck. 

1883— Supervisor, Geo. C. Loi-aiigcr-; clerk, 
A. E. Dunbar; treasui-er, Charles Haw; justice 
of the peace, Frank C. ('hoate. 

1884 -Siijiervisor, Geo. C. Ijorangcr; clerk, 
A. E. Dunbar; treasurer, Isaac C. Boweii; 
justice of the peace, Charles Alban. 



276 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1885--.SuiKTvi.sor, Geo. C. Lorantjcr; clerk, 
A. E. Dunbar; treasurer, Isaac C. Bovvcn ; 
justice of the pence, Alex. T. Navarre. 

188(i— Supervisor, Alex. T. Navarre; clerk, 
A. B. Dunbar; treasurer, Charles Alban; Justice 
of the peace, Jacob Barringer. 

1887— Supervisor, Geo. C. Loranger; clerk, 
A. E.Dunbar; treasurer, Charles Alban; justice 
of the peace, Frank C. Choate. 

1883 — Supervisor, Geo. C. Loranger; clerk, 
Addison E. Dunbar; treasurer, Isadore G. Na- 
varre: school inspector, Cornelius Eau; justice 
of the ])eace, Clias. Albain ; highway commis- 
sioner, Hugh Gaifany ; constables, Stacy Clark, 
Philip Duval. 



KAISINVILLH TOWNSmi' llKriC'EES 
CLUSIVE. 



1.S73 TO LScSS iN- 



1873 — Supervisor, Geo. B. Delong; clerk, Wm. 
H. Gibson: treasurer, Hiram C. Stoddard; 
justice of the peace, Corridon Gibson. 

1874 — Supervisor, Geo. B. Delong; clerk, Wm. 
H. (ribson; treasurer, Walter Hackett; justice of 
the peace, Wm. Lassc^'. jr. 

1875 — Supervisor, Geo. B. Delong; clerk, Wni. 
II. Gibson; treasurer,Walter Hackett; justice of 
the peace. Nelson Ambrose. 

1876--Supervisor,Geo. B. Delong; clerk, Wm. 
H. Gibson; treasurer, Walter Hackett; justice of 
the peace, Franklin Moses. 

1877 — Supervisor, Goo. B. Delong; clerk. Win. 
H. Gibson; trea8urer,Walter Hackett; justice of 
the peace, Corridon H. Gibson. 

1878 — Supervisor, Geo.B. Delong; clerk, Wm. 
II. Gibson; treasurer, Walter Hackett; justice of 
the peace. Nelson Ambrose. 

1879 — Supervisor, Wm. II. Gibson; clerk, 
Geo. II. Doty; treasurer, Walter Hackett; 
justice of the peace, Lewis W. Bond. 

1880— Supervisor, Wm. H. Gibson ; clerk, 
Jacob Seitz; treasurer, William Wallace ; justice 
of the peace, Fred'k M. Dowling. 

1881 — Supervisor, Wm. H. Gibson ; clerk, 
Jacob Seitz; ti'easurer, John Wallace; justice 
of the ])eace, Corridon Gibson. 

1882 — Supervisor, Wm. H. Gibson; clerk, 
Elias Brii;htbill; treasurer, John Wallace; 
justice of the peace, Abram Knapp. 

188:^ — Supervisor, Wm. H. Gibson; clerk, 
Elias Brightbill ; treasurer, Walter Hackett; 
justice of the peace. Nelson Ambro.sc. 

1884— Sujiervisor, John L. Hunter; clerk. 



Elias Brightbill; treasurer, Walter Hackett; 
justice of the peace, Joseph D. Weiss. 

1885 — Supervisor, John L. Hunter; clerk, 
Flias Brightbill; treasurer, Joseph B. Zimmer- 
man; justice of the peace, John Hendricks. 

188G— Supervisor, John Kimberling; clei-k, 
Charles Kronowith; treasurer, Joseph B. Zim- 
merman; justice of the peace, Emery Lindslej'. 

1887 — Supervisor, John Kimberling; clerk. 
John S. Knapp; treasurer, Leonard Weber; 
justice of the peace, Lewis W. Bond. 

1888 — Supervisor, John Kimberling; clerk, 
John S. Knapp; treasurer. Leonard Wever ; 
school inspector, Jesse Wakefield ; justice of the 
peace, Jacob Meyers; higlnvaj- commissioners, 
Henry Anvviler. 

SUMMEEFIKLD TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1873 TO 1888 IN- 
CLUSIVE. 

1873— Supervisor, George Peters; clerk, H. 
C. McLaughlin; treasurer, C. N. Ellis; justice 
of the peace, Jas. H. (iage. 

1874- Sujiervisor, James I. Eussell; clerk, 
H. C. McLaughlin; treasurer, C. N. Ellis; justice 
of the peace, Henry llogle. 

1875 — Supervisor, James I. Eussell; clerk, 
Eobert L. Gage; trcasurci-, C N. Ellis; justice of 
the peace, Cyrus Wing. 

1876 - Supervisor. Henry C. McLaughlin; 
clerk, Robert L. Gage;, treasurer, C. N. Ellis; 
justice of the peace, Andrew Spalding. 

1877 — Supervisor, Henry McLaughlin; clerk, 
Robert L. Gage; treasurer, C. N. Ellis; justice 
of the peace, James H. Gage. 

1878— Sui^ervisor, Andrew Spalding; clerk, 
Robert L. Gage; treasurer, Kenneth Gunsolus; 
justice of the peace, Bcnj. F. Hilton. 

]879--Supervisor, Chai-les N. Ellis; clerk, 
Andrew Mather; treasurer, Jerome I'rombly; 
justice of the peace, Harlow Camburn. 

1880 — Supervisor, Henry C. McLaughlin; 
clerk, Andrew Mather; treasurer, Jerome Trom- 
bley; justice of the peace, John N. Tilmore. 

1881— Supervisor, Charles N. Ellis; clerk, 
Andrew Mather; treasurer, Newton B. Russell; 
justice of the peace, James U. Gage. 

1882-Supervi.sor, Charles N. Ellis; clerk, 
Andrew Mather; treasurer, Jerome Trombly; 
justice of the peace, H. B. Chittenden. 

1883— Supervisor, Charles N. Ellis; clerk, 
Andrew Mather; treasurer, Jerome Trombly; 
justice of the peace, Wm. H. Heath. 



TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



1884 — Supervisor, Henry C. McLaughlin; 
clerk. Andrew Mather; treasurer. Hiram B. 
Ciiittenden ; justice of the peace. John Miller. 

1885 — Supervisor, Danford I). Vannocker; 
clerk, Andrew Mather ; treasurer. Hiram B. 
Chittenden; justice of the peace, .lames H. 
Gage. 

188l> — Supervisoi-. Danlbrd I). Vannocker; 
clerk, Andrew Mather; trea.surer, Jerome 
Trombley ; justice of the peace, Geo. C. Saj'ers. 

1887 — .Su])ervi8or. Danford D. Vannocker; 
clerk, Antlrew Mather; treasurer. Jerome 
Trombly ; ju.stice of the peace. Charles F. 
Goodrich. 

1888— Supervisor, D. I). VanXocker; clerk, 
Eugene 1). Rus.sell ; treasurer, Isaac L. Ellis; 
school inspector, \Vm. C. Stahl , justice of the 
peace, Daniel Fisher ; highway commissioner, 
Edwin C. Cumburn ; constables, Edgar Brun- 
ningstall, Robert Mears, Joseph Trombly, 
Frank Plumadore. 

WHITEFORD TOWXsniP OFFICERS, 1.S74 TO 18S7 IX- 
CLISIVE. 

1874 — Supervisor. C. M. Candee ; clerk. J. il. 
Ward; treasurer, Miles L. Smith ; justice of the 
peace. Miles L. Smith. 

1875 — Supervisor, C. M, Candee ; clerk, J. M. 
Ward; treasurer. Miles L. Smith ; justice of the 
jH'ace. Christian Robert. 

187t)— Supervisor. Hiram Wakelv; clerk, J. 
M. Ward; treasurer. Miles L. Smith ; justice of 
the peace. Roswell W. (irahatn. 

1877 — Supervisor, Hii-am Wakel}'; clerk, J. 
yi. Ward ; treasurer. Miles L. Smith ; justice of 
the peace, Anthony Bordeaux. 

1878 — Supervisor, Hiram Wakely; clerk, 
Edward R. Ilobert; trcasurei-. Miles I;. Smith; 
justice of the peace. Miles L. Smith. 

1879 — Supervisor. Hiram Wakely; clerk, 
Edward Hobcrt; treasurer. John Sa.xton ; 
justice of the peace, Chi-istian Robert. 

1880 — Supervisor. Hiram Wakely; clerk, 
Levi M. Ward; treasurer, James (J. Saxton; 
justice of the peace, Wm. 15. Ryns. 

1881 — Supervisor, Hiram Wakel}- ; clerk, 
George Canen ; treasurer, J. J. Ward; justice 
of the peace, Anthony Bordeaux. 

1882 — Supervisor, Josiah P. Hall; clerk, 
George Canen; treasurer. J. J. Ward; justice of 
the peace. Miles L. Smith. 

1883 — Supervisor, Josiah I'. Hall; clerk. 



George Canen; treasurer, Charles Beiinis; 
justice of the peace, R. W. Graham. 

1884 — Supervisor, Josiah P, Hall; clerk, 
<Teorge Canen; treasurer, Charles Bennis: 
justice of the peace, Jared Ward, 

1885 — Supervisor. Josiah P. Hall; clerk, 
Clarence Bell; treasui-er. Henry Ostrantler; 
justice of the peace, Henry Beis. 

1886 — Supervisor, Josiah P. Hall; clerk, 
Clarence Bell; treasurer, Henry Oslrander; 
justice of the peace, C. D. Luce. 

1887— Supervisor, Joseph P, Hall; cleik, 
Clarence Bell; treasurer. Christian Stout; 
justice of the peace. R. W. (irahani. 

1888 — Supervisor, Josiah Hall; clerk, Lewis 
Young ; treasurer, Christian Stout; school in- 
spector, Jared Ward. 

StPERVISORS ELECTED IX AI'ItlL, ISSO. 

Ash, Robert Stumm. Bedford, Arthur O. 
KillneJ^ Berlin, Eli Bronclian. Dundee, 
Horace A. Wilkerson. Erie, Peter Trabick. 
Frenchtown, Alexandei- Campau. Ida, John 
!•]. S3'kcs. LaSalle,Orrin J. Leonard. London, 
Thomas E. Howard. Milan, Moses J. Howe. 
Monroe, George C. lioranger. Raisinville, 
Joseph B. Zimmerman. Summcrfield, D. D. 
VanNocker. Whitcford, Josiah Hall. 

MONROE UOUXTV OFKICKHS, 1.S42-8.S. 

1842 — Sheriff, Jefferson S. Bond. County 
clerk, Carlos Colton. Treasurer, Harr}^ V. 
Man. Register of deeds, James E. Skinner. 
Surve3'or, Samuel M. Bartlett. 

1844— Sheriff, James McBiide. ("lerk, Carlos 
Colton. Treasurer, Harry V. Man. Register 
of deeds, James E. .Skinner. Ju<lgc of ])robate, 
fyaurent Durocher, Surveyor, Harmon Allen. 

1846— Sheriff, James McBride. Clerk, Carlos 
Colton. Treasurer, Hariy V. Man. Register 
of deeds, James E. Skinner. Survej'or, James 
Barber. 

1848— Sheriff, Fra/.cy M. Winans. Clerk, 
Titus Babcock. Treasurer, Henj. F. Fifield. 
Register of deeds, John T. Gilbert. Judge of 
probate, Daniel S. Bacon. Survej'or, Robert 
Talford. 

1850 — Prosecuting attorney, Junius Tildeii. 
Sheriff, Jas. McBride. Clerk, I>aurent Durocher. 
Treasurer, Benj. F. Fifield. Register of deeds, 
Seba Murphy, Surveyor, Harmon Allen. 



278 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1852 — Prosecuting iittorucy, Junius Tildcii. 
Sheriff, Jas. McBi-ide. Clerk, Jas. E. Skinner. 
Treasurer, Seba Murjjjiy. Jiegister of deeds, 
Constant Luce. Judge of probate, Laurent 
Durocher. Surveyor, Harmon Allen. 

185) — Prosecuting attorney, Hiram P. A'roo- 
inan. Sheriff, Henry B. Marvin. Clerk, Jas. 
E. Skinner. Treasurer, Seba Murphy. Eegis- 
terof deeds. Constant TjUcc. Surveyor, Nathan 
Hubble. 

1850— Sheriff, Silas W. Eaton. County clerk, 
Titus Babcock. Register of deeds, William 
Vail Miller. County treasurer, John T. Gil- 
bert. Judge of probate, Alexander D. Ander- 
son. Prosecuting attorney, Franklin Johnson. 
Circuit court commissioner, Titus Babcock. 
County surveyor, Harmon Allen. Coroners, 
Arvin W. Potter, Eli Valiquett. 

1858— Sheriff, Henry B. Marvin. County 
clerk, Titus Babcock. Register of deeds, Con- 
stant Luce. Treasui'cr, John T. Gilbert. Judge 
of probate, Alexander I). Anderson. Prosecut- 
ing attorney, Fi-anklin Johnson. Circuit court 
commissioner, Titus Babcock. Surveyor, Rob"t 
Talford. Coroners, Arvin W. Potter, Benj. W. 
Latham. 

ISGO — Judge of probate, Franklin Johnson. 
Sheriff, Henry B. Marvin. Treasurer, George 
Landon. Clerk, Frank B. Clark. Register of 
deeds, John M. Oliver. Circuit court com- 
missioner, Alexander D. Anderson. Surveyor, 
Harmon Allen. Prosecuting attorney, Edwin 
Willetts. 

18G2— Sheriff, William Dunbar. Treasurer, 
Gouverneur Morris. Clerk, Stephen G. Clark. 
Register of deeds, Thomas Doyle. Circuit 
court commissioner, Alexander D. Anderson. 
Surveyor, Nathan Hubble. Pro.secuting attor- 
nej% Frank Raleigh. 

18(i4— Judge of probate, Talcott K. Wing. 
Sheriff, William Dunbar. Treasurer, Philip J. 
Loranger. Clerk, Stejihen G. Clark. Register 
of deeds, Thomas Doyle. Circuit court com- 
missioner, Charles Toll. Surveyor, Addison E. 
Dunbar. Prosecuting attorney, Frank Raleigh. 

18G8— Judge of probate, Gouverneur Morris. 
Sheriff, Philip Nadcau. Treasurer, Benjamin 
Curtis. Clerk, James J. Donohoe. Register of 
deeds, Constant Luce. Circuit court commis- 
sioners, Elam Willard and Gouverneur Morris. 
Surveyor, Addison E. Dunbar. Prosecuting 
attorney, Wra. A. Rafter. 

1870— Sheriff', Philip Nadeau. Treasurer, 



AmosHicock. Clerk, James J. Donohoe. Reg- 
ister of deeds. Constant Luce. Circuit court 
commissioners, Elam Willard and Gouv'r Mor- 
ris. Surveyor, Addison E. Dunbar. Prosecut- 
ing attorne}-, Wm. A. Rafter. 

1S72— Judge of probate, Otis A. Critchett. 
."sheriff, Tjlewellin E. Wooden. Treasurer, John 
L. C Godfroy. Clerk, James J. Donohoe. 
Jiegister of deeds, Charles F. Gruner. Circuit 
court commissioners, Edwin Willetts and Bur- 
ton Parker. Surveyor, Delos F. Wilcox. Pros- 
ecuting attorney, Joseph D. Ronan. 

1874 — Sheriff,Llewellin Wooden. Treasurer, 
Fred'k Niedemier. Clerk, Edw. R. Gilday. 
Register of deeds, Frank B. Clark. Circuit 
court commissioners, Elam Willard and H. 
Shaw Noble. Surveyor, Samuel M. Bartlett. 
Prosecuting attorney, Joseph D. Ronan. 

1876— Judge of probate, Rufus E. Pliinney. 
Sheriff, John J. Ellis. Treasurer, Frederick 
Niedemier. Clerk, PMw. R. Gilday. Register 
of deeds, Frank B. Clark. Circuit court com- 
missioners, Chas. A. Golden and H. Shaw 
Noble. Surveyor, Fred G. Bulkley. Prosecut- 
ing attorney, Geo. M. Landon. 

1878 — Sheriff, John J. Ellis. Treasurer, 
Fred'k Niedemier, Clerk, Pati-ick Matthews. 
Register of deeds, Frank B. Clark. Circuit 
court commissioners, Ira A. Nadeau and O. E. 
Augstman. Surve3-or, Fred G. Bulkley. Pros- 
ecuting attornej', Geo. M. Landon. 

1880 — Judge of probate, Rufus E. Phinney. 
Sheriff, Geo. H. Ellis. Treasurer, Alex. G. 
Navarre. Clerk, Patrick Matthews. Register 
of deeds, Edw. Raeder. Circuit court commis- 
sioners, Ira A. Nadeau and Ira G Humphrey. 
Surveyor, Samuel M. Bartlett. Prosecuting 
attorney, Edw. R. Gilday. 

1882 - Sheriff, Geo. H. Ellis. Treasurer, Alex, 
G. Navarre. Clerk, Patrick Matthews. Reg- 
ister of deeds, Thurlow Strong. Circuit court 
commissioners, Wm. T. Soleau and Ira G. 
Humphrey. Surveyor, Willis Baldwin. Pros- 
ecuting attorney, Edw. R. Gilday. 

1884 Judge of probate, George M. Landon. 
Sheriff", Job C. Eaton. Treasurer, Augustus 
Niedemier. Clerk, Patrick Matthews. Reg- 
ister of deeds, Thurlow Strong. Circuit court 
comissioners, Wm. T. Soleau and Alonzo Brag- 
don. Surveyor, Willis Baldwin. Prosecuting 
attorney, Chas. A. Golden. 

1886 — Sheriff, Job C. Eaton. Treasurer, 
Augustus Niedemier. Clerk, John W, Bell- 



i 



COUNTY OFFICERS. 



279 



mier. Register of deeds, Thurlow Strong, Addison K. Dunbar. Slu'rifl, J.,Hoi.h S llili„n 

Circuit, court commissioners, Wm. T. Soleau Clerk, Charles II. Caldwell. Treasurer Walter 

and Alonzo Bragdon. Surveyor, Willis Bald- Kackett. Register of deeds, Geor-re Crow 

win. Prosecuting attorney, Chas A. Golden. Prosecuting attorney, Sewell Baker Surveyor' 

Coroners Victor A. Dus.seau. John Davis. Willis Haldwin. Circuit court conmussioners! 

1888-Judge of circuit court, twenty-second John P. Jaminet and Alonzo H Bragdon 

district, Kdwm 1). Kinne. Ju.lgc of probate, Coroners, John 15. llaynes, Benj. J. Adams 



CHAPTER XXII. 



niOOKAPIIICAI, SKETCHES OF UNITED STATES SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES. 



JAMES McMILL.VN, 

OF Detroit, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, 
May IS, 18.38. He received a thorough 
English education in the Hamilton Grammar 
School. He passed four years in a retail hard- 
ware establishment in that city. From thence 
he came to Detroit, and spent two j^ears in the 
wholesale hardware house of Buhl & Ducharme. 
Leaving that establishment he became succes- 
sively purchasing agent of the Detroit and 
Milwaukee Railway, a railroad contractor's 
agent, again purchasing agent of the Detroit 
and Milwaukee Railway, and in 1864 com- 
menced bis phenomenally successful career as 
a manufacturer, by founding, with others, the 
Michigan Car Company, from which have 
sprung numerous other enterprises, until now 
he is the head and front of manufacturing 
establishments which employ over three thou- 
sand men the year round, and do a business 
aggregating from five to seven millions of dol- 
lars annually. He is also heavily interested in 
Michigan railroads, being president of the 
Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Kailroail, and 
a director of other roads. 

Mr. McMillan was married in 1860 to Miss 
Mary L. Wetmore. He has four sons and one 
daughter living. His beautiful residence in 
Detroit is adorned with choice works of art, 
and hospitality dwells therein. He has traveled 
o.Ktcnsivelv, both in this country and in Europe. 

Mr. McMillan has always been a staunch Re- 
publican, and has been actively engaged in 
politics for tlie last twelve years, serving two 
terms as chairman of the Republican State Cen- 



tral Committee. In January, 1889, he was 
nominated by acclamation for United States 
Senator bj- the joint Republican caucus, and 
the Legislature elected him on the first ballot 
to succeed Thomas W. Palmer for the full term 
of six years from March 4, 1889. 



*For biographical sketches of Hon. Alpheus Felch 
and of Hon. Isaac P. Christiancy, United States Sena- 
tors from Monroe county, see pages 248 and 246. 

For biographical sketches of Hon. Robert McClel- 
land and Hon. David A. Noble, members of the 
United States House of Reprjsenatives from Con- 
gressional district embracing Monroe county, see 
pages 245 and 250. 

[280] 



FRANCIS B. STOCKBKIDGE, 

Of Kalamazoo, was liorn in the town of Bath, 
Maine, April 9, 1826. When sixteen years of 
age he left his native place and went to Boston, 
and was employed as a mercantile clerk. Ho 
is of English origin, his great-great-grandfather 
having been a member of the Plymouth colony, 
though not of the Mayflower party. When Mr. 
Stockbridge was only sixteen years old his 
school advantages ceased, and he began his 
struggle, penniless and alone, in the great 
New England metropolis. He remained in 
Boston five years, when in 1847 he went to 
Chicago and commenced business in a small 
way as a dealer in lumber. Three years later 
he began manufacturing lumber in Allegan 
count}', and continued in this business twenty- 
four years. In 1859 he formed a partnership 
with Otis R. Johnson. He is now part owner 
of the lumber mills on Cxreen Bay, with head- 
(juartersat Menominee ; president of the Mack- 
inaw Lumber Companj', having mills at St. 
Ignace, and president of the Black River Lum- 
ber Company, mills at Gilchrist, Michigan. 
His mining interests are with the Lumber- 
man's Mining Company, at Iron Mountain, 
Michigan, and the Crescent silver mines at 
Park City, Utah. With Senator Palmer, Jay 
Hubbell, W. A. Moore, of Detroit, and seven 
others, he is owner of 100,000 acres of pine in 
Mississippi ; and with ex-Governor Alger and 
O. R. Johnson owns the Fort Bragg Redwood 
Lumber Company, of Fort Bragg, California. 
Besides these great interests Mr. Stockbridge 
is also president of the Kalamazoo Spring and 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



281 



Axle Company, ami with Mr. S. A. Browne, of 
Kalamazoo, Mr. Stockbriiige is engaged in 
hreeiling thorouglibred trotting and roadster 
liorse.s at the Kalamazoo Stock Kami. 

Senator Stockbridge has alway.s been an 
anient Hepublican of Whig extraction, and 
received tlic title of colonel from a position 
which he occupied on (iovcrnor Hlair's staff. 
Ill 18()S he was elected Representative, and the 
ne.xt election advanced to the Senate. In 1876 
he was proflerod by President (irant the jiosi- 
tion of Minister to the Hague, but diplomatic life 
not being to his liking, this was declined. In 
isi;:} Mr. Stockbridge married Miss Hossic 
Arnold, of (iun Plain. Allegan county, whose 
father came to Michigan from Vermont in 1831). 
Mrs. Stockbridge is a sister of .Judge Dan J. 
Arnold, of the twentieth judicial circuit. Ke- 
inoving from Saugatuck to Kalama/.oo in 1874, 
.Mr. Stockbridge purchased a large mansion 
with ample grounds, and there has made a 
home and tilled it with treasures of art and 
literature. Mr. Stockbridge was elected United 
States Senator, January 19, 1887, for a full 
term of six years from March 4, 1887. 



HON. HKNRY WALDRON. 

Henry Waldron was born in Albany, New 
York, October 11, 1819. His father," Henry 
Waldron, was a merchant in that city. 

He pursued his preparatory studies at the 
Albany Academy. He entered Rutgers Col- 
lege, New Jersey, in 1834, and was gi-a<luated 
in the class of 1836. Among his distinguished 
classmates were ex-Secretary of State Freling- 
huysen, Chief Justice Bradley, (lovernor Newell 
and Hon. Cortland Parker. 

In 1837 he came to -Monroe, Michigan, as a 
civil engineer, and was engaged in the con- 
struction of the Michigan Southern Raili'oad 
from Monroe to HilLsdale. In 1839 he became 
a resident of Hillsdale, where he lived until his 
death, September 23, 1880. 

In 1842 he was elected a member of the 
Michigan Legislature, He served six terms in 
Congress, 1854 to 1860 and 1870-76. 

In the War of the Rebellion he took an 
earnest and active part, contributing liberally 
of his means and by his influence for the 
preservation of the Union, 

He was instrumental in organizing the 
Eighteenth Regiment of Michigan Infantry, 



which did such good service in the Union army. 
At the reunion of this regiment at Monroe, 
August 25th, 1873, he deliveretl the oration. 
Ill this oration he gave a brief sketch of the 
honorable record the regiment made, which 
we quote, as it may be of interest to the sur- 
viving veterans who are with us, and which 
will call up to them the memories of nearly a 
(juarter of a century ago : 

" We watched with anxious eyes the move- 
ments of the regiment, following it from post 
to post — from Nashville to Decatur — from 
Decatui- to Pond Spi'ings, where you surprised 
and captured a corps of rebel cavalry, routing 
another detachment a few days later at Cort- 
land, Then leaving to re-enforce tlie garrison 
at Athens, aj-riving there just in time to pre- 
vent the rebel general JJodnej' from captur- 
ing and pillaging the town, afterwards jiursuing 
Wheeler to Shoal Creek. Then the pursuit 
being abandoned you returned to Decatur, and 
the same month a detachmentof your I'egiment 
numbering about 250 is sent to re enforce the 
garrison at Athens. It arrived within two 
miles of the fort, finds it in the hands of the 
enemy, is met by a rebel force of thousands 
under General Foixest, and after five hours of 
desperatefigliting, during which its ammunition 
is all exhausted, the detachment with but few 
exceptions are all killed, wounded or captured. 

" In October of the same year tiic regiment 
particijiated in the successful delense of Deca- 
tur against the rebel army under General 
Hood, and during that siege a detachment of 
fifty men dislodged the enenij's sharjishootcrs 
from a line of i-ifle pits, driving them from 
theii' cover, taking one hundred and fifteen 
prisoners, with the loss lo the detachment of 
only two men wounded." 

Among this group of biographies, wo feel that 
notone will call back more kindly oraft'ectionate 
memories than the one at the head of thissketcli, 
Hon. Henry Waldron, always one of Hillsdale's 
most honored and respected citizens. He died 
September 13, 1880, and his remains are at rest 
in beautiful Oak Grove Cemetery, but he will 
ever live in the hearts of those who knew him 
well. 



HON, FKRNANDO C. BEAMAN 

Was born at Chester, Vermont, June 28, 1814. 
His jiarents removed to Franklin county. New 



282 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



York, in 1810, where in 1834 l)Otli dieil within 
six weeks of each other. 

Mr. Beaman, with a .strong desire for an ed- 
ucation, applied himselflo .study ; taught school 
seven wintens and three summers, and in the 
meaptinie fitted himself at the Malone Academy 
for college. lu the spring of 18.37 he entered 
the law office of Haight & Elwood, and after- 
i wards read law in the office of Wm. S. Bishop, 
' a prominent memher of the New York City bar. 
\ In the fall of 1838 be emigrated to Michigan, 

and in 1839 was admitted to the bar of Lena- 
wee county and commenced practicing at 
Manchester in that county. He remained 
tliere but a short time, when he removed to 
Adrian and became the law partner of Consider 
A. Stacy. Was appointed prosecuting attor- 
ney of Jjenawee county by Governor John S. 
Barry in 1843 ; was twice re-appointed prose- 
cuting attorney, holding that position six years. 
Ilis practice increased, and he associated him- 
self with Judge A. E. Tiffany; later became 
a law partner of the Hon. T. M. Cooley. 
The partnership soon included ilobert E. 
Beecher, and the firm was known as Beaman, 
Becchcr & Cooley. Mr. Beaman was appointed 
city attorney of Adrian. 

In 1854 lie took an active part in politics, 
and was prominent in forming and organ- 
izing the Eepublican party of Michigan. In 
the spring of 185G was elected maj-or of the 
city of Adrian, and in the fall of same year was 
elected judge of probate of Lenawee county 
and presidential elector of the State on the 
Eepublican ticket. In 18G0 was chosen mem- 
ber of Congress, and afterwards by large ma- 
jorities was reelected for four succeeding 
terms, thus serving in the House of Eepresen- 
tatives of the United States ten years. Every 
measure of the administration of President 
Lincoln having reference to the vigorous pros- 
ecution of the war and the abolition of slavery, 
received his he;irty support. On his return 
from Washington in 1871, he was .soon after 
appointed judge of probate, to fill vacancy oc- 
casioned by the death of his former partner. 
Judge Beecher. To this office he was elected 
b\- the popular vote in 1872, and re-elected in 
1870. 

Judge Beaman was married at Lockport, 
New Y'ork, in 1841, to Miss Mary Goodrich. 
Tiiey had two children — one son, who attained 
manhood, but died soon thereafter, the other a 



married daughter, now residing in Adrian. He 
was always distinguished for a high sense of 
honor and ret'titude of purpose. 



HON. EDWIN WILL1TT8 

Was born in Olto, Cattaraugus county'. New 
York, April 24, 1830. He removed with his 
parents to Michigan in September, 1838. He 
attended the public schools, and graduated 
fi'om the Michigan University in June, 1855. 
In April of the following year he removed to 
Moni-oe and entered the law office of Isaac P. 
Christiancy. He was admitted to the bar in 
1857, and carried on an active and successful 
practice. In 1869 he was elected prosecuting 
attorney of Monroe county, and held the office 
until 1873. In 1862 he was also elected a 
member of the State Board of Education, and 
was re-elected in 18G6, serving in all twelve 
years. From 1855 to 1865 he was editor of 
the Monroe Conunercial. In 1873 he was 
chosen one of the board of commissioners to 
revise the constitution of the State. He was 
appointed postmaster of Monroe by President 
Lincoln in 1863, and was removed b}' President 
John.son in October, 1866. He was elected to 
the Forty-Fifth Congress on the Eepublican 
ticket by more than two thousand majority 
over the Democrat, Greenback and Granger 
candidates, and again to the Forty-Sixth and 
Forty-Seventh Congresses. In 1883 he was 
appointed principal of the State Normal School, 
where he remained until his appointment to 
the presidency of the State Agricultural College 
in 1885. 

As before stated, ho was a member of the 
State Board of Education, and was admirably 
qualified by his tastes and his deep interest in 
the prosperity of our educational institutions, 
together with his culture and aptness in teach- 
ing, and being appreciated by his associates 
soon became a prominent member of the board. 
He radically changed the policy in the man- 
agement of the Agricultural College, which 
resulted in the establishment of the State Board 
of Agriculture and the reorganization of the 
Agricultural College. To Mr. Willitts .should 
be accorded the credit and honor of greatly 
adding to the prosperity of the college, and 
well was he entitled to the place aecoided him 
when appointed at the head. 




^ 



BIOGRAFIIICAI. SKKTCHKS. 



t?S3 



For many years Mi\ Willitts was one of the 
prominent members of tlie Kepublican party 
in tlie State of Jliciiigan, anil has held manj- 
responsible positions in the party. 

Ho resigned the position of president of the 
Normal Seliool at Ypsilariti, Michigan, to the 
rei;ret of the officers of that institution, to ac- 
cept the presidenc}' of the State Agricultural 
College, under whose management the college 
attained great jtopularity, which office ho re- 
signed in March, 1880, to accept the appoint- 
ment of assistant secretaiy of agricultui-e by 
appointment of President Harrison, and now 
resides in Washington. 

Me married the daughter ol'.hidge Ingursoil, 
of Dundee, Monroe county; has two children, 
one daughter (married) and one son, George 
Willitts, a lawyer of prominence in the city of 
Chicaso. 



votes to 17,tir)(; for Kdward 1'. Allen, Hejiubli- 
can, and 2.,l\H for Charles Moshcr, ProhilH. 
tionist. 



XATIIANIKL H. ELDHKIXiK, 

Born at Auburn, Cayuga county, New York, 
March 28, 181:5, has been a resident of Michi- 
gan forty-seven years. lie received an academ- 
ic education ; studied and practiced medicine 
fifteen years ; then studied and practiced law 
thirty years; and finally settled down to farm- 
ing. While a resident of La|)eer county, he 
was elected engrossing and enrolling clerk of 
the State Senate in 1845; representative in the 
State Legislature in 1847; and judge of pro- 
bate in 1852. Having entered the Union arm}- 
June 18, 18(51, he served as captain and major 
of the Seventh Regiment, and lieutenant-col- 
onel of the Eleventh Regiment, Michigan In- 
fantry, in tlie War of the Rebellion. Having 
removed to Adrian, his present home, in 18G5, 
he was elected sheriff of Lenawee county in 
1874. In 1882 he was elected Representative 
to tiie Fortj'-Eighth Congress on the Union 
ticket, receiving 15,251 votes to 14,709 for John 
K. Boies, Republican, 1,238 for A. J. Baker, 
Greenback, and 387 for A. F. Dewey, Prohibi- 
tionist. He was reelected in 1884 l)y 17.710 



KDWAh'I) I'AYSON ALI.KN, 

Of Ypsilanti, was born in Sharon, Washtenaw 
count}-, Michigan, October 28, 1839 ; worked on 
a farm until tw-enty years old, attending school 
and teaching during the winter; gi-aduated 
from the Slate Normal School in March, 18G4; 
taught the Union School in Vassar, Michigan, 
for thi-ee months following, when he enlisted 
and helped to raise a companj- for the Twent}'- 
Ninth Michigan Infantry; was commissioned 
first lieutenant in that regiment in the fol- 
lowing September, and went with it southwest, 
where the regiment was engaged in active 
campaigning until the 1st of April ; in Septem- 
ber, 18(i5, was mustered out of the service with 
his regiment as captain ; entered the law school 
at Ann Arbor, graduating in March, 18(17; 
formed a partnership with Hon. S. M. Cutcheon; 
uj)on the removal of Mr. Cutcheon to Detroit, 
in 1875, he continued the practice alone at 
Ypsilanti; was elected alderman of Ypsilanti 
in 1872 and 1874 and mayor in 1880 ; was pros- 
ecuting attorney of Washtenaw county in 1872; 
was elected to the lower house of the Legisla- 
ture in 187(j, serving as chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Education ; w as again elected in 1878, 
at which time ho was elected Speaker pro tern.; 
was appointed Assistant Assessor of Internal 
Revenue in ISOg ; was United States Indian 
Agent for Michigan in August, 1882, which 
office he held until December, 1885 ; ran for 
Congress in 1884, and was defeated bj- Colonel 
Kldredge, Democrat, and was elected to the 
Fiftieth Congress as a Republican, and re- 
elected to the Fifty- First Congress, receiving 
19,G60 votes to 18,096 votes for Willard Stearns, 
Democrat, 2,010 votes for C. M. Fellows, Pro- 
hibitionist, and 143 votes for John H. Hobart, 
Union Laboi-. 



CHAPTER XXin. 



THE GEOLOGY OF MONKOE COUNTY. 



THE reader who glances at liominger's geo- 
logical map of the lower peninsula of 
Michigan will be struck with the wide areas of 
similar formations which it portrays. Hang- 
ing like a soap bubble from a pipe, appear the 
coal measures, with the Saginaw Bay as a 
starting point. From Alabaster, ou the north 
shore of the Bay, they sweep in a wide circle 
as far west as Grand Rapids; thence circle 
around to the .southeast to a point slightly south 
of Jackson, thence trend around to the north- 
east again, striking Saginaw Bay on its south 
side, a little cast of Caseville. On each side 
of Saginaw Bay, skirting the northern edge 
and witli a greater development in the vicinity 
of C4rand Rapids, the carboniferous limestones 
appear, and in these lies the wealth of gj-psum, 
which at one time formed an important jiart 
of the manufactures and shipments from the 
city of Monroe; the crude rock being brought 
from Alabaster by boat and prepared for ship- 
ment ai mills located on the navigable waters 
of the river. 

fjweeping entirelj' around the coal measures 
and the carboniferous limestones, extending 
from Lake Huron on the east to Lake Michi- 
gan on the west, and from Otsego count}- on 
the north to the State line on the south, appears 
the Helderberg group of limestones. In an- 
other concentric circle bejond this is a thin 
line of black shale, while between the shales 
and Lake Erie the Helderberg group is exposed. 
Monroe county is composed almost entirely of 
the Helderberg limestones, with a narrow band 
of shales extending diagonally across its north- 
west quarter, while the extreme northwest 
corner is again in the belt of Helderberg lime- 
stone. 

The general configuration of the entire 
Lower Peninsula seems to show that at one 
time it was a lacustrine bed, a portion only of 
a large lake extending over areas of Wisconsin, 
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Over this at vary- 



ing ages in its geologic history swept detritus, 
and this was superposed upon the rock forma- 
tion in varying depths, from a few feet in the 
southwestern corner of the State, where ledges 
of solid rock arc sometimes found at six feet 
beneath the surface of the soil, to hundreds of 
feet further inland. 

The comparatively undisturbed position of 
the various strata also indicates an absence of 
volcanic upheaval during the long ages which 
intervened between the time when the earth 
" was without form and void," and the time 
when the " peninsidam amoenam" emerged 
and began to take on itsabundant forest growth. 

In the southern portion of the lower penin- 
sula evidences of that period when the gradual 
drainage of the great area of water which 
covered it set in, are plainly manifest to the 
mo.st casual observer. Fifty years ago streams 
which now, during tiio protracted heats of 
summer, are but little threads of water brawl- 
ing over gravelly beds, were water-courses of 
respectable size. Their present condition may 
be attributed to the rapid denudations of the 
forest growth. But if one will follow the wind- 
ings of any of these streams, taking his place 
of observation far enough inland to reach that 
point where the drift deposits are of consider- 
able depth, on either side of tiie present chan- 
nel bank, and at distances varying from a few 
rods to half a mile or more, he will discover a 
line of bluffs following the general course of 
the stream, and in some cases a hundred feet or 
more high. Though now either covered with 
trees or under cultivation, the sides of these 
bluffs )ield sweet water fossilifcrous stones 
and shells, plainly indicating their submergence 
at some time in the past; and undoubtedly at 
some former age these valleys were the beds of 
the present diminished streams and were full 
from bank to bank. 

In Monroe county, as we approach the de- 
bouchure of these streams, the bluffs sink to 



[284] 



THE r.EOLOGY OF MONROE COUNTY. 



285 



the jrenora! level, and the water-courses flow 
sluggishly- in a sliailow bed, eroded frequently, 
as ill the case of the River Kaisin, to the rock 
formation beneath tlie alluvium or drift. In 
the western and northwestern portions of the 
county, however, the character of the bluffs is 
plainly discernible along the courses of the 
.Macon, the Saline, and tlic Huron. 

But while the underlying rock of tiiis section 
is uniform, the character of the soil is various. 
Beginning at Lake Erie, which is 5G5 feet above 
the level of the sea, the land gradually rises to 
a jioiiit in the a.xis of the highest elevation of 
the southern part of the lower peninsula, near 
the western boundary of Hillsdale county, 
where railroad surveys give the elevation as 
nearly (100 feet above the lake. Yet so gradual 
is the ascent that it is not noticeable to the 
traveler. It is not till he approaches the 
western portion of the county that the land 
t)Cgins to assumea rollingand diversified charac- 
ter, almost the entire eastern ])ortion of the 
county being a dead level, destitute of hills or 
elevations. 

At several points in the count}" the prevail- 
ing character of the rock changes, as well as 
the nature of the soil. Six miles west of 
-Monroe City well-defined beds of sandstone 
exist, which, when the superposed alluvium is 
cleared off, show the well-defined striations of 
glacial action. In some .sections of the southern 
portion of the county slight swells of land ex- 
tending east and west seem to mark the lo- 
cation of glacial moraines; and in apparent 
corroboration of this theory, in thesame vicinity 
the surface of the soil is thickly strewn with 
such bowlders as a moving or dissolving glacier 
would deposit, and these bowlders are likewise 
found beneath the present surface. 

While glacial action ma}' account for these 
jihcnomcna, it fails to account for the varying 
character of the alluvium or sedimentary dep- 
ositions, and in endeavoring to oflfer any ex- 
])lanation of these the domain of evidence is 
left and that of theory entered. It is suggested 
that the great lakes were at one period much 
larger than at the present; that their recession 
was not uniform ; that after falling .some feet 
they became for a long period stationary. The 
streams flowing into them, as well as the move- 
ment of their own waters, held in sus])ension 
alluvium, which in the course of j'ears became 
a sedimentary deposit. This period was fol- 



lowed by another recession, exposing acres of 
the bottom, which became dry land, and the 
process of deposition was again begun. The 
character of the deposits is evidence that the 
whole area was submerged at some time in the 
past. Of this fact we may feel assured ; the 
balance is but conjecture — scientific conjec- 
ture, it is true, but conjecture nevertheless. 

The interior of the lower peninsula is thickly 
dotted with small lakes of surpassing beauty. 
Generall}- with clean, sandy or gravel borders, 
though sometimes of a marshy character, their 
waters are very pure, cold and clear, evidently 
fed by springs. Though Monroe county has 
none of these, the counties adjacent have 
man}-, and such lakes abound as the land 
gradually ascends from the level of Lake Erie. 
Upon the high plateau in Hillsdale and .Jackson 
counties, within the radius of a few miles are 
the headw-aters of the Grand, St. Joseph, Kala- 
mazoo and Raisin rivers, one flowing .south- 
ward, two westward, and one, the Raisin, east- 
ward. The Raisin, by its northern brancii, and 
its tributaries, the Macon and the Saline, drains 
the central and northwestern sections of the 
county, and by its southern branch a portion 
of Lenawee count}-. The Huron river enters 
its northeastern corner, and there empties into 
Lake Erie ; several creeks enter the lake 
between the mouths of the Huron and the 
Raisin ; and a larger number between the mouth 
of the Rai.sin and the State line. 

The characteristic soil of -Michigan, which 
gave the State a high reputation as a wheat- 
producing country, is a gravelly clay. This is 
the prevaleTit soil of nearly all the southern 
portion of the lower peninsula, .south of the 
sand upon which grow the pine forests. It 
contains in itself all the qualities of a good 
soil and the chemical constituents for the 
growth of the plants it so ]irolifically pi'o- 
duces. Its particles are of all sizes, froTn 
an almost impalpable clay mud, entirely grit- 
less or nearly so. u]) to bowlders of consider- 
able size. One great advantage produccil by 
the varying size of the molecules comjirising 
this kind of soil, is the facility with which 
surplus moisture drains off, yet its porosity is 
such as to retain sufficient moisture for the 
healthy growth of vegetation. Some of these 
lands are apparently so full of bowlders as to 
render their cultivation seemingly hopeless to 
inexperienced farmers, yet they generally pro- 



286 HISTORY OK MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 

duce good crops of cereals. It is only in the region which lie on top is worn smooth and 

extreme western and northwestern portions of scratched by drift marks. 

Monroe county, along the borders of Lenawee " The lower division of the Helderbcrg series 

and Washtenaw counties, that this class of soil identical with the strata forming the base of 

is found. Mackinac Island, and with the water-lime 

Lying to the eastward of this, and apparently group of the Ohio Reports, has a much greater 
once the sandy shore of the lake at some surface extension in the district under con- 
remote period previous to the recession which sideration than the ujiper division correspond- 
established the present shore line, extends an ing with the limestones of Sanduskj'. This 
area of light sandy soil, which requires careful upjier division is well uncovered in the qiuir- 
and intelligent cultivation to develop its agricul- ries of Trenton Village, in Wayne county, and 
tural resources. At various other points in the likewise in the ([uarrics on Macon Creek, for- 
county areas of sandy soil are found, possibly merly owned by Judge Christiancy. . 
islands or sandbars of the lacustrine period. "The quarries on Macon Creek open in the 

The low lands immediately contiguous to same strata as the Trenton quarries. The rock 

the present shore line of the lake, were prob- there is more porous, absorbing water rapidly 

able within comparatively recent time a portion when dry, and considerably impregnated with 

of tlie bottom of the lake. These areas were rock oil, which exudes from its crevices and 

covered with a stiff clay soil, overgrown with often collects on the water pools of the quarry 

ash, elm and kindred trees. Of this nature is in a thick scum. In humid state the rock is 

the principal portion of the soil of Monroe of a dusky drab color. The surface layers are 

county. Rominger saj's of this: " Properly rich in fossils identical with those of the Tren- 

drained, it is the richest soil in the State, giv- ton quarries; certain seams are perfectly 

ing larger crops and bearing the practiced crowded with Chonetcs yandellana, and others 

system of exhaustion better than any other." with Tentaculites scalaris. Below these fossilif- 

Yet this very fact tended to retard the settle- erousbeds, the useful ledges of the quarry, about 

ment and agricultural growth of the count}-, six or seven feet in thickness, follow; they are 

When .settlers from the East landed here, of the above mentioned porous character. The 

deterred bj' the heavy forest growth and the better quarry-stone furnishes sills, door steps, 

clay soil they pushed westward, settling the etc., but most of it is used for the production 

lands to the westward and northwestward, and of lime. Its composition is: 

it was not till, as may be said, the " ebb tide " 

„ • »• T t a *i . -1 I J I Carbonate of lime 84.0 

of emigration began to flow^ that its lauds be- .. , . ,„,, 

° , 1 . "I. magnesia 13.0 

came appreciated at their true worth, and in- j^.^^^ oxide hydr '.. _ — „ 0.4 

telligent systems of drainage and cultivation Quartz and bitumen 2.2 

demonstrated the excellence of tlie county for 

. ,^ , ^ 99.6 
agricultural purposes. 

The following technical geological particulars "The deeper strata of the quarry become 

ai'e condensed from the report of the " Geo- worthless from a copious admixture of white, 

logical Survey of Michigan," Vol. III., 1873-76, cherty concretions. The exudation of rock oil 

by C. Rominger, .State Geologist: from the crevices induced some persons, anuni- 

" Rocks of the Helderberg group compo.se ber of years ago, to form a compan}- to bore 

the surface of a restricted area in the south- for rock oil at this locality. A drill-hole was 

east corner of the State, comprising Monroe sunk to the depth of 700 feet, but without the 

county, the southeastern part of Wayne count}', hoped-for success I was informed 

and the same part of Lenawee county. This that not many feet below the rock-beds opened 
triangular segment is the northern terminus of in the quarr}-, a bed of sand rock was struck, 
a large body of the formation, which covers the The sand rock deposit seems to be a very con- 
northwestern part of Ohio and is continued stant stratum found at that horizon, not onlj' 
through the State of Indiana. . . . in Michigan, but all over the Helderberg area 

"In Monroe county the beds of nearly all of the State of Ohio. Natural outcrops of this 

the creeks present exposures of the ledges; . sand rock can be observed in the bed of River 

. . . the surface of all the rock-beds in this Raisin, six miles above Monroe; it is there 



1 



THE GEOLOGY OK MONROE COUNTY. 



287 



liiird and compact, rich in calcareous cement; 
several fossils, easts of spirifcr, etc., are en- 
closed in some blocks of the rock, but they are 
too imperfect for specific detormiiialion. The 
sand rock stratum, in a soft, friable condition, 
and occasionally perfectly white, is found in 
I he northeast corner of Raisinville township, 
on the ' Bond farm,' where it forms the surface 
rock over a good many acres of gi'ound; in 
places it is overlaid bj- dolomitic iimeslone about 
eight fectin thickness, which contains thccasts 
of numerous fossils, Zajjlircntis, Favosites, sev- 
eral forms of Bryozoa, Atrypa reticularis, Orthis 
liivia, Conocardium trigonalo, Phacopsbufo, 
i)almania selenurus. (Quantities of this sand, 
wiiicli is almost pure quartz without admixture, 
iiave been shipped to Pittsburgh for glass manu- 
facture, (or which purpose it is said to be of 
excellent quality. Thethickness of the deposit 
is not seen in this place; only six or seven feet 
are denuded in the digging. In section six- 
teen of Ida township, a sand rock of about six 
feet in thickness forms the top layers of a lime- 
stone quarry. The upper .strata are friable 
anil soft, their calcareous cement seeming to 
have leached out, while the deeper-sited strata 
are hard, and rich in calcareous matter. 

"The rock contains some casts of bivalve 
shells, and of gasteropods ; its fissures and 
dru.se cavities are filled with strontianite,ca'les- 
tint', and calcspar. The sand rock rcpo.ses on 
a hard, compact dolomite rock, mottled with 
light and dark blue cloudy specks resembling 
castile soap. The dolomite is composed of 

Carbonate of lime 54 percent. 

■' ■' magnesia 41' '■ 

(^lartz sand 4 " 

Thnlowerhard cemented sand rock beds contain 

Carbonate of l;nie 40 per cent. 

Wliite (luartz sand 54 " 

" Sand rock ledges of a somewhat different 
character from those mentioned, but evidently 
c(|uivalciit with them, are exposed on both 
sides of a road ])assingthe north end of Ottawa 
Lake. The rock is hard, fine-grained, of dark 
bluish, or, in weathered condition, ol' ferruginous 
brown color, and contains sixty-five per cent. 
of calcareous matter bj' thirty-four per cent, 
of quartz sand. It is ((uarricd for Imilding 
purposes; intermediate between the harder 
liiyers are seams of a coarse-grained, softer 
sand rock, with only a small propi)rtion ofcal- 



careouscemcnt. Enclosed in these softer seams 
I found dermatic plates of macro](etalichlhj-s. 
South from there, across the State line, near 
Sylvania, in Ohio, a similar seam of sand rock 
is found intercalated between the upper and 
lower Ilelderberg limestones; and from a geo- 
logic report of Ohio we learn that throughout 
the entire Helderberg area of that State a sand 
rock deposit is constantly found in such posi- 
tion. In .some localities the sand rock seems 
to be replaced by an oolith. In the quarries 
of Plum Creek, near Monroe, and near Little 
Lake, in Bedford township, the mottled dolo- 
mite rock, which lies at the base of the .sand 
rock in the Ida ((uarries, section sixteen, is 
found iu the same characteristic form, but in- 
stead of sandstone, in the two mentioned lo- 
calities, oolithic rock-beds are superimposed. 
Their chemical composition is: Carbonate of 
lime, sixtj'-ono per cent., and carbonate of 
magnesia, thirty-seven per cent. The thick- 
ness of this sand rock stratum has, within the 
State of Michigan, never been found to exceed 
eight or ten feet, and in Ohio, also, it forms 
only a comparatively thin seam. No fossils 
are known to have been found in it except 
the few fraj;mcntary specimens which I men- 
tioned, . . . but ... its equivalency 
with the Oriskany sandstone of New York be- 
comes very jjrobable. The rock series below the 
sandstones, which have been identified with the 
water-lime group of New Yoi-k, is altogether 
composed of dolomite, and contains entiicly 
dittcrent fossils from those found in the strata 
above the sand rocks, which have more of a 
true limestone character, and rarely contain a 

high percentage of magnesia This 

lower water-lime division has a much greater 
surface extent within this southeastern corner 
of Michigan than the higher beds. All the ex- 
posures of River Raisin, in Plum Creek, be- 
long to the lower rock series; the ([uarrics in 
the townships of LaSalle, Ida and Bedford are 
woi'ked in the same beds, and the out-crops on 
Point-aux-Paux, at Gibraltar, in Swan Creek, 
and Stony Creek, all represent this water-lime 
series. The upper strata of this group are 
frequentl}' but not always found in abrecciated 
condition, the fragments of various ledges 
intermingled and recemented. The lower, 
non-brecciated beds have evidently the same 
lithological characters as the fragments com- 
posing the breccia. . . . 



288 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MTCIHOAN. 

" A natural Kcction through the whole tliicl<- are all without jn-oininent peculiarities by 

ness of the water-lime group is nowhere in the which one can tell whether the boring has 

district exposed, and the artificial excavations passed the water-lime and entered the Onon- 

by quarrj-ing generally comprise virtually daga or Niagara group or not. Kocks exactly 

only a small series of beds, and they are nearl}^ similar to those brought up from the deepest 

always of one and the same horizon. Of deeji portions of the drill-hole are found in the 

artesian borings several have been made within superficial beds of the quarries near by, and 

the city limits of Monroe to a depth of from acicular limestones, not distinguishable from 

one hundred and fiftj' to three hundred feet, those next to the upper brecciated limestones, 

and the boring records of some have been come up from a depth of over two hundred feet, 

noted down. Such notes are very useful for " We learn by the borings that no gypsiferous 

comparison of strata, if we were only before- shales are found in the strata underlying 

hand informed of the geological structure of a Monroe, and that for .sevci'al hundred feet 

lociility in its details ; but to learn these details downward limestones of dolomitic character 

by the results of borings alone is very unsatis- alternately follow each other; but we have no 

factory. guiding rule by which to learn exactly where 

" As an illustration, I give one of the records we are. 

of a drill-holo sunk in the coui't house square " Among the exposures of the water-lime 

of Monroe to a depth of one hundred and forty group, the quarries of Gibraltar, situated about 

feet. It reads : four miles south of the Trenton quarries, are 

Cliiv and sand __ (i feet ''^^ most northern. There this lower rock 

Gray limestone 3 " series comes to the surface in the bed of the 

Blue " 0..5 " creek where it enters the lake near Gibraltar, 

Dark gray limestone 3 " and west of the village at the point crossed by 

Bhie limestone 1.5 " the Michigan Southern Eailroad. The surfiico 

^, ,, , ,. of the upper ledges is polished by drift action ; 

Blue 2 I 1 f. I J I 

Q^j^.^, I. .,,, li about eight feet of the rock-beds are denuded 

Blue " .') " in the quarry ; no fossils were observed in this 

Gray " 2 " place. 

Blue " ;!2 " "West of this locality, near Flat Kock, 

Blue shale ,'.i ' Huron River runs in ra]jids over ledges which 

" Wc see here a number of limestone beds, belong to the water lime horizon, a drab- 
varying in color and compactness, amounting colored, crystalline, somewhat porous, but hard 
to over one hundred feet in depth, and below dolomite, with flinty concretions. Of fossils, I 
a deposit of calcareous shale, which could noticed casts of crinoid Joints, vegetable stems, 
perhaps be taken as representing a part of the and a small elongated body with email surfiice, 
Onondaga formation ; but the infoi'ination we serrated on the edges, which can only be the 
receive by this record is insufficient to enable remains of a fish or crustacean. Similar cor- 
us to form a clear idea of the special qualities puseles I found in the brecciated limestones 
of the rock-beds, or to distinguish positively of Point-anx Paux, a locality which will sub- 
certain horizons. From another boring made sequently be described At New- 

in the same place, I received through the kind- port, on Swan Creek, the water-lime strata are 

ne.ss of Judge Christianc}' specimens of the found everywhere close under the surface of 

rock brought up by the ])ump, by which I can the level country, polished by drift action, 

see that to a depth of three hundred feet below The rook is a light drab-colored, fine-grained, 

the surface, limestone beds are almost ex- absorbent dolomite ; the surface of the bed is 

clusively following each other in continued rugose, pitted, as if the strata in soft condition 

superposition ; but these limestones, of a had at one time emerged from the water and 

dolomitic character, sometimes light-colored, been exposed to rain drops. Seams of black 

sometimes dark, partly laminated, or other carbonaceous shales separate the ledges and 

specimens of a cellulose structure, full of cover their surface with a shining thin coat, 

irregular cavities, clothed with spar crj^stals. Sty lolitic segregations are very common ; they 

or pieces pervaded with acicular spar crystals, evidently are a peculiar sort of shrinkage 



THE GEOLOGY OK MONROE COUNTY. 



289 



cracks, formed by tlio contracting of the mud 
mass <liiring its consolidation into rock; their 
sti'iated surface is likewise blackened with this 
shaly coating. In the quarriesi, onlj^ about 
eight feet of the strata are uncovered ; the 
ui)]ier superficial- ones are the best; some of 
them break in good-sized blocks about a foot 
in thickness, Which are used as a building 
stone. However, most of the rock is ((Uarried 
for lime burning. The lower beds in the 
quarries are thin, uneven slabs interstratified 
with seams of black shale. Fissures and druse 
cavities in the rock-mass are filled with fine 
crystals of ca'lestine and of calcspar. . . 

" Throe miles southeast of the Newport 
quarries, we find along the shore of Point-aux- 
Paux a very good natural exposure of the 
same rock-beds, which here are in brecciated 
condition, while the beds in the Newport 
((uarries arc undisturbed. The rock-beds pro- 
ject only about four feet above the water level, 
but b3- undulations of the strata about fifteen 
feet of successive ledges become exposed. The 
breccia is formed of angular rock fragments; 
sometimes larger masses, composed of several 
consecutive layers, retaining their regular 
stratified position to each other, -lie enclosed in 
it; often also a regular unbroken seam of lime- 
stone alternates with the brecciated la3'ers. 

" The principal part of the ledges resembles 
in all particulars the rock of the Newport 
quari'ies ; the same fo.ssils are found in it, only 
in greater abundance and variety. Meristella 
hcvis, Leptocfjelia concava, Megambonia avicu- 
loidea, casts of several forms of bivalves 
and gasteropods, and a small spirorbis-like 
shell, are the usual forms met with, besides a 
j)rofusion of the above mentioned vegetable 
remains pervading the rock-beds. Druses of 
cwlestino and calcspar, and veins of these 
minerals, filling the fissures of the rock, are 
vci'v abundant. 

" Of the emailed corpuscles with serrated 
edges, which I found in the dolomite of Flat 
Iiock, and suggested might be the remains of 
fishes or crustaceans, I found several at Point- 
aux-Paux. South of Point-aux-Paux, toward 
Monroe, we find the same rock-beds cvcr}'- 
wlierc close under the surface, with only a few 
feet of drift on them. The quarries alongside of 
Eiver Haisin, up to Dundee, are all ojiened in 
beds of this horizon. In the quarries of Plum 
Creek, a short distance south of Monroe, by the 



undulations in which the strata riso and sink, 
about twenty feet of rock-beds come to an ex- 
posure. Uppermost are fine-grained, light- 
colored dolomitic limestone in beds of a few 
inches thick, and in the aggregate reach six 
feet. Next below is a compact stratum of 
oolith from eighteen inches to two feet in thick- 
ness, which makes a good buildiTig material. 
Lower are thin, rugose ledges of limestone, 
with intervening narrow scams of a black shale 
mass ; these are succeeded by about two feel of 
a gray and blue mottled dolomite rock, after 
which are again thinly- laminated limestone 
slabs, with intermediate black shale seams. 
The surface of these limestone slabs is covered 
bj' ramified relief forms, apparently of vege- 
table origin. The lowest beds in the quarry 
are bluish gray dolomite in moderately thick 
ledges, opened to the depth of about eight feet, 
and representing the principal quarry-stone 
used for ordinarj' building purposes. In the 
whole series of rock-beds, fossils arc rarely 
seen, but in nests or in a thin seam, locall}-, 
they may be found in abundance. Among the 
rocks which came out in excavating the cellar 
of a brewery situated within the quarry, cer- 
tain blocks are crowded with casts of Meris- 
tella la>vis, Retzia globosa, Leptoctrlia concava, 
Megambonia aviculoidca and several other 
bivalves, several gasteropods, great numbers 
of a spirorbis-like shell, besides the vegetable 
stems found elsewhere in the same strata. 

" In the southwest corner of J^aSalle town, 
about six miles west of the lake shore, the 
brecciated limestones, which in Monroe arc in 
a position on a line with the lake level, are 
found in the quarries at an elevation of about 
one hundred feet above the lake. 

" In the quarries near Little Lake, in Bed- 
ford township, similar strata to those of the 
Plum Creek quarries are uncovered. In the 
upper part of the quarry we find an nolith 
stratum identical with the other locality. The 
lower part is formed of brecciated limestone, 
seams of which are fossiliferous ; besides the 
already mentioned forms, a cyrloccrasand some 
gasteropod casts arc found there, which I have 
not noticed in the other localities. 

" Two miles west of Ida Village, dose U> the 
railroad track, extensive quarries are opened, 
and lime-kilns erected. Close under the surface, 
light. colored, almost white dolomites, of finelj- 
crystalline grain, and of absorbent, porous 



290 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Structure arc found ; they are much intersected 
bj' veins of cakspar, and enclose druse cavities 
lined with the same material. Certain layers 
are completely filled with small acieular s])ar 
crystals, or the crystals have been dissolved by 
a partial weathering of the rock, and the 
places formerly occupied by them are now 
found as open, narrow slits pervading the 
rock in all directions. By the same process of 
weathering, the rock, which originally was a 
hard mass, composed of dolomite spar crystals, 
cemented together by calcspar, the more sol- 
uble calcspar being dissolved by the percolat- 
ing waters, is left, according to the degree of 
weathering, either a porous but yet hai'd mass 
of minute dolomite spar crj'stals, or a mealy, 
crystalline substance fi-iablo between the 
fingers. 

"Prof A. Winchell identified the dolomites 
of the Ida quarries with the Onondaga group, 
but the jiosition of these beds is not lower 
than that of the other quarries considered to 
represent the water-lime group, and no differ- 
ence in lithological characters of the strata ex- 
ists, which would justify a distinction. In the 
deep boring made in tlie court house yard of 
Monroe for a depth of three hundred leet, no 
particular change in the nature of the rock was 
observed ; neai'l}' all this thickness was made 
up by dolomites, some of which, by their cellu- 
lose character,with cavities once filled with crys- 
tals, are similar to beds found in the Onondaga 
group, but no gypsum beds nor shale deposits, 
which are significant in this group, were 
noticed. 

'■ The gypsiferous rock-beds have been found 
in the State of Ohio at Sylvania, but in Michi- 
gan no positive evidences of the development 
of this formation have been discovered in the 
southeastern end of the State. Eemarkable in 
this region ai"e the numerous sink-holes found 
over it. Some of them are small, abrupt, fun- 
nel-shaped depressions ; others are larger and 
sink more gradually. Many of them arc filled 
with water and form resjjectable lakes, as 
Ottawa Lake and Litttc Lake, while others are 
dry or filled only for a part of the j'car. The 
water in all these lakes is subject to consider- 
able fluctuations tlui-ing the different seasons. 
Ottawa Lake, which covers about a square 
mile of surface, has in the spring of the 3-car a 
depth of fifty feet ; towards the fall it has low- 
ered its level about twenty- five feet below high- 



water mark, and its shallowest parts arc per- 
fectly dry. The water usually disapipears rap- 
idly when it begins to sink, which is not the 
effect of evaporation. It escapes bj' subter- 
ranean crevices, which become visible after 
the water has run off. The steej) embank- 
ments of the northeast end of the lake are 
formed by the brecciated limestones of the 
water-lime group, which are quarried there and 
burned into lime. 

" Little Lake, in the town of Bedford, sec- 
tion fifteen, is another sink-hole of large di- 
mensions. It sometimes becomes pcrfectl}' dry, 
which never happens with Ottawa Lake. The 
rock crevices through which the water disap- 
jjcars were quite conspicuous in the emptied 
lake bottom at the time of my visit. Four 
miles north of Ottawa Lake, on the land of Mr. 
Cummins, in the town of Whiteford, between 
sections one and two, another large sink-hole 
is observable, which, during the summer and 
fall time, is perfectly di-y and partly over- 
grown with grass. The center of this depres- 
sion is about eighteen feet below the level of 
the surrounding country ; a part of its bottom 
is formed of naked rock ledges fissured by- 
deep, vertical crevices. The owner of the place 
informs me that during the spring this depres- 
sion is filled with water which contains large 
fish, although I saw not a drop of water in it 
at the time of my visit. When the water be- 
gins to sink it escapes quickly, and at the spot 
where the crevices are, a whirlpool draws them 
in with a distinctlj' audible, rushing noise. 
The larger fish being unable to get off with the 
water, are left on the dry bottom to die. From 
the fact of the appearance in these periodical 
water basins of full-grown fish of the kind 
usually found in Lake Erie, it has become the 
general belief of the inhabitants that a direct 
connection exists between these sink-holes 
and that lake, which suggestion has in it much 
of probability'. All limestone formations are 
apt to be undermined and eaten out by the 
water flowing through their crevices, which is 
more or less charged with carbonic acid, and 
thus i-endered a powerful solvent for the lime- 
stone. The old sandy beach lines encircling this 
district bear clear testimony to the fact that 
all this part of the country was, at a period not 
very remote, a part of the bottom of Lake Erie, 
whose waters leached out the softer, more sol- 
uble ledges of the lime rock, and letl the harder 



THE GEOLOGY OF MONKOE COUNTY. 



291 



la\ ers as roofs over tlio eroded cavities. After 
tlie receding of the water from this ground, 
loavini: behind a deep, muddy sediment, which 
forms tlie present rich soil, the roofs of tliese 
subterranean cavities broke down, in some 
cases forming sink-holes that remain in con- 
neclion with the intricate subterraneous ciian 
nels which doubtless lead into the lake. 

"The connection of the Ilelderberg group 
witii the superincumbent younger formations 
is in this part of tlie State entirely- hidden bj' 
drift dcj)osit8. At Blissfield, Deerfield and 
Pelersburgh, localities which are only a short 
distance from the actual outcrop of the Ilel- 
derberg strata, in ordinary wells dug to a 
depth of seventy and eighty feet, through drift 
'di'itosits, no rock ledges have yet been touched, 
and at Detroit, one hundred and thirty feet 
have to be sunk through before the lime rock 
is reached." 

Prof. Rominger's observations were made in 
1873-6, and some of the names he gives are no 
longer the possessors of the land, but the loc;il- 
ities are easily distinguishable. The dip of the 
Ilelderberg strata, noted in the last quoted 
jmragraph, becomes still more distinguishable 
further west. At the western edge of Lenawee 
county', in the village ot Hudson, recent bor- 
ing, in exploration for natural gas, reached a 
distance of eight hundred feet or over before 
coming in contact with rock formations. 

The recent attempts to find natural gas in 
Monroe county strikingly bear out many of 
Prof Rominger's conclusions. In the city of 
Monroe three several attempts have been made. 
The first well was sunk at no great distance 
from the marshy shores of the lake. The same 
general result, as to consecutive layers of various 
colored limestones, was observed as in sinking 
the artesian well near the court house. Whether 
or not the well was a successful one will never 
be known, as it was effectually ruined and 
plugged. A vein of clear pure water was 
struck which spouted nearly a dozen feet above 
the surface. The second well was nearly a 
mile further west, and the same arrangement 
of strata was found. This well produced a 
steady flow of gas, but under too light a pres- 
sure to be available, and this well was ruined 
in an attempt to " shoot it." A third well was 
b(n-ed in the western part of the cit}-, which 
also produced a steady flow of gas, but met 
with the same fate as No. 2, and showed the 



same arrangement in stratification. In each of 
the.se experimental borings the gas-bearing 
rock, the Trenton limestones, was found at 
nearly the same level; the three wells, how- 
ever, showing the fact that the dip of the Tren- 
ton was to the eastward ; it being found nearc r 
the surface the larther west the experiment 
was made. 

Another experimental boring was ])ut down 
on Macon Creek, in the old " Christiancy " quar- 
ries, referred to in Prof Rominger's notes. The 
result has been kept a secret At the village of 
Dunilee an experimental well was sunk, but 
without favorable results. The chiim is made, 
however, by those professing to be experts in 
determiningthchabitatof natural gas, that Mon- 
roe county contains several promising fields. 

Dr. T. D wight Ingersoll,an amateur .scientist 
of much research and study, who lived in Mon- 
roe county from 1851 to 1871, furnishes an in- 
teresting monograph iijion geological history 
at this end of Lake Erie, which is reproduced 
below : 

IIISTOIUCAL (iEol.otiV OK MoNIloE Cor.NTV ANII 
THE WESTERN PORTION UK I..\KE ERIE. 

The soil of Monroe county consists princi- 
pally of gravel, sand and clay, which was 
doubtless deposited during the glacial era, the 
surface having been more or less changed by 
the action of rain, the atmosphere, the in- 
dustry of the farmer and other natural causes. 

The underlying rock is of the limestone for- 
mation, sloping slightly downward toward the 
east. In some places it is porous, and appears 
to have been fractured by some geological dis- 
turbance. 

The limestone of Monroe county is fo.s.silif- 
erous, and dips gently under the waters of 
Lake Erie and forms its bed to a point a few 
miles east of Kelley's Island, where it is buried 
under shale of the Devonian age, sinking decj)er 
and deeper for a distance of a hundred miles 
perhaps, and then rises slowly from under 
the shale and becomes the bed of the lower 
portion of the lake, cropping out on both north 
and south shores. This wide bolt of limestone 
was at a former age of the world forced uj) 
here and there into waves, one at Buffalo, 
New York, one at Sandusky, Ohio, and one 
west of the head of the lake. This formation 
and the changes it has undergone affects the 
geological history of Monroe county, and also 



292 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the history of the upper portion of the lalce. 
One of the more j>o\verfLil agents in the produc- 
tion of changes referred to was the mechanical 
action of glacier ice. During the glacial era 
Monroe countj' was under a stupendous glacier, 
hundreds of feet in thickness, which came, it 
is said, from the northwest, and formed a junc- 
tion with another glacier coming from the 
northeast through the Lake Eric basin. When 
the two great rivers of ice joined their forces 
in planing down and leveling the countr}-, 
both changed their course and moved in a 
southerly direction across the State of Ohio. 
Between this county and the wave or high 
ridge of limestone at Sandusky, Ohio, there was 
a broad depressed plain (now covered by the 
lake), which was occupied by the moving 
glacier, and every living tiling, as well as a vast 
amount of rocks, was swept from the surface. 
The glacier did the same destructive work in 
this county and also on the great uplifted 
ridge which extended from Sandusky to Point 
Pellee, Canada, before Lake Erie came into ex- 
istence. When the ridge was thrown up it was 
greatly fractured by the u[)lifting forcesand the 
fissures wore exposed a long time to the erod- 
ing action of the atmosphere, rain, frost and 
other disintegrating agents, which made the 
crevices so wide that the ridge of shattered 
limestone was an easy prey to the great north- 
ern glaciers, for (according to astronomical 
calculations) ten thousand years. During that 
long period the ice was moving slowly over the 
ridge and among the divided parts, grinding 
away the softer portions, and leaving the harder 
ones to remain as islands when the lake basin 
would be filled with water, after the disapjiear- 
anco of the glacier. While the ice was destroy- 
ing the ridge it was dee])oning the vallej'-like 
plain between the ridge and the rocks in this 
county, and it was also plowing and scraping 
out a deeper valley, which extended from the 
Sandusky i-idge to a point a little east of Long 
Point, Canada, where it made a bend north- 
ward in Canada several miles, and then re- 
sumed a more easterly course along the present 
Lake Ontario basin. Through that valley a 
great river flowed to the Atlantic Ocean. The 
most peculiar feature of that grand old valley 
was the cnntrai'tod sides at the northwai-d 
hi'iid. So near did they approach each other 
that they presented the appeai'ance of a canon 
in comparison with the breadth of the fifty-mile 



valley between that and Sandusky. This high- 
walled water-way has a history with an import- 
ant bearing on the history of the eastern 
boundary line of this county. At the close of 
the ice ago that canon was completely filled 
with sand, clfiy, gravel and glacial bowlders. A 
dam was thus made so that the great river 
could not pass, and the broad valley was filled 
with water — transformed into a lake — setting 
back westward between the remaining ])or- 
tions of the ridge and acro.ss the low plain to 
the present eastern border of Monroe county, 
while at the same time it flowed eastward and 
bi'oke over the bank near Buffalo, Now York, 
giving birth to the Niagara River. 

Had not the canon been goi'gcd with glacial 
drift no lake would have been formed, because 
the rainfall of the region would iiave passed 
through the canon as it had previously done; 
for before the ice ago there had been no Lake 
Ei-ie. 

Had not the ridge been fractured by up- 
heaval, the glacier would have planed and 
smoothed it more equally, and it would have 
remained a ridge with the upper portion worn 
away instead of being divided and carved into 
islands. After the gl icier had preyed upon the 
limestone barrier for thousands of years noth- 
ing remained but the harder portion, which at 
the close of the ice age, and after the lake 
basin was filled with water, remained as veri- 
table islands, the water flowing between them 
and over the western plain as far as the eastern 
limits of MoQi'oe county, making an extensive 
addition to Lake Erie. 

The theory here presented is based on per- 
sonal observation and discoveries made in the 
lake region by geologists. That a continental 
glacier passed over this country is evident fi'om 
the glacial phenomena which still exist in 
many places. At Sandusky the limestone rises 
from the water at an angle of two or three de- 
grees, passes under the city and is covered 
with long parallel glacial grooves and scratches; 
and the islands between Sandusky and Point 
Pellee, Canada, arc covered with glacial marks. 
The Ohio State geologist. Prof. Newberry, 
says : 

"Here vfc find evidence that the ice not only 
passed over ever}' portion of the islands, but 
moulded itself to their sides in such a way as 
to scar and furrow them quite as distinctly as 
the level surfaces. In one instance a perpen- 



THE GEOLOGY OF MONROE COUNTY. 



293 



dicuhir wall, coiiiposed of layers of uneinial 
hardness, has been fluted or beaded like a cor- 
nice, and even cut under so as to present an 
overhanging shelf planed on iUs under side as 
well us its upper side. Such examples afford 
positive proof that the cutting away of the 
limestone was effected by glacial and not by 
iceberg action ; and it is impossible that any 
one should study the surfaces of these islands 
without becoming a convert to the glacial 
theory, for every phase of the excavations 
effected in these rocks over which glaciers have 
moved, is repeateil here in all its most striking 
details." 

At Stony Point, this county, the effect of 
glacier action is still visible, the rocks being 
ground in such a manner as to appear like 
wagon tracks. 

This kind of limestone contains a great 
variety of fossils — fossil corals, coiled shells 
and the shells of bivalves, fossil plants and 
fishes, besidessome valuable minerals. Strontia 
has been found at Stony Point, and cavities in 
the rocks are sometimes seen filled with 
crystals likegeodes. Prof Newberry has called 
attention to the minerals on the islands. 

'' On North Bass Island there were obtained." 
he says, " from a well sunk for water some 
unusually- fine masses crystallized ccx'lestine; 
and on JJattlesnake Island I procured a large 
i(uantity of fluor spar in brown crystals. 
(Jreen Island also deserves special notice, as it 
has furnished nearly all the tine specimens of 
crystallized crelestiiie which have been ol)tained 
in this county — much finer, indeed, than are 
known to exist an3where else in the world. 
The coelestine (crystallized strontia) occurs 
here in masses of many tons weight. 
The splendid crystals of ca'lestine obtained 
from (ireen and Strontian Islands are found 
studding the walls of cavities. They are some- 
times met with as large as one's hand, and 
almost perfectly transparent throughout." 



Under the head of geology, the seismic 
disturbances which have affected this portion 
of -Michigan may appropriately be noted. 
While marks of upheaval in Michigan arc 
extremely rai-e, though Dr. IngersoU is a 
believer in their existence, still no locality is 
entirely exemi)t from the action of a seismic 
wave, possibly having its origin at some remote 



point, and traveling along the crust of the earth. 
The portion of Michigan under consideration 
has been remarkably free from such dis- 
turbances, however. The account of an early 
one, from the pen of one of the State's most 
distinguished jurists, written in a lettei' to a 
friend, is appended, taken from the volumes of 
the Michigan Pioneer Society. 

" The Hon. James Witherell, member of 
Congress from the State of Vermont in 1S08, 
was while a member of Congress appointed by 
President Jefferson one of the judges of the 
Supreme Court ofthe Territory of Michigan,and 
soon after resigning his seat in Congress started 
on his long journey to the then unknown land 
of Michigan. lie is the grandfather, by the 
mothers side, of the lion. Thomas Palmer, 
present United States Senator from Michigan. 

" The Hon. James Witherell, in a letter to a 
friend in Vermont, dated Detroit, February 3, 
1812, records his observation of the effect of an 
earthquake at Detroit on the 23d of January, 
1812. A newspaper was not at that time pub- 
lished in Detroit, and the event was not there- 
fore chronicled. Judge Witherell said : ' The 
earthquake occurred in the morning at half 
past eight o'clock. As I sat reading by the fire 
at Colonel Watson's, I felt an unusual sensation. 
1 thought something must be the matter with 
me. I felt an agitation I could not account 
for, but I soon observed that the walls of the 
house were in motion north and south. I got 
up, stepped to a bedroom door and asked ni)- 
daughter if she perceived that the house trem- 
bled. She replied that she did, and thought 
that some one was shaking her bedstead. I 
then discovered that a small looking-glass, 
which was hanging on the wall, was swinging 
to and fro several inches, and the shade trees 
in the yard were waving considerablj- north 
and south. 

'•'Dr. Brown informed me that his store 
oscillated very much, and that a cradle was set 
rocking smartly though there was no one in it. 
A little girl that had crossed the lake the fall 
previous tottered about and called out, " Oh 
mother, we are in the vessel again !'" Cook's 
house shook more than most others, probably 
because it was higher and the frame new and 
stronger. The ice in the river was split for 
several miles. A Frenchman at Grosse Point, 
nine miles from Detroit, says that his bowl of 
mush and milk was spilt thereby.' 



294 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICFIIGAN. 



" Judge Witherell :ilso related a strange event 
that occurred at Orchard Lake, twenty-five 
miles from Detroit, on the 17th of December, 
1811. ' The Indians said the waters of the lal<e 
began to bubble, boil, foam and roll about as 
though they had been in a large kettle over a 
hot fire and in a few minutes up came great 
numbers ot turtles and hurried to the shore, 
upon which they had a great turtle feast.' " * 

At least upon two other occasions tremors of 
the earth's surface have occurred in this 
vicinity. One within the last five years, the 
exact date of which is not remembered, was of 
a very slight nature, a brief tremor lasting but 
a few seconds, traveling apparently from south- 
west to northeast, may pass with tiio brief 
mention that it was observed and noted by too 
many to doubt either its existence or its 
character. 

The other occurred Sunday morning, Febru- 
ary 20, 1876, and the following is the account of 
it given in the Monroe Commercial of the same 
week ; 

•' At about eight o'clock last Sunday morning 
a loud report was heard which startled our 
citizens gencrall}-, and iti some ])arts of town 
created considerable alarm. At St. Mary's 
church a good many people were at early mass, 
and they ran out of the church, some with the 
idea that the steeple had fallen down, and 
others thinking the steam boiler in the 
academy, across the street from the church, 
had blown up. Those who were at mass in St. 
Michael's church also fled from the building in 
great alarm. The shock seems to have been 
felt more in some parts of the town than in 
others. On the north side of the river the 
shock seems to have been felt the most, shaking 
and rattling the buildings considerably. On 
the south side, at most of the private houses, 
the sensation caused was as if a cannon had 
.been fired at some little distance away, or as if 
some heavy substance had fallen in the upper 
part of the house. At the jail, however, the 
shock was more heavy, and Sheriff Woodin 
says it caused so much alarm among the 
prisoners that they wanted to be taken out and 
given other quarters. There was no prolonged 
rumbling, .such as usually accompanies earth- 
quakes, but simply a report like that of a 
cannon, or some explosion. 

* Michigan Pioneer Collections, Vol. IV., page 111. 



"The water in the river was falling quite 
rapidlj' at the time of the explosion, aiid soon 
thereafter a quantity of large rocks was dis- 
covered in the river bed about twenty or 
thirty feet below the Waterloo dam, having 
the appearance of having been thrown up fi-om 
the river bed by some unknown agency. It 
is averred b}- all who are acquainted with the 
river bed in that locality, that it was solid rock, 
and quite smooth. It was at once conjectured 
that this was the effect of the shock, and that 
the rocks were thrown up in a sort of confused 
heap thereby. The water continued to fall 
gradually, and since that time the place has 
been visited hy many people The largest of 
the rocks, which seems to have been riven out 
of the solid bed, is say ten by fifteen feet, and 
about two feet thick; and there are a good 
many others, varying in size down to rocks 
which two or three men could lift. The 
surface of the river bed which has been 
disturbed is perhaps two or three rods square. 
A good many insist that these rocks have been 
quarried out by the heavy volume of water 
pouring over the dam, with occasional saw-logs 
and drift-wood, while others believe this to bo 
impossible, and are firm in the belief that the 
upheaval was caused by the earthquake shock." 

Following this account the pajjer oditoriall}' 
comments upon the occurrence, and endeavors 
to explain it upon tlie hypothcsisof the gather- 
ing of suljjhurous gases in the crevices of the 
limestone rock, their continued pressure and 
final explosion ; commenting also upon the 
fact of the numerous sulphur wells in the 
vicinity. This article apparently fell under 
the eye of Dr. Ingorsoll, who a couple of weeks 
afterward jjublished a communication in the 
same paper, attributing the fi-acture of the 
rocks to lateral pressure, cleavage and 
shrinkage. 

It maj- be seriously doubted if the upheaval 
in the river was anj thing less than an effect 
of the movement of the rock strata under the 
influence of a true seismic wave; and it can 
.scarcely be doubted that such a wave passed 
along the earth's crust on that occasion. No 
theory of lateral pressure finding its relief in 
so small an area could account for the other 
phenomena. Nor is the theory of a gas 
explosion tenable. When gas well No. 2 was 
shot, one hundred quarts of uitro-glycerine 



THE GEOLOGY OF MONROE COUNTY 



295 



wei'C exploJod in roek slnitu full of tis.suros, 
but with superincumbent bods of homo- 
geneous rock ; yet aitiiough the explosion of 
this amount of material would <'orm a volume 
of gas not only much larger, but also under a 
greater pressure than could gather in fissui'cs, 
as editorially suggested, yet no tremor was dis- 
tinguishable at a distance of thi-ee hundred 
feet from the scene of the explosion. The 
phenomena can be accounted for satisAictorily 
upon no other theory than that of seismic 
action. 

Though vcrj' level, Monroe cuiinty has 
numerous flowing wells and springs, some of 
whirh are of more than local fame for curative 
])i()|)crties. Dr. Ingersoll furnishes the follow- 
ing notes upon them : 

MINKR.VL SPRIXdS. 

"Thelimcsloneof Monroe county is somewhat 
porous, and more or less fractured bj' contrac- 
tion of the crust of the earth and b^- pressure. 
Earthquake shocks and upheavals, if they did 
not occur here, may perhaps have taken place 
in other localities sufficiently near in some 
former age to disturb the rocks in this region. 
This creviced condition of the limestone is 
favorable for the formation of mineral s]irings, 
the permeabilitj' favoring the reception of rain- 
water, which sinks to a lower level where the 
rock is more compact, and it must then find 
some crevice by which it can emerge spring- 
like on a hillside or from the under side of 
some rock. If this be true the facts seem to 
rob springs of all mystery that are vain I j^ 
supposed to come up from the heart of the earth 
without any eau.se. Eainwater, in passing 
through porous rocks, dissolves out some min- 
erals th;it are supposed to be beneficial to 
health, and some springs in this county have 
been visited bj' invalids hoping to improve 
their bodily condition. 

" It was said a few years ago that Doctor 
Charles O.sgood, of Cholagogue fame, used, at 
one time, the mineral water of a spring a few 
miles west of Monroe City to enrich his medi- 
cines and fill his Cholagogue bottles. The 
medicine was considered a good remedy for 
those who were afHictcd with the ague. As 
the spring flowed away to Raisin River, vege- 
tation which sprang up in its course became 
incrusted with carbonate of lime and other 



minerals, which were held in Sdlution by the 
water, and a small boggy swamp was formed 
between the spring and the river, com- 
posed chiefly of mineral matters and deca3'ed 
plants. By that means the little marsh-jdat 
was constantly growing broader and higher. 

" Shawnee Spring, situated a short distance 
south of Monroe City, is perhaps the most re- 
markable spring in the count}-. It was named 
after the Shawnee tribe of Indians, who re- 
sorted thither for the supposed health -giving 
water, and in time the while people com- 
menced the practice of drinking at the s])ring 
and bathing in the water. 

" The spring is not only Indian in name but 
Indian in mound-like form. It is several rods 
in diametei- and several feet in height. The 
water is discharged from a sj)ongy bowl-shaped 
depi'ession in the top of the mound, part ooz- 
ing out through the sides of the sponge-like 
bowl, and part flowing over the sparselj' ])lant- 
bordered brim and running away to Lake Brie. 
The minerals held in solution by tlie water 
were first deposited about the infant spring at 
the close of the ice age, particle by particle, 
and in time, as vegetation accumulated year 
after year, it became incrnsted with carbonate 
of lime and other minerals which were added 
to the mass. Mound building in this way has 
been in progress for thousands of years, the 
cavity on top rising with the mound and 
keeping its brim fairl}- above it; and in that 
way Shawnee Spring maintains its fountain of 
mineral water, while it is constantlj- i-earing 
its own monument and writing its own his- 
tory." 

Besides those mentioned by Dr Inger.soll 
there arc numerous springs scattered all over 
the county with the same characteristics. AH 
the artesian wells bored in the city produce 
water strongly impregnated with mineral salts, 
sulphur predominating, and each gas well also 
])roduced sulphur water. Several very large 
sulphur springs bubble up beneath the surface 
of the water in the baj- between Baj- Point and 
the main land in Erie township. All these 
springs are reported to have therapeutic vir- 
tues, but it is from a medical and not from a 
geological point of view this question should 
be discussed. 

Note.— With the exception of the quotations from 
Rominger's report, no attempt has been made in the 



296 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



foregoing chapter to deal with Monroe oovinty 
geology from a strictly technical standpoint; but the 
"story of the rocks" has been given with such ab- 
sence of scientific terminology as wouM serve to 
render it intelligible to the reader, who does not 
seek in a work of this nature a text-book of exact 
science, (ieology, like .some other .sciences, is far 
from i-jarl in itself ; it is, at the best, full of guesses 



and hypotheses, and while its principal epochs are 
capable of strict definition, yet time, place and cir- 
cumstances are often involved in doubt ; and scien- 
tific criticism is not invoked upon an attempt, which, 
while endeavoring to follow, in tlie main, tlie result 
of technical investigation, aims to be plain rather 
than precise, popular rather than pedantic. 

A. B, Bkagdo.n. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



BIOOKAIMIIES OF PRESENT AND FORMER CITIZENS OF MONROE. 



MAJOR HENRY SMITH. 
[By his son, Wlnlicld Smith. | 

HKN H Y SM ITH was born at Stillwater, New- 
York, in September, 1798, liis father 
being Dr. Warren Smith of that village. The 
war with Great Britain led him to seek a 
military life, and lie entered the United States 
,\caiieniy at West Point, whence he graduated 
ill 181(j. lie was assigned to the artillery, hut 
])refei'red and received an appointment in the 
infantry service. He was on duty at Fort 
Warren, Boston Harbor, and later at Port 
Columbus, Governor's Island. He was lieuten- 
ant in the Second Intimtry, and afterwards in 
the Sixth. For neai'ly six years, ending in .Inly, 
1826, ho was aid-decamp to General W'in- 
field Scott, and traveled with him over a large 
part of the United States, visiting Fort Snell- 
ing, between the present sites of St. Paul and 
Minneapolis, then the extreme northwestern 
militar}- post ; al.so the southern and eastern 
garrisons. Progress was slow in those jour- 
neys, there being no i-ailroads, and the steam- 
boats on the lakes and rivers affording the 
fastest as well as the easiest mode of travel 
from point to point. 

In July, 1826, be married at Watertown, 
New York. Miss Hlvira Lorraine Foster, 
eldest daughter of Judge Jabcz H. Foster, a 
prominent citizen of that village, and they soon 
after started on the long journey, via Sackett's 
Harbor, Lewiston, Buffalo and Detroit for 
Fort Howard, Green Bay, consuming three 
weeks in the last part of the journey, which 
was made by schooner, without the aid of 
Steam. The barracks were in process of con- 
struction when they arrived, and they would 
have (arod hardly but for the hospitable shel- 
ter offered them by the surgeon in bis little 
quarters, where the}' remained for several 
weeks. I.(ieutenant Smith was quartermaster 
of that post, and was promoted while there to 
be captain, llis son Wintield was born in the 



[20 



barracks in August, 1827, and in 1828 Captain 
Smith was ordered to the East. Ho wont to 
Watertown again, and in Februaiy, 1.S20, his 
daughter, Harriette Foster, was born there. 

In 1831 ho was stationed at Jefferson Bar- 
racks, Mi-ssouri, and ho took an active part in 
the camiiaign against the Sacs and Foxes, who 
were led by the famous Black Hawk. Captain 
Smitli marchcil "ith his ix-gimont from the 
landing on the Mississippi at Uock Island, 
across northern Illinois and soiilhorn Wiscon- 
sin to Fort Atkinson, and thence west, pursu- 
ing the Indians, until, overtaking them, the 
battle of the Bad Axe was fought, in which he 
participated. The Indians were defeated, scat- 
tereil, and their power completely destroyed. 
151ack Ilawlv, the Prophet, and other leaders 
were ca])tiircd then or soon afterward, and were 
confined at Jefferson Barracks. One of the 
writer's earliest recollections is the sight of the 
prisoners taken for exercise without the garri- 
.son, and on another occasion his feeding some 
of them through the window of the lower room 
in w-liich tliev were confined. 

Cajjtain Smith's second daughter, lOlvira 
Pamelia, was born in Jett'erson Barracks in 
1831. Returning with his family in the fall of 
1832 to Watertown, ho was ordered the next 
spring to proceed to Monroe, Michigan, to take 
charge of the Government works then con- 
structing in the harbor of La Plaisance Ba^'. 
He continued to reside there until his death in 
1847. He soon recommended to the Govern- 
ment the construction of a new harbor, to be 
opened from the River Raisin a mile or more 
northerly from its mouth bj' means of a canal 
one hundred feet wide and three-fourths of a 
mile long, connectin'; the river with Lake Krie, 
and avoiding the long, crooked and shallow 
channel of the river between the west end of 
the canal and La Plaisance Ba}- to the south- 
east. This work was a]iproved, and was con- 
structed under his charge, appropriations 



298 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



beiii_t( made lor that purpose from time to 
time by Congress. During tiie years he was so 
employed, he was also for a time in charge of 
all the Government harbors on Lake Erie. He 
was a Democratic member of the legislature in 
1838, and again in 1841. 

When the Mexican War broke out in 184fi, 
he offered his services to the Government (he 
having resigned from the army in 1835), and 
was appointed a quartermaster in the regular 
army with the rank of major, in the early 
.'spring of 1847. After attending to moving the 
troops going to the seat of war from Michigan, 
he started on the 10th of May, 1847, for the 
South, leaving his home for the last time. 
There had been born to him in Monroe a son, 
William Henry, and three daughters, Evaline, 
Katherine and Josephine. He traveled by 
steamer to Toledo, thence hy canal to Cincin- 
nati, accompanying two companies of Wiscon- 
sin troops, taking his two sons. After a few 
days in Cincinnati, he received orders to goby 
New Orleans to Vera Cruz, where General 
Scott's army had landed some months pre- 
viously. On the way to Cincinnati he had re- 
ceived the news of the battle of Cerro Gordo, 
in which his brother. Captain Joseph K.Smith, 
had taken part. In pursuance of thi.s order he 
prepared for departure, finishing his necessary 
duties. He parted witli his sons on the canal 
wharf at Cincinnati, and never saw them again. 
Happily his vvife had learned of the order in 
Monroe on its way to him, and she hastened to 
join him in Cincinnati, and bade him there a 
last farewell. The known mortality of the 
yellow fever in Vera Cruz was such that he 
deemed the probability to be great that he 
would not survive the season's exposure, going 
from the north in the height of summer. He 
arrived there in the latter part of June, was 
seized with the di-sease in two weeks, and died 
on the 24th of July. He was overworked from 
the hour of his arrival. His j»redeeessor died 
of the same disease, and after his death three 
officers were assigned to perform the duties he 
had alone discharged. Two supply trains, 
under the command of General Pierce and 
Major Lally, were sent u]) by him to the army 
in the interior. 

His younger brother, Captain, afterwards 
Colonel, Joseph R. Smith, entered the ;irmy 
from West Point two or three years after he 
joined, and was severely wounded at the battle 



of Churubusco. He is well remembered at 
Monroe, where he afterwards resided until his 
death. 

Major Smith, when a j'oung lieutenant, sta- 
tioned at Plattsburg, New York, was chal- 
lenged to a duel by a gentleman from Montreal. 
Mr. Smith was one of the hosts in a ball given 
by the officers at Plattsburg. and was com- 
pelled to expel one of the guests for improper 
conduct. He challenged Lieutenant Smith, 
who refused to accept on the ground that^the 
challenger was not a gentleman. He accepted, 
however, the challenge of a Canadian friend. 
After some weeks thej' met. Lieutenant Smith 
was known to be an excellent shot. The Cana- 
dian gentleman knew that his only chance was 
to take the first shot. Major Smith told me he 
withheld his fire, and finding after the adver- 
sary's shot (which went through his fur cap) 
that he was not wounded, he fired into the air. 
The Canadian rushed uj) to him. thanked him 
for his generosity, which he declared had given 
him his life, and was afterwai'ds a warm friend 
of Lieutenant Smith. 

I am sorry that an autobiograpliical sketch 
of Major Smith's life, written just before ho 
left for Mexico, has been lost in the movement 
of the household furniture after his death. No 
search has availed to bring it to light. The 
account of the duel I had from his own lips 
about the same time. . 



WINFIKLD .S.MITH. 



The part taken b}' Winfield Smith in the 
public history of Wisconsin, as one other chief 
officers in a critical period of our country's 
history, his eminence a.s a member of the bar 
of Milwaukee through many years of severe 
and successful practice, and his labors in many 
ways for the good of his adopted city and 
State, entitle him to more than a passing ref- 
erence in any record of the development and 
advance of that city or State. He is one of the 
most marked illustrations of the fact that a 
high grade of character is essential to the 
truest professional success, to be found any- 
where in the bar of the Northwest; and those 
who have been pitted against him in the arena 
of law or of politics, as well as those who have 
stood by his side and had the aid of his abii-a 
ities, are united in their tributes to him as a f 





-***<-—' %,yj^ 




BIOGRAPHIES OK PkliSENT ANM) FOUMER CITIZENS. 



•299 



lawyer, an otiiiial, and as a man, and liavo 
willingly given the facts of wliicli this record 
has been made up. 

The family from which Mr. Smith i.s de- 
scended iia.s given him. through the gift of 
nature, many of the ((uaiitie.s of which hi.s 
success ha.s been the fruit. His father. Captain 
Henry Smith, of the United States army 
(Sixth Inf'antr}-), and a graduateof West Point, 
was of Scotch-Irish descent, alt'.iougli boi'n 
in Stillwater, New York; while hi.s mother, 
I'llvira Foster — also a member of one of the 
best families of New England, afterwards I'csi- 
deut in Watertovvu, New York, where she 
was born — was a lady of unusual education 
and culture. The father .saw severe military 
service in the Black Hawk War, but resigned 
his position in the army in 1885 or 183(j, and 
for several yeai-s was in charge of im|)oi-tant 
harbor imjirovements under the direction of 
the Government, on the lower lakes. He re- 
sided in Monroe, Michigan, from 1833 until his 
ileath. lie also served in 1838 and in 1841 
as a member of the Michigan legislature. 
When war with Mexico was declared he im- 
mediately offered hi.s services to his country, 
and was appointed quartermaster on the gen- 
eral staff, with the rank of major. Ho was on 
duty at Cincinnati in May of that year, 1847, 
when he received orders to proceed immedi- 
ately to Vera Cruz, and went directly to the 
seat of war. Knowing the dangers of the cli- 
mate he hardly e.xpected to return, and made 
his arrangements and addressed his farewells 
with that end in view. He reached his desti- 
nation in the latter part of June, and assumed 
the discharge of his duties on July 1. In about 
two weeks he was stricken with yellow fevei', 
which was then r.iging with terrible violence, 
and died on the twonty-.sccond of July.* He 
was a man of great natural ability, and his 
character was such as to commend him to all 
with whom became in professional or personal 
contact. 

The son of Captain Henry Smith, Wintield 
Smith, was born at Fort Howard, in the Terri- 
tory of Michigan, afterwards VViscon.sin, where 
his father was then stationed, on Augu.st Iti, 
1^27. The name was in tribute to General 



The proportion of those who dieJ of this dis- 
eii.se. in the American array, wa-s greater than the 
proportion of those who were killed in all the battles 
of that war. 



Winfiehl Scott, of whose military fainilj- Cap- 
tain Smith had been a member for five years. 
His education was a matter of unusual per- 
sonal care on the part of his parents, and so 
fully did they amend and supplement such 
opportunities as he had. that in 1844, then in 
his seventeenth year, he entered an advanced 
class in the Michigan State University, and 
graduated with high rank iw^o years later. 
He deveU)])ed r-emarkable aptitude in the 
sciences and mathematics, standing at the 
head of his class in the study last named. He 
had been behind his class in Greek upon enter- 
ing, but soon caught up and held his own with 
the rest. As he had become proficient in 
French while at school in Watcrtown, New 
Y'ork, in 1840, an<l as he learned the German 
after removal to Milwaukee, he may be re- 
garded as a linguist, and adds to his other lines 
of culture those ])ossible onl}- to one who has 
access to the learning and lileraturc of other 
lands. 

Upon his departure from the Univei'sity in 
1846, the young man took charge of a ])i'ivate 
school in Monroe, Michigan, where his father 
was professionally located, and which had been 
his home since 183.'i. In the year loUowing 
he retired from the school, and assumed the 
duties of private tutor to a small class in ad- 
vanccil classics, which gave him time to com- 
mence the study of the law. In 1848 he en- 
tered the oftice of Isaac F. Christiancy, after- 
wards a justice of the Su])reme Court of Michi- 
gan and Senator of the United States. He ap- 
plied himself to his legal studies with that 
industry and thoroughness that have been a 
part of overj- undertaking of ids life, and when 
he was admitted to the bar it was with an 
equipment of knowledge and reading that few 
young law^-ers pos.scss. In October. 1849, he 
was led to the decision that the young and 
growing town of Milwaukee was a promising 
])lace in which to commence the real labor of 
life, and accordingly decided to make it his 
home. He entered the office of Hmnions & 
Van Dyke, a firm of high standing, where he 
still pursued his studies, and soon entered upon 
practice. In February, 1850, he was admitted 
to the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, over which 
Judge Whiton then presided. In 1851 hcopened 
an office of his own, and remained by himself 
until 1855, when he formed a partnership with 
Edward Salomon, allerwards the governor of 



300 



IIlSTdRY OK MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Wisc'Ousiii. This uoinuntion contiiuiod for 
fifleoii \ ("lU'.s, ami was only sovored because of 
Mr. Salomon's do]>arture to New York. From 
1S(>!) to IS";') ho was assoeiateJ with Josliua 
Stark, under the tirm name of Smitli iV Stark. 
a\m\ in later years also associated with Matthew 
II. Carjionter and A. A. L. Smith, under the 
rirni name of Oarjientei- & Smiths. Upon Mr. 
Carpenter's death the lirm name was changed 
to Winlield & A. A. L. Smith. This associa- 
tion terminated in 1883. since which date Mr. 
Smith has been by himself until February, 
1888. when on the eve of departing for Kurope 
he formed another partnership, which, under 
the name of Smith \- Rosendalo, eari-ies on the 
practice of law at tho present time in Mil 
waukee. 

Soon alter his admission to the bar, and 
while on a visit to his old home in Michigan. 
Mr. Smith was appointed to the office of United 
States Commissioner and Master in Chancery, 
by .ludge .V. G. Miller, of tho United States 
Court. This honor was bestowed upon him 
without his knowledge or solicitation, but he 
accepted it and performed nearly all the busi- 
ness of that character in Milwaukee until his 
resignation in 18G4. Some of the questions 
brought to his judicial decision wore of groat 
importance, as the period covered the o.Kciiing 
slavery agitation of 1850 to 18ii0, and the 
greater portion of the civil wai-. Among them 
wore tho fugitive slave riots, and the l^ioth 
prosecutions; and although there was great 
popular chunor, and n\;>ny personal influences 
to whidi a weaker will or a more fle.xiblo con- 
science would have bent, he performed his 
duties as thoy seemed clear to him. in accord- 
ance with the law and under the obligations of 
his oilicial oath. 

In 18t>2, when James H. Howe resignetl the 
ollice of attorney -general of Wisconsin to enter 
the Union army. Governor Salomon, who was 
compelled to confront many crises and take 
many daring risks because of the exigencies of 
wartime, asked his old partner to accept the 
vacancy, knowing that in Mr. ."^mith he would 
possess an adviser whose knowledge of the law 
and whose patriotisni was unquestioned, and 
whose personal friendship was of the most loyal 
cliaracter. The offer was accepted, and when 
the term expired in 18(53, the people of Wiscon- 
sin ratitied tho choice of the governor by elect- 
ing Mr. Smith to the full term, which termi- 



nated on .lanuary 1. lSii(i. He entered upon 
the discharge of his duties with the .same intel- 
ligent devotion he had bestowed \ipon the busi- 
ness of his clients, and served the State as loy- 
ally as ho would have served his own personal 
interests.* Ho never left his work to others, 
but appeared personally before the Supreme 
Court in all the cases in which the State was 
interested, with tho exception of a few of a 
criminal character, which the district attorneys 
had prepared and desired to present in person. 
In this labor .Mr. Smith was a pleader success- 
ful, with hardly an exception. 

It was while holding the office of altoi-uey- 
general that Mr. Smith was able to perform a 
largo sei'vico to the State and to win a great 
measure of i)ublic applause, by his course in 
connection with the Milwaukee and Rock River 
canal claims, and tho unadjusted accounts be- 
tween Wisconsin and tho United States. The 
full history of that service can not be recounted 
within tho limits of this sketch, but onlj- 
enough to show tho magnitude of tho interests 
involved, ami tho difficulties that hxy in the wa3- 
of anj- settlement of advantage to the State. 

Congress had granted to the Territory of 
Wisconsin, to aid in tho building of a canal be- 
tween Lake Micliigan and Rock River, a large 
amount of public land ; and it was the expec- 
tation of the Canal Companj- to obtain these 
lands when it should biiild the canal connecting 
the points designated. The work was com- 
menced, and all of the line that was ever built 
was one mile within what is now the city of Mil- 
waukee. From this it obtained an immediate 
benefit in the shape of valuable water-power, 
us it included a dam across tho Milwaukee 
river. Claims for '■ relief '' from the Territory" 
had been suggested or advanced from time to 
time, and finally crystallized into a demand that 
all money expended hy the Canal Company 
ought to be relunded by tho Territory, as the 
latter hal never given the company tho lauds 
obtained froni the General Government for 
canal purposes. The company also set up the 
claim that it had boon prevented tVom going ou 
with its work because the Territory had re- 
fused to deliver those lands — that great dam- 
age bad befallen its interests because of this 
refusal — and that instead of fostering its in- 

* To quote General Fairchild's terse opinion of Mr. 
Smith's labors : "He was the best attorney-general 
Wisconsin ever had." 



inoCUAl'IllKS ()!• I'KKSKN r AND I'OKMr.K CITI/.KNS. 



;ioi 



tcroslH iiR ox))or(eil, tlio Teri'ltDrv IdkI (MhsoIvciI 
all coiiiicctioii will) llu- (•(iin]miiy iin<l solil (lie 
lands to DtliorN. Not on!}' wuh Hmm fiaim ii<l- 
vaiK'Oil at homo, hut jircHCiilod to (!(iii<jri'H8 ; 
Mini while ihiil body did not do anytiiinf^ for 
lhi> fdinpanyH relief, it still f;ave onoiitjii atten- 
tion to the demand to withhold from Wisconsin 
the swamp land whieli, nndoi- other laws, was 
its due. The representative of the eom])an3' 
elaimiMl to have sullieleul intliienee with (Jon- 
i^ress til prevent tiio State from securing not 
oidy lliese other lands hut also eash ])roc((edM, 
Id a hn-'^e aniount, ol' the safes of other lands. 
1 n .short, while the idiiipuny made smull ad- 
vance in the way of securing any benelits (or 
itself, it was still able to embiirrass Wisconsin 
by eausini,' thetienoral tJ overn men t to defer its 
settlement with the State — wliich had suc- 
ceedeil to the I'iglitsof the Tei-ritory — until the 
cimiil question was adjusted. All i)a3'montsby 
tliedeneral < Jovcrnment to the State on account 
(if sales 111' land were stopped. Mr. (). II. 
Waldo, one of the strong men of the Milwau- 
kee bar, was attorney for the comjiany, and by 
plausible arguments caused members of Con- 
gress and others to believe that Wisconsin had 
really abused and iiijuicd the Milwaukee and 
Rdck River Canal ('oinpany. 

To go back a moment; These lands, on the 
line of the proposed canal between Milwaukee 
and KocU River, had comeinto groat demand for 
actual settlors. The Territorj' retained jjosses- 
sion of them for 8(jme time, but was finally 
compelled to sell, i-ather than retard settlo- 
inent by kee])ing ihem longer out of the mar- 
ket. A pi'oposal was made to refund the 
mono}' received in these sales to the General 
(iovernment, but the latter declined to accept 
it. The Territory would not give it to the 
Canal Compun}'. lor the lu^ason that it had 
alrcidy advanced the company more than 
enough money to ])ay lor the proportionally 
share of the work done. 

I do not know the aggregate of the claims 
made by the Canal (jompaiiy upon the State, 
hut it is said to have been up in the hundi-ods 
iif thousands of dollars. Tho small amount of 
knowledge held by the after generation as to 
the facts of tho case, the diHicult^' of obtaining 
information, as all the books and documents 
were in th(^ hands of the (dainmnis, and the 
ingenuity and i)ersislen(;c of Mr. Waldo and 
his coudjutors, all conibincd to aid tiie com- 



pany's cause ; and had the matter received only 
a superficial eNaminalion, or been left in hanils 
of onl>- ordinary competence, u settlement fai- 
less favorable' to tho State than wiis secured, 
would have been tho result. Tho time came in 
I8()2 when a formal movement was made to 
secure such settlement, and tiio legislalnre took 
steps leading in that direction.* A (u)mmiltee 
was appointed, and in IH(!I{ (loviM'uor Salomon 
exj)laincd its action in a brief communication 
to the legislature, in which he said: 

I'lxKCiri VK Oi'i'iri;, Maihson, j 
F(d)ruary li, 18(i:i. J 
To the t^enate and AxacmliUj: 

I lay belbro you the rejioit of a Hoard of 
Commissioners apjiointed in IHiiU to ascertain 
and setlh' the liabilities, if any, of the Stale of 
Wisconsin to the Milwaukee and Rock River 
{^anal Company. The opinion of the attorney, 
general, which forms a pail of this report, I 
commend to your especial and careful consid- 
oration. 

The (lOvei'uor added that it was IIh^ province 
oftho legislature to deter mi no what furtlu^- stejis 
should be taken. The commissioners, in their 
rejjort, said that they hail placed the matter in 
the hands of Att,ornoy-(reneral Winlield Smith 
to make an examination of the facts and togiv(' 
his o]iinion of the law. Mis rej)ly convinced 
them that tho ('anal ('ompany had no claim 
against the State. 

Mr. Smith's report, which was exhaustive, 
l)ore date of Decoinber :il. 18(12. It recited 
the facts connected with the history of tho case, 
disposed of the various claims, one after an- 
other, and summed up his conclusions in the 
following language: 

" Upoti the whole I conclude that the .Mil- 
waukee and liock River Canal ("ompany ac- 
(luii-ed no rights through tho act of ('ongi-css 
granting lands to the Territory for the pur- 
pose of aiding in opening the canal. That it 
acquired no rights through any subse<|Ucnt act, 
of the Territory (except, perhaps, for a time 
under a contract afterwards comjjletcdy p(!i-- 
formed). That the Canal Company sustainoil 
no damage l)y tho legislative act of which it 
now complains." 

* It should be remarked in pusHing thiit a lnri;e 
share of credit shoidd he awarded Hon. .1. Allen 
Barb(?r fur having caused the postpoiienicnl of the 
claim long enough to have it thuruughly understoixl. 



302 



IIISTOKY OF MON'ROE COUNTY, MICHIGAK. 



After the presentation of this opinion from 
the attorney-general of the Stale, the Canal 
Company was unable to get any legislation 
•whatever from the State in its favor, yet still 
possessed enough influence in Congress to ob- 
tain action, which, it should be remarked, 
the State did not oppose. On July 1, 18G4, 
Congress pa.ssed a joint resolution which or- 
dered that Wisconsin should be charged for the 
land given under the canal grant (125,431 
acres); and that, on the other hand, the State 
should be credited with the amount expended 
in selling the lands, and whatever had been 
paid to the construction of the canal. It was 
further ordered that the State '-also shall credit 
to the Canal Company such money as used in 
construction to that date, and in nianagingaud 
keeping the same in repair' — this sum not to 
exceed the amount charged against the State of 
Wisconsin on the sales of said canal lands; the 
same to be received by the Canal Company in 
full satisfaction of all claims against Wisconsin 
or the United States. 

The commissioner of the land office was ap- 
pointed to audit the claims, and determine 
what should go to the company and what to 
the State. Attorney-General Smith had been 
carefully investigating all the sources of infor- 
mation at his command, and proceeded to 
Washington fully prepared to produce the 
truth and defend the interests of the State. 
He spent the greater portion of the winter of 
1865 in the National capital, Mr. Waldo being 
present in behalf of the Canal Company. The 
result of that extended hearing can best be 
given in the final report as made by Mr. Smith 
to the Governor of Wisconsin on March 24, 
1865. The Governor, James T. Lewis, on for- 
warding it to the legislature made use of the 
following appreciative words: 

" I enclose herewith a report from the attor- 
ney-general to' me, of his action in the prem- 
ises, and take occa.sion to saj' that he is entitled 
to great credit for the energy and ability he 
has di.splaj-ed in aiding to bring about this ad- 
justment.'' 

The report gave a detailed statement of the 
labor required to get at all the facts in the case. 
In conclusion the attorney-general .said : 

"I take pleasure in announcing that with 
these exceptions [certain minor sums which are 
enumerated] everj- item claimed by the State 



was finall}- allowed by the commissioner and 
the claim was settled at §56,527.44. 

" The account then passed to the Secretary 
of the Interior. In his oflSce it was carefully 
reviewed, and I furnished explanations upon 
the points 'which were misunderstood or 
doubted, including some which had not been 
previously objected to. I had reason to feel 
that these explanations were satisfactory and 
that the amount allowed b}' the commissioner 
would not be reduced. I was at this point 
summoned to Madison to attend a certain 
pressing ofiice business, and therefore I was 
unable to remain until tiie account should be 
formally passed. I learn that the adjust- 
ment has since been completed, without mak- 
ing any changes. 

"The summing up of the canal fund account 
now stands thus: 

Amount charged by the United States for 
canal lands, at $1.2-5 per acre . _ $loG,7S9 77 

Amount received on loan, which, with the 
interest paid, is now allowed to the State 
by the United .States 1,000 00 

Total $157,789 77 

Deducting expenditures of the State allow- 
ed on above _. $56,527 44 

.\mount due from the State ._$101,262 33 

'• This adjustment opens to the State the en- 
jo^ment of the five per cent, fund, so called, 
which has been retained bj- the United States 
until the moneys received by the Territorj- on 
sale of the canal lands should be accounted for. 
The amount of that fund was on the 31st day 
of December, 1862. .?250,139.11. Deduct from 
this §101,262.33, the balance fund due from the 
State as above, and the remainder, now owing 
to this State, is fixed at §148,876.78." 

Every dollar of this sum, and the far larger 
sums since flowing into that fund, have been 
paid over to tiie State without further delay or 
objection. The amount that went to the Canal 
Company was just what it had expended, and 
no more; what the State was willing it should 
get, and what the attorney-general believed 
was its proper and legal due. 

During the terms he held this office he took 
an active part in the general management of 
theaff'airs of the Stale, and in connection with 
legislative committees devised and prepared 
several important measures which met satis- 
factorily the necessity of the State and of its 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PKESEVT AND FORMER CITIZEN: 



303 



loyal majority in those days of the civil war. 
Among these were ciiapter 45, relating to 
habeas corpus : chapter 233. relating to the 
commissioners of public lands: chapter 261, 
relating to mortgages due to the State; chap- 
ter 455, relating to State lands, and chapter 
481, improving the jury system in Milwaukee 
county — all in 1S64. The exigencies of tlie 
war im]>osed many unus:ial duties upon him. 
which were faithfully and zealously discharged. 
In 1872 Mr. Smith was elected the represen- 
tative of the seventh Milwaukee ward in the 
State legislature. He was not a candidate for 
the place and did not wish it. but the people of 
that ward — one of the most intelligent in the 
city — insisted uf»on it, and he could not well 
refuse. He gave three months of the hardest 
work of his life to his duties in that capacity, 
and from the first was one of the recognized 
leaders of the House. He was chairman of 
the judiciary committee at a time when im- 
portant amendments to the constitution had 
just been adopted, and it threw severe and 
c-ontinued labors upon that committee, whose 
duty it was to see that all legislation was in 
accordance therewith. The greater part of the 
work performed by Mr. Smith in this capacity 
was therefore of a negative character ; and so 
busy did it keep him that he had time and oc- 
casion to draw up but one bill, which was one 
of the shortest ever placed uj>on the statute 
books; 

Section 1. The dav of the general election shall 
be a legal holiday.* 

Mr. Smith procured the passage of several 
acts, among which was one that must be re- 
garded as of great practical importance. It 
was the law authorizing the school lauds com- 
missioners to loan from the school and other 
trust funds of the State, to the city of Milwau- 
kee, money for the construction of the water- 
works of the city, then about to be undertaken. 
This plan of making several questions answer 

* Some clerk of the assembly who could not make 
up bis mind to sanction an act so contrary to bis idea 
of proper legislation, added, under a general rule 
which g:»ve him authority, another soetion which, 
although he did not know it, w.is an ahsiir.lity: 
■ This act shall take effect from and after its (>as- 
- ." It obviously could not take effect until tlie 
y of election, which would be in November, by 
which time it must take effect under the constitu- 
tional provision. 



each other, and all for the public good, was 
originated by Mr. .Smith, and had the advan- 
tageof providing for the use of State funds then 
lying idle by a loan made perfectly secure ; 
and also of furnishing mone\- to the city at a 
time when its credit was not as good as at 
present — of increasing the school fiind and 
promoting the water- works. This plan was 
opposed at first as a novelty, but before the 
end of the session its advantages were so 
clearly seen that its supporters were largely in 
the majority. Mr. Smith also strongly sup- 
ported the law making an annual appropria- 
tion of ten thousand dollars for the .State 
University, in addition to the funds it alreadv 
possessed. 

Mr. Smith might have spent a large portion 
of his time in public station bad he followed the 
wishes of those about him, instead of consult- 
ing his personal choice and his love for the 
work of bis profession. In 1859 he was nomi- 
nated for State senator by the Republican con- 
vention of the sixth district, but was con- 
strained to decline the honor because, as he 
said to those who had thus honored him by 
their choice, " There are confided to me in pro- 
fessional and various capacities, rights and in- 
terests of other persons, which demand my 
whole time and attention. I am not at liberty 
to neglect or lay down those trusts at this time, 
and I can not fulfill them c<>nsistently with that 
devotion to public interests which should be 
exacted from a senator representing one-half 
of Milwaukee county." In 1S76 he was ten- 
dered the appointment of United States District 
Attorney to succeed Judge Levi Hnbbell. re- 
signed, but declined to ac-c-ept. When Judge 
Miller and afterwards Judge Howe retired 
from the bench of the United States Court for 
the eastern district of Wisc-onsin, Mr. Smith 
was upon both occasions nr:;ed to accept the 
place, as he was also urged to become a candi- 
date for the Supreme bench of the State upon 
Judge Kyan's death. In ISSl it was the almost 
unanimous wish of the bar and public that he 
should accept a Republican nomination or be- 
come an independent candidate for circuit 
judge, to succeed Judge Small, whose term was 
to expire that year. In all these cases he not 
only refused to take any step toward the ful- 
fillment of the general desire, but on the c-on- 
trary prevented his friends from using his name 
in connection with the |>ositions. 



304 



HISTORY OF MONUOE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Mr. Smith has been connected with the social 
and business life of Milwaukee in many ways 
other than political or legal, only a portion of 
which can be mentioned in this brief summary 
of his life's labors. He has been vice-president 
of the Wisconsin Humane Society, and an 
active worker for that noble organization ; was 
the first president of the Milwaukee Chess 
Club ; in 1851 he was secretary of the Young 
Men's Association, a .society founded for the 
advancement of education and culture, and that 
laid the foundation of the great public library 
now under city control. Ho is |)residonl of 
and a largo stockholder in the (Jroam City 
Street Railroad Company, and through that 
corporation and others has made his energy, 
ability and means contribute to the growth 
and development of Milwaukee's material in- 
terests. 

That Mr. Smith has, almost from the day of 
his first appearance at the bar of Milwaukee, 
hold a commanding position and been engaged 
in an extended practice, goes almost without 
the saying, in view of the outlines of public 
usefulness and public confidence given above. 
His clients have been among the leading men 
and firms or corporations of Wisconsin, and he 
has been connected with some of the most ira- 
])ortant and intricate cases recorded in the 
legal history of the State. While it would be 
impossible to mention all these within the brief 
compass of this sketch, two can be referred to 
as containing matters of uti usual public interest. 
One of these concerned the celebrated draft 
riot, and the enforcement of the draft in Ozau- 
kee county during the war, involving the con- 
stitutionality of acts of Congress authorizing 
the conscription of citizens and their enroll- 
ment in the military service of the country; 
also the law jjower of the governor of the 
State, in enforcing those acts. It was a time of 
great cxiitement, and a crisis in public affiiirs, 
party spirit running high, and every word and 
movement attracting an excited public atten- 
tion. Upon the final appeal to the Supreme 
Court all the acts of Governor Salomon in en- 
forcing the draft, including the arrest of citi- 
zens and their imprisonment in the military 
camp at Madison, were declared to be constitu- 
tional and in pursuance of law, and the power 
of the Government to act for its own preserva- 
tion fully sustained. Mr. Smith, as attorney- 
general, exhibited a complete mastery of all the 



features of the case, "and his success in the 
final decision of the Supremo Court was due to 
close study, careful arrangement, and the full 
preparation he had made for the trial, and to 
the principles of law and justice on which he 
based his pleadings and argument."* 

Still another case of importance with which 
he was connected at its various stages grew^ out 
of the controversy between the stockholders of 
the old Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien Rail- 
road Company and the old Milwaukee and St. 
Paul Railroad Company, in which the latter 
great corporation was enjoined from absorbing 
and destroying the former company until the 
rights and interests of its stockholders were 
protected in a satisfactory and equitable com- 
promise. " The national importance of the 
draft case." as one has said, " and the vast 
j>ecuniary interests involved in the latter, 
greatly enhanced Mr. Smith's reputation at the 
bar, and led to an increased practice and to re- 
tainers in some of the most important litiga- 
tions of the period.'' 

Politically Mr. Smith was of Democratic an- 
tecedents, but when he came to the full con- 
sideration of the great questions confronting 
the people of America in his early manhood, 
and saw the wrong and the dangers of slavery, 
he made his choice according to the dictates of 
patriotism and conscience. He gave a reason 
fortius change of faith, and sot it forth ably and 
fairly in a letter to his old legal instructor, Mr. 
Christiancy, in a letter bearing date of Septem- 
ber 20, 185G. In that communication he said : 

" I am among those Democrats who, having 
been always faithful to the party, were glad in 
18.52 to vote for its candidate, on the principles 
then avowed and the pledges then made that 
the slave question was settled. How that 
principle has been abandoned, and that jjledge 
violated, we all know. When the party [Demo- 
cratic] lent itself to that act of treachery [the 
repeal of tiie Missouri Compromise] by which 
territory for thirty years consecrated to free- 
dom was thrown open to slaverj-, the moral 
sense of the North was shocked. It was but 
partially lulled by the delusive cry of popular 
sovereignty, when it was again aroused by the 
practical illustration in Kansas of the principle 
as administered by its great exponent. Even 
then I hoped, with many others, that the out- 
rages per]ieti'atcd or .sanctioned bj- the Presi- 

* History of the Bench and Bar of Wisconsin. 



HIOGKAI'lIIES OF rUKSENT AND KOKMKK CITIZKNS. 



805 



dent and his advisors might be cliarfroablo only 
to them, and tiiat the party would repudiate 
them and their deeds, and free itself of the bur- 
densome ineubus. Those hopes were disap- 
])oiiitcd. The Cincinnati platform openly or 
tacitly approved of those acts, so hateful in the 
eyes of Northern men, and distinctly commit- 
ted the party to a continuance in the same 
course. 

•'Fremont was nominated on a platfoi-in mod- 
erate, conservative, and containing only those 
requii-ements in regard to slavery which tlu^ 
North might rightfully demand. For the 
liropriet}', the right, the moral necessity of I'e- 
stricling slavery to its present limits, once un- 
disputed on this continent, are clear to my mind 
whether I consider the sj-stem abstractly or 
loolc at its practical effects. I then could not 
hesitateastomy choice. Whatever mightbe the 
force of partj- ties, of habits, names, associa- 
tions; whatever might bo the strength of one 
party or the weakness of the othci- ; whatever 
might be the result, victory or defeat, I could 
not but determine to throw mj' influence in 
favor of the rights of the North, the rights of 
freemen everywhere. I could not join in anj- 
conspiracy to destroy liberty or promote 
slavery anywhere; and certainly not in this 
land where the question is vital to ourselves: 
f(ir if the plan of admitting slave States to the 
I'nion shall succeed, until the political power 
of the South shall predominate, the slight fore- 
taste we have had of their method of using 
[lower leads me to fear that wo shall riot be 
exempt from a more bitter experience of that 
tyrann\-. With those views, which subsequent 
reflection has confirmed. I determined to vote 
for those candidates who, ])ersonally highly 
acceptable to me, were pledged to carry out 
principles — more important than men." 

Holding these views it was impossible for 
Mr. Smith to be anj'thing but an earnest and 
outspoken friend of the Union cause when war 
was declared by the slave-holding power, and 
to labor in all possible wa^-s for the success of 
the North. He was vicopresident of the first 
committee organized in Milwaukee for the sup- 
port of the war. He had fully arranged to 
enlist and go to the field of actual service, 
when the demand was made upon him by Crov- 
ernor Salomon that he should go to Madison 
and give the same loyal and needed service in 
another line of duty. But ho did not confine 



his activity to that labor. He was instant at 
all seasons and in many ways for the Union's 
good, urging enlistments, looking after the 
families of those who were left behind. His 
war speeches were among the best and most 
effective of any of those delivered in the West, 
antl although they can not be referred to in do- 
tail, the tone and temper with which he dis- 
cussed the great questions in issue, can be 
learned from isolated extracts. In one deliv- 
ered on February 24, 18(i2, he used tlie follow- 
ing strong and viijorous language ; 

•'The real grounds of the present wur are the 
same on which the ]iatriots of the Revolution 
stood. Tiie freedom which they gained wo 
maintain ; the Tories of that da\- have their 
parallel in the .secessionists of this; the attack 
on Fort Sumter is but a repetition of Hunker 
Hill ; and it may be that in Fort Donel.son we 
have already seen our Yorktown." 



"Lot us he thankful that we are not left 
destitute. The protecting eye which watched 
over the birth of the Nation is not closed in 
this its struggle with the angel of death. 
The arm then stretched forth to save is not 
shortened. The finger of God it is that has 
written in the hearts of this grateful people of 
the North, courage, zeal, chivahy, and uncon- 
(|ucral)le iletermination to succeed." 

■' When this rebellion shall be subdued, when 
'unconditional surrender' shall be the 'com- 
promise' accepted b}' all armed rebels, when 
our heroes that have gone fortli in hope and 
courage shall return in triumph and honor, 
when the foundations of our Government shall 
have been laid deeper and broader by their 
hands, and they and we shall rejoice over the 
noble work, think not that we shall be content 
to accept the past as the measure of the future. 
The constitution may be the same, but the 
mode of expounding it can not but be liberal- 
ized. The (iovernment will remain, but it will 
be administereil in a spirit of greater freedom 
and more personal equalitj'. The Northmen, 
thus conquerors, will not tamely bow their 
necks to the old j'oke, nor reconstruct that 
fabric of political t^-ranny which they are about 
to destroy. Tiie evils they have put under 
foot they will never again endure. They will 
not vanquish the enemies of the I'nion. and 
yield them renewed homage.'' 



306 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



At Miidison, on October 2, 1863, he ciolivcred, 
in reply to an oration of Edward G. Ilyun, a 
speech upon " War Under the Constitution," 
which made a deep impression upon tiic public 
thought, and helped to set many who wavered 
into a right view of the rights and powers of 
the General Government. After an extended, 
learned and logical discussion of his theme, he 
concluded with tliis caustic touch: 

"Martial law is despotic — a dreadful evil. 
Battles are murder — no less an evil. The 
more reason for driving the war to a speedy 
close. Both are opposed to the peaceful spirit 
of the constitution; both without justification 
except in necessity; neither expressly forbid- 
den in the constitution, noi- expressly sanc- 
tioned ; yet both necessary incidents of war, 
not to be avoided by any theory ; cruelly in- 
truded upon us, who are painfully unwilling. 
No constitution can bridle bloody war with the 
silken reins of peace, turn bayonets into con- 
stable's staves, nor ])lant courts and juries uj50n 
a battlefield. We can not persuade rebel armies 
to submit to trial upon tiie indictment of a 
grand jury; nor will a warrant arrest the whiz- 
zing minie and the screaming shell. In sucii 
perils the constitution is to be upheld, not by 
lawyers and their orations, but by heroes and 
their blood! Narrow and unsafe that con- 
struction which declares the constitution uii- 
equalto such emergencies! Our commander- 
in-chief must take from the enemy mules, cat- 
tle, corn, cotton, wagons; must burn houses, 
ships, cities ; must capture and kill! Do not 
rebels the same? Can our general aciiieve 
success if he is unable to picket his horses, form 
lino of battle, or direct a march, destroy a 
building, cut down a tree, for fear of broken 
constitution and a suit for trespass? Or if the 
control over the territory subject to his arms 
be denied to him because occupied by citizens 
not belonging to the belligerent armies? Such 
trifling revolts common sense. The war power 
— OUTSIDE of the constitution, because not 
named b}- it; within the constitution because 
implied in the right to make war — is and of 
necessity must be supreme within its sphere! " 

The opposition press referred to these conclu- 
sions as " dangerous to liberty," but in the 
light of iiistorj- who was the prophet, Wiiifiold 
Smith or the men who would have set his logic 
and his conclusions at naught? 

In addition to Mr. Smith's speeches, he made 



continual use of the pen, and the liepublican 
press of the State during war da^-s could 
furnish many evidences of that fact, in edi- 
torials and communications. He was also 
author of a vigorous and keenly humorous bal- 
lad, which shovved MacClellan to the world in a 
light other than that in which his followers 
regarded him — a versification that found 
great favor at the time, but whoso authorship 
was known to but few. 

The qualities of manly resolution and intel- 
lectual strength which belonged to tlie father, 
and of culture and refinement that were the 
])o.sse8sions of the mother, have united to pro- 
duce in the son a character and bearing that 
have won him admiration and friends, and en- 
abled him to secure and retain the public con- 
fidence and respect that he has for so many 
years held. The superior education which op- 
portunity, application, and a deep thirst for 
knowledge enabled Winfield Smith to gain, has 
supplemented his natural gifts; and much of 
the force and polish of his writings and forensic 
efforts may be attributed to his familiarity with 
classic models and the literature of ancient as 
well as modern times. Among iiis mental char- 
acteristics may be mentioned keen discernment 
of the meaning and measure of things about 
him, determination to accomplish what he un- 
dertakes, self reliance, an independence of 
thought and action, strong religious convic- 
tions, and an imagination fervid and yet tem- 
pered with good judgment. With an analyt- 
ical mind he reaches his conclusions bj' the 
way of logic, and is ever ready to furnish a 
reason for the faith that is within him. Taking 
nothing for granted, he demands a reason for 
every proposition that is submitted to his un- 
derstanding. He does not form his opinions 
suddcnl}- or from impulse. His beliefs are the 
fruits of experience, or ripened and intelligent 
study, based upon all the facts that can be 
brought to his knowledge. A fine natural 
orator, he has been called to the public plat- 
form upon many important occasions, and has 
ever acquitted himself with honor and to the 
gratification of those whom he addressed ; loyal 
in his friendship; sincere, candid ; with a word 
that is never broken ; generous in manj- quiet 
deeds of benevolence ; loving music, flowers, 
and all that can elevate or improve mankind, 
and guided only by what he believes to be 
right, regardless of the views or expressions of 



BKHIRAPIIIES OF rUKSKNT AND KOUMER CITI/EN^ 



;50Y 



other men. Even in his earlj' school days lie 
was rcf^anled as painstaking, stuilious and thor- 
ough, and since those years has had little time 
and no inclination for the gaining of success by 
arts which many are able to follow. The only 
road thereto that suggested itself to him was 
by hard work and the employment of straight- 
forward and direct methods. As a lawyer he 
has gained a special distinction in the line of 
equity jurisprudence, in which he has hardly a 
su]H'rior in the ^Jorthwest. But his success 
has b}" no means been confined to any one 
branch of his profession, as he is equally at 
lionic in them all. Viewed from any side, 
Winfield Smith maybe regarded as a man who, 
while winning a marked success by his talents 
and in(lustrj% has at the same time made a good 
use of and has justified that success. 

The natural law of compensation does not 
permit many men to excel in more than one 
avocation. Yet there are those who arc en. 
liowed with such versatilitj- that almost any 
path they may choose to take will lead to emi- 
nence. Mr. Smith belongs to this limited cat- 
egory. As above shown, he has essayed to do 
many things of a literary and business nature 
outside of his profession, and it is not too much 
to say that in no ordinary measure he has suc- 
ceeded in them all. In drawing up a brief foi- 
tiic highest judicial tribunal; in addressing 
himself on a question of fact to the human 
sympathies and homely sense of a jurj' ; in 
appealing through the cold power of logic to the 
calm judgment of a court on an issue of law. 
he seems eijually at home and equally and 
singulai'Iy successful. But the same is likewise 
true in a much wider field. Said a prominent 
business gentleman who had known him inti- 
mately for manj- years: " Wit\fiel(l Smith is 
a success wherever you find him. Asa lawyer 
he is excelled by none in the Northwest, and 
is equaled b}^ few ; yet as a literary man of 
clean, caustic expression upon an}' subject on 
which dut}- or inclination prompts him to speak 
or wi'ite, he stands equally high. He was my at- 
tiirnej'," said this informant, " until hispracticc 
had outgrown and risen above the dimensions 
of ordinary matters of controversj-, when it 
was necessary to seek other legal talent to take 
his place." 

The genius of no lawyer can supplant hard 
work, and it does not with Mr. Smith. lie 
studies his cases thoroughly, and he studies 



both sides, and is therefore prcpare<l to meet 
any point of argument which might n^ason- 
abl}' be expected from an adversarj-. A men- 
tion of several im])Ortant litigations with which 
he has been connected should be added to tho.se 
already- referred to. lie was retained in be- 
half of the defendants, in 1875, in a number of 
the i)rosccutions commenced by the United 
States against persons charged with violations 
of the revenue laws. These cases were of much 
importance to the parties interested, and at the 
time attracted great attention. The results 
were generallj' unfavorable to the defendants, 
but his clients were entirely satisfied with the 
strenuous and able efforts of Mr. Smith, and 
his ])artial successes were regarded as victories, 
considering the odds against which he had to 
'•oniend. His practice in revenue cases had, 
before this, been extensive, and his knowledge 
of that department of professional labor was 
exhaustive. For several years he was a part- 
ner of Mr. Stark, one of the best known law- 
yers of the Milwaukee bar, and they conducted 
among others a litigation involving the man- 
agement of the Sentinel Company, in which 
case they won a signal triumph and much 
credit also. 

But no case in Wisconsin has for many years 
been the subject of more wide attention from 
business men than the action brought by Mr. 
Daniel Wells against Peter Mcdeoch, both of 
Milwaukee, to recover a verj- large sum of 
money which the plaintiff claimed he paid bj' 
reason of the defendant's misrepresentations to 
liim. This is popularly- known as "the lard 
case," and as nearly everybody in Milwaukee 
atid Chicago knows something of its history, 
the eiHjuirer need only to designate it by this 
oleaginous title to elicit whatever information 
concerning it the party interrogated maj' pos- 
sess. The princi|)al defense was that the tran- 
sactions between the parties were illegal, be- 
cause they were in violation of the Illinois 
statutes forbidding what is understood as 
•'corners," and the defendant claimed the sub- 
ject of controversy to be money gained by the 
parties in one successful corner and lost by 
them in the lard corner. The case was decided 
in the lower court in favor of the defendant 
u])on this ground, and has been argued be- 
fore the Supreme Court on apjteal, the prin- 
cipal question being whether the illegalit}- 
mentioned constitutes a valid defense. The 



308 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



case was begun in 1883, and is voiy voluminous, 
and lias required almost continuous labor from 
the counsel. The brief drawn by Mr. Smith 
extends over nearly a hundred printed pages, 
and is considered by attorneys, who can best 
appreciate its merits, as a model for method 
of arrangement, logical statement and per- 
spicuity'. Tiiis case resulted in the award by 
the Supreme Court of Wisconsin to Mr. Wells, 
Mr. Smith's client, of a judgment of over $250,- 
000, which was paid. 

Outside of the jjractice of law, Mr. Smilii's 
literary qualities are chiefly exhibited in his 
love of study, his practical mastery of two 
modern languages, his translations from the 
German, his divers public sjieeches and his 
numerous articles, descriptive and controver- 
sial, in the daily press. How ho has found op- 
portunitj- to write so much as he has at times 
done for publication, and still attend to the 
urgent and taxing duties of his practice, can 
not be I'eadily conceived by intellects less 
active, less comprehensive and less flexible. 
Yet while he has done this and much more, 
especially in large outside business matters, he 
has continued to grow in weight and prestige 
as a lawyer, and, as already seen, the largest 
case perhaps in all his professional career is the 
one last described, which, with Mr. Fish, he 
now has in hand and is contesting against 
Messrs. Stark and Miller. 

The position Winficld Smith holds as presi- 
dent of the Cream City Raih-oad came to him 
by a natural sequence of circumstances, and 
was unsought and undesired. He bought some 
stock in the road by way of patronizing a public 
enterprise, and was elected a director. The 
company was not prospering as well as the 
.stockholders could wish. His efficiency as a 
director was quickly recognized; a change of 
management was desired, and the burden of 
executive responsibility was shifted to the 
shoulders of Mr. Smith. When he assumed 
control in 1878 the stock was worth but sixty 
to seventy cents. It has since appreciated to 
upwards of one dollar and sixty cents, and the 
stockholders may be taken for good authority 
that much of the credit for this gratifj'ing ap- 
preciation belongs to their president. The 
road is in all respects well equipped, anil h;\s 
certainly arrived at an era of ])rosperity. 

It may further be .said of Mr. Smith as a 
speaker and a writer, that he especially excels 



in descriptive power. His delineations are 
characterized by the careful precision of the 
lawyer, and by that vivid presentation of in- 
cident, of which the reading public never tires. 
Conspicuous illustrations, did space permit, 
might be drawn from his earnest and eloquent 
eulogies to the respective memories of Byron 
Paine and Senator Matt. Carpenter. These ad- 
dres.ses were delivered in the Supreme Court 
at Madison, the former in response to an invi- 
tation from the Milwaukee bar. Of Mr. Car- 
jienter he could speak witli feeling, for they 
had sustained, as partners, a nearer relation 
than that of bi'other lawyers. The two ad- 
dresses are in marked contrast to each other, 
in tidelity to the corresponding differences of 
the men. The I'oiigh, impassioned earriestness 
of Mr. Paine, his sterling character, his un- 
polished worth and even his defects, which 
could hardly be spared from the individuality 
of the man, were painted by an artist whose 
chief endeavor was to draw a picture of his 
subject whicli all would recognize. Hence the 
sketch was like that of a mountain, rugged, 
ponderous, grand. Its torrents may at times 
be turbid, but they come down with force. 
There is reserved power in overhanging mas.ses 
of snow antl ice. The detonations of a rifle 
may convert them into an avalanche. But 
Ihe cultured, pervasive intellect of Mr. Carpen- 
ter, with its ruling triumvirate of wisdom, learn- 
ing, wit, constitutes a different subject, and its 
portraiture by Mr. Smith corrcsiJouds: 

" He studied the literature as well as the 
philosophy of law, and his learning strength- 
ened the arguments which his logic inspired. 
His addresses were even more attractive to 
cultivated men of his own profession than to 
tho.se not trained to the law, and in courts he 
gained his highest glories, great as was his 
oratorical reputation among the people. His 
clear thoughts, his terse but fluent phrases, his 
felicitous turnsofspeecii, often running into de- 
lightful wit, his continual good nature, his 
persuasive manner, his melodious voice — than 
which none more captivating was ever heard 
in a court — all gave to his forensic eloquence 
a charm which judges felt even more than 
juries.' 

Mr. Smith has tried his hand at describing 
material objects and scenery, as well as the 
minds of men. His published account of the 
ruin wrought by the Chicago fire ranks among 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PRESENT ANIJ FORMER CITIZENS. 



■A09 



the first of the many thrilling narratives in- 
spired by that grand and terrible desolation. 
Hilt tlie literary effort which, with tiie peculiar- 
ities of the occasion, will bo sure to preserve 
Mr. Smith's name for unborn generations, is 
the speech made b}^ him about four years ago 
in -Milwaukee at theseini-eentennial celebration 
of the first election over held in that cilj-. 
The occasion was memorable. A handful of 
survivors of the thirty-nine men who voted at 
that election were present and added impres- 
sive interest to the scene. The address was 
listened to by the large concourse of people as- 
sembled in Schlitz Park with rapt attention, 
and drew encomiums from the citj' press. The 
speaker reviewed the past, minutely depicted 
the events, incidents and results of tliat first 
election ; described the formalities of eastern 
extraction which constrained the suflfragists 
to select one of their number for " fence- 
viewer,' when no fence existed within the 
limits of the count}'. He did not fail to pay a 
deserved and glowing tribute to the deter- 
mined, patient pioneers who laid the founda- 
tions of a largo and flourishing city. As cen- 
turies and lialf centuries come and go, this first 
celebration of the first election in Milwaukee 
will be recalled from musty files of papers and 
faded documents, and with it will bo recalled 
the name and utterances of the orator of the 
occasion, Mr. Winfield Smith. 

Mr. Smith's family consists of his wife, who 
was Miss Sarah M. Fellows, born in Lockport, 
Xew Vork; his daughter, Anna, married in 
1S74 to Edward C. Hopkins, of Milwaukee; 
his son, Henry L. Smith, residing in Milwau- 
kee, married to Miss Joan Brayton, of Cleve- 
land, Ohio; Evalyn. married to William Staf- 
ford, of New York ; Winfield Robert, graduated 
in 1889 from the University of Wisconsin ; 
-Mabel, Foster and Grace, now just returned 
from a few months' voyage in Europe. -Mr. 
Smith wont in March, 1888, with two flaughtcrs 
to Europe, and after vi.siting Paris, Rome, 
Naples, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and 
Eondon, ho returned in October, leaving liis 
daughters to spend the winter there, jirosecut- 
ing their studies in French, German and music. 
All are happily united in Milwaukee. 

In the spring of 1889 the site for a new post 
office, costing 81,200,000, for the city of Mil- 
waukee, was to be determined by the Secretary 
of the Treasury-. Mr. Smith was .selected to 



jiropare the argument in i'avor of a position 
ncai' that previously occu]iic<l, and to press 
orally the adoption of that j)osition, both be- 
fore the secretary and his subordinate officers 
in Washington and the agents dispatched b}- 
him to Milwaukee for the ])urpose of personal 
examination. His efforts were altogether sat- 
isfactory to his constituents, and were crowned 
with complete success. 



UKNJAMIX l.)AXSARl) 



Was boni in Fiance, and by his father educated 
for a Roman ('atholic priest; but on arriving at 
the aire of manhood, he declined further service 
in tho church, jireferring a mercantile and busi- 
ness life. He settled in Monroe in 183(i, and 
for a number of j'ears was a dry goods mer- 
chant. Being a very fine French scholar, ho 
gave instruction in that language to a number 
of classes in the city, his first pupil being Doctor 
Osgood, famous for the remedy so universally 
used in the West for fever and ague, known as 
" Osgood's Cholagogue. ' He was a type of the 
genuine Parisian French, cultivated and refined 
in manner, light-hearted, very courteous and 
polite, very domestic in his habits. He married 
the daughter of Joseph Boyez, a merchant of 
Monroe. He was a tender, devoted and loving 
husband, and loved gain that ho might obtain 
the comforts and enjoyments of a luxurious life 
for himself and fainil}-. In 1858 he closed up 
his business as a merchant and opened a bank- 
ing office, and with liis eldest son, Joseph, con- 
stituted the firm of B. Dan.sard & Son, which 
continued until the death of his son, when bis 
only remaining son, Benjamin, was his suc- 
cessor in the firm. The firm has ever sustained 
a fine reputation as bankers. 

His eldest son, Joseph, married the daughter 
of Dr. George Landon. He died May 5, 1879. 
His wife, Mary, died April 19, 1882, leaving 
one son and four daughters, now residing in 
Monroe. 

Th(r youngest son, Benjamin, the only surviv- 
ing child, continues in the business as a banker 
in what is known as the " Dansard Block." 

Benjamin Dansard died January 20, 1888, at 
the age of seventy-five, leaving a very hand- 
.soine fortune to his descendants. He was a 
member of the Masonic Order, under whose 
auspices ho was buried, and tbe resolution 



310 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



adopted by the Order well expresses the esti- 
mate of the Order: 

" Resolved, That in the death of our esteemed 
brother, Benjamin Dansard, of this city, the 
State and comnuiuity of which he was a resi- 
dent for more than fifty years have lost a loyal, 
law-abiding citizen ; the business community a 
man of rare ability and the strictest business 
integrity; the fraternity of which he was an 
esteemed member a faitlifuland earnest brother, 
and his fimily a wise, indulgent and loving- 
father." 



GEORGE HENRY GREENE, 

Formerly of Raisinville but now of Lansing, 
Michigan, was born October 12, 1836, on Grosse 
Isle, the beautiful island in Detroit TJiver. Mr. 
Greene comes of good New England stock. He 
is a liheal descendant in the ninth generation 
of John Greene, of Warwick, Rhode Island, 
surgeon, who came in 1635 from England to 
Salem, Massachusetts. This ancestor was, 
like Roger Williams and for similar reasons, 
banished from Massachusetts Colony in 1638, 
when he joined Williams in Providence, and in 
1642 became a resident of Warwick, Rhode 
Island, where the family became very numer- 
ous. The Warwick Greenes, his descendants, 
have ever been a conspicuous family in Rhode 
Island from the foundation of the colony. 

John Greene was also the ancestor of General 
Nathaniel Greene, Governor William Greene, 
Revolutionary^ War Governor of Rhode Island, 
and Ray Greene, General Albert Collins Greene 
and Henry B. Anthony, United States Senators 
from Rhode Island, the latter of whom was 
called " the father of the Senate " from having 
been five terms consecutively elected by his 
State to full terms in the United States Senate. 
Also numbered among his doscenduiits are 
Colonel Christopiier Greene, who commanded 
at the battle of Red Bank, War of the Revolu- 
tion ; General George Sears Greene, of the 
Union Army, War of the Rebellion, and his son, 
Samuel Dana Greene, who was executive 
officer of the first Monitor in her victorious 
encounter with theMerrimac ; Mrs. Julia Ward 
Howe ; and of George Washington Greene, 
Samuel Greene Arnold and William Hickling 
Prescott, the historians. 

George H. Greene was a son of Augustus 
Wooden Greene, who was born in I'rovidence, 



Rhode Island, March 13, 1813, and who came 
to Michigan from Vermont in the autumn of 
1834. At that time it required eight da3's to 
come from Buffalo to Detroit by way of Lake 
Erie, which was the quickest route. At Tren- 
ton he met Miss Amy Junkins Davis, born 
May 16, 1818, at Zanesville, Ohio, and the}- 
were married December 2, 1835. Her father, 
David Davis, with his family had been residents 
of Michigan since a time prior to 1827, Au- 
gustus W, Greene and his young wife began 
housekee])ing on Grosse Isle, where he engaged 
in farming. In 1837 he began work on a con- 
tract he had taken to excavate a portion of the 
canal projected from Gibralter to Flat Rock, 
and had much of it completed when in conse- 
quence of the panic of that year the canal 
company broke up, leaving him without return- 
for the mone3' and labor expended. He then 
removed to Raisinville, where he resided forty 
years; then emigrating to Hodgeman county, 
Kansas, in 1878, he there died June 6, 1879, 
aged sixty six years. 

The subject of this sketch therefore spent 
his boyhood years and qavIj manhood in Rai- 
sinville. Here he obtained his education, to- 
gether with one academic j'ear at Yates Acad- 
emy, in Yates, Orleans county. New York, in 
1853 54. He then engaged, at the age of eigh- 
teen, to teach his first school in what was called 
the Barnes district, town of London, in the 
winter o( 1854-55. This was the beginning of 
a successful career as a teacher. He taught 
during the winter terms from that time until 
1863, with the exception of one year. Dur- 
ing that 3'ear, beginning in the autumn of 1857, 
ho was a clerk in the drug store of S. M. 
Sackett, but this business proving distasteful 
to him he resumed teaching, and many of his 
pupils who are now respected men and women 
of Monroe county will recall with kindly re- 
membrance the time thej' were under his tute- 
lage. After leaving the drug store he was en- 
gaged during the summer months of several 
years in selling paper for the Monroe Paper 
Mills, then owned by William P. Gale. 

On the 8th of April, 1862, Mr. Greene was 
married to Miss Julia Lucretia Baldwin, daugh- 
ter of Mr. Goodrich Baldwin, of Raisinville, 
and in April, 1863, removed to Lansing, Michi- 
gan, where he engaged in the manufacture of 
chairs. Three years later he accepted the ap- 
pointment of overseer of a cane shop at the 



KIOGRAPHIES OK PRESENT AND lORMER CITIZENS. 



:^I1 



State Reform School. Here his aptness iu the 
control of the unruly element of the school 
was soon recognized by the managers of that in- 
stitution, and the ensuing year he was appoint- 
ed its ])rincipal teacher, and soon after again 
promoted and became assistant superintendent. 
In this position, which he occupied several 
years, ho became successful and popular in 
the government and discipline of the boys of 
the institution, a task rocjuiring the exercise of 
much wisdom, patience and kindness. In 1871 
he entered the office of secretary of stale and 
assisted in the compilation of tlie census of 
1870, which being completed he was tendered 
a clerkship in the auditor-general's office. Here 
again his efficiency and close application to 
his duties brought him promotion, and he be- 
came chief of one of the divisions of that office 
— a position he .still Iiolds, enjoying the full 
confidence and respect of his chief 

He has been an active member of the Masonic 
fraternity since he entered the Order in ISti"), 
and has filled with credit many of its offices. 
During four years, 1871-4, he was Master of 
Lansing Lodge, No. 33. F. and A. M.: nine j'ears, 
1874 to 1883, High Priest of Capital Chapter, 
No. 9, E. A. M.; one year, 1870, T. I. Master of 
Lansing Council, No. 29, R. and S. M.; nine 
years, 1877 to 1886, Prelate of Lansing Com- 
mandery. No. 25, K. T.:and in 1883 he was M. 
I. Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal 
and Select Mastei's of Michigan. He has also 
been a member continuously, except one j'ear, 
since 1880 of the finance committee of the 
Grand Chapter of R. A. M. of Michigan. 

In |)olities Mr. Greene has al\va3's been a 
Republican. Reaching his majority in 1857 
his first vote for Governor was cast for Mo.ses 
Wisncr, and his first votein a presidential con- 
test was cast for Abraham Lincoln. 

In religious association he is a Congrogation- 
alist. He was actively identified with the 
formation and subsequent growth of the 
Franklin Street Presbj'terian Church of Lans- 
ing, serving as an elder therein, and for a num- 
ber of years was superintendent of its Sabbath 
school. 

He i.s greatly interested in the work of the 
.Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, which 
is doing so much to preserve the history of the 
pioneers and pioneer customs of the early days 
of Michigan. lie was elected its correspond- 
ing secretary in 1879, and his services are still 



retained in that office, the society having 
annually re-elected him since that time to that 
])osition. 

He was one of the five commissioners ap- 
pointed by Governor Luce to represent Michi- 
gan at the National Centennial Celebration 
coinineinorative of the first settlement of and 
the establishment of civil government in the 
■Territory Northwe-st of the River Ohio" under 
the ordinance of 1787, held at .Marietta. Ohio, 
July 15. 1888. 

He is proud of the fact that his family, in a 
long line of nine generations, beginning in 
New England but a few years later than the 
landing of the Pilgrims, has helped to make 
the entire history of this Nation; and that he, 
born three months before .Michigan was admit 
ted into the Union, has participated in its entire 
history as a .State. 



MA,IOU GKItSHoM TAINTOR BILKLEY. 

Among the man3- prominent New England- 
ers who came to Michigan in 1832 to engage in 
business in the rapidi}- growing Territory, was 
the subject of this sketch. The great resources 
of the country, the vast possibilities for manu- 
facturing and mercantile ))ursnits, made a deep 
impression upon his mind, deciding the 
question of a removal hithei- in a short time. 
Major Bulkley was the great-grandson of Rev. 
Peter Bulkley, D. I)., who was one of the first 
clergymen of Massachusetts and ('onnecticut, 
coming from P>ngland to Cambridge, Massa- 
chusetts, in 1635. He was a staunch puritan, 
a coadjutor of Cotton Mather, and, like many 
of that liberty-loving race, left Kngland on 
account of the oppressions of the church — a 
non-conformist. 

The families of this name in New York, 
Massachusetts and Connecticut are all de- 
scended from Dr. Peter Bulkley. 

Gershom T. Bulkley was born at Colchester, 
Connecticut, March 8, 1780, removing to 
Williamstown. Massachusetts, with his father's 
family when a young man. There, by careful 
and persevering attention to business, by 
adhering to the principles which were prom- 
inent in the character of his great ancestor, 
he attained an enviable distinction. He was 
actively enjraged in farming and manufac- 
turing, and later in mercantile pursuits. He 



312 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



acceptably served his district in the State legis- 
lature, and invariably received the approval 
of his constituency as an able and faithful 
public servant. Various civil appointments 
were also filled by him, and he was one of the 
staunchest friends of Williams College, aiding 
by his influence and private funds in its less 
palmy da3S. that now famous and prosperous 
institution. 

In the War of 1S12 he was among tiie first 
to volunteer his services in the defense of his 
State, and was commissioned a major of cavahy. 
which he held as long as the services of his 
command were needed. 

In 1836 he removed with his family to 
Monroe, and at once engaged in busiTiess with 
his characteristic energyand enterprise. He was 
one of the commissioners of the G-overnment 
works at the harbor of Monroe, and in con- 
structing the canal. In 1844, without .solic- 
itation on his part he received from the Pres- 
ident of the United States the appointment 
of registrai- of the United States Land Office, 
the duties of which office at that time were 
onerous and complex, but which he discharged 
with faithfulness and ability until the offices 
were consolidated. Mercantile affairs and farm- 
ing largely occupied his time and attention 
until the later years of his life. Ho was an 
extensive reader, well-informed upon all 
questions of public polity, and kept fully 
abreast with the leading current topics of his 
age, even to the last day of his life. His death 
occurred at Monroe, on October 10, lS(i2, in the 
eighty-third year of his age. 



CHARLE.S WING NOBLE 

Was born at Monroe, Monroe county, Michigan, 
on the l.Stii day of February, 1 828. He was the 
son of Hon. Charles Noble by ElizaWing Noble, 
of Monroe. He attended the Monroe district 
schools from the time he was four years of age 
until he wont to Williamstown, Massachusetts, 
in 1830, returning home in 1837, and then 
attending the Monroe branch of the University, 
under the Eev. S. Center, as long as that 
institution was in existence. He then had 
desiiltory teaching until he entered the 
University in 1842, from whicb he graduated 
in 1840. After graduation he in company with 
Charles J. Wood taught a school for a few 



months in Monroe; after that was for a short 
period in the banking office of N. E. Haskell. 

He then entered the law office of Noble & 
Grosvenor, where he remained in the study of 
the law until July, 1848, when he went to 
Cleveland. He entered the law office of 
Hitchcock, Willson & Wade. In 1849 he was 
admitted to the bar at Cleveland, and im- 
mediatel}' formed a copartnership with 
Hulbei't E. Paine, afterward a general in the 
Federal army during the Rebellion, sub- 
.sequently for two terms a member of Congress 
from the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, district, and 
since then a lawyer at Washington, I). C. 
This copartnership lasted about one year, 
when he entered into partnership with Jesse 
P. Bishop and Franklin T. Backus (1850), the 
firm becoming Bishop, Backus & Noble. 
Judge Bishop retiring at the end of five years, 
Mr. Backus and Mr. Noble continued a short 
time together, when the Hon. Eufus P. Ranney. 
who had been for some years a judge of the 
Supreme Court of the State, joined them, and 
the firm became Ranney, Backus & Noble. It 
continued thus until Judge Ranney was again 
elected judge of the Supreme Court of the State. 
Messrs. Backus and Noble continued together 
until the summer of 1805. when they dis- 
solved, and Mr. Conway W. Noble became 
partner with Charles W. Noble. This co- 
partnership only lasted a few months, as Mr. 
Noble then removed from Cleveland and wont 
to Savannah, Georgia, intending to remain 
there, owing to the delicate health of his wife. 
His wife not being benefited he removed to 
the city of New York, was admitted there and 
opened an office, and was gaining a practice, 
when, owing to the health of his wife, he 
removed to Dcti'oit, and went into partnership 
with his father and his brother-in-law, Geo. S. 
Frost, under the name of Geo. S. Frost & Co., 
in purchasing, locating and selling pine lands 
on commission. His father dying in 1874, Mr. 
Noble and Mr. Frost have continued in the 
same business and are still engaged in it. 

He has been thrice married. His first wife 
was the daughter of the Hon. Geo. Mvgatt. of 
Cleveland. Ohio. They were married at 
Cleveland in September, 1850. She died of 
consumption in April, 1852, leaving a daughter, 
Julia E. Noble, vvho lived until June, 1867, 
when she died at Mrs. Willard's school in Troy, 
New York. 



vwjr ■^^^f^_ 





BIOGRAPHIES OF PRESENT AND FORMER CITIZENS. 



;U3 



His second wife was the daughter of Hon. 
Evart Van Buren, of Penn Van, New York, 
afterwards of Chicago. Tiiey were married at 
Penn Yan in May, 1854. There were no 
children by this marriage. The most of their 
married life was enjoyed at Cleveland, hut her 
failing health caused them to try Savannali, 
Georgia, an<l New Y'ork City. In May, 18()7, 
tiioy left New York City for Detroit, where xhi; 
died in October of that year. 

Mr. Noble's lliird wife is still living witii 
him at Detroit. She was the daughter of 
Stephen A Martine, of New York City. They 
were married in .July, 1870, and have had 
til ree daughters and one son, Stephen M. Only 
the daughters arc now living, residing with 
their parents at Detroit, the son iiavingdied at 
Detroit in 1882. 

Mr. Noble was during the early part of his 
life attached to the Whig party, but since 18()4 
has been a Democrat. He was nominated by 
the Democratic party for prosecuting attorney 
at Cleveland in 18(55, but declined to run. He 
has several times been nominated i'or minor 
offices at Detroit, but gcnerall}- without his 
consent or knowledge, and never made any 
efforts for election and was never elected. 

He has been since 1858 a member of the Pre.s 
hyicrian chui'ch. He was one of the founders 
of the Wassonville Mission at Cleveland, Ohio, 
now the North Churcli. Was for the three 
first years of its existence superintendent of 
the Third St. Mission in Detroit, and afterwards 
superintendent of the Hamtramck Mission. 

He was active on the Union side during the 
war, and when Kirb}- Smitli threatened Cin- 
cinnati, went down with the " s(|uirrel hunters " 
to Kentucky as a private. He was a member 
of the military committee at Cleveland during 
the war under appointment b}- Goverr.or Tod, 
and as such rendered good service in raising 
and ei|uipping troops for the Union army. 



CONWAY VVIN(i NOBLE, 

Son of Charles and Eliza Wing Noble, was born 
in Monroe, October 7, 1842, where ho pursued 
hisstudies preparatory for entering college, and 
at the age of sixteen entered Michigan Univer- 
sit}' at Ann Arbor, graduating from the liter- 
ary department with the class of 18*53 at the 
age of twenty -one. His standing in the 



University may bo readily inferred from 
the fact the highest honors of the class 
were awarded him, and he was one of the 
fifteen seniors designated as speakers on 
Commencement Day, having also been 
one of the principal speakers at the Junior 
E.xhibilion the year previous. Soon after his 
graduation he entered, in Cleveland, Ohio, the 
law firm of F. T. Backus & Charles W. Noble 
(an elder brother), then regarded one of the 
strongest and ablest firms in (he citj'. 

In 18(54 the young law student promptly 
answered to the call of our President, and with 
enthusiasm enlisted in Company' A, One Hun- 
dred and Fifteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, under command of Colonel Haywood. 
The regiment in which he enlisted was the first 
to arrive in defense of Washington, when the 
capital was menaced by General Jubal A. 
Early, who during that year raided the valley 
of the Shenandoah, dashed into Pennsylvania, 
and by a number of defeats closely following 
each other and finally routed by our General 
Custer at Waynesborough, was deprived of his 
commission as a confederate chieftain. 

When Mr. Noble's term of service expired, 
he returned to Cleveland, entered the Ohio 
State Union Law College, and was admitted to 
practice in 18(55. The following 3-eai' he and 
his brother Charles formed a copartnei'ship, 
which was in a few months terminated by the 
removal of his brother Charles from the citj-. 
He soon after formed a copartnership with the 
Honorable Robert E. Mix. In 1872 John (i. 
White, Esq., became a member of the firm, then 
under the name of Mix, Noble & White, one of 
the most successful firms and the oldest in the 
city. The admiralt)- practice of the firm was 
notably large, and engaged in nearly all cases, 
on one side or the other, ])ending in the United 
States Courts of the city. Seldom were the 
clients of Mix, Noble & Wiiite defeated in the 
trial of their cau.ses. 

Mr. Noble never to any extent took part in 
politics, in which he was known as a con.serva- 
tive Democrat. His judicial qualities and legal 
ability was recognized in January, 1887, by 
Governor Foraker in a|)])ointing him judge of 
the court of common pleas, made vacant by 
the resignation of Judge Jones. His subse(|uent 
nomination in 188(5 by the Democratic j^arty, 
was b}- common consent while he was ab.sent 
from the city. The acceptance of the nomina- 



814 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tion was under embarrassing circumstauces, as 
there was a Eepublican majority of over 4,000 
to be overcome and witli as stron;,' an opponent 
as Captain Gary. It was a notable feature of 
tlie campaign that none of the party organs or 
adherents of Captain Gary assailed the char- 
acter or qualifications of his successful ojjpo- 
nent. His term of office continues for five 
years, and thus ftir his decisions, rulings and 
charges have commanded the respect and ap- 
proval of the bar. 

He married December 1, 1S80, Mrs. Ida K. 
Jones, an accomplished lady of decided talent. 
Both are active members of the Presbyterian 
church at Cleveland. I take pleasure in giving 
a somewhat extended notice of one of our 
Monroe boys that lias gained such prominence 
in life. 



uncommonly fine-appearing gentleman. He 
was popular in the county and city, which is 
apparent from the fact that he was elected 
county treasurer while the Wliig party was in 
a large minority in the city and county. 



BENJ.^MIN FRANICLIN FIl-^lKbD 

Was born at Wheelock, Caledonia county, 
Vermont, July 19, 1809. He was at one time 
a copartner in business with Joseph C. Cole in 
groceries and provisions in Monroe; in 1842 
a copartner of William C. Sterling in forward- 
ing and commission, with warehouse at the 
<loeks, and during the existence of this copart- 
nership purchased the steamboat General 
Wayne, then one of the hirgest steamers naviga- 
ting the lakes, of which Alonzo D. Perkins was 
captain. They built at Monroe the splendid 
steamer Southerner. The copartnersliip ter- 
minated by the death of Mr. William Sterling 
July 12, 1848. Mr. Fifield was elected treasurer 
of the county of Monroe for one term of two 
jears, and was influential in introducing and 
building the gas works of the city. He then 
became the agent of the American Express 
Company, and thereafter the general agent of 
the Micliigan Southern Railroad Company. 
While thus engaged, in returning home from 
St. Louis he died at the White Sulphur Springs. 
His remains were brought to his residence on 
Washington street in Monroe. 

He was married November 19, 1834, to Miss 
Harriet M. Cole of Detroit, who survived him. 
They had one son, James, now in business in 
the far West, and one daughter, who married 
Charles U. Thomas, one of the wholesale mer- 
chant ])rinces of Boston, now residing in that 
city on Newburg street. 

In personal appearance Mr. Fifield was an 



HON. JOHN PACKARD HOGARTH. 

John Packard Hogarth, youngest child of 
Julia Maria Seymour and llichard Hogarth, 
was born April 9, 1820. in Geneva, New York. 
His father was a descendant of the family to 
wliich belonged the famous artist and carica- 
turist, William Hogarth. His only brother 
was the Rev. William Hogarth, D. D., who died 
in Geneva, August 18, 1887. Mr. Hogarth was 
educated at Ovid and at the old Geneva 
Academy, graduating with the highest honors. 
He was also a student of medicine and the law. 

At twenty-two years of age he went to New 
York, engaging in business there. Returning 
to Geneva some } ears after, he engaged in 
banking, which business took him in 1852 to 
San Francisco, California, where also he 
established a wholesale mercantile house. 

Previous to leaving Geneva he married 
December 29, 18.^2. Mi.ss Sarah E. Field, who 
died in 18.")(i. 

Mr. Hogarth came to Detroit in 180(1, return- 
ing to New York in the fall of 18G4. He 
established himself in business with W. W. 
Clarke and other well known business men. 

November 29, 1804, he married Miss Sarah, 
youngest daughter of Harry Conant, M. D., of 
Monroe, Michigan. To them one child was 
born, Maria Conant, April 3, 1871, who died 
August 17,1872. The failure ofhis wife's health 
returned them to Michigan in 1870,'since which 
time he resided in Monroe. 

January 1, 1870, under the administration of 
General Grant, he received the appointment of 
United States National Bank Examiner. He 
continued in the performance of his duties as 
such until 1882, when against the earnest 
protest of the United .States Treasury Depart- 
ment and bankers of Michigan he resigned, 
the conscientious discharge of his duties 
demanding frequent and prolonged absences 
from home. At the urgent solicitation of the 
bankers of Detroit, a new district, consisting of 
Detroit and Monroe, was created by the Depart- 
ment for him, which office he filled until his 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PRESENT AND FORMER CITIZENS. 



;i5 



death. He had the special confidence of the 
Comptroller of the Currency, John Jay Knox, 
and many of his methods were adopted by the 
I)oi)artmenl. His books were the perfection of 
neatness and order. He was a man of metliod. 
Careful of the reputation of the banks, he 
was at the same time unswerving in his ex- 
aminations and reports, by reason of wliieh the 
national banks of Michigan gained rapidly in 
strength and reputation, and esj)eciall\' have 
the banks ol the Detroit district attained the 
highest standing. Mr. Hogarth made an ex- 
iiaustive study of national banking laws, an<l 
Ills expositions of them and his re]iorts, as re- 
ceived b3' the Dejjartmeut at Washington, wt'rc 
accepted as final, and acknowledged models. 

With an extensive accpiaintance elsewhere, 
no man in Michigan ]ierliaps was more widely 
known than John P. Hogarth. His clieerful, 
jioiislied, gentlcmanl}' manners made him 
always a welcome guest, either in the office 
or the drawing-room. He was everywhere 
recognized as a man of high moral attainments 
and of firm religious principle, who, whether 
in ])ublic or private station, adorned life, and 
l)rougiit to society its most substantial achieve- 
ments. He was a man of rare intellectual 
abiiitj', a connoi.sseur in art, a lover of nature, 
a reader of the best books in poetry, literature, 
science and theology; a deep thinker, self- 
contained almost to a fault; a delightful 
conversationalist ; always the courteous gentle- 
man, in his own home abounding in hospi- 
tality, his domestic life was most beautiful, 
lie was a close attendant upon the services of 
the chui'ch of his choice, the Presbyterian, and 
one of its most active sa])porters. A man of 
elegant physique and magnificent health, lu' 
was stricken with ]ieriloiiitis, and almost 
before it was fairly knounoutsidehis own home 
that he "as ill the summons came and he was 
not, for God had called him to come up higher. 
The following, written on the occasion of his 
death, is taken from a local paper: 

"A good man has been taken from us. In 
the most searching light, in the scrutiny that 
might he emplo^'cd to discover the errors of 
humanity, we find so little that is not com- 
mendable that his name may hopefully be 
taken as a synonym for a life j)eaceful and 
]ileasant. So modestly did he conduct himself, 
^(1 free from ostentation, that none but those 
who knew him best were conscious of the 



superior intellect that dominated his whole 
being. No better tribute of his intense and 
culminating powers could be tendered him 
than the united and freely expi'essed opinion, 
that when he rendered a i-eport in his bank 
statement it was accepted as an indisjjutablc 
fact, a conclusion beyond the slightest question 
of doubt. Probably few mi'U have been en- 
trusted with the great amounts that were 
freely ])laced before him, and the trust was ever 
sacred in his keeping. He was a scholar and a 
scientist, and his fine rhetorical convei'se ever a 
pleasure to iiis friends. His taste was cul- 
tivated to the acme uf perfection, and ex- 
emplified in so many ch:innels tliat he seemed 
an artist in eonce])lion, a ])oet who had never 
put his thoughts in rhythmic words, a man 
who harbored ni> evil thoughts of his fellow 
men, because in him were blended the three 
elements that are ])otent and loyal for all good ; 
The/rtiY/tthat o))en-handed has confidence in 
all that is best and noblest in tlie human race; 
hope, that sheds a shining light to illuminate 
the ])athway of the just man, and the blos.sed 
chitrity that covers with manly and tender 
protection the oiTors and foibles that are 
kindred to all : a good man, the just deserving 
of who.st^ mei'it embodies all that as friends, 
citizens and neighbors, we can truthfully say 
(if him who has left us." 



JOHN J. STEVENS 

Was born in Cuyahoga county. Ohio, October 
17, 1S2H, and came to Monroe over fifty years 
ago. He was a fine mechanic, and our public 
school buildini;sare monuments to his ai'chitec- 
tural ability, the new building erected last 
year being his last important work. He had 
been engaged in building and contracting many 
}ears, and his work can be found in nearl\' 
every ])art of the county. For several years 
he had al.so been engaged in the lumber trade, 
and at the lime of his death was a member of 
the firm of Waters Brothers & Stevens. About 
ten years ago he engaged in the same business 
in Lincoln, Nebraska, but disposed of his in- 
terests and returned to Monroe. 

He was a man of practical common-sense, 
sound judgment, and possessed of a large fund 
of general information, a courteous and art'ahle 
gentleman. These quiilifications, with his in 
dustry, integrity and honest}- of purpose, won 



816 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



him tbe confideiiee aud respect of all who knew 
him. 

He was in ijolities a Republican and was 
repeatedly honored with political preferment 
by bis party. He served two term.s in our 
State legislature, several terms as assessor, also 
as alderman of the second ward, and was at 
the time of his death president of the council. 

When President Lincoln issued his call for 
300,000 men, Mr. Stevens was in partnership 
with the late E. B. Hoot in the sash, door and 
blind factory. He immediately retired from 
the firm and opened up a recruiting oflice, and 
soon had a company formed, of which he was 
elected captain. Governor Blair tendered him 
a commission as such, and the company was 
assigned as Company K of the Eighteenth 
Regiment of Michigan Infantry-, which was 
mustered into the United States service August 
20,1862, Colonel (now General) George Spald- 
ing commanding. In 1803 Captain Stevens 
was assigned as the commandant of the mili- 
tary prison at Nashville, Tenne.ssee. He was 
with his regiment three years, in all its battles 
and skirmishes, and was mustered out of the 
service June 20, 1805. He was a fine soldier, 
of martial bearing, high courage, good judg- 
ment, and was resf)ected by all the officers and 
men. He was captain of the Monroe Light- 
Guards in the early daj's of the company, and 
was a member of Joseph R. Smith Post, G. A. R. 

He was made a Master Mason March 30, 
1855, and at the time of his death was a mem- 
ber of Monroe Lodge, No. 27. 

He was twice mari'ied, and left three sons 
surviving him. 

He was a member of the Protestant Episco- 
pal church. 

His sudden death was a shock to the com- 
munity, as on the morning of the day of his 
death he stated to his partner in business, A. 
H. Waters, " that he never felt better in his life,'' 
but while riding with his friend, Hon. J. M. 
Sterling, complained of a pain in the region 
of the heart. They drove in great haste to 
Doctor Root's office, and within five minutes he 
breathed his last, the cause of death being neu- 
ralgia of the heart. 



rHRISTOPHP:R BKUCKNER 

Was born August 3, 1805, at Mainstockheim- 
on-the-Main, Bavaria. He emigrated to New 



York in 1829 at the age of twenty-four, and 
remained there as a successful merchant until 
1837, when he removed with his famil}- to the 
town of Raisinville, in Monroe county. Michi- 
gan. There he purchased one of the finest 
farms in the county, called yet the " Bruckner 
farm," now owned and occupied bj- John 
Knaggs. 

The connection of the public surveys with 
the prior grants of land claims led to litigation. 
The surveyor of the private claims did not 
always mark the side lines of the claims isola- 
ted from the general body of claims, and the 
government surveyor on some occasions in- 
cluded in the public survey's large portions of 
such claims. The government lands were 
bought in good faith, but afterwards found to 
fall within tbe patent of a prioi' claim. Such 
was the case of a purchase of public land by 
Wolcott Lawrence in Raisinville, some eight 
miles above Monroe on the north side of the 
River Raisin, a large part of whose purchase 
turned out to bo within the bounds of a prior 
patent or a claim which had been purchased by 
Christopher Bruckner; and this case, one 
of the most important and hotly contested 
land trials in the State, after a litigation of a 
number of years was settled bj' the decision 
of the Supreme Court of Michigan in Bruckner 
vs. Lairrence, 1 Douglass, 19. This case at- 
tracted a great deal of attention, and the best 
legal talent of Michigan was engaged therein. 
All other cases of a similar kind were settled or 
decided on the basis of this decision. 

After remaining on this farm, bringing it 
into a high state of cultivation, for a number 
of years, Mi'. Bruckner removed to Monroe 
to enjoy the facilities which Monroe afforded 
for the education of his children. 

Mr. Bruckner was a gentleman of refinement, 
thoi-oughly educated in natural science. He 
was a good P^nglish, Latin, French and Italian 
scholar; the two latter languages he spoke with 
as great fluency as his native tongue. 

Through his influence and correspondence 
the Reverend Mr. Halstead and a large colony 
of Bavarians were induced to emigrate to 
Monroe, and proved to be very substantial and 
desirable citizens. 

ilr. Bruckner was not only a highly educat- 
ed gentleman, but his fondness for music drew 
around him cultivated talent and lovers of art. 
He was a man of remarkable enterprise and 



BIOGRA I'll IKS OK I'RESKNT AND KOKMER CITI/.KNS. 



,".17 



]iersevcrnncc, noted for his honesty, integrity. 
;ui(l bonevoloiu-e to the unfortunate and poor. 
Ht" ro.sided alter leaving tiie farm in Kaisin- 
villo, on Washington street in the city of Mon- 
roe. He was so generally i<novvn and esteemed 
that it was evinced by a ver^- large attendance 
of American and foreign-horn citizens at his 
liineral. He died October tl, 1871, at the ai;e of 
sixty -six, leaving a large family, two of whom, 
(Jeorge W. Bruckner and Christopher, with 
Mrs. Kliza, the wife of Di-. William West, re- 
side in Monroe. 



run. IP !!. TOLL 



Was born May 10. 171t3, in Glenville, N. Y., of 
a very distinguished ancestry that settled at 
Hoft'man's Ferry in 1685. The first ancestor, 
Charles Hansen, served in the New York 
colonial legislature from 1714 to 172fi; was 
killed, with Nicholas DeGraflFand thirty others, 
at the battle of Benkendad, July 18, 1748. 
'I'ho parents of the subject of this sketch, 
Charles H. Toll an<i Klizabelh Hylej', lived to 
the ages of eightj'-six and eighty-eight 
rcs])ectively. The names of Daniel, Simon, 
Abram, Andrew, Isaac and Aaron DcGraif are 
honorably mentioned* as distinguished in the 
First and Second Infantry companies of 1715. 

Philip R. Toll was educated as a ph^-sician, 
but never practiced as such only gratuitously. 
His first business venture was in transportation 
of fi-eight on the Krie Canal, owning .several 
boats, one of which he called the •' General 
Jackson," another the •' Xew Orleans," thus 
giving evidence of his political tendencies. 

He served in the War of 1812, first as a 
sergeant, afterwards as a captain of dragootis 
or mounted artillery; was selected as guard at 
headi|uarters of General Wade Hampton, in 
Canada. 

He married Januarj- 14, 1SI7, Xanc}' DcGraff; 
removed to Ovid, Seneca county. State of New 
York. In 1825 engaged in .mercantile and 
jiroduce opei-ations, carr\Mng on at the same 
time the manufacture of potash, hats, boots and 
shoes. At one time Seba Murphy (later of 
Monroe) was a clerk of his brother-in-law, 
John I. DeGraff, his partner in business. Mr. 
Toll was one of the trustees of the Ovid 
Academj-, and president of the village. 

•Professor Pierson's History. 



In 1834 he removed with his family to 
Centreville, St. Joseph county, and engaged 
in a general supply store, merchandise, drugs, 
medicines, and the manufacture of tinware and 
leather, mostly 8upi)Iying the eastern half of 
St. Jo.seph county, west part of Calhoun and 
south pai-t of Kalamazoo counties. He built 
saw and floui-ing mills at Fawn Uiver, in the 
same count}-, and removed there with his 
family in 18:58. He united with the Dutch 
Reformed church before his marriage at 
Schenectady, and at Centreville assisted in 
forming the first " Christian As.sociation of 
Believers," so called, the sparse population not 
then permitting the founding of any denomi- 
national church, in this place as well as at Fawn 
River paying from his own resources the salary 
and expenses of the Rev. Mr. Daj'. His labors 
at Fawn River were great and exhaustive, in 
clearing wild land into farms, sending the 
products from his mills, supervising the 
interests of a growing community, moulding 
the Christian and educational interests as well. 
In December, IBSfJ, was one of the delegates 
from St. Joseph county to the convention for 
accepting or rejecting the terms proposed by 
Congress for the admission of Michigan into 
the Union, and a delegate from same county 
to the Niles convention for the improvement 
of the navigation of the St. Joseph River. 

In October, 1852, he removed with his family 
to Monroe, purchasing the house now occupied 
by his widow on Elm avenue. He died August 

17, 18G2, of malarial fever, after a long illness. 
Nancy DetirafF, his widow, was born September 

18, 1797, the daughter of John I. DeGraff, who 
served during the entire period of the War of 
the Revolution. Was judge of the court of 
common ])leas of New York. As a member of 
Congress took the oath prescribed by Congress 
in 1778, which was administered by General 
deLaFaj'ctte. He was the first president of 
the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad. His nephew. 
Colonel I.saac D. Toll, now of Petoske}-, 
accompanied him on the first through train, 
with Thurlow Weed and others. In a letter 
from Commodore McDonough, dated Sep- 
tember 14, 1814, addressed to Mr. DeGraff, he 
says: "It was owing to his assistance and 
means furnished by him, he was able to get 
the fleet ready to meet the enemy on I^ake 
Cham])lain, wherebj- he obtained his great 
victory. The United States Government was 



318 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



powerless to aid liim, Washington having been 
burned by the British about tiiat time." 



EMM.\NUEL HKNKY ClfSTER 

Was born in the village of Cressip, a town 
six miles above Cumlierland, Maryland, De- 
cember 10, 180(!. When eighteen j^ears of age 
he went to ( )liio and settled at New Eumley, 
where he worked as a blacksmith. His first 
wife was Miss Matilda Viers. She lived but a 
few years and left three children. Mr. Custer 
married for his second wife Mrs. Maria (VV^ard) 
Kirkpatrick, who had three children when she 
married Mr. Custer. Her oldest daughter, 
Mrs. David Heed, nee Kirkpatrick, has long 
been a resident of Monroe. 

General George A. Custer was the fir.st son 
to survive infancy, and his father made him 
bis constant companion. They attended the 
meeting of the militia together, "company 
muster," and "officers' muster," the great 
mass meetings, and the revival meetings that 
were held during the winter months. Mr. 
Custer had always thought his oldest son 
might become a clergyman, and expected to 
send him to college at Meadville, where he 
owned a scholarship; but the son took his 
future into his own hands. Without aid other 
than by personal application to the member 
of Congress from his district, he secured the 
appointment at West Point. 

Mr. E. H. Custer was a justice of the peace 
about twelve 3'ears. He broke up his home in 
New Eumley in 1842, and came to Monroe in 
May; but his horses were stolen while here, 
and he remained only six months, just long 
enough to make good his losses, and returned 
to his old home, where he remained until 18G3. 

In 1861, when the call for soldiers was made 
and every northern heart was tiied witli 
patriotism, Thomas Ward Custei', then six- 
teen 3'oai-s old, and his brother Nov. were 
determined to enlist, but their fiither would 
notallow but one to leave lor the ai-mj-. '■ Tom" 
said ho " thought he could be more easily 
spared, as his brother understood the care of 
the horses best, and was needed at home." 
Tom enlisted in the Twenty-First Ohio. He 
did not meet his eldest brother, the General, 
for four years. During that time he had grown 
to manhood, and little resembled the pale 



stripling the General had left in the Ohio home. 
They met on the cars, on their way to Monroe 
to attend the General's wedding in 1864. 
When they met their father at his home, Tom 
was introduced as Major Drew, and went 
unrecognized, but the General immediatol}- 
informed his mother who her soldier son was, 
and she enjoyed the mystification of the family 
as well as the older bi'Other. 

Nevin Custer responded to the call for more 
troops, but was not judged I'obust enough to 
endure the fatigues of the camj), and was 
rejected at the recruiting office in Cleveland. 

After the war was over General Custer 
invited his Axther to visit him in Texas, where 
he was stationed during 1865 and a part of 
the following year. Their life in the South was 
full of incident, and many were the jjractical 
jokes perpetrated between the father and sons. 
Mr. Custer's youngest son, Boston, joined his 
brother, the (xcneral, in his last Inditin ex- 
jiedition. He had long desired to enter the 
arm}', but was never encouraged by the 
General, but his enthusiasm and constant 
urging at last prevailed. In his last letter to 
his mother, he seemed full of hope and courage ; 
said "they expected to meet five hundred 
Indians " but evidently feared no disaster. 
"Boss" was always a favorite with his com- 
]ianion8, ami a welcome guest at the fireside. 
Few fathers with so many promising sons have 
been called to meet affliction so overwhelming. 
Three sons, with a son-in-law. Lieutenant 
Calhoun, an exceedingly handsome and dig- 
nified officei-, and a grandson, George Arm- 
strong Eeed, just entering a promising man- 
hood, fell at the battle of the Little Big Horn. 

Mrs. Custer did not long survive the massacre 
of her sons. She was a devoted mother, and 
her home life endeared her to every member 
of the household. Her native endowments 
were unusual ; she maintained an intelligent 
interest in all the imj^ortant questions of the 
day, and lived in an unselfish and consistent 
Christian life. After Mrs. Custer's death, her 
husband made his home with his son Nevin, 
who resides on a farm about three miles from 
Monroe, on the north bank of the i-iver. 
His daughter Margaret, the widow of the 
gallant Calhoun, has been a resident of Detroit 
since the death of her mother. She is an 
elocutionist of note, and deservedly popular in 
many States ofthe Union. 



BIOGRArniKS OK TRESENT AND E0RM1;K CITIZIONS. 



;U9 



Mr. E. H. Custer cast his first vote for 
CToncral Jiiclcson, and as lio rcmarkud •' lias 
fbuglit it out on that line ever since.' 

Mr. Custer is an ardent, consistent advocate 
of the temperance cause. He is one of the 
L-beerful. happy, f^ood old style Methodists. 
A good singer, he contributes to the pleasure 
of his friends occasionally by giving samples 
of the oM style Methodist hymns. 



CJKORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER 

Was Ijorii ill New IJiiinlcy, Harrison county, 
Ohio, December 5, \SM). He came to Monroe 
when he was thirteen j'ears old, and resided 
witli his sister, Mrs. David Keed. He attended 
lilt' academy conducted by Prof. Alfred Steb- 
bins. As a boy he was fond of all athletic 
sports, but industrious and persevering in his 
woi'k as well as amusements. Years after he 
was heard to remark: " The daj-s spent under 
liis sisters influence were of infinite value to 
him. Her earnest prayers repeated them- 
selves in many dark and threatening hours of 
his life, and inspired him with courage and 
hope.' 

After leaving the academy he taught school 
for several months in Ohio, but the uneventful 
routine soon j)roved too irksome for his restless 
and ambitious nature, and he sought an ap- 
pointment to the military academ3' at West 
Point, which he I'eceived, and became a student 
therein July 1, 1857. His vacations were spent 
in Monroe, where his " brass buttons" and gay 
uniform were admired by the rising genera- 
tion, and many life-long friendsiiips, as well as 
the romance of his life, were begun. 

He graduated June 24, 1861, and was ap- 
pointed second lieutenant in the Second rnitcil 
States Cavalry, formerly under Eobei-i E. ]>ec. 
IK' reported to Lieutenant (icneral Scott the 
ilay before the battle of Bull Run, July 2()tli. 
Jjieutenant Custer with his company were 
among the last to leave that disastrous field, 
from which he led his company in good order, 
rescuing General Hcintzelinan, who had been 
wounded. Lieutenant Custer i-emained in 
Washington some time, engaged in <lrilling 
volunteer recruits, but when Phil. Kearnej' 
was appointed brigadier-general, lie made Cus- 
ter one of his staff. He served in that position 
until the War Department prohibited generals 



of volunteers from apjiointing regular army 
otiicers to staff duty. When Lieutenant Custer 
left his staff, Kearney predicted " Custer would 
prove one of the most successful officers in the 
army." 

Custer returned to his company, connected 
with that part of the Army of the Potomac 
which moved upon Manassas after its evacua- 
tion by the enemy. Our cavalry, under General 
Stoneman, then for the first time encountered 
the Confederate horsemen near Catlett's Sta- 
tion. Custer and his men were among the 
first to report to the call of the commanding 
officer for volunteers to charge the enemy. 
The Confederates did not wait to receive their 
charge, but tied across Cedar Run and burned 
the bridge. One of our men was wounded by 
a stray shot, and this was the first blood shed 
in the MacClellan campaign. Custer remained 
with this part of the armj' until it was settled 
down before Yorktown, when he was detailed 
as an assistant engineer, under General Sum- 
ner, of the left wing of the Army of the Po- 
tomac. He planned andcrecled the earthworks 
nearest the ('onfederate lines, and soon after 
accompanied the advance under General Han- 
cock in pursuit of the enemy retiring from 
Yorktown. lie captured the first battle-flag 
for the Arrn\- of the Potomac, and when the 
ai'iny reached the Cliickahoniiny he led his 
company through the river, amid a shower of 
bullets, thus proving his dauntless courage to 
his commander. General MacClellan, who then 
promoted him to a captaincy and appointed 
him one of his staff. He served throughout 
MacClellan's campaign, and marked out the 
position to be occupied by the Union forces 
before the battle of Gaines' Mills. He took an 
active part in the battles of South Mountain 
anil Antietam. 

When General MacClellan was relieved, Cus- 
ter was mustered out as a ca))tairi and aid-de- 
cani]). He was soon called to and participated 
in the battle of Chancellorsville, and alter that 
memorable event was made a personal aid b}- 
General Pleasanton, who was then commander 
of adivisioiiof cavalry. Custer bore himself with 
such fearlessness and gallantry through manj' 
a hotly contested engagement, that General 
Pleasanton. being made major-goneral, recom- 
mended (."uster as worthy the honor of the ap- 
pointment of V>rigadier general, which Custer 
received, and was assigned to the command of 



320 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUN'IV, MICHIGAN. 



the First, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Michigan 
Cavalry, already famous. 

Before Gettysburg he faced Hampton's cav- 
alry division, completely routed them, and 
saved the trains of tlie Union army from fall- 
ing into the enemy's hands. He hiad two horses 
shot under him at this famous battle. He was 
sent almost at the beginning of the encounter 
to attack the Confederates' train, which was 
endeavoring to force its way to the Potomac. 
He demolished more than four hundred wagons, 
and in every position assigned him did noble 
service. 

The following winter Custer was constantly 
engaged in skirmishing and picketing on the 
Hapidan between the two armies. In 18G4 he 
was fighting with iiis usual impetuosity in the 
battle of tiie Wilderness, and for his services 
in the Shenandoah Valley was complimented 
by an ortler of the War Department. Custer 
accompanied General Sheridan, in May, 1864, 
on his famous raid toward Richmond. His 
brigade led the march, and captured Beaver 
Dam, where a train loaded with supplies for 
the enemy was destroyed, and four hundred 
Union prisoners were released. At Ashland 
more prisoners were set free and supplies 
burned. 

Custer met General J. E. B. Stuart with his 
famous cavalry on the " Brooks Pike.' Stuart 
endeavored to check the advance of the Union 
army, but was defeated and killed by one of 
Custer's men and his command completely 
routed. 

He participated in the battle of Cold Harbor 
with Grant's army, and followed General Sheri- 
dan in his second raid. He rendered impor- 
tant 8ervi(re in the battle of Fisher's Hill, and 
retained command of his division until after 
Lee's surrender. 

At the battle of Cedar Creek, his division 
on the right maintained its ground, and Sheri- 
dan found one command ready for action. He 
issued his order, "Go in, Custer!" and he led 
his men to victory. The Confedei-ates were 
driven a number of miles beyond the battle- 
field. A thousand iJrisoners were ca])tured, 
among them a major general ; forty-five pieces 
of artillery and several battle-flags were taken. 
vSheridan, to testify his approbation of Custer's 
service in this engagement, detailed him to 
carry the news of the conquest to Washington, 
for which service he was made a brevet major- 



general of volunteers. General Sheridan gave 
Custer command of the advance on the Confed- 
erates as they fell back to Appomattox, where 
he captured four heavily-laden trains of freight 
cars. 

It is said '• General Custer was in every en- 
gagement fought by the Army of the Potomac, 
from the first battle of Bull liun to the sur- 
render of General Lee." General Sheridan 
appreciated him as a brave and trusted officer, 
as well as a personal friend. Mrs. Custer re- 
ceived from Irtm a letter, accompanying the 
table on which were signed the terms of .sur- 
render of the Virginia army under General 
Leo, in which he wrote: "No person was 
more instrumental in bringing about this most 
desirable result than your most gallant hus- 
band." 

Custer will always stand a unique figure in 
the history of our civil war. About his ex- 
ploits and daring achievements cluster the ro- 
mance of a brilliant career. He knew no fear, 
and was always foremost in the heat of battle, 
nor did he ever ask his men to incur a danger 
he would not share. 

General Custer was mustered out of tlie 
volunteer service February 1, 1866, and ap- 
pointed lieutenant-colonel of the Seventh 
United States Cavalry the following July. He 
was with General Hancock in his o.xpedition 
against the Indians in 1867, and remained on 
frontier duty most of the time until 1876, when 
he met his death June 25th. While in the 
western forts, when the Indians were not on 
the " war-path.'' he wrote a number of inter- 
esting articles for the eastern magazines, de- 
scriptive of the country, and the story of his 
Indian expeditions. Although Custersucceeded 
as a writer, and showed his aptitude for a lit- 
erary occupation by the inci-easing charm of 
his productions, it was as a raconteur he excelled. 
He possessed a wonderful dramatic talent, and 
brought jjcrsons and scenes to view. 

When he returned to his fathers home in 
Monroe on furlough, it was the writer's frequent 
privilege to hear him relate the stirring inci- 
dents of his adventurous life on the frontier, 
(rcneral Custer passed many evenings at our 
fireside, with my boys clustered about him in 
breathless interest. Well do I remember the 
night he recounted the capture of Black Ket- 
tle , we crept with him over the snow in the 
dark and silent hours of night; we saw the 



BIOfJKAI'lIIES OK rKKSENT AN'I) KOKMEK CtTl/ENS. 



.".21 



morning star shoot into sight like a rocket in 
the clear western alni08j)liere ; we heard the 
baby's cry in the distant wigwam, and trembled 
at the bark of the Indian dog tor fear it would 
betray his little band of soldiers. Even when 
the clock on the nmntel struck the hour of two 
in the morning, the children would beg hin\ to 
continue. Ho had a never-failing fund of 
anecdote and adventure. His enthusiasm and 
good-fellowship made liiin a most interesting 
companion. His devotion to his parents, his 
brothers and sisters, was unfailing and tender. 
He never forgot. in the busiest years of his life 
to provide for their comfort and attend to their 
interests. 

General Custer with his brothers. Captain 
Tom Custer, Boston Custer, Ijicutcnant Cal- 
houn, and his nephew, George Armstrong Reed, 
met a tragic death in the battle of the Ijitlle 
Big Horn. With a small party of two hundred 
bravo soldiers, he fell before six thousand Indi- 
ans under Sitting Bull. Many conflicting ac- 
counts of the terrible massacre have been in 
the papers from time to time, and it remains 
for the future historian to render a clear ac- 
count. 

General Cu.ster was married in 18(J4 to Miss 
Elizabeth Bacon, the ueautlCul and accomplished 
daughter of Judge Bacon, of Monroe. Mrs. 
Custer accompanied her husband on most of 
his campaigns and shared his dangers and the 
discomfoi'ts of frontier life. Mrs. Custer has 
given to the world in " Boots and Saddles" 
her experience in some of the trying as well 
as prosperous years of lier life, and has proved 
her devotion and affection, as well as pride, in 
the memorj- of her distinguished husband. 



CHARLES .T.\MKS LANMAN. 
[Abridged from a New I-ondon paper.] 

Charles James Laninan was the son of James 
Lanman, formerly a judge and Senator in Con- 
gress, and born in Norwich, Connecticut, June 
5, 1795. He graduated with honors at Yale 
College in 1814; studied law with his kins- 
man, Roger Griswold, as well as with his falhei-; 
and was admitted to the bar early in 1817, in 
New London. Soon afterwards he was invited 
by Henry Clay to settle in Kentucky, but de- 
cided to seek his fortune in the Territory of 



Michigan on the invitation of his friends. Win 
Woodbridge and Lewis Cass. He made the 
journey from Buffalo to Detroit chiefly on 
lior.seback. Joining Mr. Woodbridge in his 
law office, he began the practice of his profes- 
sion, and while riding the circuit he visited 
Frenchtown, on the River Raisin (now called 
Monroe), where he permanently settled. In 
that place he held many local positions, such 
as attorney for the Territory, judge of probate, 
colonel of militia, and he was also inspector of 
customs and postmaster of Frenchtown. In 
1823, President Monroe appointed him receiver 
of public moneys for the district of Michigan, 
and he was re-appointed by President Adams, 
holding the office eight j-cars. In tho.se early 
days specie was the only currency in vogue, 
and the receipts of silver alone in one j'ear 
amounted to a hundred thousand dollars, which 
had to be transmitted to Detroit, through the 
wilderness, on pack horses; and it is worth 
mentioning, that when he visited Washington 
twenty-fivej-ears afterwards, he was officially in- 
formed that there was a handsome balance of 
money due him by the United States Treasury 
on account of his services as receiver. He 
was one of the founders of Tecumseh, Michi- 
gan ; was a commissioner to locate the county 
seats of many of the leading counties in the 
State, including Ionia, Kent, and Clinton ; was 
surveyor, and once the sole owner of the land 
where now stands the city of Grand Rapids; 
while the same is true of several other flourish- 
ing towns in the State. Although not a prac- 
tical farmer, at one period of his life he in- 
dulged in agricultural tastes, carrying on one 
or two farms, and he was among the very first 
to introduce into Michigan, from Kentucky 
and Virginia, the best breeds of blooded horses. 
In 1835, from family considerations, he returned 
to Norwich. During the financial revulsion of 
1837 he lost the bulk of his property, all of 
which was located in Michigan. In 1838 he 
was elected mayor of Norwich ; was subse- 
quently president of the Norwich Water-Powcr 
Company; and at the conclusion of that ser- 
vice he lived chiefly in retirement. In 1862, 
lured by early recollections, and because of his 
intense love of the .scenery and air of (he ocean, 
he came to New London to reside ; died in that 
city July 25, 1870, and was buried among his 
kindred in Xorwich. 



322 



IIISTOUY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



CHARLES LANMAN. 

Born ill Monroe, Miclii.tfan, June 14. liSl'.t. 
and son of Charles James Lanmaii and Mary 
Gui. When about ten years of atfe lie was sent 
to Norwich, C'onnectieiit, where, under the 
care of his ^.n-and father, James Ijanraaii, ho 
attended lor three years tlie academies of Nor- 
wich and I'lainfield. In 1835, when his parents 
removed to Connecticut, he became a Pearl 
Street clerk in New York, where ho remiiiiied 
ten years, lu 1845 he returned to his native 
place, and for a few months edited the Monroe 
Gazette, after which he wont to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and became the assistant editor of the 
Chronicle of that city ; and after making a tour 
to the Up])er Mississippi and Lake Superior lie 
returned to New York, and was connected with 
the .£'a;/)ress newspaper. In the interest of that 
journal he visited the city of Washington in 
1848, where he became permanently identified 
with the old National Intelligencer, since which 
time he has resided in tlie metropolis, where 
he was married to Adeline Dodge in 184!). As 
a lover of scenery and an angler lie made annual 
tours in every part of the United Slates and 
Canada, and came to he designated by his 
friend, Washington Irving, as " the picturesque 
ex])Iorer of the United States ;" and among 
the journals, besides iho Intelliyencer, to which 
he contributed his observations, were the Lon- 
don Illustrated Neirs and Athenauim, as well as 
the Observer, Evening Post and Journal of Com- 
merce, of New Y'ork. 

In the way of official positions, Mr. Lanman 
has had the pleasure of holding the following: 
Jjibrarian of the War Department in 1849 ; 
librarian of copj-rights in the State Depart- 
ment in 1851, when, at the request of Millartl 
Fillmore, heorganized the library in the Exec- 
utive Mansion ; private secretarj' of Daniel 
Webster, 1851 ; examiner of depositaries in the 
Gulf States, 1853; librarian Interior Depart- 
ment, 1857; librarian House of Rejirescntatives, 
1861 : head of the Returns Office, I. I)., 1865; 
American secretary of the Jajianese Legation, 
1871, for eleven years; assistant assessor Dis- 
trict of Columbia, 1885; and librarian of the 
Washington City library, 1888. 

As an author he has produced not less than 
thirty two volumes, six of which were repub- 
lished in Great Britain, while twenty-two arc 
on the s'uelves of the National Libi-ary. His- 
writings, as be has arranged them for publica- 



tion in a revised and uniform style, are as fol- 
lows ; "Essays for Summer Hours," "Even- 
ings in my Library," " Riverside Essays," "Let- 
ters from a Motley Crew," " Curious Characters 
and Pleasant Places." "My Ships of Thought,' 
"A Summer in the Wilderness," " A Tour to 
the River Saguenay," "Letters from the Alio- 
ghany Mountains," "A Tour to the Resti- 
gouche,'' " A Winter in the South," " From the 
Eiver Potomac to Mount Desert," ■' Private 
Life of Daniel Webster,' "William Wood- 
bridge," " Octavius Perenchicf," "Haphazard 
Personalities," •' Japaiiiana. ' and " In the 
Evening Twilight.'' 

The publications which have been excluded 
from the foregoing list, for manifold reasons, 
are as follows: "Dictionary of Congress," 
" Bfographical Annals," " Farthest North," 
" Red Book of Michigan," " Letters from a 
Ijandscape Painter," " Pri.son Life of Alfred 
Ely," "Noted Men of Japan,' "Japanese in 
America," " Personal Mcmoi-ials of Daniel 
Webster," " Resources of the United States," 
■' Haw-HoNoo, or Records of a Tourist,'' and 
" Adventures in the Wilds of America." Of 
the " Dictionarj' of Congress," it may be said 
that it was the only work belonging to a pri- 
vate individual ever published by the Govern- 
ment as a public document, and it was after lie 
had been paid a regular royalty of one dollar 
per copy for several thousand copies, that Con- 
gress adopited his plan for one of its own com- 
pilations and thus deprived him of his rights 
under the copyright law, for which injury a 
claim is now pending in Congress for sixl3- 
thousand dollars. 

Mr. Lanman manifested a love for art even 
when a bo}- in Monroe, and as an amateur he 
has used the pencil since then continually, 
having been elected an associate of the New 
York Academy of Design in 1847, and produced 
in oil more than one thousand pictures of 
American sccnerv. 



(iENERAL (iEORGE SPALDING. 

Geoi-ge Spalding was born in Scothiiid in 
the year 1836. Ainlrow Sp:ildiiig, his father, 
was a farmer; with his wife and family he 
emigrated to America in 1843, .settling in 
Buffalo, New. York. In 1853 he purchased a 
I'arm near Monroe, on the River Ilaisin. The 
parents of General Spalding were of the sturdy 



BIOGRArHIES or I'UESENT AND I'ORMK.R CITIZENS. 



A2:) 



Presbyterian stock, and have always been 
consistent members of that churcii. The liomc 
discipline received by the son. together with 
the instructions imparted by the public schools 
of Buffalo, formed the basis of an education 
and character which have proved their useful- 
ness and value both in the field and in civil 
life. General Spalding lived at home until the 
winter of 1860-61, when he taught a district 
school. lie was a Douglass Democrat, and 
was elected clerk of his town.<lii]i in the spring 
of 1861. 

When Fort Sumter was fired upon he im- 
mediately enlisted as a private soldier in what 
was subsequently Company A, Fourth Mich- 
igan Infantry, which was mustered into the 
Ignited Stales service in May, 1861, at Adrian, 
.Michigan, and Colonel D. A. Woodbury was 
appointed its colonel. George Spalding was 
made first sergeant of this company, and 
moved to the seat of war at an early da\', 
passing through Baltimoi-c shortly after the 
attack by rebels upon the First Massachusetts 
Regiment. The regiment moved with the 
forces under General McDowell toward Bull 
Kun, but before reaching that ])lacc was 
stopped at Fairfax Court House, and established 
a courier line between the telegraph office at 
that place and General McDowell's head- 
quarters at Bull Eun battle-field. In the sum- 
mer of ISlil, Sergeant Spalding was promoted 
to first lieutenant and assigned, to command of 
Company B. same regiment. In the fall of 
1861 he was commissioned captain of Company 
B. In the reorganization of the army the 
Fourth Michigan Infantry was assigned to 
General Fitz John Porter's corps. During the 
winter of 1861-62 tiie regiment was constantly 
occupied doing picket duty, encountering many 
sharp skirmishes with the enemy, .\ftcr Mac- 
Clellan's change to the Peninsula, (ieneral 
Porter's corps had the right of the line resting 
on Voi'k River. On arriving in front of York- 
town, General Porter called upon Colonel 
Woodbury to send an officer and thirty j)icked 
men to reconnoitre the enemy's position at 
Yorktown, to learn, if possible, the number of 
their heavy guns, etc. Captain Spalding was 
assigned to this hazardous enterprise and suc- 
ceeded to the satisfaction of the commanding 
general, but in doing so he received a severe 
gunshot wound in the left shoulder. As the 
army soon commenced moving, he declined a 



" leave of absence' tendered him, and took 
command of his company with his arm in a 
sling; he participated in all the engagement.s, 
Iti the advance upon IJichmond, and at New 
Bridge, during a sharp skirmish, he narrowly 
escaped death by being shot at by a rebel 
officer, who had surrendered to him, but fired 
his rifle when within ten feet of him, tearing 
away his pistol and belt, inflicting a painful 
but not dangerous wound. 

The Fourth Regiment participated in the 
following battles: Hanover Coui-t House, May 
27th, 1862 ; at Mechaniesville, June 26 ; on the 
27th at (Jaines Mill ; Savage Station, June 29th ; 
at Turkey Bend, June 30th ; White Oak Swamp, 
same day; and July 1st at Malvern Hill, when 
it became conspicuously- engaged, losing its 
colonel, D. A. Woodbury. Captains Dupuy and 
Rose, while Captain Spalding was severely 
wounded in the left of the neck and reported 
in press dispatches as killed. The loss in 
Fourth Michigan Infantry in six da3-s was 
53 killed, 14-1 wounded and 52 missing. Leave 
of absence was tendered Captain Spalding, 
which he accepted, and when about to leave. 
General Griffin, the brigade commander, handed 
him a sealed letter addressed to Governor Blair. 
It subscijuently turned out to be a letter to the 
Govei-nor urging Captain Spalding's promotion 
to the i-ank of major. The Governor commis- 
sioned him major of the Fourth Regiment, but 
Ca|)tain Spalding waived it in favor of the senior 
captain, and afterwards accepted the lieutenant- 
colonelcy of the Highteeiith ilichigan Infantry, 
then at Hillsdale, Michigan, Hon. Henry 
Waldron in command. Colonel Spalding, with 
his regiment, was ordered to report to General 
Lew. Wallace, in command at ('incinnati. which 
was then threatened b^' an attack from Genei-al 
Kirby Smith. An advance was soon made 
over the Oliio Rivei', and the li'oops marched 
over what was known as the Dry Ridge of 
Kentucky-, to Lexington. Here the regiment 
was camped in the winter of 1862-63. Karly 
in the S|)ring the campaign opened, and before 
midsummer the rebels were driven out of 
Kentucky. Soon alter this the regiment was 
ordered to report to General Rosecrans, Army 
of the Cumberland. On its arrival at Xashville, 
Tennessee, Colonel Spalding was ma<]e provost 
marshal of the city, and the Eighteenth Mich- 
igan Infantrj-, with all its officers and men, 
reported to him for duty as provost guard. 



324 



IIISTOKV OK MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



As provost marshal of Nashville, Colonel 
Spahling was given almost plenary powers. 
The military and civil police of the entire city 
reported and received orders from him. He 
remained in this position until February, 1864, 
when he resigned to accept the colonclc}- of 
the Twelfth Tennessee CavaUy. Colonel 
Spalding was inimediatclj' assigned to the 
command of a brigade of cavalry, and ordered 
to take charge of the Nashville and North- 
Wcstert) Railroad. The entire line of this road ■ 
was invested by large bodies of guerrillas, and 
tlicir extermination began at once. In a few 
months Colonel Spalding had cleaned out all 
the organized troops in that section. He and 
his command were then ordered to jirotect the 
Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, and he 
was assigned to the command of a division of 
cavalry known as the Fifth Division of Cavalry, 
A. C. He established his headquarters at 
Pulaski, Tennessee. Here during the summer 
and fall of 1864 his troops were constantly 
engaged in fighting Generals Roddy, Wheeler 
and Forrest, who were in lai'ge force constantly 
attempting to break the railroad. During the 
invasion of General Hood into Tennessee, 
Colonel Spalding was ordered with his division 
to try and ])revent the enemy from crossing 
the Tennessee River, and to report to General 
Thomas his observations and opinions of the 
force and chai'acter of the troops of the enemy. 
On arriving at Florence, Alabama, he found 
the enenij' in strong force on the opposite side 
of the river, and immediately dispatched to 
Genci-al Thomas that General Hood's entire 
army was preparing to invade Tennessee and 
would undoubtedlj- cross the river at or near 
Florence, Alabama. Forrest's entire cavaliy 
command was covering the movements of 
Hood's ai-my. Several severe battles were 
fought dui-ing the retreat to Nashville, includ- 
ing the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin, etc. 
At Nashville, General Thomas i-eorganized his 
army and prepared to give battle. On the 
morning of December 15th the attack was 
begun, and waged with terrible violence until 
Hood's army was put to flight. Colonel 
Sisalding was complimented b}- a general oi'dor, 
which was read at the head of each regiment; 
also received honorable mention in the report 
of General Hatch for his bravery and energy. 
The following is an extract from the official 
report of General George H. Thomas: 



"As the Fourth Corps pursued the enemy on 
the Franklin Pike, General Wilson hastily 
mounted Knipe's and Hatch's divisions of his 
command and directed them to pursue along 
the Gi'anny White Pike and endeavor to reach 
Franklin in advance of the enemy. After 
proceeding about a mile they came upon the 
enemy's cavalry under General Forrest, posted 
across the road and behind barricades. The 
position was taken by the Twelfth Tennessee 
Cavalry, Colonel Spalding commanding, and 
the enemy's lines broken, scattering them in 
all directions and capturing quite a number of 
prisoners, among them General E. W. Ruckel.' 

In the Nashville battle General Spalding re- 
ceived a severe wound in the left knee. Col- 
onel Spalding was brevetted brigadier-general 
for "gallant and meritorious service" in the 
battle of Nashville. He was selected with one 
hundred picked men to follow the broken 
remnants of Hood's command until the last 
man had crossed the Tennessee River. General 
Spalding was assigned to the command of tiic 
First Brigade, Fifth Division Cavalry Corps, 
Military Division of the Mississippi, and 
ordered to report to Major-General Pope, 
headquarters at St. Louis, Missouri. He ar- 
rived in St. Louis May 17th, 1865, and by 
General Pope he was assigned to command the 
District of Northern Missouri, headquarters at 
Macon ; from there he was assigned to a 
district in Kansas, with headquarters at 
Lawrence. 

October 24th, 1865, the war being over, his 
command was mustered out of service, and 
General Spalding returned to Monroe, Mich- 
igan, where in 1866 he was appointed post- 
master. In 1871 he was appointeil Special 
Agent of the Treasury Department, where he 
served four jears, going to the Rio Grande River 
to report upon the commerce between Mexico 
and the United States. In 1876 he was elected 
mayor of the Democratic city of Monroe, and 
the same year he was elected president of the 
board of education. In the spring of 1877 he 
was elected a director of the First National 
Bank and in a short time appointed its cashier, 
which office he now holds. In 1878 he was 
admitted to the bar. General Spalding has 
been an ardent and hard-working Republican, 
Ijcing chairman of the county committee and 
holding it for quite a number of years. He 
has during each presidential campaign stumped 



BlOf.RAPHlES OF PRESENT AND KORMER CITIZENS. 



;$25 



his o«'ii county, and frequently made speeches 
ill Lenawee and Hillsdale, where he has many 
warm admirers and friends among his old 
arnij- comrades, as well as others who have 
formed his acquaintance since the war, and 
have learned that in General Spalding are 
embodied those qualities which go to make up 
a true friend, a good citizen and an honest man. 



CAPTAIN JOHN ALFOKI) 

Came from the State of New York with his 
father's family to Monroe in 1818. In a small 
sloop the}' coasted on the south shore of Lake 
Erie, c;imping nights. They sailed up the 
River Raisin and landed on the north bank, 
when but one frame and two log houses oc- 
cupied the site of the battle ground of the 
River Raisin massacre. 

Warren Alford, son of John Alford, the edi- 
tor of this work has occasion to remember 
with gratitude for his efforts fifty five 3ears 
ago in rescuing the writer from a watery grave. 
I was skating in advance of a party of boys at 
the month of the River Raisin, and broke in. 



Warren stripped off his skates, tied the straps 
to his comforter, which the writer caught onto 
and was drawn out. 1 skated three miles in 
frozen clothes, and was cared for by the familj* 
of Timoth}' Emerson, who resided at the docks. 

Captain John Alford the year of his arrival 
assisted in gathering and bur\-ing the bones of 
the Kentuckians slain at tlie massacre of the 
River Raisin. Mails were then received but 
once a week from Detroit. 

Captain John Alfred wasthefiather of General 
George F. Alford, now residing in Texas; and 
Cajitain Alford, now residing in Monroe, 
sailing in summer months a beautiful steam 
yacht, who married the daughter of Stephen 
B. Wakefield, of Shawnee Springs, In town 
of Monroe. 

Mr. and Mrs. John .\lford remained in Mon- 
roe seventeen years — removed to Giliralter in 
1835 ; suffered considerable loss and inconven- 
ience from the " Patriots ' in 1837 and 1838. 
After residing in (Jibralter thirty years, re- 
moved to Trenton, where they spent the even- 
ing of life. Mrs. John Alford survived her 
husband a few years and died in 1887, at the 
advanced age of eightj-cight j'ears. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



SECRKT SOCIKTIES. 



MASONS. 

M().\i;()E JjOUGK lias had a somewhat 
eventful Ijistory. It has really had its 
second birth. Old Monroe Lodge, No. 375, 
was organized in the j-car 1825 under a dispen- 
sation from the Grand Master of the Grand 
Lodge of New Y(7i"k, and by him constituted 
and its officers publicly installed on St. John 
the Baptist's Day, June 24, 1825. The exer 
cises took place in the first, or original, court 
house here. It was a wooden structure, com- 
posed of hewn logs covered with boards, and 
located at or near the northeiist corner of our 
public square, in front arid somevvliat east of 
the present Presbyterian church edifice. 

We arc informed that a large collection of 
people were present, and that Brother Bev. 
Noah Wells, father of Brother Wm. H. Wells, 
now of Erie, acted as Grand Chaplain for the 
Grand Lodge of the State of New York. The 
venerable brother has long since been called 
home, full of years and full of honors. He was 
a pioneer in his calling as a minister of the 
gospel. The son still survives. He was at one 
time a member of this lodge, but has not taken 
an active part for several years past. 

The following gentlemen were then dul}- in- 
stalled into office: Seneca Allen, Worshipful 
Master ; Hiram Brown, Senior Warden ; Harry 
Conant, Junior Warden; John Anderson, 
Treasurer ; Charles Noble, Secretary. 

Seneca Allen, the first Worshipful Master, 
was a half-breed, his maternal pai-ent beinL? a 
full blooded squaw. He was a son of John Allen, 
formerly owner of the site, and later founder of 
the present beautiful city of Rochester, Now 
York. lie left .several children : A son, Henry 
Allen, of Milan, this county; Mrs Truax, of 
Detroit, formerly living at Trenton, Michigan ; 
also Mrs. Colton, of Toledo, well known by 
.some of o.ir older citizens and highly respected. 
Mr. Allen was a surveyor by profession, and 
stood high in his calling— a vigorous and 



hai'dy ])ioneer of those earl_v days. Some of 
our older citizens knew him well, and can re- 
late many interesting reminiscences in con- 
nection with him. His son Henry is still liv- 
ing, and a member of Milan Ijodge, No. 323, 
the latest constituted, and probably the last 
that ever will be constituted in this county, at 
least for many years to come. So that while 
the father was the Worshipful Master of the 
first, the .son is a member of the last constituted 
lodge in this county. 

Hiram Brown, who was installed as first 
Senior Warden, seems to have pretty well 
passed out of memory, as well as out of sight 
and influence, as I can find no traces of his 
family, or much of anj-thing else concerning 
him at the present time. 

Harry Conant, who was installed as first 
Junior Warden of Monroe Lodge, No. 375, was 
a physician, druggist, and a strong man gen- 
erally. The doctor was father to our gallant 
and popular townsman, the Hon. Harry A. 
Conant, Mrs. James Armitage, Mrs. John Ho- 
garth, of this city, and Mrs. General Williams, 
of Detroit, as well as the lawful spouse of old 
Mrs. Conant, still living on First street, Mon- 
roe, loved and respected by all who know her. 
The Doctor's drug .store occupied the ground 
now covered b3' the building vphere Mr. S. M. 
Sackett has his drug store, and where the same 
kind of business has been carried on since 
1822 — first by Daniel B. Miller and Doctor Co- 
nant, later by Doctor Conant, and finally, till 
the present time, by S. S. Sackett. 

Colonel John Anderson, who was installed 
as first Treasurer of the old lodge, was father 
of Judge Alexander Anderson and John An- 
derson, both of whom are now dead, but Mrs. 
John Anderson is still living on the north side 
of the river, eminently respected by all who 
know her. The distinguished jurist and coun- 
selor, Judge Warner Wing, also married a 
daughter of Colonel John Anderson. 

Charles Noble, who was elected first Secre- 



[32G] 



SECRET SOCIETIES. 



32^ 



tary of the old lodge, was brother to Hon. 
David A. Noble, whose son is here with us 
as the Grand Treasurer of most of tlio 
(irand Masonic bodies in this State, havin<f 
the reputation of being the most methodical, 
painstaking and correct Grand Treasurer these 
(irand bodies have e%-cr had. 

After the installation ceremonies were ovei', 
the assembled brothers and friends were in- 
vited to participate in the good things of a 
grand dinner, served by Mr. A. C. Chapman, 
long since dead, who at that time kept hotel 
where Mr. Dansard now has his bank. It was 
known liy the name of " TTie Michigan Ex- 
change,' and had the reputation of being the 
largest and finest hotel in the then Territory 
ol" Michigan. Colonel F. A. Winans, who was 
jwslniaslor here under President Buchanan, 
married Mr. Chapman's daughter Emcline, 
took one degree of Masonry in tliis lodge, en- 
tered the service of the Union as lieutenant- 
colonel of the Seventh Michigan Infantry-, 
came home and died. Mr. A. C. Chapman's 
son, Alcott C, married Miss Susan Smilh, went 
to California, where he met with a melancholy 
death, leaving a son, Thornberg, a plienom- 
enally bright young man, who also met witii a 
tragic;il death, having been poisoned wiiile 
dissecting. 

You will see by the foregoing tliat tiie first 
officers of the first lodge in Monroe were men 
of sterling worth and wide influence, and I am 
pleased to saj* that as a rule their immediate 
descendants have proven to be " worthy sons 
of noble sires. " 

The old Monroe Lodge was not No. 27, but 
No. 375. It was not then under the jurisdiction 
cif the State of Michigan, but of the (irand 
Lodge of New York. 

There was no such State as Michigan then, 
neither was there such an organization as "the 
Grand Lodge of Michigan." One year from 
tiio time of the aforementioned installation, 
however, old Monroe Lodge, No. 375, Zion 
Lodge, No. 3 (no'.v Zion Lodge, No. 1), Detroit 
Lodge, No. 337 (now Detroit Lodge, Xo. 2), 
and Menominee Lodge, No. 374, joined in a 
convention at Detroit, and organized tiie first 
(irand Lodge of Michigan, electing Lewis Cass 
(irand Master. 

It may be interesting at this juncture to note 
a few facts in connection with Zion Lodge 
of Detroit, viz. : That on the 7th of Septem- 



ber, 1794, Thomas Ainslie, Deputy (irand 
Master of the Athol (irand Ijodgo of Canada, 
granted a warrant for tlie organization of Zion 
Lodge, No. 10, at Detroit. This ajjpcars to 
have been the date of the introduction of Ma- 
sonry into that province (meaning Michigan). 
The lodge lived about nine years. It was re- 
vived in 1807 under and by virtue of a dispensa- 
tion issued by DeWitt Clinton, Grand Master, 
and afterwards governor of New York. The 
number of Zion Lodge was changed to that of 
No. 3. At the reorganization in 1844 its num- 
ber was again changed, and made No. 1. So 
that she has existed under the auspices of 
three Grand Lodges and had three numbers. 

On year later, viz., 1827, the (irand Lodge 
of Michigan was requested to assist in laj'ing 
tiie corner-stone of St. Paul's church of Deti-oit, 
the mother I'^piscopal church of the West. But 
owing to the wild fanaticism which jirevailed 
at that time in consequence of the alleged mur- 
der of one Wm. Morgan, it was not possible to 
convene a quorum of members for that pur- 
pose. Not even the great power and influence 
of that gallant soldier and patriot statesman, 
(ioneral Lewis Cass, who was Gi-and Master 
as well as territorial governor at that time, 
wore sufficient to enable him to convene a 
(|uorum of members, and induce them to stem 
the tide of popular fear and indignation of the 
hour. Consequcntl}-' the torner-slone of St. 
Paul's church was not laid b^- the Grand Lodge 
of Michigan or by any other Masonic bod3-. 

When I have stated the main features of an 
article which was published at Canandaigua, 
New York, early in September, 182C (the year 
the first Grand Lodge of Michigan was organ- 
ized), and copied as rapidlj- and spread as gen- 
erally tiiroughout the land as the meagre 
facilities of that early day would permit, and 
with as much malignity as ignorant fanaticism 
could contrive or conceive, you will no longer 
wonder why Masonry had to retire, for a time, 
from public gaze, and to perform their heaven- 
iTispired deeds of benevolence and charity in 
the utmost secrecy. 

The article to which I have referred runs 
substantially as follows. (In order that you 
may not be frightened or too greatly surprised, 
I will premise by .saying I am about to '• give 
Free Ma.sonr}- away " completely.) 

"On Sunday, September the 10th, 1820, the 
coroner of the county of Ontario, New York, 



328 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



being Master of the Masonic Lodge at Canan- 
daigua, applied foi- a warrant to apprehend one 
AVilliam Morgan, living at Batavia, fifty miles 
away, for the larceny of a shirt and cravat. 
Armed with the proper papers and in company 
with ten other Masons heproceeded in acarriage, 
and on the (\ay following seized and secured 
the man guilty of the alleged enormity touching 
the borrowed shirt and cravat. About suniset 
of the same day (Monday, September 11th) 
the}- returned to Canandaigua. The prisoner 
was arraigned before the justice who issued the 
warrant, but discharged, as the plaintiff did not 
appear against him. The same coroner and 
(J rand Master again arrests him for a debt of 
two doUai's and imprisoned him. This being 
paid and the victim released, a yellow carriage 
and gray horses are seen by the light of the 
moon rolling with extraordinary rapidity to- 
wards the jail, Morgan is again seized, gagged 
and bound, and thrown into the carriage, con- 
taining several other men, and driven away 
again in an opposite dii-cction as rapidly as 
before. 

" This carriage drove night and daj- over a 
hundred miles of well-settled country, with 
fresh hor.ses supplied at six different places, and 
with corresponding changes of men. 

" With a single exception every individual 
concerned was a Free Ma.son, and the excep- 
tion was immediately initiated by a unanimous 
vote of the lodge at Lewistown. Everything 
went on like clockwork up to the hour of the 
evening of the 14th of September, when the 
prisoner was taken from the carriage at Fort 
Niagara and lodged in the place used as a 
powder magazine. It is affirmed that eight 
Masons met and threw into a hat as many lots, 
three of which only were marked. Each man 
then drew a lot, and where it was not marked he 
went immediately home. There is reason to 
believe that the three who remained were the 
persons who, on the night of the l9th or 20th 
of September took their victim from the fort, 
carried him to the middle of the .stream, and 
having fastened a heavy weight to hira, threw 
him into the stream." 

This fearful tale had the effect to throw the 
whole country into a panic of persecution 
against the Masons and Masonry, and as a 
partial consequence the Grand Lodge of Mich- 
igan was closed, and not again opened until the 
2d day of June, 1841, fourteen years later, at 



which time Lewis Cass was again elected Grand 
Master. In the meantime Monroe and other 
subordinate lodges were also closed. 

On the 17th of September, 1844, pursuant to a 
resolution of the old or first Grand Lodge of 
Michigan, acting under new charters received 
from the Grand Lodge of New York for the sub- 
ordinate lodges in Michigan Territory, was or- 
ganized the present Gi-and Lodge of Michigan, 
i-e-olecting General Lewis Cass Grand Master; 
the Grand liOdgc of New York having refused 
to recognize the organization under and by 
virtue of what she pleased to denominate "The 
defunct lodges of Michigan Tcri'itory.' On the 
5th of July, 1848, Monroe Lodge, No. 27, was 
organized by authority of a dispensation issued 
by Judge E. Smith Lee, (Jrand Master, to 
Brother Isaac Lewis, Worshipful Master; 
Brother John Burch, Senior Warden ; Brother 
George KirUland, Junior Warden, and Brothers 
Walter P. Clark, George W. Crispin, Thomas 
Leonai'd, James Q. Adams, Jefferson G. Thur- 
ber, Daniel B. Miller and Riley Ingersoll. Of 
these ten gentlemen only two survive, viz.: 
Isaac Lewis and George Kirkland. 

After opening they had an election with the 
following result, viz. : Brother Lsaac Lewis, 
Worshipful Master ; Brother John Burch, 
Senior Warden; Brother George Kirkland, 
Junior Warden; Brother Daniel B. Miller, 
Treasurer; Brother Jefferson G. Thurber, Sec- 
retary; Brother Geo. W. Crispin, Tj-ler. 

They convened in what was then known as 
" Odd Fellows Hall,'' but subse<[uently, and for 
many years, Zion church (Lutheran), .south- 
west corner of First and Cass streets, which 
has since given way to Zion church school 
building. At this meeting Jefferson G. Thur- 
ber was apjjointed to draft a set of by-laws for 
the lodge, and Brothers Isaac Lewis, John 
Burch and George Kirkland to negotiate for a 
suitable hall in which to meet. 

Brother Isaac Lewis was Government super- 
vising inspector of steamboats under Presi- 
dents Pierce and Buchanan ; has held the office 
of county inspector of the poor for twenty-five 
years, and has held other offices of trust and 
honor, and has always had an unsullied repu- 
tation for strict honesty and fidelity. 

Brother John Burch represented this county 
in our State senate during the sessions of 
1842-3; was mayor of this city in 1850. 

Brother George Kirkland represented this 



SECRET SOCIETIES. 



329 



county, in part, at Ijansiiis^ in tlio Ikuot iionsc 
in 1855, and has hold other place of trust and 
honor. 

Brother JctVorson G. Tiuirhei-, Krst secret a ly 
ol' Monroe Ijodfrc, No. 27, was an able lawyer 
and speaiicr ; represented tliis county in our 
Slate senate in 1844, '45, ^(i, '47. Ilis eldest 
daujfhter, Elizabetii, is the |)resent wife of 
Brotiier Judge Taleott E Wiiii;. His eldest 
son is a Congregational minister of eminence 
at Syracuse, New York, hut has recently re- 
ceived and accepted a call to a church in 
Paris, France. His second son, Henry C, is a 
lawyer of Detroit, and i)artner of Hon. Don. 
M. Dickinson, late Postmaster General. 

i5rothers Walter P. Clark, James Quincy 
Adams and Dan. B. Miller were each mayor of 
the city, besides receiving man}- other honors 
here and elsewhere, and the children of Bros. 
Clark and Miller after them are widely known 
and highly resjiected, niost, if not all, having 
served in many places of trust and honor. 

So you will see the first officers and charter 
members of Monroe Lodge, No. 27, like tho.se 
of Monroe Lodge, No. 375, already referred to, 
have a record that ni'ilhcrtiies' nor their friends 
need be ashamed of 

At the next meeting, July 12, 1848, Walter 
W. Prentice formally asked to be made a -Ma- 
son, and Brother II. W. Cam|)bell was admit- 
ted a member by dimit. These were the first 
two applicants for the privileges of Monroe 
Lodge, No. 27, one for memljcrship and the 
other for the mysteries of Masonry. 

On the2()th of July, 1848, Walter W. Pren- 
tice was elected to take the Entered Apprentice 
degree, and Charles Noble to membership. 
The latter was the secretary of the origin:il 
lodge (Monroe Lodge, No. 375), organized in 
1825, and the only member of that old lodge 
who ever affiliated with Monroe Lodge, No. 27. 
Brother Prenlico was the first person ever 
elected for a degree in this lodge. 

On the 2d of August, 1848, Monroe Lodge 
adopted a set of by-laws. On the 9th of August 
Walter W. Prentice was made an Entered Ap- 
prentice Mason. This was the first degree 
over conferred in Monroe Lodge, No. 27, 
Brother H. W. Campbell acting as Worshipful 
Master. 

On the Gth of September Brother Isaac Levis 
conferred the degree of Fellow Craft on Rus- 
eell Howe and David H. Derrick This vvas 



the first time this degree was ever conferred 
in Monroe Lodge, No. 27. 

On the 4th of October, 1848, " Walter W. 
Prentice was raised to the Sublime degree of 
Master Mason in due and ancient form," 
Brothei-s Win. W. Lister and Ezi-a Ilooil, of 
Detroit Lodge, No. 2, acting as Worshipful 
Master and Senior Warden respectively. This 
was the first time this degree was ever con- 
ferred in Monroe Lodge, No. 27. Brother Lis- 
ter was the person u])on whom Brother John 
B;irne3', the real author of the present work in 
this Grand jurisdiction, conferred the degrees 
in Detroit Lodge, No. 2, at that time, viz., 
June, 1844, one j'car after the reorgani/.ation 
of Masonry at Baltimore, Maryland ; while 
Brother Ezra Rood was one of the brothers 
who were in dail}' attendance upon the in- 
structions of Brother John Barney while in 
Detroit, after the Baltimore or Barney work- 
was adopted. 

On the 29th of November, 1848, Monroe 
Lodge fi.Ked the present time of holding regular 
meetings, viz. : "The Wednesday evening on 
or preceding the full moon in each month." 
Previous to this time all meetings were regulars 
to all intents and ])urposos, as they received 
and referred petitions, balloted for candidates 
and conferred degrees at all meetings regard- 
less of rules. 

At the session of the (jrand Lodge January, 
1849, Monroe Lodge was chartered and num- 
bered — IJrother Isaac Fjcwis representing the 
lodge. 

On the 14th of February, 1849, Brother 
Uosmer, of Toledo, Ohio, was here bj"^ request 
and conferred the third degree upon Brothers 
Rii.si3ell Howe and D. II. Derrick. On the 28th 
of February, 1849, Brother George Kirkland, 
acting as Worshipful Master, conferred the 
third degree on Brother Ashley. He was the 
first member of Monroe Lodge who over con- 
ferred the third degree in it, Detroit or Toledo 
jiartics always having clone it previously. 
Brother Kirkland became one of the l)rightost 
and best working Masons in Michigan. 

March 21, 1849, Brother Walter W. Prentice 
acted as Worshipful Master for the first time. 
Brother Lewis being ab.sent. 

On the 4th, 5th, 14th, 17th, 18th and 19th of 
July, 1S49, the Grand Lecturer, A. C. Smith, 
of Detroit, was here instructing the officers of 
the lodge in the work and lectures. During 



3B0 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



this time Brothers I. R. (irosveiior and John 
M. Bliven were initiated, passed and raised to 
the Sublime degree of Masonry, while Brother 
E. G. Morton was initiated and passed to the 
degree of Fellow Craft. 

During the month of August, 1849, Brothers 
E. G. Brigham and Daily were made Masons. 

On the 3d of September, 1849, Brother Tal- 
cott E. Wing was made an Entered Apprentice 
Mason. 

On the 14th of November, 1849, Brother 
Isaac Lewis conferred the third degree on 
Brothers B. G. Moi-tou and Barton W. Spears. 
This was the first time Brother Isaac Lewis 
ever conferred the third degree, as far as the 
records of the lodge show. Oft the 28th of No- 
vember, 1849, the first annual election of of- 
ficers occurred, and the following were chosen ; 
Brother Isaac Lewis, Worshipful Master ; 
lirother Jefferson G. Thurber, Senior Warden ; 
Brotiier John M. Oliver, Junior Warden. This 
did not appear to please the members exactly, 
for on the 2Cth of December, 1849, they held 
another election, with the following result, viz.: 
Brother Isaac Lewis, Worshipful Master; 
Brother Walter W. Prentice, Senior Warden ; 
Brother Walter P. Clark, Junior Warden ; 
Brother Charles Noble, Treasurer; Brother 
John M. Oliver, Secretary. On the day fol- 
lowing the balance of the ofticers were ap- 
pointed, I. II. Grosvenor and Barton W. Spears, 
Stewards. 

On the 3d of January, 1850, the above named 
officers were duly installed by Brother Bar- 
bour, of Detroit, the lodge having failed to 
procure the services of Brother J. II. Cleve- 
land, of Adrian, for that purpose. 

This closes the first Masonic year of Monroe 
Lodge, No. 27. She has had her period of in- 
cubation, so to speak, while working under a 
dispensation issued by Grand Master E. Smith 
Lee ; her first year of chartered existence; her 
first annual election and installation of officers, 
etc., etc. 

On the 20th of February Brother 1. E. Gros- 
venor, in accordance with instructions, pro- 
cured a set of jewels for the officers of the lodge. 
Brother Ira Maj'hew was also elected at this 
meeting. He has since become famous in the 
history of this State as an educator. 

October 5, 1850, occurred the second annual 
election of Monroe Lodge, and resulted as fol- 
lows, viz. : Brother Isaac Lewis, Worshipful 



Master; Brother Walter W. Prentice, Senior 
Warden; Brother Jefferson G. Thurber, Junior 
Warden ; Brother J. T. Holt, Sec'y ; Brother 
Ira R. Grosvenor, Treasurer ; Brother B. F. 
Fifield, Senior Deacon ; Brother B. W. Spears, 
Junior Deacon. The lodge also showed its 
patriotism at this meeting by appropriating 
ten dollars towards erecting a monument to 
(xeneral George Washington. 

April 9, 1851, Brother Ephraim Baldwin was 
made a Mason. His son Willis is now Secretary 
of this lodge. 

August 12, 1851, Brother Doctor L. H. 
Cooper was made a Mason. 

December 24, 1851, occurred the third annual 
election of officers, v,'ith the following result, 
viz. : Brother Walter W. Prentice, Worshipful 
Master: Brother Jefferson G. Thurber, Senior 
Warden : Brother W. Vague, Junior Warden ; 
Brother Ephraim Baldwin, Secretary ; Brother 
Isaac Lewis, Treasurer ; Brother B. W. Spears, 
Senior Deacon; Brother B. F. Fifield, Junior 
Deacon ; Brothers E. G. Morton and W. Corbit, 
Stewards; Brother Thomas Leonard, Tyler. 

January 7, 1852, the above named officers 
were duly installed by Postmaster Isaac Lewis. 

On the 21st of January, 1852, J. V. Cook and 
Peter Benson were made Master Masons. 

On the 3d of March, 1852, Brother G. A. 
Strong (Captain Albert G. Strong, who was 
killed at Pittsburg Landing,) was made a Ma- 
son, and Brother A. D. Perkins and Wm. C. 
Bronson were elected. 

March 31, 1852, Brother Isaac Lewis pre- 
sented two columns for work in the Fellow 
Craft degree to the lodge, but the lodge paid 
for them. 

May 12, 1852, Brother E. Smith Lee, who had 
become Grand Lecturer, visited and instructed 
the lodge in the work and lectures, and before 
leaving the city left a copy of the work with 
Brother Walter W. Prentice, while the latter 
on his death bed gave it to Brother A. I. 
Sawyer, and in low and trembling accents gave 
him this injunction : "Preservethe landmarks." 
These were his last woi'ds to Brother Sawyer. 

December 22d occurred the fourth annual 
election in Monroe Lodge with the following 
result, viz. : Brother Jeff'erson G. Thurber, 
Worshipful Mnster; Brother George Kirkland, 
Senior Warden ; Brother John M. Oliver, 
Junior Warden. The Worshipful Master ap- 
2winted to fill other offices, Ephraim Bald- 



SECRET SOCIETIES. 



n\ 



win, Secretary ; Isaac l.cwi.s. Troasiirer ; 
B. W. Spears, Senior Deacon ; \V. M. L'orbil, 
Junior Doacon ; Brothers G. A. Strong and 
Tiiomas Leonard, Stewards, and Peter Benson, 
Tyler. All of these were duly installed on 
the 25th of December. 1852, by Pa.st Master 
W. W. Prentice. 

On the 11th of January, 1S53, Brother Dan! 

B. Miller, who died on the 9th, was buried by 
Monroe Lodge. This was the first death in 
the lodge, and his the first Masonic funeral, 
and it was a large one. But of all who took 
pari in that funeral as Masons, there are but 
seven now liv'ing, viz , Isaac Lewis, Talcotl E. 
Wing, George Kirkland, I. II. Grosvcnor, 
Ephr.iiin Baldwin, Thomas Doyle and W. C. 
Brown. He was one of the charter members 
and the first treasurer, and a man of more than 
ordinary influence. 

On the 23d of Februarys 1853, Brothej-s Win. 

C. Brown, Wm. V. Miller, Luther H. Barnes 
and P. S. Underhill were elected to be made 
Masons. 

March 23. 1853, Brothers Constant Luce and 
S. W. Curtis were elected to be made Masons. 

April 6, 1853, Brothcr.s James Darrah and 
TV. II. Montgomery were elected to be made 
Masons. 

At the regular meeting in Ma\' Brothers 
Toussaint Navarre, Christ. Diffonbaugh and 
Kev. R. R. Salter wore elected to be made 
Masons. 

July 28, 1853. Brother Thomas Norman was 
made a Mason. 

December 14, 1H53, .Monroe Lodge held its 
fifth annual election of officers, resulting as 
follows: Brother George Kirkland, Worshi])- 
ful Master; Brother John M. Oliver, Senior 
Warden; Brother Barton W. Spears, Junior 
Warden. The Worshipful Master appointed 
the balance of the officers as follows : S. W. 
Curtis, Senior Deacon ; Lyman Wolcott, Junior 
Deacon; James Darrah, Treasurer; L. S. 
Stevens. Secretary ; Peter Benson, Tyler. They 
were duly installed on the 27th of the same 
month. 

February 8, 1854, the lodge voted a dona- 
lion of 88.00 per month until July of .same 
year for a Mrs. Nash, who was a Mason's 
widow in want. 

In those days there was no distinction made 
between affiliated and non-affiliated Masons, so 
far as the right of Masonic burial or relief 



'was concernetl. therefore on the 2d day of 
May, 1851. the lodge arranged for the burial of 
old Mr. Norman, though not a member of the 
lodge. 

May 10, 1854, Brothers E. G. Matteson and 
B. J. Thayer (Dr. Thayer) were elected to be- 
come Masons. 

June 14lh, Brother Wm. Corbin was made a 
Mason. 

July 5th Brothers John J. Chami)er'luin and 
(ieorgo Peter.s, of Petersbiirgh, were elected to 
be made Masons. 

November 1, 1851, Brother A. S. Hall was 
elected to be made a Mason, also Brother W. H. 
Wells. At this meeting the lod^cc received a 
petition for a recommendation for a new lodge 
at Dundee, which petition was granted at a 
subsequent meeting, held two weeks later. 

Dundee Lodge, No. 74, was the second lodge 
organized in this county since the reorganiza- 
tion of Masonry in 1843. 

December 20, 1854, Monroe Lodge, No. 27, 
held its si.xth annual election of officers, with 
the following results, viz. : Brother Walter W. 
Prentice, Worshipful Master; Brother Luther 
H. Barnes, Senior Wai-den , Brother Thomas 
Norman, Junior Warden. The Worshipful 
Master appointed the others as follows, viz. : 
Brother James Darrah, Treasurer; Brother 
John H. Richardson, Secretary ; Brother L. S. 
.Stevens, Senior Deacon ; Brother Harvey^ V. 
Man, Junior Deacon, etc., who were installed 
by Past Master Isaac Lewis on the 27th of 
December, 1854. 

January 17, 1855, Brother Cogshall, Grand 
Lecturer, visited the lodge and instructed it in 
work and lectures. Brothers Prentice and 
Richardson were instructed to procure a seal 
for the lodge. 

January 31, 1855, Brothers John J. Stevens, 
John D. Darrah, John S. Dickinson and Rich- 
ard Stringleman were elected to be made 
Masons. 

March 28. 1855, Brothers Samuel H. Wag- 
ner and Samuel W. Arnold were elected to be 
made JIasons. The Worshipful Mastei- also 
appointed a committee to wait on all members 
addicted to intemperance and notify them that 
they must either reform or be expelled. 

May 30th Brothers C. S. Bulkley and John 
Norman were elected to be made Masons. 

October 24, 1855. Brother Charles R. Taylor 
was elected to be made a Mason. 



332 



History of monroe county, Michigan. 



November 23, 1855, Brother Henry SiiiiUi 
was elected ta membership. 

December 26, 1855, the lodge held its seventh 
election of officers, resulting a.s follows : Brother 
John M. Oliver, Worshipful Master ; Brother 
Thoma.s Norman, Senior Warden ; Brother 
James Darrah, Junior Warden. The Worship- 
ful Master elect appointed the balance of the 
officers, viz.; Brother John J. Stevens, Senior 
Deacon ; Brother George A. Strong, Junior 
Warden ; Brother Charles R. Taylor, Secretary; 
Brother Jjcwis Darrah, Treasurer; Isaac Lewis 
and Jetfcrson (i. Thurber, Stewards; Peter 
Bronson, Tyler, who were dulj' installed the 
next day. 

February 20, 1850, Brother John Thompson 
was elected to be a Mason. 

February 2l8t Brother Chai'les Taylor ( Little 
Charles Taylor, as we used to call him) was 
elected to receive second degree of Masonry. 
No record of any previous action in his case. 

February 22d there was a Ma.sonic address 
at the Methodist church, by Brother Blinn, 
andasupperin theevening. The Cass Guards 
and Germania l*'ire Companj' were out in force. 
The lodge paid Brother Blinn flO.OO. 

April IG, 185C, Brothers D. I'. Newell, F. M. 
Winans, Alexander Grant and Wm. E. Luce 
were elected to be made Masons, and Eov. 
Frank May was elected to membership. The 
lodge also voted to allow the Knights Tonijilar 
to meet in their hall. 

Maj' 7th the lodge bui'icd Brother Ij. II. 
Pine. Brother Pine was a non afiiliated Ma- 
son, too. 

August 14, 185t!i, Brother Wm. Dunbar was 
elected to receive the first degree of Masonry. 

October 8, 1850, Brothers R. R. Kirby and 
Jacob VanWormer were elected to bo made 
Masons, and Brotlier Jacob Cooke was made 
a Mason. 

December 10, 1856, Brother Fred Ferry was 
elected to be made a Mason. 

December 24, 1856, the lodge held its eighth 
annual election of officers, I'osulting as follows, 
viz. : Brother Thomas Norman, Worsliipful 
Master; Brother James Darrah, Senior War- 
den ; Brother George Ijindl}^, Junior Warden; 
Brother W. W. Prentice, Senior Deacon; Brother 
John Norman, Junior Deacon; Brother Alexan- 
der Grant, Secretary; Brother Lewis Dnrrali, 
Treasurer; Brother Peter Bron.son, Tyler, who 
were all duly installed on the 27th. 



January 7, 1857, Brothers O. R. Goodale and 
H. P. Vrooman were elected to be made 
Masons. 

February 26, 1857, Brother J. V. Cooke was 
buried with Masonic honors. 

March 4. 1857, Brother S. B. Waketield was 
elected to be made a Mason. 

April 22, 1857, Brother Stillman Hlanchard 
visited and instructed the lodge in the uork 
and lectures. 

• May 8, 1857, the lodge buried Brother Jeffer- 
son G. Thurber, Past firand Master, Henry T. 
Backus acting as Worshipful Master. 

August 5, 1857, Brother Don. O. Spalding 
was elected to be made a Mason. August 8th 
Don. O. Spalding and Brother Frank Raleigh 
were made Ma.sons. 

December 23, 1857, the lodge held its ninth 
annual election, resulting as follows, viz. : 
Brother .lames Darrah, Worshipful Master; 
Brother Isaac Lewis, Senior Warden ; Brother 
Richard Stringleman, Junior Warden. Brother 
Thomas Norman was appointed Senior Dea- 
con : S. B. Waketield, Junior Deacon ; Alexan- 
der Grant, Secretary ; W. V. Miller, Treasurer ; 
W. W. Prentice and John Norman, Stewards; 
Peter Bronson, Tyler, who were duly installed 
bj' John M. Oliver on the 26th of the same 
month. Brothers S. Meyerfcid anil L. I'^ried- 
ciiberg were elected to be made Masons at this 
meeting. 

On the 24th nf February, 1858, Brother 
Thomas Whelplj- was elected to membership, 
on the 21st of April Brothers Ben. Dansard 
and B. IleTidy were raised to the Sublime 
degree of a Master M.ason. I shall never 
forget the impressions received through an 
oral prayer made by the now deceased Brother 
Dansard at that time. 

After remaining in the aforenamed brick 
building, on the southwest corner of Cass and 
First streets, for a brief ])eriod, the lodge moved 
into the second story of the building then oc- 
])ied by James Armitage as a dry goods store, 
situated on the west corner of 'Front street, by 
F. Walldorf's mill, where Brother E.G. Ilarvej' 
f<jrmerly kept hotel. It was in that hall that 
the incidents just related took place, and it was 
during my first visit to Monroe Lodge. 

Here the lodge remained until burned out in 
May, 1860, when it was moved to the rooms 
now occupied by the Odd Fellows in the third 
stoi-y of Brother Wakefield's building on Wash- 



SECRET SOCIETIES. 



333 



ington street, where it romiiinetl for sometime, 
when it again moved, into the third story oftiie 
building used by Brother F. S. Sill for a shoe 
store. Finally' and histl^' it moved into this 
iiall, whei'c it and all other .Nlasonic bodies of 
the citj^ now meet. 

I have been thus elaborate in noting what 
was done Masonieullj' u]) to and during the 
first ten j'ears of the life of Monroe Lodge, 
No. 27, for the reason that it contributes quite 
largely to the histor}- of Musoni-y and Monroe 
count3- ; and for the further reason that many 
of tliiisc wlio took an active part in tho.so trans- 
actions have also figured conspicuously in the 
subsequent political and business history of 
the county, while some have added luster to 
the history of the State and Nation. Tiie bal- 
ance will be a cursory and hurried 



srM.MAuy. 



- Cliarter members; Isaac Lewis, W. M.; John 
Burch, S. W.; George Kirkland, J. AV.; and 
Brothers Walter P. Clark, Geo. W. Crispin, 
Thomas Leonard, Riley Inger.soU.J. (i.Tliurbcr. 
Dan. B. Miller. 

First meeting, July 5, 1848. 

First work: Walter W. Prentice, :i])j)lica 
lion July 12,1848; Entered Apprentice, August 
11, 1848; Fellow Craft, October S, 1848 : Master 
.Mason, October 4, 1848. 



|■^4.S 

1S4'J 
1850 
1851 
1852 
ia53 
lso4 
1 <>o 
18.')(i 
1857 
ISoS 
1 s.V.) 

im;o 

lS(il 

isii2 
1st -,3 
1804 
18<;5 
1801) 
18<>7 
1808 
IStiil 
1870 
1S71 
1S72 



HOSTKU OF .M.V.STEKS 
Sla^tcrs. 

Isaac Lewis, 
l.saac Lewis. 
Isaac Lewis. 
Isaac Lewis. 
W. W. Prentice. 
J. G. Tluirber. 
George KirklaniL 
W. W. Prentice. 
J. M. Oliver. 
Thomas Norman. 
Jauies Darrah. 
W. W. Prentice. 
Ira R. Grosvenor. 
Jas. Darrah. 
W. \V. Prentice. 
Ira R. (Jrosvenor. 
\V. \V. Prentice. 
A. 1. Sawyer. 
A. I. Sawyer. 
A. I. Sawyer. 
A. I. Sawyer. 
A. I. Sawyer. 
A. I. Sawyer. 
W. A. Noble. 
Jas. C. Kellie. 



.\.ND SKCRET.^UIES. 
Sccrrlaricf. 
Jeff G. Thurbcr. 
Jeir. G. Thurber. 
J. .M. Oliver. 
.1. T. Holt. 
K. Baldwin. 
E. Baldwin. 
L. S. Stevens. 
J. H. Richardson. 
C. R. Taylor. 
Alex. Grant. 
Ale.K. Grant. 
Alex. Grant. 
Alex. Grant. 
Alex, (irant. 
Alex. Grant. 
Alex. Grant. 
Alex. Grant. 
Alex. Grant. 
John P. Schluter. 
Chas. P. Toll. 
Lewis Grant. 
Lewi.s Grant. 
Lewis Grant. 
A. Bragdon. 
N. Kornlith' 



Year. 


Xaslen. 


Secretaries. 


1873 


Jas. C. Kellie. 


L. Darrah. 


1874 


L. Darrah. 


L. Darrah. 


1875 


l-ewis Grant. 


W. D. Clark. 


1870 


I^ewis Grant. 


D. R. Cram pt on. 


1877 


Lewis (irant. 


D. R. Cranipton. 


I87S 


Lewis (irant. 


S. A. Gowuian. 


187!) 


A. I. Sawyer. 


S. A. Gowraan. 


1S80 


A. I. Sawyer. 


I). R. Crarapton. 


188 1 


.\. I. Sawyer. 


D. R. Crampton. 


1882 


Lewis (irant. 


Hal. K. Stevens. 


1883 


Lewis ( irant. 


Hal. E. Stevens. 


1884 


Lewis (irant. 


Hal. K. Stevens. 


1S85 


Will. 1'. llaighL 


Hal. E. Stevens. 


188(; 


VVni. F. Ilaight. 


Hal. E. Stevens. 


1887 


A. 1. Sawyer. 


A. E. Dunhar, jr. 


1888 


R. S. Tlionipson. 


A. E. Dunbar, jr. 


188!) 


Hal. E. Stevens. 


Willis Baldwin. 



Brother A. L Sawj'or acted as Senior Grand 
Warden of Grand Lodge in 1885-6 ; was a 
member of Committee on Jurisprudence several 
times, also Committee on Appeals, for the Grand 
Lodge. 

Of those who have been Worshipful Masters 
the following huve died, viz.: Walter W. Pren- 
tice, Jefferson (i. Thurber, John M. Oliver, 
James Darrah, Lewis !)ari-ah, Wm. A. Noble, 
Thomas Norman ; total, 7. Of the Secretaries, 
Jefferson (i. Thurber, John M. Oliver, J. T. 
Uolt, L S. Stevens, Chas. R. Taylor, Alexander 
(ii'ant, John P. Schluter, Lewis Darrah ; total, 8. 

Monroe Lodge has from the first been a sort 
of central or rallying point in Masonty, conse- 
quently those first " receiving Masonic light ' 
under her auspices, have contributed to the 
organizing and building up of several other 
Masonic lodges, as well as organized bodies of 
higher Masonry within the city and through- 
out the county; and I see no reason why she 
should not as a rule feel proud of her sort of 
motherhood to them. For instance: Dundee 
Loilge, No. 74, located at the lively and some- 
what ambitious little village of that name, was 
oi'ganized in 1850, and has a proud record, 
worthy of emulation, as she was bound to 
have, when represented by such painstaking, 
hard-working and zealous Masons as Henry 
Waiting, J. W. McBride, J. W. Mason, M. D., 
John J. Dixon, (Jeo. C. Kent, H. A. Wilkinson, 
Kiios Kent. etc.. etc. 

IU,.\NCII.\KD I.ODGK, No. li«, 

Is located at Petersburgh, the home of that 
king of good fellows and organizers. Rev. Bro. 
D. B. Tracy. She was organized in 1858. and 



334 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



has ever licld a warm and enviable place among 
the Masons of the State, which she could not 
well fail to do while represented by such gal- 
lent and eflScient "fellows" as Eev. Brother D. 
B. Tracy, John T. liosc, Isman P. Eussell, etc. 
A dispensation was granted Blanchard Lodge, 
]SIo. 102, March 31, 1858; Worshipful Master, 
D. B. Trai^y ; Secretary, Horace Hill. Lodge 
constituted February IG, 1850, J. Adams Allen. 
Grand Master. 

KO.STER OF MASTERS AND SECRETARIES. 



Year. 


Masters. 


Secretaries. 


1859 


D. B. Tracy. 


Lyon. 


1860 


William Corbin. 


Morgan Parker. 


]«)1 


James I. Russell. 


William Heath. 


1802 


.Tames I. Rus.soll. 


B. F. Rase. 


1863 


William Corbin. 


W. H. Heath. 


1864 


D. B. Tracy. 


W. H. Heath. 


1865 


D. B. Tracy. 


H. Camburn. 


1866 


J. I. Russell. 


H. Camburn. 


1807 


J. I. Russell. 


II. Camburn. 


1868 


J. 1. Russell. 


H. Camburn. 


1869 


W. HoRle. 


H. Camburn. 


1870 


J. I. Russell. 


H. Camburn. 


1871 


J. I. Russell. 


G. A. Cantield. 


1872 


E. W. Reynolds. 


W. H. Heath. 


1873 


J. I. Russell. 


W. II. Heath. 


1874 


E. W. Reynolds. 


T. P. Barlow. 


1875 


J. I. Russell. 


T. P. Barlow. 


1876 


.1. 1. Russell. 


T. P. Barlow. 


1877 


W. Hogle. 


T. P. Barlow. 


1878 


A. C. Williams. 


T. P. Barlow. 


1879 


A. C. Williams. 


T. P. Barlow. 


1880 


A. C. Williams. 


T. P. Barlow. 


1881 


J. T. Rose. 


A. E. Stuart. 


1882 


J. T Rose. 


A. E. Stuart. 


1883 


J. T. Rose. 


A. E. Stuart. 


1884 


J. T. Rose. 


W. H. Heath. 


1885 


Perry McCarty. 


A. E. Stuart. 


1886 


J. T. Rose. 


A. E. Stuart. 


1887 


J. T. Rose. 


A. E. Stuart. 


1888 


J. T. Rose. 


A. E. Stuart. 


1889 


N. B. Russell. 


A. E. Stuart. 



EUREKA LODGE, No. 107. 

Of Monroe, was organized in 1858. Her mem- 
bers have always been prominent in the Grand 
bodies of this State, and one of her mombei-.s, 
H. Shaw Noble, now holds, and has held for 
several years, the honorable and truly respon- 
sible position of Grand Treasurer of the Grand 
Lodge, and of most other Grand Masonic bodies 
in the State. Another, Brother G. R. Hurd, who 
has held the oflice of W. M. of Eureka Lodge 
for eighteen years, was once Grand Marshal of 
the Grand Lodge, and once on the Committee 
of Jurisprudence of that body. 



"The lodge was opened in the third story of 
the brick building occupied by Brother George 
Meinsinger as a meat market, on the 19th of 
January, 1858, James Darrah acting for 
Grand Master Wm. M. Fenton, and installing 
the officers. 

The Worshipful Masters and Secretaries 
were as follows: 

ROSTER OF MASTERS AND SECRETARIES. 
Secretaries. 
C. R. Taylor. 
F. C. Godfrey. 
Jacob Cook. 
A. WiLsou. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
F. B. Clark. 
George S. Wakefield. 
C. F. 1-hl. 

F. A. Niras. 
Ed. Willits. 

G. B. Delong. 
G. B. Delong. 
Theodore Kirchmeir. 
J. M. Loose. 
G. R. Hurd. 
G. R. Hurd. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
H. S. Noble. 
C. Hoyt. 
C. Hoyt. 
C. Hoyt. 

Deceased members ; Masters, John M. Oliver, 
George Lindslcy, C. T. Southworth; total, 3. 
Secretaries, C. R. Taylor, F. C. Godfroy, F. B. 
Clark, C. F. Ulil ; onl}' four out of sixteen. 

HIRAM LODGE, No. 110, 

Located at Flat Rock, just within Wayne 
county, and hence, strictly speaking, not with- 
in the household of Monroe county, was organ- 
ized in 1858. My reason tor referring to this 
lodge is that she divides jurisdiction with 
Monroe Lodge, and therefore when oi'ganized 

*Thi8 election was on the lOtli of January, right 
after receiving charter on the 15th of same month, so 
there were two elections in one year. 



rear. 


Masters. 


1858* 


J. M. Oliver. 


1858 


J. M. Oliver. 


1859 


J. M. Oliver. 


1800 


(xeorge Lindsley. 


ISIil 


C. T. Southworth. 


18(i2 


C. T. Southworth. 


l.S(i3 


Jacob Cook. 


1804 


C. T. Southworth. 


1S65 


C. T. Southworth 


1800 


H. S Noble. 


1807 


G. R. Hurd. 


1808 


G. R. Hurd. 


1809 


G. B. Hurd. 


1870 


(i. B. Hurd. 


1871 


Fred. A. Niras. 


1872 


Fred. A. Nims. 


1873 


Fred. A. Nims. 


1874 


G. R. Hurd. 


1875 


G. R. llurd. 


1870 


(t. R. Hurd. 


1877 


G. R. Hurd. 


1878 


G. R. Hurd. 


1.S79 


G. R. Hurd. 


1880 


G. R. Hurd. 


1881 


G. R. Hurd. 


1882 


G. R. Hurd. 


1883 


G. R. Hurd. 


1884 


G. R. Hurd. 


1885 


G. R. Hurd. 


1880 


(i. R. Hurd. 


1.S87 


(i. R. Hurd. 


188S 


G. L. Blodgett. 



SECRET SOCIETIES. 



335 



cut off a very largo portion of our jurisdic- 
tion nortli ; and because many of her members 
boloni^ to the Chapter, Council and Com- 
mandery in this city. She has been ably 
represented bj' Hon. John Strong, Dr. Lob- 
dell (deceased), .T. W. Young, Fred. Rhine- 
hart, etc. 

KL'SSKI.L LOIMIK. No. 1-14. 

Located at Lambertvillc, this count}', wasorgan- 
ized in ISiJo, and has been represented by such 
Masonic lights as that old veteran Mason, 
George Ivirkland, lion. John J. Sumner, Hon. 
Addison E. Dunbar, \Vm. Dunbar, W. T. 
(Jreen, etc., and was bound to attain and hold 
a j)rominent place in the roll of honor. 

I HAMFLI.N' I.OUGE, No. 300, 

Was organized July 25, 1871. Many of the 
charter members of this lodge, like those of 
Dundee, Hlanehard, Russell and Huix'ka Lodges, 
first saw Masonic light in old Monroe Lodge, 
No. 27, and of course it was born to be a success. 
She has been prominently and ably re])re- 
sented by Brothers Joseph Carr. John V. (Jol- 
born, John W. Ward, Charles Bail, and other 
good and true men. 

The tirst meeting was held Jul}- 25, 1.S71, 
uith the following officers: Joseph Carr, 
Worshipful Master; W. J. Manning, Senior 
Warden; Clark McKenzie, Junior Warden; 
11. Bulger, Treasurer; W. J. Clark, Secretary; 
.1. F.Colburn, Senior Deacon ; J. Jack.son, Junior 
Deacon ; J. W. Ward and S. C. Hunt, Stewards; 
J. F. Bulger, Tyler. 

Joseph Carr held the office of Worshipful 
Master until January 23, 1874, when J. F. Col- 
burn was elected and held the office till Decem- 
ber 27, 187(), after which the chair was filled by 
J. W. Ward and C. J. Ball alternately till 
December, 1S87, with the exception of one 
\ear, 1881, when J. H. Francisco was master. 
The year just past Robert McKenzie lias been 
master. W. J. Clark held the office of secretary 
till June 23, 1884, since which time J. F. Col- 
burn has held the office, excepting one year, 
1884, when R. N. Francisco was secretary, and 
two years by GustavusBrandus, 1885 anil 1886. 

The present officers are : Robert McKenzie, 
Worshijjful Master: C. J. Ball, Senior Warden: 
Clark McKenzie, Junior Warden ; James Labo. 
Treasurer; J. F. Colburn, Secretary; J. W. 
Ward, Senior Deacon ; J. Bulger, Junior Dea- 



con; H. C. Hood and Fred. Neidcrmier, Stewards; 
Warren Charter, Tyler. 

The lodge opened in 1871 with thirteen 
members, and has now on the roll thirty. 

One of the thirteen charter members has 
been called away, Brother Josiah Colburn, at 
eighty-three years of age. Two others have 
also died. Brothers Rosey and Turner. 

Officers elected for the ensuing year : J. F. 
Colburn, Worshipful Master; J. W. Ward, 
Senior Warden ; J. F. Bulger, Junior Warden ; 
Jas. LabOjTrea.surer; F. Neidcrmier, Secretary; 
A. J. Mattison, Senior Deacon; Itobt. Cargo, 
Junior Deacon. 

.MILAN I.ODGK, No. 323, 

Located in the village of Milan, this county, 
was organized in 1874. This lodge is situated 
geographically with regard to Washtenaw 
county, much as Hiram Lodge is related to 
Monroe county, but masonically quite different, 
as she is much farther away, and other lodges 
have jurisdiction between us. Besides, her 
charter members were not from Monroe Lodge. 
But she has been ably represented by I. S. 
Hitchcock, Dr. Bessac, etc., and no doubt will 
prosjjcr and her member.sliip diffuse refulgent 
light wherever dispensed throughout the Ma- 
sonic world. 

KNKUITS TE.Mri..\l{. 

Monroe Commandery, No. 5, was organized 
under a charter from the Grand Commandery 
of New York. The last officers thereof were 
James Darrah, Eminent Commander, J. M. 
Oliver, Generalissimo, Thomas Norman, Cap- 
tain General. I can give you nothing prior to 
this, as the charter and all records of Monroe 
Commandery, No. 5, were surrendered at the 
Ibrrnation of the Grand Commandery of Michi- 
gan, April 5, 1857, at which time the number 
was changed to 4. At the first election of 
officers of the Grand Commandery of Michi- 
gan, James Darrah. the then Eminent Comman- 
der of Monroe Commandery, was elected Emi- 
nent Grand Captain General. At the next 
election, in 1858, he was elected Eminent Grand 
Generalissimo of the Grand Commandery. 

The first three officers of Monroe Comraan- 
derj-. No. 4, during the period of its existence 
in Monroe were: 1857-8, Jas. Darrah, Eminent 
Commander; J. M. Oliver, Generalissimo; 
Thos. Norman, Captain General. 1859, Wm. 



336 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



L. Greenly, l^hninont Conunander; D. B.Tracy, 
Goiioral; Tlionin.s IS'orniaii, Captain General. 
18t!0, D. B. Tracy, Eminent Commander. 
During the s]ieeiul session of Grand Coniman- 
dery held .lanuary, IStiO, No. 4 was represen- 
ted by their Eminent Commander, 1>. B. Tracy. 

At this lime a resolution was adopted author- 
izing No. 4 to hold special meetings of their 
commandery at Adrian, and from this time 
forth, neai-ly all of the resident members being 
in attendaiu-e u))on our late unpleasantness 
(War of tiie Rebellion), no meetings were held 
in Monroe. 

l)uring the spring of IStiO the old Masonic 
Hall (which you will remember was over Dan. 
B. Miller's store, next the City Mill.s) was 
burned, and the Commandery lost all their 
properly and eftectsthat were not in Adrian. 

At the regular session of (i rand (Commandery, 
held June 5, ISGd, the dues of Alonroe. No. 4, 
wore remitted on account of this fire. This 
was probabl3- somewhere near the date of the 
death of Monroe, No. 4, as I tiudthat they were 
not represented in Grand Commander}-, al- 
though Eev. D. B. Tracy, of New Baltimore, was 
elected Grand Captain txcneral, and was at the 
time a member of Monroe, No. 4. 

At session of Grand Commandery in June, 
lS(i2, No. 4 was represented by \V. F. King, of 
Adrian, as proxy for Commandery. At this 
session, it was '' liesoIveJ, That in the event of 
Monroe Commandery, No. 4, failing to recover 
their charter, a new one be granted free of 
charge.'' The old charter was not burned at 
Masonic Hall, as it was found several years 
afterwards at the house of S. G. Clark, while 
looking over the effects of James Darrah, who 
had died in the army, and was by him given 
to Thos. Norman, who sent it to Adrian. 

On June 3, 181)3, at 10:00 a. m.. ihe following 
resolution was passed in Gi'and Commandery: 
■ Rei^olved, That the location of Monroe Com- 
mandery, No. 4, be removed to the city of 
Adrian and the name changed to Adrian Com- 
mandery, No. 4." This was the burial of 
knightly hopes in this city for the time being. 

After much labor on the part of a few Sir 
Knights of Monroe, a dispeusation was pro- 
cured December Ki, 18G7, tor our present Com- 
mandery, and D. B. Tracy was named therein 
as the first Eminent Commander under dispen- 
sation, and on the 3d day of June, 1S6S. a 
charter was granted Monroe. No. 19. 



The records show that on the 1st of June, 
1860, Sir Knight P. E. C, A. I. Sawyer, of 
Monroe Comma nder}-. No. 19, asked for and 
received $100 from the Grand Commandery, 
previously paid bj^ said commandery for the 
present charter, in consequence of having at 
that time already paid for the charter of the 
commandery. which was finally moved to 
Adrian. 

On the 23d of December, ISO", the first con- 
clave of Monroe Commandery, No. 19, was 
held in old Masonic Hall, over F. S. Sill's store, 
with D. B. Tracy as Eminent Contmander and 
Chas. Toll as Kecorder. The next conclave 
was held February 0, 1808, and several com- 
panions elected to take the orders. On February 
20, 1868, the orders were conferred on Com- 
l)anions Prank Raleigh, Geo. E. Hurd. W. J. 
Manning and A. F. Eiseman in the order 
named, constituting them the first who received 
the orders in Monroe, No. 19. 

Sejitember 3, 1S6S. the first meeting was held 
under the present number charter, and officers 
elected as follows: A. I. Sawyer, Eminent 
Commander: II. Shaw Noble, Generalissimo: 
Frtink Kaleigh, Caj^tain General; G. E. Hurd, 
Prelate : Thos. Norman, Senior Warden : Geo. 
Spalding. Junior Warden ; Chas. Toll, Eecorder; 
Constant Luce, Treasurer: E. W. Figg, Stand- 
ard Bearer; John Lane. Sword Bearer: Joseph 
Waltman, Warder: A.. P. Eiseman, Sentinel. 
These officers wore duly installed on November 
5, 1868. 

The next election and installation of officers 
was held March 4, 1869, and regularly on the 
first Thursday of the month next preceding 
Good Friday from that date to this. 

The following have held the office of Emi- 
nent Commander and Secretary the years 
named: 



i't'Or. Eiuin^M Commauffcr. 

1S6S A. I. Sawyer. 

ISo'J H. Shaw Xoble. 

1570 H. Slusw Xoble. 

1571 H. Shaw Noble. 

1572 H. Shaw Xoble. 
ISTo Geo. R. Hurd. 

1574 Jas. B. Xewton. 

1575 Jas. B. Xewton. 
lS7ii Jas. B. Newton. 

1577 Jas. B. Newton. 

1578 H. Shaw Noble. 
1879 Chas. Toll. 

1550 H. Shaw Noble. 

1551 H. Shaw Noble. 



SfCrftary. 

Chas. Toll. 

Chas. Toll. 

Chas. Toll. 

L. Grant. 

L. Grant. 

L. Grant. 

L. trrant. 

L. Grant. 

L. Grant. 

L. Grant. 

A. E. Dunbar. 

A. E. Dunbar. 

D. R. Cramptou. 

I. E. Brown. 



SECRKT SOCIETIES. 



•.Vil 



Year. Eminent Commander 

ISS-i H. Shaw Noble. 

1883 11. Shaw Noble. 

1884 Lewis Grant. 
188.5 Lewis Urant. 
188<> .\. I. .Sawyer. 
1887 C. W. Scott. 



Sfcrctriry. 
Jas. L. ICaton. 
.las. L. Kalon. 
Hal. K. Stevens. 
Hal. E. Stevens. 
Joseph Clark. 
D. K. Cranii)ton. 



I.S88 D. K. Crampton. A. K. Dunbar, jr. 

Oftheso officers ill! llio KminentCommaiidcrs 
are alivo except Sir .hinics B. Newton, who 
died May 0, 1878. His rcmaiius were escorted 
to the i-ailroud depot by the eoniniandory in 
lull iiiiilbrni, accompanied by an escort there- 
Irotn to Pontiac, where they wei-o met by 
I'ontiac Coniniandery sixty five strong, taken 
to tiie conietcry and peacefully' laid to rest 
with full knightly honors. He was at his 
death Junior Grand Warden of the (irand 
Coinniandcry of- Michigan. The following 
general order was issued by the (iran<l Coni- 
niandery : 

General Order A^. 2. 

IlEAmillAKTKIU! OF THE RIOIIT EMI.N'EST GRAND lOM.M ASDER.1 
tiKAND COMMANDERV KNIUHTS TEMIT.AH OK MICHIGAN, 

COKINNA. May 1.). IMS. ) 

To the liighl Eminent and Eminent, and all true and 
courltous Knights throughout tlie Jurisdiction of Mich- 
igan, Greeting, Praters: 

An alarm at the outer door admonishes us 
that Death, the unwelcome visitoi-, is once more 
in our midst. The Northwest angle of our 
(irand Triangle, and the left of the Third Di- 
vision, is without its faithful guardian. The 
summons has been issued, and a beloved Sir 
Knight called from earth to heaven to make 
up the Grand Array of Templar Masons who 
have gone before and been received into the 
Fellowship of the good and true. 

It is with profound grief that we announce 
to the iSir Knights of our jurisdiction that 
Eminent Sir James B. Newton, Grand Junior 
Warden of this Grand Commandcry and Past 
Kniinent Commander of Monroe Coinniandcry, 
No. 19, departed this life in the cit}' of Monroe, 
Michigan, on Thursday, May 9. 1878, aged 4(1 
years. 

How forcibly are we reminded that " in the 
midst of life we are in death." The solemn 
admonition that at any moment the Angel of 
Death may receive the mandate to strike us 
from the roll of existence, is exemplified in the 
deiith of our Sir Knight, who was removed 
from us while in the pride and vigor of man- 
hood. 



Tem])lar Masonry in this jurisdiction loses a 
zealous and useful Sir Knight, and this Grand 
Comniandery a beloved and faithful officer. 

His death has made a vacancy in his house- 
hold, as well as in the community in which he 
lived, that will long be felt and not easily filled. 

It is ordered by our Pight Eminent Ci.rand 
Commantler that as a token of respect for our 
departed and illustrious Sir Knight : 

1st. That this order bo read at the heail of 
the lines at the opening of the (Jrand Com- 
inandery at its session on the 14th inst. 

2(1. That it also be read at the liea<l of the 
lines in all subordinate commanderies in this 
jurisdiction at the first regular conclave held 
after the receipt thereof 

3d. All officers of the Grand Commandcry 

• shall wear the usual bailgo of mourning upon 

their left breast and at the hilt of their swords, 

during the session of the Grand Coniniandery. 

4th. The banners of our Order shall be 
draped in mourning for the space of thirty 
days after the promulgation of this order. 

Commending you to the jjrotection of the 
" Great Ca])tain of our Salvation,' the Right 
Eminent (irand (Jomniander aftectionately 
greets 3()u. By order of 

I!. Vj. Sii! Hugh McCikdy, 
(irnnd Commander. 
In kiiighlh' courtesy and esteem, 
Wm. p. Innks, (Irand Recorder. 

There has been no death among those who 
have held the office of recorder. 

On February 22, 1870, the commaudery gave 
a public ball at the City Hall, which was tlie 
grandest affair of the kind that had ever taken 
place in this city, and for years afterwards was 
favorably commented upon by people gener- 
ally when opportunity offered. It was not 
strictly a financial success, as some of the older 
members will remember, but no money was 
taken from the treasury, the shortage being 
wholly contributed b}' individual members. 

On October 1, 1873, the commander^', ac- 
comjianied by several members of Toledo 
Commandery as their guests, went b^" special 
car to Lansing, Michigan, where they took part 
in the laying of the corner-stone of the capitol 
liuilding, and on this occasion were highl}- 
com])linuMited, not onl}' for their knightly bear- 
ing, but for the style they i)ut on in traveling, 
being second only to Detroit, No. 1, in that 



338 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



particular; and so fully did the Lansing people 
apprceiatc this, tliey ])rovidcd a dinner for us 
in the Methodist church, where the ladies were 
so plentiful and handsome that it took some of 
the Sir Knights most of the afternoon to get 
through their dinner. The honors of this din- 
ner were about equally divided between Sir L. 
E. Woodin, of No. lit, and R. II. Warriner, of 
Toledo Commandcry. 

You remember the reunion of the old vete- 
rans, when our city was so full of people and 
such a grand time was had. On this occasion 
Monroe Commandcry, No. 19, entertained 
about otic hundred visiting Sir Knights, and 
upon the jjarade headed the procession, receiv- 
ing loud and long plaudits from the multitude 
for their pluck and elegant bearing. This was 
the only occasion upon which the commandcry 
has ajjpeared in public; then we were few in 
numbers, but full of enthusiasm. 

August 16, 1880, the commandcry made a 
pilgrimage to Chicago; went by special car 
and in good stj'le. There were many laugh- 
able incidents during the trip. The com- 
inandery took part in the tedious march of 
fourteen miles under a blazing sun, and it was 
no wonder that .some of our Sir Knights were 
overcome and fell by the wayside. It may 
well be illustrated, when we remember that 
25,000 Knights started and but 7,000 remained 
to the finish. The exhibition of valor dis- 
plaj'ed by Monroe, No. 19, was not outdone by 
any commander^' at Chicago. 

The commander^ has been officially present 
at the triennials of the General (Irand Encamp- 
ment held at Baltimore, Cleveland, Now Orleans 
and Chicago. Thus you see we have not been 
backward in tlic gcnoi-al good timcs,and rt/u'rti/s 
did well. 

Monroe has been represented in the Grantl 
Commandery of Michigan as officers : Monroe 
Commandcry, No. 4, in 1857, by James Darrah 
as Grand Captain General, and in 1863 by I). 
B. Tracy as Deputy Grand Commander. Mon- 
roe, No. 19, in 1877, bj' James B. Newton as 
Grand Junior Warden, and from 1881 to the 
present time, by H. Shaw Noble as (xrand 
Ti'casurer. 

This is a prettj- fair showing for a com- 
mandcry that hcgan with a few charter mem- 
bers just twenty years ago, whose names are as 
follows, viz. : I). B. Tracy, A. I. Sawyer, C. 
Luce, R. W. Figg, Chas. Toll, Thos. Norman, 



General Spalding, H. Shaw Noble, John Lane, 
Joseph Waltman. George Kirkland, J. L. Wol- 
cott ; nearly all of whom are now alive, though 
not with us. 

Since thistime the orders have been conferred 
upon forty-six, and nine have been admitted 
to membership fi'om other eommanderies. 
There have been but seven deaths siqce it was 
organized, viz., Thos. Norman, B. W. Figg, 
Frank Raleigh, A. F. Eisoman, James B.New- 
ton, Seth L. Carpenter. Eugene B. Dotj'. 

I do not think you would be interested to 
learn who have been suspended and demitted ; 
they arc but few and we are sorry for them, but 
alas! such is the fate of some men. 

Our commander}- is represented by membots 
resident in the States of Michigan, Ohio, Kan- 
sas, Texas, Minnesota, Montana, Washington 
Tei-ritory, California, Dakota, and the province 
of r)ntario. So among other things wc ai'C 
scattered both far and wide. 

C.Vl'lTUL.^R MASONKY. 

River Raisin Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M., was 
instituted March 18, 1859, under a dispensa- 
tion by Salathiel C. CoflSnbury, M. E. (rrand 
High Pi-iest of the Grand Chapter of R. A. M. 
of the State of Michigan, dated March 7, 1859, 
to the following named companions as charter 
members: James Darrah, D. B. Tracy, B. J. 
Thayer, W. Corbin, Thomas Norman, Constant 
Luce, John H. Wolcott, B. H. Curtis, and W. 
P. Cliristiancy ; with James Darrah, fir.st M. E. 
H. P. ; D. B. Tracy, fir.st M E. King, and B. J. 
Thayer, first E. Scribe. 

The records show that Lewis Friedonberg 
was the first to make application for the de- 
grees of the Chapter, on March 18, 1859, and 
Comjjanions Dansard, F'riedenberg and Me3'er- 
feld the first team exalted, and Butts, Wakefield 
and Eiseman the second, both being exalted on 
same date, April 22, 1859. May 13th Com- 
panion Dansard was appointed the first regular 
secretary. 

BCSTER OF HIGH PlilESTS AND SECUET.\KIES. 



Year. 


High rrimts. 






St'crttaries. 


l.S(iO 


D. B. Tracy. 




C. 


Luce. 


1S(U 


James Darrah. 




c. 


C. Butts. 


1SIJ2 


Chas. T. Southv 


lortli. 


G, 


. A. Strong. 


1863 


Chas. T. South n 


orth. 


A. 


I. Sawyer. 


1S64 


Frank Raleigh. 




A. 


, I. Sawyer. 


18li5 


Frank Raleigh. 




A. 


I. Sawyer. 


lS(i(j 


Frank Kaleigh. 




L. 


Jacoby. 


18tj7 


A. I. Sawyer. 




C. 


Toll. 



SECRET SOCIETIES. 



33'J 



Year. High PrUsts. 

1868 A. I. Sawyer. 

ISO!' A. I. Sawyer. 

INTO .\. I. Sawyer. 

1.571 G. K. Hurd. 

1.572 G. R. Hurd. 

1.573 A. \. Sawyer. 

1874 Joseph Clark. 

1875 II. Shaw Noble. 
187(i H. Sliaw Noble. 
1.S77 II. Shaw Noble. 
1S7.S II. Shaw Noble. 
187!* Lewis Grant. 
18.S() (ieo. K. Ilurd. 
ISSl Geo. R. Hurd. 
1,SS2 Geo. K. Hurd. 

1883 Lewis Grant. 

1884 Lewis (irant. 
188.') Lewis Grant. 
188(> Lewis Grant. 

1887 Joseph Clark. 

1888 G. L. Blodgett. 

1889 C. H. Saunders. 



Secretaria. 
Julius Weiss. 
Julius Weiss. 
Julius Weiss. 
L. Grant. 
L. (irant. 
C. Toll. 
C. Toll. 
J. M. Loose. 
A. K. Dunbar. 
A. K. Dunbar, 
.v. E. Dunbar. 
A. E. Dunbar. 
A. E. Dunbar. 
L. (irant. 
L. Grant. 
H. Shaw Noble. 
II. Shaw Noble. 
II. Shaw Noble. 
11. Shaw Noble. 
H. Shaw Noble. 
H. Sluiw Noble. 
H. Shaw Noble. 



Coinpanio!! Captain Riehard Stringlemun 
(l)iek Striiiglenian, as he was familiarly called) 
was lost on a bargo on Lake Superior, Novem- 
ber 27, 1872 ; one of the truest men and one of 
the most zealous Mason.s that ever practiced 
the " Mystic Eites.'' 

Corni)ariion Captain (icoi'gc A. Strong was 
killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing: hi.s 
remains were brought home and buried with 
-Masonic honors. 

Companion A. L Sawyer was elected Grand 
High Priest of the Grand Chapter in 1874, 
Deputy in 1873, Grand King in 1872, Grand 
Scribe in 1871, Grand Captain of the Host in 
1870, and made Grand Principal Sojourner in 
1879; was chairman of the committee which 
framed the present constitution of the Gi-and 
Chapter in 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878; was 
chairman of the Committee on Jurisprudence 
for many years ; represented the Grand Ciuip- 
ter of Michigan in the General Grand Chapter 
when it met at Denver in 1883, and was first 
to receive a Grand High Priest's Jewel without 
salary. In 1871-2 was chairman of the com- 
mittee to arrange the chronologj' of the order 
of High Priesthood in this State, and upon that 
report the present chronology was founded ; 
and in 1871 was chosen vice-president of the 
Order. In 1872-3 was elected Grand Presi- 
dent of the Order of High Pi-iesthood in this 
State, acting for others as such .several other 
>essions. At one time he was the onl}- person 
in the State who had the work of the Order. 



Companion H. Shaw Noble was elected 
Gi-and Treasurer of the Grand Chapter in 
18 — , and has been reelected each year since. 

Companion Joseph Clark was appointed 
chairman of the Committee on Finance of the 
(irand Chapter in 1876, and has been re-ap- 
pointed each year ever since, and at the ses- 
sion of the (;rand Chapter in 1888 was pre- 
sented with a Past High Priest's Jewel, for his 
faithful and successful labors as such; a like 
compliment never having been extended to a 
member before. 

UKVPTIC MASONRY. 

IJiver Uaisin Council, organized December 0, 
IS.-)!), D. B. Tracy, T. L G. M.; John Tynell, 
I). T. I. M., and S. Blanchard, P. C. of W. 
Who the rest of the officers were the records do 
not say. 

At the election held February 3, 18G0, Wm. 
Carlisle was elected T. I. G. M. ; C. Luce, D. L 
(;. M.; B. Dansard, P. C. of W., and D. B. 
Tracy, Rec. 

At the election hehl December 21, 18(ilt, Jas. 
Dari-ah was elected T. L G. M. ; B. Dansard, 
Deputy ; B. J. Thayer, P. C. of W.. and D. B. 
Tracy, Rec. 

I8(";i— B. Dansard elected T. 1. G. M. ; Wm. 
Corbin, Deputy ; L. Kric<lenberg, P. C. of W.. 
and C. Luce, Rec. 

No meeting held during the years 18U2-3-4. 

18(j5— June 1st a meeting was held and D. B. 
Tracy was elected T. 1. G. M. ; F. Raleigh, 
Deputy, and L. Jacobj', Rec. 

186ti — No election. 

1867 -February Isl Companion A. I.Sawyer 
was elected T. I. G. M ; C. Luce. Deputy, and 
C. Toll, Rec. 

18(i8— The siuue companions were re elected 
to the respective offices, and also in 1869. 

1870 -Companion H. S. Noble was elected 
T. I. G. M. ; J. Clark, Deputy, and C. Toll, 
Rec, and they were all re-elected in 1871. 

1872 — Companion John Lane was elected T. 
I. G. M. ; L. Grant, Deputy, and C. Toll. Rec. 
and they wore all re-elcctetl in 1873. 

1874 —No election. 

1875 — Companion S. Mej-erfeld was elected 
T. I. (i. M. ; Joscjih Wahhnian, Deputy, and C. 
Toll. Rec. 

1876 — Companion Sawyer was again elected 
T. I. G. M. ; L. Grant, Deputy, and C. Toll, Rec. 



340 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1877 — Companion L. Grant was elected T.I. 
G. M. ; G. Hurd, Deputj',and C. Toll, Uoc, and 
the same companions were re-elected in 1878. 

1879 -Companion J. Clark wa.s elected T. I. 
G. M. ; G. R. Hurd. Deputy, and C. Toll, Kcc. 

1880-1— No election. 

1882— Companion A. I. Sawyer was again 
elected T. I. G. M. ; W. P. Haight, Deputy, and 
C. Toll, Rec. 

1883 — No election. 

1884— Companion Sawyer was re-elected T. 
I. G. M. ; D. R. Crampton, Deputy, and G. R. 
Hurd, Rec. 

1885 — Sumo coinpauions wore re-elected. 

1886— Companion Sawyer re-elected T. I. G. 
M. ; C. W. Scott, Deputy, and C. Toll, Rec. 

1887— N"o election. 

1888— December 14th Companion L, (irant 
was elected T. I. G. M.; G. R. Hurd, Deputy, 
and F. B. Nelson, Rec. 

Of the above named two have demitted, 
namely, D. B. Tracy and Wm. Corbin; seven 
have died : John Tyncll, Jas. Darrah, B. Dan- 
sard, L. Jacob}', F. Raleigh, B. J. Thayer and 
S. Blanchard. 

Companion C. Toll held the office of recorder 
for eighteen years, and Companion Sawyer 
held the office of T. I. G. M. ten years. II. S. 
Noble held the office of Grand Thrice Illustri- 
ous Grand Master of the Grand Council in 
1872, and A. I. Sawyer, Grand P. C. W. in 
1871. 

Deceased members: W. P. Christianej", A. F. 
Eiseman, G. A. Lovett, W. W. Prentice, D. G. 
Frazier, R. W. Figg, Wm. Rhiuehart, S. L. 
Carpenter. 



INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FEI^LOWS 

Monroe Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F., was in- 
stituted on the 16th day of January, 1847, in 
the third story of Kellogg's Exchange, a hotel 
then occupying the site of the present banking 
office of Dan.sard & Son, corner of Front and 
Washington streets. Those officiating were: 
Andrew J. Clark, Most Worthy Grand Master 
of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows of the State of Michigan ; Wit- 
ter J. Baxter, (Jrand Secretary ; Colonel John 
Winder, A. S. Kellogg, Charles S. Adams and 
Pierre Teller, who arrived in carriages from 
Detroit in the afternoon of the 16th of January. 



The charter members of the lodge were : 
Jefferson G. Thurber, Benjamin F. Fifield, 
Henry I). Walbridge, Joseph M. Sterling, 
Henry Grinnell, George S. Howe, William A. 
Noble, William H. Wells, James Darnih and 
Walter W. Prentice. 

The first election of officers resnlted as fol- 
lows : Jefferson G. Thurber, Noble Grand ; 
Benjamin F. Fifield, Vice Noble Grand ; Wil- 
liam N. Noble, Secretary ; Henry D. Wal- 
bi-idgc. Treasurer. The offlccfs appointed wore: 
Geo. S. Howe, Warden ; Joseph M. Sterling, 
Conductor, and Wm. H. Wells, Guardian. 

The lodge room was first established in the 
basement of the River Raisin Bank, which 
occupied the present site of the Park Hotel on 
the public square. 

During the first yonv of the organization the 
War Department having made a requisition 
upon the Governor of Michigan for fifteen 
companies of infantry to aid in the pro.sccu- 
tioii of the Mexican War, Brother Captain 
Henry Smith, of Monroe, in response to the 
call, offered his services to the Government, 
and was ordered to report at Cincinnati for 
further orders. The night previous to leaving 
he was initiated, and the first five degrees were 
conferred upon him. Undei" ordinary circum- 
stances a brother was not eligible for decrees 
for one month alter becoming a member, but 
this case was considered an instance of urgent 
necessity and the operation of Section 1 of 
Article V. suspended. Brother Smith was 
ordered from Cincinnati to Vera Cruz. His 
duties as quartermaster were exceedingly 
arduous. In the region of the tropics, subject 
to the severe diseases of an enervating and un- 
healthy climate, doing (as was I'eported) the 
duty of three men instead of one, with exjjo- 
suros incident to it, within six weeks after his 
arrival at Vera Cruz ho fell a victim to the 
prevailing epidemic and died of yellow fever. 
As soon as the lodge received news of his death 
it determined to send for his remains, raised a 
sufficient sum of money, and detailed Brother 
James Darrah to obtain them and return them 
to Monroe for sepulture. It was no small un- 
dertaking at that earl}- day to go from Monroe 
to Mexico, and none but a noble fellow with a 
brotherly feeling would have been equal to it. 
Brother Darrah in due time returned with the 
remai ns,to the great gratification of oui- citizens 
and deep gratitude of the family of the deceased. 



SECRET SOCIETIES. 



341 



His ivinains arrived in the iilglit in a wagon, 
and were taken to the lodge, where tiie coffin 
was draped in black cloth by the brothers, and 
tlicn escorted to the rcsi<lenee ol'the family on 
Elm avenue (now the site of the residence of 
I. K ligianfritz) by the City Guards, under 
Captain Nathan N. Kendall. 

In the year 184S Elbridge G. Brighani i)ur- 
chased the old Presbyterian church, on the 
corner of Cass and Second streets, remodeled 
it and rented it to the lodge, wliere it continued 
to hold its sessions for some years, when it was 
sold to tiie Lutheran church. The building was 
afterwards demolished, and gave place to the 
two-story German Lutheran school now stand- 
ing. On leaving the church building the lodge 
occupied llie second story of the liivcr llaisin 
Bank building, and remained there until the 
building was burned in 1808. As .soon as 
.Strong's hotel was built, on the site of the old 
building, the lodge occupied apartments there 
until tlie business of the hotel rc([uired all 
their room. It tlien removed to the three- 
story brick building of Stephen B. Wakefield, 
on the east side of Washington street, where 
rooms with all desirable appointments were 
secured, and which the lodge continue to 
occupy. 

At tiie tire referred to above all the books 
were burned, with the exception of the old 
Bible (the edges of which were well scorched), 
which was presented to the lodge in February, 
18-18, by Henry 1). Walbridge, now deceased. 
A few emblems were saved, among wiiich 
were the jtholograph of Hon. J. F. Thurber, 
the first Noble Grand, Moses' rod, the chart, 
the death tablet, and David's bow and arrow. 

The objects, aims and purposes of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fello.vs, originating 
in 1818 at Baltimore and organized in all the 
States, is well kno.vn, and we are warranted 
in saving that in the city and county of Mon- 
roe, since its organization, hundreds of needy 
families of the Order have received relief there- 
from. I can also say that during a number of 
our severe winters its charities and benevo- 
lence have extended beyond members of the 
lodge to a great number of destitute and de- 
serving families. The last generous act was 
the liberal contribution for the relief of suf- 
ferers of the Johnstown disaster. 

When the west addition was made to Wood- 
land cemetery the lodge purchased two lots 



for resting-pla<'es foi- their dead, and several 
brothers belonging to this and other lodges have 
found temporary resting-places, of whom Broth- 
ers Dirt'enbaugh and Vincent only remain. 

The present officers of the lodge, whose term 
of office expires December 31, 1889. are as fol- 
lows; William F. Knajjp, Noble Grand; 
Frank S. Sterling, Vice Noble (frand ; Fred. H. 
Humphrey, Recording Secretary; M. C. Sack- 
ett, Permanent Secretary; Daniel A. Hazens, 
Treasurer. Lodge meetings are held everj' 
Monday evening. Present membership, 97. 

But three of the charter members arc now 
living, viz., Joseph M. Sterling, of Monroe, 
Michigan : William H. Wells, of Erie, Monroe 
county; Henry (irinncll, of Grand Rapids, 
Michigan. One of them, J. M. Sterling, joined 
Wayne Lodge, Xo. 2, in 1842, and has always 
pai<l his dues, still a constant attendant on the 
lodge, which indicates his esteem of Odd Fel- 
lowship. 

One reminiscence occurs to me that hap- 
pened in the early days of the organization, 
when two candidates were in the ante-room for 
initiation, one of whom is now esteemed and 
living in Monroe. A bright, cheerful fire was 
burning in the fireplace, with an iron poker 
resting against the jamb. lie was inclined to 
be a little susjiicious, having heard so much 
about the mysteries of the Order and bi'anding 
process, and, being left in tiie room awaiting 
the call for .some time, hearing the movements 
and stir in the adjoining room his apprehen- 
sions and fear increased. He thought lie would 
escape the branding, so seized the iron poker, 
ran out into the yard and concealed it. His 
companions thought the secret too good to 
keep, and some time after revealed it. 

A tablet of deceased members in full nicm- 
bcrship at the time of their death now hangs 
in the lodge room. The names are as follows: 

H. Smith, died at Vera Cruz, July 24, 1847. 

B. F. Luce, died at Monroe, May 1, 184!). 

J. G. Keller, died at Bedford. October 2, 1851. 

L. Hawkins, died at Summerfield, December 
2, 18.T1. 

W. J. Kip]i, died at Marys liiver, June .30, 
1852. 

R. Stodilard,dicd at .Monroe, Augu.st !(!, 1S52. 

S. Knap]), died at Georgetown. Colorado, 
August 28, 1852. 

J. A. Kcebough, died at Hillsdale, February 
13, 1853. 



342 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Geo. Morton, killed on M. S. R. R. at Carlisle, 
June 25, 1853. 

Jas. Keegan, died at Monroe, August 6, 1854. 

J. A. Barrager, died at Adrian, December 
20, 1855. 

L. Vincent, died at Monroe, March 29, 1856. 

J. G. Thurber, died at Monroe, May 6, 1857. 

L. S. Harvey, died at Monroe, March 13, 1858. 

J. W. Little, drowned at Monroe, April 17, 
18.59. 

J. Darrah, died at Fortress Monroe, August 
17, 1802. 

F. W. Winans,dicd atMonroe, March 15, 1804. 

P. Beiscl, died at Monroe, March 29, 1805. 

C. Diffenbaugh, died at Monroe, Augu.st 28, 
1865. 

B. F. FiHcld. (lied at White Sulphur Springs, 
August 20, 180<;. 

W. W. Prentice, died at Monroe, May 27, 1K07. 

F. A. Kirchgessner, died at Monroe, July 19, 
1807. 

J. (i. Rother. died at Monroe, Fel)ruary 20, 
1870. 

E. O. \Vhi))ple, (lieil at Monroe, January 10, 
1871. 

H. O. Scott, died at Maybee, October 8, 1881. 

Cory Brainard, died at Lcadville, May 21, 
1887. 

LINCOLN LODGE, No. 190. I. O. O. F., 

Of Monroe, Michigan, was organized July 19, 
1872. 

Charter members: Charles Frank, John P. 
Schluter. Anton Munch, Charles Kirchgessner, 
Jacob Kull, Edward Vogel, Nee Rupp, Jacob 
Zang. 

Present ofKcers; Fred Bruhner, Noble 



Grand ; Dan. Hassley, Vice Grand ; George 
Ea])p, Secretary; Charles Kirchgessner, Treas.; 
Henry Ruler, D. D. G. M. 



THE (iERMAN WORKINGMEN'S ASSOCIATION 

Of Monroe, Michigan, was organized in Feb- 
ruary, 1805, at Jacob Zang's hall, with seven- 
teen members. 

The charter members were : Charles Kirch- 
gessner, August Girshke, Girshke, John 

Beckerlein, Louis Waldorf, John L. Eckert, 
Nicholas Kupp, John Buttman, et al. When 
the membership had increased to one hundred 
the society rented a large hall of Mr. Rupp, 
afterwards the hall of Mrs. Frank A. Kirchgess- 
nei-, which it continues to occupy. 

The first officers elected were : John P. 
Schluter, President; Anton Munch, Vice Presi- 
dent; Frank A. Kirchgessner, Secretary"; 
Melchior Kiburts, Treasurer. The presidents 
that were subsequentl}' elected were August 
Girshke, Charles Kirchgessner, George Neckel 
and Charles Gruncr, the present presiding 
officer. 

The present membership is 228. The State 
VVorkingmen's Asssociation now embraces 
forty-eight societies, with a membcrshi]! of 
0,500. 

Kvery member when initiated pays a fee of 
five dollars, fil\y cents- at the death of every 
member's wife, three dollars a w^eek during 
sickness of any member. On the death of any 
member thirty dollars is paid to the family for 
funeral expenses out of the local treasury of 
the Bund, and the State Association ])ays his 
family 8500. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



THIC AfFAICAN WAR. 



TEXAS was a part of the domain of ancient 
Mexico. When Mexico became a republic 
ill 1S24, it was made one of its united States. 
Itiiad been claimed by our (lovernment as a 
]):ii't of the Louisiana purchase in 1803, but 
this claim was not pressed. Texas began to 
be settled by Americans as early as 1831. It 
rebelled against the Government of Santa 
Anna, and declared itself an independent State 
March 2, 1836. This independence was not 
admitted by Mexico. 

On the 4th of Jvdy. 1845, Texas was with its 
own consent admitted as one of the States of 
our Union. This caused an immediate rupture 
bc^tween the United States and Mexico. Added 
to this our Government had a series of com- 
phiints against Mexico for aggressions upon 
our vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, confiscations 
in its own territory of the property of Ameri- 
can merchants, violations of treaty, and other 
acts of injustice, extending back for a period of 
nearly forty years, in addition to acts of 
violence demanding redress. Even a hearing 
was refused to our embassador, and he was 
turned away with insult, our territory invaded, 
and the blood of our citizens shed upon our 
(jwn soil. Congress declared, with but two 
negative votes in the Senate and fourteen in 
the House, that war existed by the act of the 
Republic of Mexico, at the same making pro- 
visions for its energetic prosecution. General 
Taylor was sent at once with an army of occu- 
])ation to Texas to hold and defend it. On the 
24th (if April, 1840, the tirst blood was shed in 
the war with Mexico. 

In May, 184(5, the Governor of Michigan was 
notified by the War Department of the United 
Stales to enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be 
held in readiness for service whenever de- 
manded. At his summons thirteen indepen- 
dent companies, eleven of infantry and two of 
I avalry, at once volunteered. Of the infjautry 
liiur companies were from Detroit, bearing the 



honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette. 
Scott and Brady upon their banners. Of the 
remainder Monroe tendered two, Lenawee 
count}' three, St. Olair, Beri'ien and Hillsdale 
counties each one, ;ind Wayne county an addi- 
tional company. In addition to them ton com- 
panies, making the first regiment of Mich- 
igan volunteers springing from various parts 
of the State, but embodying to a great degree 
the material of which the first volunteers are 
formed, were not called for until October fol- 
lowing. This regiment was soon in readiness, 
and proceeded to the seat of war. 

In the region of the tropics, imjiatient for the 
farther advance which was denied them, sub- 
ject to the severe diseases of an enervating and 
unhealthy climate, doing vigilant duty in 
guarding the avenues of approach, in keeping 
open the communications, in overawing a hos- 
tile population, the gallant regiment evinced in 
all the trials of that harassing warfare the 
fidelity and devotion which has ever charac- 
terized the ])atriot soldier of the Peninsular 
State. Considering the obstacles overcome, the 
successes accomplished and mighty results that 
have followed their heroic efforts form one of 
the greatest triumphs on record ; one for which 
history has perhaps no superior. A less de- 
gree of wrongs and outrages upon the jjersons 
and property of our people, if unredressed, 
committed by powers other than Mexico would 
have been considered sufficient ground for hos- 
tilities. 

Our State claims the credit which attached 
to the memorable achievements of Company K, 
Third Dragoons, and Companies A, K, and G 
of the Fifteenth Regiment of the United States 
Infantry. The latter compau}', in command 
of Captain Frazey M. Winans, of Monroe, was 
selected as guard at headquarters for their fine 
military bearing and eflSciencj-. The deailly 
field of Churubusco attested that the honc^r was 
well deserved. 



[343] 



344 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 



Of the infantry coinpauics recruited in ttiis 
State two, A and K, ioi-nunic ttie right and cen- 
ter of the Fifteenth Keijiment, also Company 
(i, were particuUirly distinguished at the Na- 
tional Bridge. The two former, as indeed the 
whole army, were i-educcd to one-third of their 
original number hy the remarkable changes of 
temperatui-e and the privations to which they 
were exposed. 

At Contreras, <>ii tlie liUli of August. 1S47, 
over the pcdegrai, confronting Valencia witii 
his vastly preponderating numbers, under a 
heavy artillery fire; at night on picket guard 
in a cold rain of a temperature over 7,00(t feet 
above the sea ; on the morning of the 20th, ere 
dawn, in line, to the assault, thence in pursuit, 
with but a few moment's rest at San Angelos, 
haversacks emptied the day before, twelve 
miles to the sanguinary field of Churubusco, 
General Scott himself looking the very genius 
of war, giving words of cheer as the exhausted 
men filed rapidly by him at Coyoncan, whence 
he directed the battle ; then to the attack 
against five times their number well posted, 
Company E, its captain wounded, its first-lieu- 
tenant killed while encouraging the men, its 
first sergeant mortally wounded, its color- 
bearer shot dovyfn, one-half of its rank and file 
disabled. Company A, the other Michigan 
company, beaded by the gallant Beach, also 
suffering sevei-e loss, devotedly maintained the 
reputation of the State which it worthily repre- 
sented. The loved Morgan, the generous and 
intrepid colonel of the regiment, whose voice 
was that of the hero Shields, was heard above 
the roll of conflict, was struck down, and Mills, 
of Iowa, the major, joining the dragoons in 
pursuit, gave up his life at San Antonio's gate; 
there, too, the adjutant, the chivalrous Broad- 
head, killed at Chantilly in the war for the 
Union, was conspicuous for cool courage. There, 
the veteran Howard in command, the 15th was 
ordered to keep watch and guard in rceogni- 
tition of their gallant services and those of 
that regiment. As well and as bravely Com- 
pany G, the remaining one of the thi'ee from 
Michigan, under Captain "Winans, of Monroe, 
at Paso Ovegas, on the 10th of August, met and 
repulsed a heavy guerrilla force, while on the 
12th at the National Bi-idgo— famed for its mas- 
sive architecture and its strength as well as 
the commanding beauty of its surroundings — 
its captain transferred to the command of the 



left wing— it was led b3'the accomplished Wil- 
kins, seconded b}' Doyle, and drove superior 
foi'ces, protected as they were by bastion, 
tower and wall; following the foe beyond the 
fastnesses which crowned the scene of their ex- 
ploits, and three days aftei'wards renewing 
their brilliant successes on the hills beyond 
which commanded the communications. 

Isaac Kegal came to Monroe in 1834. His 
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War and his father a soldier in the War of 1812. 
Isaac enlisted in the Toledo War in 183G; served 
in the Mexican War. Enlisted April 4, 1847, 
in the Fifteenth Regiment of the United States 
Infiintry, and was in nearly all the hard-fought 
battles of that war. At the battle before the 
City of Mexico Isaac was one of only three sur- 
vivoT's of his companj'. He enlisted with two of 
his sons and fought through the War of the Re- 
bellion to its close, and was honorably dis- 
charged. He was rcgartled a brave and gal- 
lant soldier, and is now spending his declining 
years in the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio. 

The treaty of peace was signed February 2, 
1848, which gave to the United States Upper 
California, New Mexico and adjacent territory, 
and conceded Texas. An act of Congress was 
passed providing that fifty regiments of volun- 
teers should be raised in the United States for 
this war. Under this act the Fifteenth Regi- 
ment of United States Infantry voluntereed 
from the State of Michigan. Company G, of 
the Fifteenth Regiment of United States In- 
fantry, was composed mainly of volunteers 
from Moni'oc city and county, and riehl}- de- 
serve honorable mention lor their gallant con- 
duct, in August, 1847, at the battles at Paso del 
Ovejas,at the National Bridge and Cerro Gordo, 
in which Sergeants Ebenezer Legro, William 
Inglis, Corporal H. I. Loranger, Privates J. 
Perce, L. Knecht, G. P. Amidow, F. Jackson, 
N. Kendall, H. Hatter, O. Stone and Joseph C. 
Crider were wounded, and Privates A. N. 
Crandle and A. Me} ron mortally wounded. 

Captain Frazey M. Winans, of Monroe, com- 
manded Company G, with Lieutenants William 
D. Wilkins, of Detroit, and Michael P. Doyle 
and Bachus T. Winchell, of Monroe. 

The honor of our State of Michigan was 
gloriously sustained at the assault at Pueblo, 
Mexico, where Lieutenant Meycrfeld led the 
forlorn hope, where Company A, commanded 
by Samuel B. Beach, contended with the terri- 



THE MEXICAN WAR. 



345 



ble tire aiitl ovciwlioliiiinj; odds at t'liunibusct), 
and where Conipauy E was coinmandod bj- Cap- 
lain Isaac I). Toll (now residing at Petoskey). 
Captain Beafdi, in a letter written utl'ontiae, in 
June, 18S6, in referring to the battle of Churu- 
busco, writes. '■ that Captain Toll, after he had 
twice gone back amid the fire to get permis- 
sion to charge, which was refused, ordered it 
and re-formed tiio regiments, which then, at that 
critical time, charged the masses of the eneni}- 
successfully, and none too soon, for the New- 
York and South Carolina volunteers on the 
left had just 'gone in' in their part of the field. 
The battle of Churubusco was the deciding 
battle of the war with Mexico; the infantry did 
the work tliere, while all had tiieir share, but 
on this arinuW relied. Of the nearly two hun- 
dred men of these companies which wo helped 
to form but about twenty survived in 1886." 

KOSTKR OF COMPANY C, I5T11 V. S. 1. 

-Mexican War, taken from the muster-out roll 
of the conipan}-, dated Covington, Kent u(k_\-. 
August 4, 1848: 

Krazey M. Winans, rapt., (lis. July 20, is-l.s. 

Ilira <i. Ka.stiiian, 1st lient., res. May :'.!, I.S47. 

Tliornton F. Biodhead. 1st lient., ])ro. capt. De- 
cember 22, 1847. 

Samuel K. Beach. 1st lient., m. o. witli company. 

Wiliiani I). Wilkins, 2il lient., trans, to Co. F. 

Michael I*. Doyle. 2<1 lieut.. died October 23. 1847. 

(ieorge F. Hooper. 2(1 lieut., ni. o. with company. 

Thomas S. Trask, 2d lieut., m. o. witli company. 

Kbenezer Legro, 1st serg., trans, to Newport Bar- 
racks July 2(i, 1848. 

William Inglis, .serg.,dis. Xovember24, 1847, disah. 

Augustus D. IJurdino, serg., dis. March 24, 184.S, 
disability. 

Julius Waltz, serg., trans, to Newport Barracks 
July 26, 1848. 

Alexander Porter, serg., trans, to Newport Barracks 
July 2G, 1848. 

Bachus T. Winchell, serg., m. o. with company. 

liush Winchell, corp., died September 2!t, 1847. 

John Graham, corp., left sick in Mexico February 
1, 1.848. 

Ale.vander Lawrence, corp., ni. o. with company. 

Ephraim Marble, corp., ui. o. with company. 

Cyrus Teal, jr., corp., m. o. with com|)any. 

' i' urge Hewitt, musician, m. o. willi company. 

\S illiam H. Teal, musician, m. o. with company. 

I.pliraim .Vllen, private, m. o. with company. 

' (lorge P. AmiJon, private, m. o. with company. 

^uiiuel .\nderson, private, m. o. with company. 

i -.pli .Vdams, private, died September 2, 1847. 

.I'lhn W. Allen, private, deserted April 30, 1847. 

IVter Boland. private, left sick at New Orleans 
July 12, 1848. 



.lonatliau W. Bardwell, private, in.o. with company. 

Hiram W. Bartholemew, private, m. o. with Co. 

Alexander Bissinett, private, died July 20, 1848. 

Frederick Baum, private, m. o. .vith conijiany. 

Richard Bray, private, left sick at New Orleans 
July 12, 1.848. 

John Belford, private, left sick in Mexico February 
.'), 1.84,S. 

William Bailey, private, left at Vera Cruz (on extra 
duty since July (>, 1847). 

Artiuius D. Baird, private, died January Hi, 1848. 

Harvey Bastard, private, died March 12, 1848. 

Baltraw Bi.ssinett, private, died July 2, 1848. 

Franklin Brainard, private, died July 8. 1848. 

Jason Bennett, private, deserted July l.'i, 1847. 

Harmon Cone, private, m. o. with company. 

Alexander B. Coleman, private, m. o. with Co. 

William Cruni, private, m. o. with company. 

Alanson Crandall, private, died August 25, 1.S47. 

Charles Cabicha, private, dis. April 20, 1848, disah. 

Thomas ConiflTe, private, dis. July 24, 1847, expira- 
tion of enlistment. 

William C. Deming, private, left sick at I'erote 
October U, 1847. 

Felix DingMian, private, m. o. with company. 

James M. Darling, private, m. o. with company. 

Israel Drew, private, m. o. with company. 

Clark Dickinson, private, died August 27, 1847. 

Thomas Dailey, private, dis. August 22, 1.847, expi- 
ration of enlistment. 

Peter iMiglehardt, jirivatc, \n. o. with comi)any. 

John Filler, private, trans, to Newi)ort Barracks 
July 2(). 1848. 

John Ford, private, left sick in Mexico February 
I, l.sis. 

James Fitch, jirivate, ni. o. with company. 

John F. Foster, private, left sick at Perote October 
(;, 1847. 

Charles K. Fullerton, private, dis.July li, I.848,disai>. 

Simon (iimple. private, m. o. with company. 

Joseph Olevanz, private, m. o. with company. 

Daniel Grant, private, m. o. with company. 

Jacob Gilbert, private, died July 14, 1.S48. 

Elijah M. (iales, private, died September 4, 1847. 

Henry S. Hath, private, m. o. with company. 

Jonathan C. W. Holliday, private, m.o. with Co. 

Edward Hunt, private, m. o. with company. 

John W. Eluglies, private, m. o. with company. 

John Hubbin, private, died May 3, 1848. 

.lacob Hemstret. private, died August 28, 1847. 

John Houvcrt, private, trans, to Newport Barracks 
July 21), 1S48. 

Francis Jackson, private, ni. o. with company. 

Otis Johnson, private, m. o. with com|)any. 

Robert Johnson, private, m. o. with company. 

Lafayette Ingersoll, private, deserted June 3, 1.848. 

Nelson Kendall, private, m, o. with company. 

Ignatius Klevantz, private, m. o. with company. 

Bartel Klotz, private, m.o. with company. 

Jolin Kick, private, m. o. with company. 

(ieorge Kneclit. jirivate, m. o. with company. 

Samuel Klingman, private, died March U), 1848. 



346 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Joshua Kline, privatu, died September 27. 1847. 

Frederick Kirchner, private, died Augu.st26, 1.H47. 

Casper Knecht, private, died June 20, 1847. 

Lewis Knecht, private, di.s. November 25, 1S47, 
disabihty. 

John knill, private, died July 12, 1848. 

Henry J. Lorenz, private, ni. o. with company. 

John F. Lusk, private, m. o. with company. 

George Lanman, private, trans, to Newport Bar- 
racks July 2(), 1848. 
- Abel Milligan, private, m. 6. with company. 

Moses Milligan, private, m. o. with company. 

John Manhardt, private, m. o. with company. 

Benjamin Meigs, private, m. o. with company. 

Robert J. Moody, private, m. o. with company. 

James Murphy, private, m. o. with company. 

John Meyers, private.left sick atPerote July 1, 1.S47. 

Patrick Murray, private, left sick at Mexico Feb- 
ruary 1, 1848. 

Antoine Miron, private, died August 27, 1847. 

John Morris, private, died July 15, 1848. 

Johannes Marschal, private, dis. April ."0, 1848, 
disability. 

William McLaughlin, private, ra. o. with company. 

Eaton McNair, private, m. o. with company. 

Thomas McManus, private, m. o. with company. 

Virgil McCormick, private, m. o. with company. 

William McDonald, private, m. o. with company. 

John McDonald, private, died November 3, 1847. 

Earnhardt Obala, private, m. o. with company. 

James O'Brien, private, died September 30, 1847. 

William M. Csbome, private, died March 15, 1.S48. 

Dennis O'Sullivan, private, deserted June 2fi, 1847. 

Charles A. Opperman, private, trans, to Newi)ort 
Barracks July 2(1, 1848. 

Ma.scena W. Powers, private, m. o. with company. 

Henry Peltier, private, died September 22, 1847. 

Isaac Ragle, private, m. o. with company. 

Jonathan Rice, private, m. o. with company. 

Timothy Rodd, private, m. o. with company. 



Daniel M. Ross, private, m. o. with company. 

John Robinson, private, m. o. with company^ 

William Richardson, private, m. o. with company. 

John Renz, private, died January 21, 1848. 

William M. C. Seeley, private, m. o. with company. 

Aaron Sliew, private, m. o. with company. 

Samuel Shepard, private, m. o. with company. 

Oliver Stone, private, m. o. with company. 

Harvey Smith, private, m. o. with company. 

William Sumner, private, m.o. with company. 

James W. Stout, jr., private,died December 20, 1847. 

Lafayette Segar, private, died July 2:!, 1818. 

Joseph Stewart, private, dis. July 2r>, 1847, writ 
habeas corpus. 

William Warner, private, m. o. with company, died 
August 4, 1848, after muster-out. 

Joseph Walbert, private, m. o. with company. 

Samuel Wooden, private, died June 8, 1848. 

Edward Waddle, private, deserted Juiy 15, 1847. 

Martin Wiiite, private, deserted April 30, 1847. 

Michael Yinger, private, left sick at New Orleans 
July 12, 1.848. 

IIICCM'ITUI.ATION. 

Mu.stci'cd out with coinpan}-: One first 
lieutenant, 2 second lieutenants, 1 sergeant, .'5 
corporals, 2 musician.s, 58 privates; total, 67. 

Left behind, sick, etc.: One eoi'poral, 10 
privates ; total, IL 

Promoted and tran.sf'orrod ; One first lieuten- 
ant 1 second lieutenant, 1 first sergeant, 2 
sergeants, 4 privates; total, 9. 

Resigned and discharged : One captain, 1 
first lieutenant, 2 sergeants, 7 privates; total, 11. 

Died: One second lieutenant, 1 corporal, 2(j 
privates; total, 28. 

Discharged: Seven pi'ivatcs. 



CHAPTER XXVTT. 



SKKTC'HKS OF 



rHE I,ATi:i4 UESIDKNTS OF MONKOK COUNTY. 



IIAKKY A KM IT AG 1-: CoNANT. 

SON ol' Harry and Maria Conaiit, was born 
al Monroe, Micliij^an, May 5, 1844. He 
prepared forcolleiic at Monroe and entered the 
Michigan T'nii'er.sity, clas.s of 18t)5. Mr. Conant 
was admitted to tlio bar in February, 1878. 
After leaving college ho engaged in mercantile 
and manuractiiring pursuits for some years. 
He has always been a stalwart Republican, and 
possesses the confidence of his ]>art3- to that 
degree that they have at different times given 
him, without solicitation on his part, the nomi- 
nations for mayor, alderman, supervisor, and 
State Senator, he being elected to the three 
latter oftices in a strong Democratic section. 
In 1880 he received the appointment of consul 
at Naples, which he resigned after a residence 
abro.id of seven months. Mr. Conant was 
elected Secretary of State in 1882, over William 
Shakespeare, Fusionist, and Martin V. Kork, 
Prohibitionist, and in 1884 was again elected 
to the same office by a vote of 192,929 to 188,- 
546 for Shakespeare, Fusionist, and 10,107 for 
Zaccheus Cha.se, Prohibitionist. He is identified 
in most of the affairs of a public nature in his 
section. A man of strict integrity-, liiglily 
esteemed as a citizen and popular throughout 
the State; a man of wealth and knows how to 
enjo^'it. He married Mary Thurber. daughter 
of Horace Thurber, of Pontiac, Michigan. Has 
one son, Horace, who entered Princeton Colleije 
fall of 188'.), and one daughter. Margai-et, who is 
attemling the Young Ladies' Seminar}- in 
Detroit. 

.JAMES ARMITAGK. 

Mr. and i[rs. John Armitage, the ]>arents of 
the subject of this sketch, lived upon a farm 
in Cambridge, Washington county, in the 
State of New York, where Mr. James Armit- 
age, on the 12th day of December, A. D. 1812. 
first made his appearance. They had a large 



t'aniily of children, but two of whom now sur- 
vive — James and one younger bi-othor, George 
W. Armitage, who ha.s for many ^'oars resided 
in Monroe. 

Mr. James Armitage, during his j'outhful 
days, had th-j advantages of a common school 
education, and subsequentlj^ attended the then 
celebrated acadenij- of Hoswell Brooks. He 
then taught school for three years, and having 
attained his manhood, w-as one<lay accosted by 
their old family physician, who alter the usu;il 
salutations of the morning, said with emphasis: 
" My J'oung friend, you must leave this climate, 
there is no hope for 3-ou in it.'' He knew that 
consumption was liereditary in the family, and 
advised him to "go west" Influenced and 
governed by his counsel Mr. Armitage de- 
termined to follow it, and decided upon seek- 
ing Michigan Territory. In crossing I^ake 
Erie was accosted one day liy Mr. William 
White, a merchant of Monroe, who was re- 
turning from New York, and who noticed his 
woe-bcgone looks, was attracted to him and 
said: •' Hollo! What makes you look so 
blue'? Guess you have just left your mammy. 
Cheer up, my young man. Where are you 
going'.''' Before the trip was ended .Mr. White, 
who was an eccentric man, and known here 
as Variety White, the red-coat man, offered him 
a clerkship in his store, which was readily ac- 
cepted. They arrived in Monroe October 29, 
1833. Mr. Armitage remained in his employ 
until 1834, when he entered into copartnership 
with Doctor Ingham S. Roberts, wlio was 
dealing in drugs and medicines under the name 
of I. S. Roberts & Co.; soon after firm name 
was changed to that of Roberts & Armitage. 

During the j'car 1834 the cholera prevailed 
to an alarming extent, taking off si.\t3--four of 
our citizens, among the number Doctor C'olton, 
Burt Stuart and Mr. T. K. Gidlcy, copartner of 
Harrj- V. Man in dry gOf>ds, well remembered 
b}- many of our older citizens. 



[347] 



348 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



During the follovviiiiiyear llu- tirni ot'Koborls 
& Armitage purchased of the United States Gov- 
ernment cue thousand acres of land, located in 
Lenawee and Williams counties, and at the 
same time purchased one hundred and thirty 
acres of Benjamin Ilornbeck, the premises on 
which the town of Morenci is situated, and took 

in as copartners in the purchase Williams 

and Alpheus Felch. 

For the improvement of his health Mr. 
Armitage determined to avoid confinement and 
" rough it." He devoted much of his time to 
the improvement of their purchase, and huill 
on Bean Greek a saw mill and coffer dam, now 
known as Beaver Dam, greatly improving his 
health thereby. 

Roberts & Armitage sold out to Mr. IIa\\ ks, 
of Rochester, New York, and soon after Mr. 
Armitage entered into copartnership with Dr. 
Harry Conant in drugs and medicines, in whicii 
firm he continued until 1842, when he pur- 
chased the stock of Merrill & "Whittier, dry goods 
merchants, in which business ho is at present 
engaged. Mr. Armitage and Mr. William H. 
Boyd are the only surviving merchants that 
were engaged in business in Monroe in 1836. 

Mr. Armitage was ever averse to accepting 
any public office, and in but one instance has 
he varied from the rule, when he became a 
candidate for mayor of the city, to which ho 
was elected in the spring of 1849. 

Mr. Armitage's business with farmei-s in tlu- 
county has been very extensive, and one inci- 
dent in my own experience serves as an illus- 
tion of their estimate. While one of the firm of 
Wing & Johnson, in banking, applications were 
fre(iuently made for loans and discounts by- 
farmers, and when questioned who they would 
give for endorser, they almost uniformly re- 
plied, " James Armitage." But upon applica- 
tion Mr. Armitage would uniformly reply: 
" Your credit is good for anything in my estab- 
lishment, but mj' rule is never to endorse." He 
was annoyed to such an extent that upon his 
re((ucst wo were requested, when applications 
were made in future, to sa)- that "your credit 
is good for anything in his line, but he will not 
endorse." 

Ho has lived in our midst as a business man 
for over a half century, and enjoyed an un- 
blemished reputation for fair dealing, has been 
prosperous, always in good creilit, highly es- 
teemed l)y our citizens. 



He was in 18ti8 oi'dained a ruling elder in 
the First Presbyterian church ; has been a 
very liberal contributor thereto, as well as to 
many religious and charitable objects in the 
county. 

Mr. Armitage was married Auiiust 15, 1842, 
to Miss Harriet Gonanl, the eldest daughter of 
Doctor Harry and Maria Conant, who died 
in 18 — , and married for his second wife Miss 
Helen Conant, the sister of his former wife. 
They are now living in our midst in their hos- 
pitable and delightful home, on the corner of 
First and Macoml) streets, highly esteemed in 
our communitj'. 



ALFRED ISAAC SAWYKR, M. I)., 

Was born in Lyme township, Huron count3^, 
Ohio, October 31, 1828, His parents, Stephen 
and Dorothy Sawyer, came to this country from 
Lngland in 1819, settling first in New Haven, 
Connecticut, then at North Bend, on the Ohio 
River. 

There Stephen Sawjer took charge of a farm 
for General William H. Harrison, afterwai-ds 
president of the Ihiited States, between whom 
and himsell'a strong friendshiji evoi- afterward 
existed. 

The countr}- was then new. and being illy 
prepared by habits and education for pioneer 
.life, he became wearied with its hardships and 
set out to return to the mother counti-y. 

When he reached New York City, he met 
friends from P]nghind who persuaded him to 
go back to Connecticut. Among the party was 
Captain Henry Griswold,a son of the governor 
of the State, with his bride, formerly Miss 
Betsy Lansdale, a sister of Mrs. Stephen 
Sawyer. 

In 1827 the family again turned their faces 
westward, and with many other Connecticut 
people settled on what was then called the 
" Connecticut fire land," more familiarly known 
since as the Western Reserve. In the autumn 
of 1828 the subject of this sketch was born, as 
already stated. About this time Mr. Sawyer 
purchased a large tract of wild land, put uji a 
log house and moved into it, his son Alfred 
being just one mouth old. Although a more 
modern and commodious dwelling was subse- 
c|uently erected, the old log house is still stand- 
ing. Here the jiarents lived, prospered and 





-/ /^,^. 



SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



rA\) 



ilioil. Of lliuir chililroTi, iiiiio sons ami luiir 
iluiii^litcrs, six were born in lOiiglaiiil, one al 
North Bend, Oliio, three in Conneelicut. ami 
three at Lyme, Ohio. Alfred Isaac .Sawyer i.s 
the eleventh child and eiirhth son. AVith the 
exception of Alfred the children followed the 
cNaniple of their parents, and led a prosperous 
a<;ricultural life. 

At the atje of seventeen Alfred Sawyer 
dreamed of other enterprises and souj^ht to pre- 
pare himself for other lield.s of labor. This was 
sti'enuonsly o]iposcd by his father, who ari^ueil 
that his education was "good enouich (or a 
fai-mer, which was what he desired him to be, 
and what he should be.' Up to this time the 
boy had enjoj-ed no opportunity for schooling 
hut such as was afforded by the country schools 
of that day, which continued but three months 
niit of twelve, and were very inefficient at that. 
-VUhough the father was one of the strictest of 
(dd English dis(i|)linarians, the ambitions boy 
would not be restrained oi- deterred from his 
purpose. 

During the next tlirce j^ears Alfred Sawyer 
improved every opportunity to acquire an ed- 
ucation that would til him for some other call- 
ing than that to which he had thus far been 
reared. Kvcry obstacle was thrown in his way; 
still l)y hard work, teaching school in winter, 
and attending the Norwalk Academy in the 
spring and fall, and bj' studying while others 
slept, ho succeeded in acquiring an average 
academical education and had made arrange- 
ments with one of his brothers to take a clas- 
sical course. 

During the cholera eiddemic of 1S40, how- 
ever, his brother (ell a victim to the fearhil 
scourge. For four years he worked hi.s brother's 
farm and tliereby accumulated sufficient means 
to enable him to pursue his studies for a time. 
I'lut instead of completing his classical course 
he entered the office of Drs. John Tift and 
I'.eckwiih, Norvvalk. Ohio. This was in the 
autumn of 1.S52. 

When the lectures commenced in the West- 
irn College of Homa'0|)athy at Cleveland, Ohio, 
in November of that 3-ear he matriculated and 
after the close of the coui'sc followed Dr. D. II. 
Heckwith to Marietta, Ohio. In August, 1853, 
he was attacked by that frightful di.sease, 
liloody Hux. which was al that time i>revailiiig 
to an alarming extent in that region, and was 
confined to his bed several weeks, with life 



tnrnliling in the balance. However, when 
lectures began again in Cleveland in N(jveml)cr 
he attended them, and in the spring of 1854 re- 
ceived the degree of doctor of medicine. 

In May of that j'ear he again returneil to 
Marietta and entered into copartnership with 
his former i)reccptor, Di\ D. II. Beckwith. who 
shortly- gave place to his brother, Dr. H. C. 
1)C( kwith, and settled at Zanesvillc, Ohio. 

In 1855 Dr. Sawyer left Marietta and again 
formed a partnership with I). H. Beckwith at 
Zanesvillc, where he remained until the fall 
of 1H5<!. He then went to New York City' and 
attended the medical department of New York 
University, remaining until the 1st of March, 
1S57. 

Having become somewhat di.sgusted with 
general practice he proposed to pursue some 
specialty. Accordingly he engaged rooms in 
Bleeker street, New York, where he intended 
to follow ophthalmic surgery. To this end he 
earnestly', persistently and successfully pur- 
sued a special course of study under Drs. Val- 
entine, Molt, Mark, Stephenson, Rogers and 
(jerisli, and from them received a diploma 
declaring his fitness to enter upon that special 
field of the profession. But his sources of 
revenue again unexpectedly failed him, oblig- 
ing him to leave New York and seek an 
opening that j)romised more readyand certain 
returns. 

After visiting various places between New 
York City and Monroe, Michigan, ho finally 
settled, May 12, 1857, in the latter place, where 
he still resides. 

He was made a Mason in February, 185S, a 
Iloyal Arch Mason in 18511, a lioyal and Select 
Mason in 18C3at Monroe, and a Knight Tem- 
])lar at Adrian in 1868. He was elected Senior 
Warden of Monroe Lodge, No. 27, in 18(!3, and 
Worshipful .Master in 18(J4-65-t)6-67-08.G9 and 
187079-8(1-81 and 1887. 

During this time he was presented by the 
lodge with a beautiful Fast Master's Jewel. 
He was High Friest of Fiver Raisin Chapter, 
Royal Arch Ma.sons, from 18(57 to 1871 inclu- 
sive. 

Was elected Grand Frincipal Sojourner of 
the (J rand Chajitcr of Royal Arch Masons of 
the State of Michigan in 18()9, (Jrand Captain 
of the Host in 1870, (irand Scribe in 1871, 
(iraiid King in 1S72, Deputy (4rand High l'i-icsl 
in 1873, and Grand High Priest in 1874. 



350 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Was made chairman of a committee to re- 
vise tiie Grand constitution of tiie Grand Chap- 
ter oflioyal Arch Masons of Michigan in 1875, 
which required four years for completion, and 
is to-day tiie fundamental law of the Order in 
Michigan. 

Kcpresented the Grand Chapter of Eoyal 
Arch Masons of Michigan in the General Grand 
Cha])tor of the United States at Denver, Colo- 
rado, in 1883. 

Was elected Grand President of the Grand 
Council of High Priesthood in 1872, immedi- 
ately after submitting a masterlj' report of the 
history and chronology of the Order. This office 
he held for several years. 

Was elected Grand Principal Conductor of 
the work in the Grand Council of Rojal and 
Select Masons of Michigan in 1873. 

Was first Eminent Commander of River 
Raisin Commandery, No. 19, K. T., in 1S(3.S, and 
again in 1886. 

Was elected mayor of the city of Monroe in 
18G9-70 and 1878, and was a member of its 
school boai-d for nine years. 

But as his untiring zeal and faithful devo- 
tion has made him a leader in political, educa- 
tional. Masonic and social circles, even so he 
has shone if anything with far more brilliancy 
in his chosen profession, and among his learned 
colleagues. There is no man in this country 
who has done more for the advancement of 
medical science than has Dr. A. I. Sawyer, of 
Monroe. 

The homceopathie department of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan owes its life and susten- 
ance to him. In 1847 a bill making it a State 
prison offense to ))ractice medicine according 
to the homfeopatliic law was introduced in the 
legislature of Michigan. It passed one of the 
houses before it was discovered by the friends 
of honidiopathy. It was defeated in the other 
house by the judicious efforts of the friends of 
that system of medicine. The first efforts to 
secure I'ecognition of homoeopathy in the uni- 
versit}' were begun in 1853, but without suc- 
cess. In 1855 there was enacted a la\v requir- 
ing the board of regents to "always maintain 
at least one chair of homeopathy in the medi- 
cal departmentof the Universitj' of Michigan.'' 
The regents failed to comply with the require- 
ments of this law. The question was then 
taken " by mandamus " to the Supreme Court 
of the State, requiring the board of regents to 



show cause why thej^ did not comply' with the 
law. Here the friends of homreopathy were 
defeated by simply non-action on the part of 
the Supreme Court, two of its members being 
members of the law faculty in the university, 
and hence instruments of the board of regents. 

This farce cost Sawyer $155 for attorney foes 
alone, not to mention what he paid for a per- 
son to remain in Lansing and lobby for the 
passage of a bill during nearly the entire ses- 
sion, or his own personal expenses there and 
elsewhere in the interest of the cause. 

After this defeat the friends of honneopathy 
again went before the legislature in 1807, and 
attacked the very fountain head of the univer- 
sity by amending the law which gives to it one- 
twentieth of a mill on the dollar of all taxable 
pi-operty of the State, so that it read: " Pro 
vided the board of regents would comply with 
the law of 1855, and appoint at least one pro- 
fessor in the medical department of the uni- 
versity," thus locking up a goodly portion of 
the income of the university. In 1809 the re- 
gents agreed to comply with the law of 1855, 
providing the friends of homreopathy would 
secure a repeal of the obnoxious law of 1807. 
Although this was done, the regents acted in bad 
faith, and undertook to both comply with and 
evade the law bj- appointing Dr. Chas. Hempel 
])rofessor of theory and practice of medicine, 
and proposed to locate him in Detroit instead 
of Ann Arbor. The duplicity of the board was 
rewarded bj' the auditor general of the State 
refusing to honor the warrants of the univer- 
sity, because the law of 1855 had not been eom- 
jilied with, the Supreme Court declining to take 
action in the matter. The university was there- 
fore dcjjrived of this source of revenue. 

The regents finally offered to compromise on 
the basis of creating a branch school outside of 
Ann Arbor, .-ind through certain homoeopathic 
physicians " who had become discouraged 
through the unsuccessful attempts to establish 
a homceopathie school on the campus of the 
University of Michigan,' conveyed to the 
HonKcopathic Society their proposition of rec- 
onciliation. This question was finally referred 
to a committee of the State Medical Society 
early in the seventies. Dr. Sawyer was chair- 
man and submitted the following re])ort, viz.: 

"Resolved, That when the same rights, bene- 
fits and privileges that are now enjoyed by the 
old school doctors shall have been accorded to 



SKETCIIKS OF SOMK OK THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



:351 



lioiiKvopaths on the university c.impiis, we will 
1)0 satisfied, and not before." 

Immediate!}- following this report the Dr. 
introduced another bill to the legislature, with 
a long and forcible remonstrance against fur- 
ther delay in granting them their rights, signed 
by himself and two others (Dr. I. N. Jildridge, 
of Flint, and I'obert King, of Kalamazoo), had 
it introduced and forced to a successful issue, 
ill spite of the enemies witiiin and foes without. 
Investigation showed the legislature's failure 
lo make provision for sn])porting this new de- 
partment, and the bill was a dead letter. In 
1875 a bill was introduced by parties working 
in the confi<lencc, if not in the interest of the 
old school professors and phj-sieians, and ask- 
ing (or a homa'Opathic college to be located at 
such place as would furnish the greatest induce- 
ments bj' way of funds, grounds, buildings, 
and the like, to be under the supervision of the 
board of regents. 

After the bill had very i|uictl_v passed the 
Senate with only four dissenti!ig votes Dr. 
Sawyer discovered the real purpose of the bill, 
and when it came up for action in the House 
had an amendment introduced virtually cut- 
ting off all alter the enacting clause, and sub- 
stituting the bill which passed the legislature 
the session previous, simply adding .S(>,i>l'0 for 
e.\]>enses. 

The House failing to pass ihe amendment, 
the whole matter was laid upon the table until 
five o'clock the next day. The authors of the 
bill tlien fell in with the doctor for the pro|)osed 
substitute, and it passed the House. 

\l the next meeting of the regents (June, 
1^75) they complied with the law and organ- 
ized a homreopathic department in the univer- 
sity. A hospital, too, has been added to the 
original plant. 

Doctor Sawj'er has been in attendance more 
or less during every session of the legislature 
since 1867, and for ten years nearlj' ever}' ses. 
sion of the board of regents, in the interest of 
horad'opathy. He has refused at various times 
to consider proposed appointments to profes- 
sorships, that nothing might enib;irrass his 
efforts to secure an acceptable school in t!ie 
University- of Michigan. 

At the comraencement exerci.ses of the uni- 
versity in June, 1877, he had the proud satis- 
faction of occupying the .same platform with 
the old school faculty, with the president of the 



I'nivci-sity of Michigan, and witnessing the 
gra<l nation of the first class from the homcco- 
pathic department. The nucleus of the college 
which lie was so instrumental in founding has 
already .secured an everlasting foothold, and 
will ever live as a monument to him and to 
those who so gailanllj' stood by his side. The 
alumni of the college thus brought forth undei- 
so many difficulties are known far and wide, 
and wherever known respected, an honor to 
their Alma Mater, an honor to the State of 
Michigan, an honor to the promoters of the col- 
lege, and a blessing to mankind. 

In the early history of this college, before 
professors wore appointed to the chairs of ob- 
stetrics and surgery. Dr. A. I. Sawyer was ap- 
pointed as examiner or censor for that depart- 
ment. He was a delegate to represent the 
.\inerican Institute of Homoeopathy, also Ho- 
nici'o])athic State Medical Society of Michigan, 
at the International Homeopathic Congress, 
which met in London, England, in Jul}', 1.S81, 
and while in Europe at that time visited Ire- 
land, AVales, Scotland, England, Holland, 
Prussia, Switzerland and France. In 1885 he 
was elected vice-president of the American 
Institute of Honifcopathy at St. Louis, Missouri, 
and at the same session was made chairman of 
the committee on medical legislation of that 
bod}-, which position he hehl till 1889. 

In 1889, at Minnetonka Beach, Minnesota, 
the members of the National Institute of 
Homceopathy recognized the faithful labors of 
this untiring physician, and unanimously 
elected him to the presidency of the oldest med- 
ical institution in America. 

In presenting his name for the honored posi- 
tion it was declared that to him were they in- 
debted for the State recognition of homfeopathy; 
that he had fought and he had conquered; 
that the outcome of that war was the estab- 
lishing by him of an institution that would for 
ever stand. 

Dr. Stiwyer is one of the most eminent 
physicians and surgeons in Southern Michigan, 
and has an extensive and lucrative practice. 
He married the daugliter of Phillip E. and 
Nancy D. Toll, of Monroe, Michigan, and re- 
sides with his family, consisting of one son 
and one daughter, in his beautiful residence 
on Front street, the site of the liead(|uarters 
of General Winchester during the War of 
1812-13. 



352 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



JACOB LYMAN (iREKNE. 

Colonel Jacob L. Greene, president of the 
Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, 
is a native of Maine, was educated at the Mich- 
igan State Universitj-, practiced law in the 
latter State until the outbreak of the war, en- 
listed in the army as a private, rapidly at- 
tained promotion and reputation for gallantry 
and strategic skill, endured much more than 
the average soldier's share of the hardships of 
warfare, was one of the last men to be mus- 
tered out of the service, a brevet lieutenant- 
colonel at twenty-eight, returned to New Eng- 
land and five ^cars after was made assistant 
secretary of the great company of which he is 
now chief executive. At the dedication of the 
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch which 
now stands in the Capitol Park at Hartford, 
Colonel Greene was chief marshal of the pro- 
cession, and the following points concerning his 
militar3' career were then ])ublishcd l)y the 
local press : 

" Colonel Jacob L. Greene, the chief marshal, 
served with honor and distinction in the field, 
and was brevetted for ' distinguished gal- 
lantry at the battle of Trevellyan Station, and 
for meritorious and faithful services during the 
war." He was born at Waterford, Maine, 
August i), 1837. The races in both lines of 
descent represented in him have been distin- 
guished through many generations for enter- 
prise and courage, for physical vigor, for intel- 
lectual force and for positive conviction and 
strong )-eligious views. 

"On the paternal side, bis great-grandfather, 
Lieutenant Thomas Greene, was a pioneer set- 
tler of thetown of Waterford, movingfrom Row- 
ley in Massachusetts with his whole family of 
eight children at a time when the region was 
a wilderness, with no opening or i-oads, and 
no paths to guide the traveler but the Indian 
trail. 

" He had been an officer in the French and 
Indian war of 1755, and in the army of the 
Revolution. History relates of him that he 
was famous for his courage and enthusiasm in 
battle; and tradition has it that he once led his 
regiment to victory after its commander had 
fled. Colonel Greene's father, Captain Jacob 
H.Greene, was a man of staunch character, and 
maintained a decidedly and constantly relig- 
ious life, punctiliously attending public worship 



on the Sabbath, with his whole farnilj', unde 
tei-red and undaunted by the heat of summer or 
the cold of winter, and unprevented by the dis- 
tance to be traveled, or the badness of the roads. 
On the maternal side Colonel Greene's great- 
grandfather was General Joseph Frye, who was 
the original grantee and the pioneer settler of the 
beautiful town of Fi-^'eburg, on the Saco River. 
It was from him that the town received its 
name. General Frye belonged to a family 
many of whom were distinguished. He was 
born in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1711, was 
justice of the peace, representative in the gen- 
eral court, and otherwise useful in the affairs 
of his native town. He served in the French 
and Indian war, and was at the siege of Louis- 
burgh. He was colonel of a Massachusetts 
regiment at the unfortunate cai:)ture of Fort 
William Henry, on Luke George, by Montcalm, 
in 1757. He was a major-general in the Revo- 
lutionary War, and served for a time with the 
troops at Cambridge, under General Wash- 
ington. He died at Fryeburg at an advanced 
age. 

"Colonel Greene's mother was born in Frye- 
burg in the house built built by her great 
ancestor. She was a lady of mostaflfablo char- 
acter, winning and graceful in manner, and 
thoroughly intelligent, loving children and 
loved by them, and particularly devoted to the 
welfare and advancement of hei- o^vn. The 
place of Colonel Greene's birth must have been 
distant at least five miles from any village or 
church, and hardly less than a mile from the 
nearest district school house. But it was in the 
midst of natural scenery as grand and as in- 
spiring as any that New England can boast, 
even in her most favored localities. At an 
early age he showed a strong disposition for 
study, and sought every opportunity within 
his reach for intellectual attainment. The 
Michigan University at that time opened its 
doors without cost, so far as tuition was con- 
cerned, and the young student turned his steps 
thitherward. There he completed his course of 
studies, and engaged in the practice of law at 
Monroe, Michigan, where he married Miss 
Nettie Humphrey, the daughter of General 
Jjevi S. Humphrey. Hardly had he begun his 
pi'ofession when the war broke out. The l)lood 
of a noble ancestry burned within him, impell- 
ing the consecration of himself to the Lhiion 
cause. He enlisted as a private in the Seventh 



SKETCHES OK SOME OV THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



.Mi(liii;:ui Infantry in June, 1S(;1. and was soon 
aiU-rwai'd niailu a eoninussioncil otliccr. His 
reginu-nt was ordered to the Scliool of Instruc- 
tion al Fort Wayne, where it was filled up, and 
in August was sent to the front. Colonel 
(ireene served until the springof 1862, advanc- 
ing to the first lieutenancy of his coniininy. 
In 1862 he suflfered a long and exhau.stive ill- 
ness, prostrating him for an entire year. lie 
recovered, however, fhiring the summer of 
186:^, and returned to the field, serving for two 
months as a volunteer aid on General Custer's 
.start'. Meanwhile he was appointed a captain 
in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, but did not 
join the command. He accepted an appoint 
nieiil as assistant adjutant-general on Custer's 
staff, and served with him until tlieliattle of 
Trevellj'an Station, where he was eaptureil, 
June 11, 1864. He was in Libby, .Macon and 
Charleston prisons. While at Cliarleston he 
was one of the Union officers placed under the 
Union fire by the rebel authoi-ities. He was 
afterward removed to Columbia, where he was 
paroled and transferred to the Union lines. 
He was not able, however, to secure an ex- 
change until April 8. 1865. In the meantime 
he was at Annapolis, Maryland, mustering 
paroled prisoners. Immediately aflcr his ex- 
change, he returned to the front, joining Gen- 
eral Custer at Burksville Junction, April 10. 
After the grand review of the Armj- of the 
I'otomac at Washington, General Custer was 
ordered to New Orleans. Colonel Greene ac- 
companied him, and went with him iiptheRcd 
River to Alexandria, where a division of cav- 
alr)- was organized. Thence Custer advanced 
into Texas, having been made commander of 
the Central Division of Texas, and of the eav- 
alrj- in the department, with headijuarters at 
Austin. Colonel Greene was made chief of 
staff in both commands ; meanwhile he had 
been promoted to the full rank of major, and 
was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for distin- 
uished gallantry. When Custer was mustered 
■ lit as a rnajor-general of volunteers. Colonel 
tirecne applied for his muster-out, and finally 
received it in April, 1866, one year after the 
close of the war. He spent the next fourj'ears 
at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where his brother. 
l>r. William Warren Greene, resideil. At Pitts- 
field Colonel (ireene became assistant secrelaiy 
of the Berkshire Life Insurance Company-. He 
began his insurance career as an agent of the 



company named, but his executive abililj- soon 
manifesting it.self he was asked to take a posi- 
tion on the office start'. That he was born to 
be a leader in life insurance, as well as in the 
army, sub.sequent events show. He visited 
England and studied its history and progress 
that he might know what to cojjy and what to 
avoid. He was called to Hartford June 1, 1870, 
as a.ssistant secretary of the Connecticut Mutual 
Life Insurance Company. He was made secre- 
tary in April, 1871, and president of the com- 
pany in March, 1878, succeeding tlie late Presi- 
dent Goodwin. He is at the head of one of the 
lari;est insurance organizations in the United 
States, and has made his way to that high and 
honorable position by ability and industry 
alone. He is a man of superior intellectual 
qualities, and one of the ablest business man- 
agers in New England. Colonel Greene was 
the orator of the day at the Grant memorial 
observances in Hartford, and his address was 
on all sides pronounced a splendid example of 
eloquence and ])ower. " 

In life insurance circles Colonel Greene now 
occupies a conspicuous and unique jiosition. 
He is known to be well equipped by nature, 
education and experience to fulfill the duties of 
his high office, well poised, studious and ener- 
getic, and naturally his cour.so and bis opinions 
are closely observed by life underwriters. His 
annual atldresses to the members of his com- 
])any find many readers in the ranks of other 
coini)anics. They are comprehousivo reviews 
of the whole field of life underwriting, and 
the conclusions drawn by their author from the 
statistics and facts which they contain are not 
afit to be challenged. 

Throughout his entire business career Colo- 
nel Greene has been upright and con.scicntious. 
He is popular with the company's agents, and 
he is ]»roud to have their eoiifidenee and es- 
teem. A general agent remarked, " I have 
known Colonel Greene for many years, and I 
am ac{[uainted with no one el.se who has so 
many ([ualilies lliat deserve admiration." 

As a citizen Colonel Greene's influence is 
always on the side of what is best. The great- 
est good for the greatest number is an exi)res- 
sion that aptly defines his course of action in 
all the walks of life. Everything that will en 
able the human family to livi- happier and 
better finds in him a strong champion. His 
name is not only on the roll of many useful 



354 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Bocieties: he is tin active worlccr. He is a 
vestryman of Trinity cliureli, a trustee of the 
Bishops Fund, a loading member of the Church 
Temperance Society —a society, by the way, 
which was organized on novel ])rinciples, and 
whose existence lias been jiroductive of the best 
results in a fielil of undeavoi- where discourage- 
ment is usually the only end — ho is a director 
of llic (.'onneeticut Ti'ust and Safe Deposit 
Com])any, oecujiies a similar position in the 
Society for Savings, which tries to inculcate 
habits of thrift by extending its good offices to 
the poorest of the city's inhabitants; he is a 
frequent and popular speaker at meetings of 
religious and scholastic bodies, and he is 
warmly esteemed by Hartford's young men, 
for lie is a defender of all rational amusements 
that lead to greater physical and mental 
strength. He is also a director of the Hart- 
ford l<'ire Insurance Company and of the 
Phoenix National Bank. In all his relations 
to society, as a business man, as a financier, 
in religion and education, there is one charac- 
teristic that alwaj's stands out conspicuously 
in Ci^lonel Greene — he is eminently practical. 
As alread}' noted. Colonel G-reene's position 
in American life insurance has few, if an}', 
parallels. That his whole life has been one of 
honor will be admitted by every student of 
character. In life insurance, as in everything 
else where his talents have been given an 
opportunity to expand, he has proved himself 
a leader wly^m it has always been safe to 
follow. 



JAJNIES S. (tURMAN, 

Senator from the Fourth I)istrict, Washtenaw 
and Monroe counties, was born at Lyndon. 
Washtenaw county, on the farm on which he 
now resides, December 28, 1850, and has been 
a resident of Michigan all his life. He was 
educated in the union school of Chelsea, grad- 
uated from the law department of the Uni- 
versity in 187G, and immediately began the 
practice of law in the city of Jackson with 
.lames A. Parkinson. Was assistant prosecut- 
ing attorney for two years under Mr. Parkin- 
son. He removed to Dexter in the fall of 1879. 
In the spring of 1881) he was elected justice of 
the pe'acc. and in the fall was elected to the 
House of ivcpi'cseiilatives by his fellow Demo- 



ci-ats. In the Hou-se of 1881-2 he rose to the 
front rank of his colleagues as an orator and 
debater, and was recognized as one of its 
leaders. His unswerving devotion to duty, bis 
thorough understanding of every important 
measure, his close observation of every act, 
coupled with a keen and brilliant ability, placed 
him in an envied po-iition which honest men 
admii'cd and his colleagues respected. Mr. 
Gorman was the author of the famous " Frog 
bill," the veto of which by Governor Jerome 
did so much to elect Begolo. He championed 
the famou.s "Brule River Railroad " bill, the 
" Howell Compilations," and the Kochville bill. 
lie left public life at the earnest solicitation of 
his aged parents, owing to the failing health of 
his father, and now manages hi.s own large 
fai-m of two hundred and eighty acres. In 
188.5 he was elected on the Democratic ticket 
to tlie State Senate, and was re-elected to the 
Senate of 1889-90 by a vote of 9,323 to 7,957 
for C. Cornwall, Republican, and 745 for J. 
Schumackcr, Prohibitionist. 



SAMUEL P. JACKSON, 

Representative from the First District of Mon- 
roe county, has always been a Democrat and 
thinks he has good reason for that faith. He 
was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, in 
1817. His father moved to the adjoining town 
of Manchester in 1819. From that time to 
1845 he had the advantages of fai'm life educa- 
tion, aided by the common schools, the New 
Hampshire Patriot, and the New York Tribune, 
each reiu'esentative of the political parties of 
the olden lime. In that year he commenced 
mercantile life in the city of Manchester, from 
which he retired in 1874. He has served on 
the school board in that city, and was twice 
elected to the legislature of his native State, 
and to the constitutional convention in 1870. 
In 1883, after a residence of sixty years in one 
town, he removed to Monroe, and witih his sons 
engaged in the manufacture of pajjer, and has 
contributed somewhat to the success of the 
Monroe Manufiicturing Company. He was 
elected to the House of 1889-90 on the Dem(»- 
cratic ticket, by a vote of 1.911 to 1,629 for 
Josiah Hall, Republican, and 102 for Joel H. 
Hoyt, Prohibitionist. 





^a^^i^^^ 




T^^^Oz^^^^ 




MUNSELL? C'-NY 




^-c-^L^^t,'^^ i- CU'l-'^-^T-'^'S-z::^- 



SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



355 



CHARLES ANCKUEK. 
r!f])reseiitativc from tlio .sccoikI district ol' 
.Monroe county, was born in the township of 
La Salle, Monroe county, Michigan, Se]itcmbcr 
2ti, 1843. Ilis earlj- life was spent on a farm 
with his parents and his on!}- education was 
tliat obtained in a German Lutheran school in 
llaisinvillc, about five miles west of Monroe, 
lie left home in 1865, and for several years 
traveled through various States of the Union, 
stopping at Cleveland, Ohio, St. Louis, Missouri. 
New Orleans, Jjouisiana, Houston, Texas, 
.\drian and Hudson, Michigan, and Toledo, 
Ohio, learning the trade of carpenter, bridge 
builder and architect. While at Houston, 
Texas, he learned the trade of bi-idge building 
of A. B. Brown, and in 1869 entered the em- 
ploy of the Smith Bridge Company, of Toledo, 
as their superintending foreman, in which ca- 
]iacity he resided at Monroe City from 1869 to 
1875, engaged in the building of railroad and 
highway bridges. April 1, 1860, ho married 
Mary, daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth 
(Zoli) Reinhard, who has a promising family of 
four boys and three girls: Charles F., born 
.lanuarySl. 1870; Mary, born May 26, 1872; 
llerrman, born December 4, 1874; Rosa, born 
.May 12, 1877; Elizabeth, born January !l, 
1880; John William, born November 22, 1882, 
and Henry, born December 31, 1885. In 1875 
he removed from Monroe City and setttled in 
Exeter township, on section twenty-eight of 
town five .south, of range eight cast, clearing 
ott' a farm and engaging in the manufacture of 
lumber and charcoal and opening a general 
store in the village of Scofield. Mr. Angerer 
cast his first vote in 1868, and has ever since 
voted with and been an active Republican. 
Ho was elected justice of the peace in 1884 and 
again in 1888. His populai-ity is shown by 
his election to the House of Representatives of 
1889-90, to which he was elected in a strong 
Democratic district bj- a vote of 1,937 to 1,860 
for his opponent on the Democratic ticket. Mr. 
Angerer has from his youth up been a member 
of the Lutheran church, in which for many 
3 cars he has been one of the board of trustees. 
September 4, 1889, he was initiated in Monroe 
Lodge. No. 27, Eree and Accepted .Masons. 



WILLIAM DUNBAR 
Was for nearly forty j'ears a resident of Mon- 
roe county, respected by all as an honorable. 



upright and Just man, and the business mat- 
ters of his neighbors were frequently entrusted 
to his care. He was born in West Stoclcbridge. 
licrkshii-e county, Massachusetts, Fcbruar}- 
22, 1807, and September 13, 1831, was united 
in marriage to Mercy A., daughter of Edward 
A. and Polly (McLouth) Aldrich, at Church- 
ville, Monroe county. New York ; she was born 
in Cheshire, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, 
October 11, 1808. During the lollowing year 
(1832) lie took up his residence in Monroe 
county, locating in Bedford, of which town- 
shij) at its organization in 1836 ho was elected 
supervisor, which office he held for several 
years, also serving as clerk for a long lime. 

His only living child is Addison E., born 
January 0, 18;>5. Out of a family of four boys 
and three girls, but one boy (Addison E.) 
lived more than five months. 

In 1855 he moved to Monroe, where for sev- 
ei-al years he was elected clerk and justice of 
the peace, and for four j-ears served as shcrifl' 
of Monroe county. He represented in the 
State IjCgislaturo the first district of Monroe 
county for two terms (1857 and 1859). During 
his long and varied career as a jniblic oHicer 
the conduct of Mr. Dunbar was such as to win 
the respect and confidence of political ojipo- 
nents as well as partisan friends. 

Discharging all his pfficial duties honestly 
and faithfully he showed to a marked degree 
the family trait of personally overseeing any 
duty for the performance of which he was 
held responsible. To the latter trait may be 
attributed his death, as during his term as 
county- sheriff some prisoners escaped, and he 
pursued them in the dead of winter to the 
Saginaw vallej-, contracting a cold, to which 
no attention being ]iaid it soon developed into 
that dreaded disease, consumption, from which 
he died Augu.st 27, 1870, regretted by all his 
friends and associates as an honorable man ami 
citizen, and as a kind neighbor, husband and 
father. His wife survived him nearly twenty 
years, dying February 4, 1889. While not a 
member of any church, yet Mr. Dunbar was a 
Godfearing man, who sought to follow the in- 
junction to deal justly and walk u|>righlly. 
That he was a believer in theScri])tures may be 
inferred from the fact that as fiir back as 185n 
it was his daily ])ractice to read a portion ol 
the Bible unless pi-evented by circumstances 
bej-ond his control. In 1858 he connected 



356 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



himself with the Masonic oi-dcr, boiiig raised 
in Monroe Lodge, No. 27, oi' wliich body he 
was treasurer for many \cars, and at tlic time 
of his death he was the eustodian of the funds. 



ADDISON KDWIN DUNBAR 

Was born in tlic township of Bedford .January 
0, 183.5, his])aronls being William and Moi'ey 
A. {Aldrich) Dunbar, wiio settled in Bedford 
in the year 1832. Mr. l)utd)ar is the second of 
a family of seven children, four boys and three 
gii-ls, all of whom, with the exception of him- 
self, have gone to that better land. His early 
life, until his seventeenth year, was spent on 
Ills father's farm, a few montlis in the winter 
being given to schooling; but looking forward 
to something more congenial to his tastes, and 
desiring a thorough education as a base for 
future greatness, at that ago he matriculated 
in the Michigan Central College at Spring 
Ai'bor, making his own way by hard work 
during vacation and out of hours. Failing 
health conipelle I him to leave before complet- 
ing the full course, and he began the study of 
surveying with a view of making it his life 
work-. For two years he was emploj'ed by the 
Govei-nment, under Thomas Whclplej-, in the 
survey of Michigan, settling disputed bound- 
aries at the Soo, and at the early age of twenty- 
two was elected county survej-or, which office 
he held for two terms, after which he returned 
to farming. 

A Democrat from birth, by the social qual- 
ities inherited from the Scotch ancestry on his 
father's side, and genuine mother Irish wit and 
good humor of his mother's ancestors, he has 
so endeared himself to his fellow-citizens that, 
without solicitation or effort on his part, he has 
been almost constantly in public office since 
his majoritj', being elected justice of the peace 
several times, superintendent of the poor six 
years, school inspector fourteen years, town- 
ship drain commissioner one year, township 
clerk for twenty-four years, twelve in Bedford 
and the same Icngtli of time in Monroe, and in 
1884 and 1886 was elected on the Democratic 
ticket as representative from the first district 
of Monroe countv by a vole of 1,C17 out of a 
total vote of 2.7il5 in 1880 and 1.829 votes out 
of H.KCi in 1884. Intheiiill of 1888 he was 
elected judge of the probate court of Monroe 



county, and resigneil the office of township 
clerk. In all his official career he has so 
conducted the affairs of iiis office as to win the 
confidence and esteem, not only of his partisan 
friends, but of all witii whom he has been 
brought in contact. 

Deeming it not wise for man to live alone 
he was married in Bedford March 81, 1858, 
the bride being Caroline, daughter of The- 
ophilus and Roxa (Brightman) O.sgood, whose 
children are : William, born November 7, 1858. 
now living in Bedforil, of which township he 
has been treasurer for several years; Addis 
Fmmit, born October 27, 1859, and at present 
bookkeeper in tlie bank of B. Dansard & Sons ; 
Charles, born August 21, 1861, and died De- 
cember 24, 1863; Mercy Blanch, born Septetn- 
ber 4, 1864, and a clerk in the probate office; 
Grace Atilda, born December 29, 1865, and 
Edwin Morris, born .Tanuaiy 24, 1870, the last 
three living at home on the farm, about a mile 
south of Monroe. 

Mr. Dunbar for many years has been a 
prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, 
at present being treasurer of the lodge, chapter 
and commandery. He was made a Mason in 
Russell Lodge, No. 144, at Lambcrtvillc, in 
which he was Senior Deacon for two years 
and Secretary until he removed to Monroe, 
when he demitted and affiliated with Monroe 
Lodge, No. 27, in which he held every office 
except that of Master and Tyler. In 1873 ho 
joined River Raisin Chapter, No. 22, R A. M., 
and Monroe Commander}^, No. 19, Knights 
Templar, in the former of which he has been 
Secretary for five years and King for two, be- 
sides filling other subordinate offices; in the 
latter he has been Recorder and Warden. 

In his entire life he has shown the family 
trait of personally seeing to everj'thing com- 
mitted to his charge, and not leaving it to sub- 
ordinates, and the faithfulness with which he 
has attended to his work is shown by the oft 
repeated times his fellow-citizens have given 
the vei'dict " Well done, thou good and faith- 
ful servant," by again placing the office in 
his hands. In addition to his official duties he 
has for many jears followed the business of 
administrator and executor of estates. A 
healthy life has been interrupted but once, 
when the close confinement in taking care ol 
his father during his hist illness compelled him 
to di-oj) work and take a knajisack joui'iicy 




6^«^^/i <^X>/^^r 



SKETCHES Ol' SOME OF THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



sr)7 



through Floiida, his wcinlil ht'liig rciliiceil 
from 17G lo 125 pouiuls. His return in 1871 
showed liim us well as ever, and he now ti])S 
the be;iin at over 200, and no matter how busy 
iicalwa^'s has time for a pleasant word with 
his friends, and his enemies are so few that they 
ai-o not worth mentioning, as they well know 
that .Meriy can always be found in the jjrobate 
office. 



GEORGE ROBINSON HURIJ 

Was born in Monroe January 2, 1832, his 
l)aronts being Munson and Agnes L. (Thomp- 
son) Hurd. His lather was a. farmer, and, after 
tiie War of 1812, in which lie served as a pri- 
vate soldier in a Vermont regiment, of which 
State lie was a native, settled in Orange county, 
New York, from where he migrated to Monroe 
county in 1831. His mother was a native of 
Ireland and a member of the Irish i*resbyte- 
rian church. The former was born September 

I, 1791, and died March 23, 1855; the latter was 
born August 15, 1795, died January 2f), 1886. 
Of his five brothers all have paid the debt 
of nature with the exception of the second, 
Horatio B. Morgan S. Hurd went to Califor- 
nia in 1852 and engaged in mining until 18()(). 
wlicn he entered the employ of the Central and 
Southern Pacific Kailroad, with whom he was 
connected in the capacity of claim adjuster 

• until his death, which occurred in 1880. 

In his earl}- daj'S Mr. Hurd had only the 
meager advantages of the common district 
school in which to prepare him.self (or the battle 
of life : that he made the most of what little 
chance he had is evinced by his present position 
in the community in which he lives. Tjike his 
brothers and father he followed the business of 
farming, for manj- j'cars living on a farm in 
Frcnchtown, about four miles north of Monroe, 
until in 1871 he moved to the city. He mar- 
ried Kosctta, the daughter of William R. and 
Betscj- (Palmer) Nowlen, who was born Octo- 
ber 2!), 1835, and became Mrs. Hurd October 
15. 1855-, in Monroe, and is the mother of eight 
children, five boys and three girls, of wiiom 
three boys and one girl are living: .John A., 
born February 7, 1859; Delia B., born Octo- 
ber 23. lStJ5 ; Barton W.. born October 30, 
1868, and William Mun.son, born December 

II. 1S75. 

During the War of the Rebellion, while .Mr. 



Hurd dill not go lo the ironl as a soldier, he 
]»i'obably did his country e(|nally as good ser- 
vice as a member of the enlistment committee 
in the township of Frenchtown, taking an 
active part in seeing that the quotjj of his town- 
ship was alwajs filled without resorting to a 
draft; for t.vo j-ears he was treasurer of the 
committee paj'ing the bounties to volunteers, 
and as the money was all raised by subscrip- 
tion, and he had most of the work to see to, the 
office wasanythitig but that of a sinecure, and 
practically for the most of that time he at- 
tended to tiio work to the neglect of his own 
business. 

A farmer's .son, bi'ought up on a farm, ho 
followed that occupation until about forty j-ears 
of age, when he entered mercantile pursuits, 
ami in 1871 moved to Monroe and engaged in 
the sale of agricultural implements. 

During his residence in Frcnchtown he was 
in 1857 elected constable, in 1802 and 1863 
highway commissioner, in 186-1 treasurer, and 
in 1868 supervisor, which last he held till his 
resignation in 1871, on his removal to Monroe. 

Coming as a plain uneducated farmer, with 
bit a few hundred dollars ca])ital and no 
actual experience, lie maiie up his mind to take 
the lead in the business, and in 1872 added the 
buying and selling of dressed hogs and grain, 
and to this in 1873 hard and soft coal, and by 
jiaying the highest marlcet price, and by clean 
work and honest dealing he has secured the 
trade, good will and respect of all with whom 
he has come in contact, and has a large trade 
in a ratlins of thirl}- miles; and by pcrsistencj' 
and close attention has increased the business 
until the 3-ear 1888, when his annual business 
reached the large sum of about .?250,000, and 
is being done by him and his son, John A. 
Hurd. The grain business assumed such pro- 
portions that in 1887, for the better handling 
of that commodity, he built a large elevator 
on Front street, near the i-ailroad ti-ack. Dur- 
ing all this time he has never had his paper 
thrown out by the banks nor failed to promptly 
meet all bills when presente4l. In his entire 
business course he has always done what was 
fair and honorable, thus gaining the confidence 
of his fello.v-citi/.ens, and being very careful 
never to betray the trust reposed in him. 

In politics he has always been a staunch 
Democrat, his first presidential vote being cast 
for James Buchanan in 1856: and while never 



358 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



taking any active |)ai-t nor secUing otKce, he 
has been called on to ^sel•ve in official capacity 
several times— as alderman for the third ward 
in 1870-7, and elected mayor in 1887 and re- 
elected in 1888. His ten years' experience on 
the board of education renders him an invalu- 
able member of that body, and the fact that 
his work on the board is appreciated is evi- 
denced l)y his election thereto during his ab- 
sence in California in the spring election 
of 188(1, when he was elected by a majority of 
312 out of a total of 1,084 votes. He returned 
from liis Western trip Sunday morning, May 
23, 1S86, and as soon as his return became 
known there was a steady stream of callers and 
congratulations, and on Monday evening a 
large number of his friends, with the Monroe 
Cornet Band, gave him a verj' pleasant and 
unexpected reception. Mayor Gilday wel- 
comed him home in a few brief but earnest re- 
marks, to whicii Mr. Hurd rcsponde 1, alluding 
in a very feeling manner to the many evidences 
of sincere friendship which had been shown 
him by the people of Monroe during the past 
few months. 

For more than a (juarter of a century Mr. 
Hurd has been an active member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, being raised in Eureka Lodge 
No. 107, March 1, 1864, and at the December 
election of the same year elected Junior Deacon, 
and after a year each as Junior and Senior 
Warden, was Worshipful Master for five years; 
after an interim of two years as Secretary', 
again in 1874 he was re-elected as Worshipful 
Master, which office he was re-elected to every 
year for fifteen 3'ears in succession until the 
present year, when he refused all official posi- 
tions in the lodge; a delegate to the Grand 
Lodge for twenty jears, ho was elected Grand 
Sword Bearer at the session of 1868. September 
8, 1865, he was exalted in River Raisin Chap- 
ter, No. 22, R. A. M., in which from 1879 to 
1882 he was High Priest and representative to 
the Grand Cha])ter. In 1874 be became a 
Cryptic Mason in River Raisin Council, No. 4, 
li. and S. M., where from 1878 to 1882 he was 
I). T. I. (;. M. He was knighted in Monroe 
Commandeiy, No. 19, Knights Templar, at its 
institution December 23, 1867, and the follow- 
ing year was elected Prelate; from 18(i9 to 
1873 was Generalissimo, the tvs'o following years 
was elected Eminent Commander; in 1878 and 
1879 Treasurer,from 1880 to 1883 Generalissimo, 



and again Prelate in 1888, and during all this 
time, when in the city on the night of meeting, 
was always found at his post in the lodge 
1-00 ni. 



JOSEPH G. NAVARRE, 

The son of Colonel Francis Navarro, was boi'ii 
at the River Raisin in January, 1795. Had 
the advantages of an education; was intended 
by his father for the priesthood, spent sevei'al 
years at Bardstown, Kentucky, preparing for 
orders, but before completing his studies foi' 
the priesthood he entered the law office of the 
Hon. William Woodbridge at Detroit. While 
there he was of very great service to the early * 
settlers of the Territory in making the neces- 
sary proofs and papers to establish the titles to 
the lands on the River Detroit, River Raisin, 
Swan Creek, Stony Creek, Sandy Creek, Otter | 
Creek and Bay Settlement. He was also very 
efficient and of great service to the early set- 
tlers that had suftered the loss of their propert}- 
by the British army under Colonel Pi-octor 
during the War of 1812. He did not enter 
upon professional life as a lawyer, yet was ;. 
very frequently consulted by the early settlers ' 
on all questions pertaining to the title to their 
lands, their claims for losses in the war, antl 
the settlement of conlrovei'sies that arose on 
the River Raisin. 

While in the office of Governor Woodbridge 
he was called homo by the illness and death of 
his rathcr,and thereafter wasoccuj^ied a number 
of years in administering on and closing up the 
estate. He ceased pursuing his studies, settled 
ujjon the farm south of and adjoining the city 
of Monroe, owned and occupied it up to the 
time of his death, which occurred in 1862, aged i 
seventy-six years and six months. His first 
wife, Eliza A. Martin, was born April 14, 1815, 
died April 15, 1848 ; for statement of descend- 
ants reference is here made to page 93. Mr. 
Navarre married for his second wife Jemima 
Knaggs, who was born July 26, 1811, died 
February 27, 1886, without issue. 



A. F. WINNEY. 

[An antoWiograpliy.J 

I was born May 24, 1825, in the township of 
Davenpoi-t, Delaware county. New York. 1 
may here say that my father is Philip Winney 




-SSS?-- -.-^,1 




/^ 



^/Z ^^Cyhh^. 



SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



359 



(still liviii,:;- at the aj^e of cni;lily-tive yoai'M), 
and nij- mother was Miss i^ydia White, both 
scions of Jicvolulioiiary stock. The grand- 
father on my mother's side at the age of seven- 
teen a.ssisted in the capture of IJurgoyno at 
Sarato^ja, and the others operated against 
Indians in the State of New York. He was 
captured bj- the celebrated Brandt's Indians, 
and e.sea])ed by his extreme muscular strength 
and tleetne.s.s of foot. The name is of Hnglish 
origin, and members of the family were promi- • 
nent iti the days of Oliver Cromwell. The 
first American seat ol' the family was in 
Virginia. 

In is:!.'!, when 1 was eight years old, my 
jiarents removed to Blenheim townshi]), Scho- 
harie countj', New York. My schooling pi'cvious 
to the age of twenty consisted of an attendance 
at a countrj' district school some part of the 
yeai' from the age of tivc to the age of fifteen 
years. 

In the financial tTOubles from 1S37 to 1843 
inclusive, my father, like many others, after 
the "sheriff had restored confidence ' found 
himself with just about enough left to remove 
his family to Michigan, where wo arrived in 
November, 1843. 

In my twentieth year 1 returned to the State 
of New Y^ork, and took an academic course in 
Otsego county, that State; assisting a local 
surveyor to pay tuition and other expenses. I 
next took a course at an engineering school in 
Pennsylvania, teaching school to defray ex- 
penses, and pursuing my own studies nights. 

Having graduated, and my professor of math- 
ematics desiring a change for his health, he pro- 
posed a copartnership, which I accepted. We 
went West for the purpose of surveying 
United States laud, in which we engaged 
about a year, after which we led a i-oving life 
on the plains, from Jeffer.son City, Alissouri, to 
Santa Fe, then in Mexico. We finally joineil 
Fremont's military expedition to California, 
but my pai'tner being injured by a fall of his 
horse, we had to return after proceeding three 
hundred miles on our way. To take a gen- 
erally bruised man across a country' where 
Indian.s were the only inhabitants, was an en- 
terprise fraught with an amount of danger 
hard to realize l)y one who has not been there. 
We had no guide, and the nearest place 
where we might meet assistance was a point 
on the Santa F<' trail that we had established 



astronomicallj' the year i)efore. Our party 
numbered five; the injui'cd man on the stai't 
was unable to ride except at the gentlest walk. 
I was obliged to be guide and astronomer of 
the expedition, and succeeded in locating it 
on the Santa Fe trail in about a month, often 
obtaining longitmle and watching for Indians 
while the others .slept. It was the severest 
month of toil I ever experienced, except, per- 
haps, a month preceding the battle ol' i'ea 
Eidgo, during the War of the Ilebellion. 

Accident having robbed us of an opportunity- 
to assist in the conquest of California, we, with 
some wild spirits of the plains, attached our- 
selves 10 the armj- of General Taylor, and 
were present at the battle of Buena Vista. 

In 1848 we again returned to Penn.sylvania. 
mv partner to settle and receive his ])ortion of 
his father's estate, where we remained station- 
ary long enough for me to order a V level, and 
some other instruments not then manufactured 
in this country that I knew ol'. from England. 
Having accomplished our purpose in the I'-ast 
we returned to Santa Fe. where my partner 
died in 1849. 

I finally .settled in Wisconsin, where I was 
married. In 1855, for climatic consideration.s 
in connection with my wife's health, we re- 
moved to Missouri, where wo remained about 
six years, engaged partly in mercantile and 
partly in professional pursuits. 

In 1861, on the breaking out of the War of 
the liebollion, I was driven out of Mis.souri for 
being a '-Yankee" and a suspected aboli- 
tionist, viewed from a pi'o-slavei-y standpoint. 
Their treatment of me was just, for I enjoyed 
the confidence of John Brown and his associ- 
ates; was an agent on the " undergi'ound rail- 
road," thconly railroad agency I ever held. Rob- 
bed of the accumulationsof a life-time, 1 took my 
family to Indiana and returned to Mi.s.souri, 
taking such course against the rebels as to me 
seemed best, ending with the buttle of Pea 
liidge, Arkansas. 

Whatever may be said of the irregularity of 
my connection with the army it iias the ad- 
vantage of one less pension applicant, and 
great economy of Federal ducat.s and " red 
tape." 

The condition of my wife's health immedi- 
ately following the battle of Pea Kidge obliged 
me to forego further considerations of retribu- 
tion and devote mvself to her. She died iu 18tiG, 



360 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



after which, in ISTl). hrokfii in hcallli. 1 cuiuo 
to Oakviile for the i)iii-pose of leaving a 
daughter o(' tender yeans to the care of kindred. 

A. V. WiNNEY. 



OKION J()NATII.\N FAY. 

Of Carlton, is one of the self-made men of 
Monroe county who have steadily worked their 
way from the lowest round of tiie ladder to a 
very enviable position, and whose ambilion will 
hardly he satisfied until they have reached the 
U))). He is a descendant of the old Puritan 
slock that came over on the Maj-flower, boing 
the son of Francis and Charlotte (Brown) Fay, 
and born in the township of E.Keter June 20, 
IStJO. The fathers family came from Massa- 
chusetts, the mother's from Vermont, and set- 
tled in Monroe count)^ in the early part of the 
thirties. When the California gold fever broke 
out in 1849, Mr. Brown, his wife's father, crossed 
the continent with a w^agon train, and remained 
on the Pacific coast until the outbreak of the 
Eebcllion, when he returned by water. He is 
next to the oldest of eight children, si.K boy^s 
and twogirls; Edwin E., born 1858; Liicretia, 
1862; Charles, 18(54; Lois Lavina, 1866 ; Dan, 
1868; Albert, 1871. and Perry, 1875; all of 
whom are married with the exception of the 
doctor, who, with Charles, Albert and Perry, 
are still bachelors. 

When a mere lad Dr. Fay began the battle 
of life and has fought his way heroically, un- 
a.ssisted, until ho has at an early age, by his 
indomitable energy, sound business sense and 
sterling integrity, won the confidence of his 
associates and fellow-citizens. He attended 
the common district schools of his township, 
which education his parents deemed sufficient 
tor him; but in this he disagreed with them, 
and finally his father took him to Flat Rock to 
attend the high school there, but with positive 
injunctions to the party with whom he left him 
that he must earn his board and paj- his own 
way, as he would not be responsible for any of 
his expenses. This he pluckilj' did, and the 
four years' course was completed in three 
years and nine months, graduating June 28, 
1878. The principal, Mrs. Harriet B. Jones, 
had in early days been the preceptress of 
Faj s father. Having tasted the sweets of 
knowledge Mr. Faj' determined to mount 



higher and accomplish more. With this pur- 
pose in view, after graduating from the Flat 
Rock Union High School he matriculated in 
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, 
taking a partial literarj- course and a special 
course in German and French, the knowledge 
of which ho deemed essential in the practice of 
medicine, to which he had determined to de- 
vote his life. He took the two courses of 
dentistry and medicine at the same time, and 
by close application and pertinacious work 
completed the usual five-year course in three 
years and three months, receiving his degree as 
Doctor of Dental Surgery March 28, 1881, and 
of Medical Doctor June 30, 1882. Not content 
with this he determined to grasp all the honors 
that his Alma Mater could confer on him, and 
in the department of general chemistry took 
special courses in electrotherapeutics anil 
practical manipulation of electrical apparatus 
and in the physiological laboratory. 

In politics he has always been a Democrat, 
his maiden vote being cast in the effort to seat 
General Hancock in the presidential chair, but 
has never taken any active part in the councils 
of his party nor held other office than that of 
health physician for tiie township of Ash, his 
time being too fully occupied in the practice 
of his profession of medicine and surgery. 

Socially he has many warm friends, and 
takes great interest in the several fraternal 
organizations with which he is connected. He 
was made a Mason in Hiram Lodge, No. 110, 
at Flat Hock in 1880, and is a charter member 
of Orion Ijodge, No. 123, Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, which was named in hi« 
honor. 



EMERSON CHOATE, 



One of the oldest, most respected and honored 
citizens of Monroe county, was a native of 
Canada, being born at Maiden, on the banks ot 
the River Thames, in what was then known as 
Third township, now Howard, August 28, 1807, 
and when but a lad of nine years of age, just 
after the War of 1812, coming to Monroetown 
with his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Cor- 
nell) Choatc, and settling on the banks of the 
River Raisin, where but two ^ears before had 
occurred the bloody battle and Indian massa- 
cre. During his residence of sixty-five years 
in this community he has seen this prosperous 





-^/^T-Z^A, 



■'"•^-^/, 



SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



Mrtl 



county spring up from an unbroken wilderness, 
and with its rise, growth and progress has been 
closely identified. His lather, Samuel, was on 
the first board of supervisors in the county in 
1827, and in 1)^48 and 1849 Emerson was chosen 
to represent the people of Monroetown in the 
same capacity ; and being very popular with 
his fellow-townsmen, after an intermission of 
one year, in which he served as township clerk, 
he was again elected to the ofiBce of supervisor, 
and re elected for twenty-three consecutive 
years, filling the position he occupied to the 
entire satisfaction of his constituents, and with 
honor to himself. The year previous to his 
death, during the absence of Supervisor Wake- 
field, Mr. Choatc was again chosen to represent 
his township (Monroetown) making in all 
twenty -six years of service upon the board. 

During the memorable and trying years of 
lSCl-2 he represented his district in the Mich- 
igan legislature, where his course was marked 
by the same honest purpose and fairness. May 
C, 1850. in pursuance of Act No. 78 of the ses- 
sion of 1850. he was elected a delegate to the 
constitutional convention which convened at 
Lansing June 3 and adjourned August 15, 
1850, his colleagues from Monroe county being 
Kobert McClelland, Alexander M. Arzeno and 
Henry B. Marvin. The constitution, as re- 
vised by the convention, was submitted to the 
people November 5, 1850, and adopted by a 
majority of 2(5.736 votes, and with amendments 
is the one now in force, the revisions of 18G7 and 
1873 having both been rejected by the people 
in the April and November elections following. 

Mr. I'hoate lived with his parents until 1830, 
when he decided to make a home in the wil- 
derness for himself. Acting on this resolu- 
tion he removed a few miles to the south 
of the old homestead, and taking up a large 
tract of woodland, erected a log house and 
began the laborious task of clearing off the 
land. Having completed the cage he secured 
the bin! in the person of Martha Bowen. to 
whom he was married February 2S, 1S31, who 
wa.s born in Providence, Khode Island. Decem- 
ber 8, 180!l, and at an early day emiginited to 
Monroe countj- with her parents. She indeed 
proved a helpmeet to her husband in his labor 
of yeai-s, enduring all the privations and ex- 
posures of early .settlers, clearing away the 
forests, draining the mai"shes, building roads 
and laying the foundation for the present 



valuable properly now in the famil}-. Slit- 
proved a worthy companion for her noble hus- 
band in building up a plea.sant home in the 
wilds of a new State. As a kind neighbor, 
loving mother and faithful friend, without re 
proach in all social, religious and neighborly 
(juaiilies, she will long be remembered. She 
survived Mr. Choate about six j^ears, her death 
occurring at her home on Plum Creek. .Tune 1 1. 
1888, when sympathizing friends and neighbors 
met to lay away her remains in peaceful rest 
by the side of her husbaii'l's ashes. 

Their children are: Caroline II., born May 
28,1832, married in Raisinville, November 8. 
1851, to Seneca U. Larabee ; Louisa M., born 
February 17. 1834, died December 13, 18.8.8: 
Minerva M., born August 27, ls35, married to 
Norman G. Curtis, October, ls58 ; Emerson H. 
(now living in Detroit), born August 3, 1837, 
and married November 2G, 18C1, to Jane M. 
Shew; Maria M., born April 20, 18.39; Ed- 
ward M., born August 3, 1842, now living on 
the old farm, married December 25, 1872. to 
Annie E Skinner, of Fremont, Ohio; Sherman 
D., born November 13, 1845, died March 10. 
1846; and Frank C, born January H), 184s. 
married February 19, 1878, to Adeline M. 
Pitts, and now living on the old homestead. 

The old log house was replaced by a new 
and more hand.<ome structure, where for many 
yeai"s friends would often meet to enjoy hos- 
pitality that was always bestowed in a gener- 
ous and friendly manner, where Mr. Choate 
was a signal illustration of the gospel of cheer- 
fulness through all his happy and useful life. 
.Simple and frugal in his own habits of living, 
he was open-handed in his charity to the needy 
and in his generosity to his friends. The 
kindly welcomes and generous hospitalities of 
the home will long be cherished in the mem- 
ories of all who have shared them. Uj) to the 
hour of his death his life was one of ceaseless 
toil and untiring activity, and wherever he 
was known his genial presence will bo greatly 
missed. 

His death, which occurred May 18, 18,82, re- 
sulting from a|>oplexy, came sudilenly. much to 
the surpri.se and bereavement of friends and 
relatives. He had been to Monroe in the fore- 
noon, seeming to be in his usual health. 
Alter dinner he went to the barn to feed his 
hoi-se and was found dead on the haymow 
some two hours later. Tie- '""Iv wl..i. i.uiimI 



36- 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



being quite cold, it is supposed he died soon 
after leaving the house. Through all his life 
he had been a man nf the strictest honesty and 
integrity, and his death was sincerely mourned 
by his many friends throughout the county. 
His funeral was held at his residence the fol- 
lowing Sunday, the burial services being con- 
ducted by the Rev. J. E. Jacklin. and wa.s one 
of the largest gatherings of a similar nature 
ever heUl in the t4>wnship. 



RESTCOME R. KIRBY. M. D. 

The subject of this sketch was the .son of 
Isaac and Eleanor (Canfieid) Kirby, and was 
born at Cayuga, Xew York. July 24, 1S29, 
removing with his parents to Michigan in the 
.spring of 1836. To acc<iraplish this journey a 
comfortable carriage was provided for the 
family, drawn by .strong horses intended for 
valuable service in a new country. • A -freight 
train,"" which consisted of a wagon of generous 
propirtions, drawn by four yoke of oxen, 
loaded with neces.sary farm and household 
equipage, was sent .several weeks in advance, 
and thi-ough the slush of April snows threaded 
it.s slow length through the Dominion of Can- 
ada toward the ••' Eldorado of the West,"" the 
objective point being the tt)wiiship of Rives, 
Jackson county-, Michigan. In the spring of 
ls38. after having endured the privations and 
liardships of clearing a farm in tiie wilderness, 
the father died, leaving a wife and five chil- 
dren to mourn their early loss. In 1841 the 
mother of these children was united in mar- 
riage with Colonel John Bradl<)rd, of La Salle, 
Monroe county. Michigan, where she removed 
with her family. 

In 1844 Restcome R. Kirby, having enjoyed 
the privileges of the common schof)ls. entered 
the academy at Plymouth, Michigan, con- 
ducted by the Rev. Anderson J. Clayton, re- 
maining there until 1846. In 1847 he entered 
tlie academy- at Aurora, Xew York, and re- 
mained there until May 14, 1849, when he be- 
gan the study of medicine in the office of Dr. 
Joel Green at Sylvania, Ohio. In September, 
1850, he enrolled as a student at the State Uni- 
versity at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he re- 
mained two years. At the e-xpiration of this 
term he returned home, spending the following 
year at the home farm. In .September, 1853, he 



went to Buffalo, 2\ew York, and entered the 
senior class and hospital of the Sisters of 
Charity of the Buffalo Medical College, receiv- 
ing the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the 
hands of ex-President Fillmore February 22, 
1854. 

In Jul}-, 1854, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Melissa M. Tucker, only daughter 
of Dr. J. L. Tucker, of Erie, Michigan, 
and immediately began the practice of med- 
icine at Newport, Monroe county, devoting 
himself to the duties of his profession until the 
spring of 1861, when the alarm rang through 
the land that the country must be defended. 
On the 10th of July, 1861, he received the ap 
pointment as assistant surgeon in the Twenty- 
Seventh Ohio Infantry, under Colonel Fuller, 
and immediately reported to Camp Chase 
Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; but being deter- 
mined to go into the cavalry arm of the ser- 
vice, he at once called on Adjutant-General 
Buckingham and asked to be attached to cav- 
alry then being organized at that point; his 
request was granted, receiving at the same 
time a commission as fii-st lieutenant for five 
years, and assisted by Second Lieutenants. X. 
Stanford, a company of ninety- seven good men 
was immediately recruited, armed and mount- 
ed, which was known as Company C, First 
Ohio Cavalry. 

On the morning of the 21st of Augu.st Lieu- 
tenant Kirby received orders to report to Gov- 
ernor Denni.son and Adjutant-General Bucking- 
ham at Columbus. Ohio, with five days" rations 
and forage for one hundred and fifty horses, 
and to be fully equipped for field service. Up- 
on reporting to General Buckingham he re- 
ceived orders to report with his company to 
Governor Pierpont, at Wheeling, West Vir- 
ginia. In command of his company he pro- 
ceeded to West Virginia, reporting to Gov- 
ernor Pierpont, where he received orders 
from him to report immediately to General 
Sclienk at Webster, Virginia; going by way of 
Grafton he reached General Schenk's head- 
quarters at two o'clock on the morning of the 
23d of August. Here he received orders to 
report to General Reynolds at Cheat Mountain 
as soon as possible. A rapid march of forty- 
three miles was made to the scene of action, 
where he reported to General Reynolds. Dur- 
ing the month of September Company C, First 
Ohio Cavalry, was in all the engagements- at 




c/^jT^^n^. JC^ Jl^^ 



SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



363 



this iioiiit, aii<l was in action wlien the CdhUmI- 
erato Jolin Washington fell. 

About this time Company (' was joineil by 
Companj- A, commanded by Captain Robinson, 
leaving liieutenant Kirby to act as surgeon of 
what was now the First Squadron of First 
OhioCav^alry, they being detached from their 
regiment throughout tb.e war. It was during 
these eiigagoments that Colonel Tyler's regi- 
ment of Ohio Jnfantry cut their way through 
ilobert K. Ijce's army and joined the main 
army. In this engagement the Union loss was 
nine killed, the Confederates leaving one hun- 
dred dead on the ground, and Colonel John 
Washington among them. 

A series of engagements followed in rapid 
succession, among which was the battle of 
Green Briar, where the First Squadron of 
First Ohio Cavalry was with and in advance 
of General Milroy's regiment of Indiana in- 
fantry, and engaged in the battle with tlieiii ; 
Union loss eight killed and thirty wounded; 
the enemy was repulsed. Soon after an en- 
gagement took place at Camp Allgcheny near 
Green Briar, and on the llUh of December 
Colonel Milroy fought General Johnson, of 
Georgia; this battle was fought about eight 
miles from Green Briar battleground. 

On the i:5th of February, 18(52, the First 
Ohio Squadron was assigned to General Lan- 
der to act as iiis body guard, and was with 
him when he made his dash on Colonel Bald- 
win's forces at Washington (Jap, ealle<l in his- 
tm-y Blooming Gap. In this battle twenty-two 
ciinimissioned ollicei'S of the rebel foi-ces were 
eai)liired. On March 2, 1802, the First Ohio 
Squadron stood in line all daj' waiting for 
General Ijander. Orders had been issued to 
the army at Paw Paw to go to Winchester to 
engage (ieneral Jackson. The advance had 
reached Blooming Gap when General Lander 
died at five o'clock on the morning of the '^<] of 
March ; Coni])anies A and C, of the First Ohio 
S(juadron, acted as guard for the giuieral's re- 
mains when they were delivered at Harper's 
i'lrry into the hands of his wife aTid laniiU-. 

General .lames Shields now took command, 
:iim1 the sipiadron was assigned to him as 
■special escort," and remained with him as 
long as he was in command. Ca])tain Kirbj' 
was present when (ieneral Shields was wounded 
by the bursting of a shell, and took charge of 
his body when taken to the rear. 



General Tyler next took command, and on 
the 2:{d of March, 18t;2, Companies A and C. 
numbering one hundred and forty men, and 
commanded by Captains Robinson and Kirbj', 
were ordered to make a charge on the enemy. 
Side by side they scaled the stonewall in Iront 
and passed through a long line of rebel infantr}-. 
In this charge the two companies capturetl two 
hundred and si.\ty-four prisoners, three ambu- 
lances, eight horses and Hcvent3'-fivc stand of 
arms, which were turned over to general ac- 
count. For valiant and meritorious service at 
the battle of Winchestei-, the First Squadron 
of Ohio Cavalry was justly recognized at the 
time by the leading news])apers of the day as 
bearing an importantarm to the Union service. 
Ca])tain Pobin.son died a few days after the 
battle, leaving Captain Kirbj' in full command 
of the squadron, and also as acting surgeon. 

In the meantime General Shields had suf- 
ficiently recovered to again take command, and 
accompanied by his body-guard 'pursued 
"Stonewall'' Jackson up the Shenandoah valley, 
calling a halt at Harri.sonburgh to rest the 
troops. On June 8, 18(12, the First Ohio Scpiad- 
ron, under (ieneral Shields,engaged in the battle 
of Port Ilepublic, where Captain Kirby was 
wounded in the leg, and (!aptain Cole, of 
Shields's staflf, was shot through the head while 
firing a bridge to prevent Jackson's armj- 
from ci-ossing. Shotand shell were sent through 
the bridge by the enemy to prevent it from 
being destroyc<l, when a shell burst within the 
bridge and Captain Kirby'shorso fell, and him- 
self was stunned and wounded by the explosion. 
In this battle Company C lost seventeen men 
in killed, woun<lod and prisoners; the men 
being disabled by cuts from bursting shells and 
the loss of blood, the comjjany was relieved 
from General Shields and .sent into camp at 
Alexandria, ami their cajjtain taken to Wash- 
ington in an ambulance. 

When (ieneral Pope took command of the 
Army of Virginia, the commander of Comjianj' 
C had so far recovered from his injuries as to 
be again on duty. On July Id, 18(12, he re- 
ceived ordei's to report to (ieneral Po])e's head- 
quarters at Warrentown, Virginia, to act as 
body. guard. The order was brought to him 
by Colonel Smith, of Pope's staff. On the 
nth of August this diminished band of brave 
men defended (ienerals Pope, McDowell and 
Banks in a hand-to-hand saber engagement, 



364 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



losing nineteen men in killed, wounded and 
prisoners. General Banks was slightly wound- 
ed, and Colonel Euggles's ((•liicrof Pope's statt") 
horse was killed and Joscjjh Gaddes, of Com- 
pany C, was shot in the head, his brains spat- 
tering in the face of his cajituin. Some New 
York artillery, seeing the general and his 
escort I'ctreating from the picket lines by moon- 
light, unlimbercd their cannon and sent fifty 
shells whizzing over their heads before they 
could be sto])ped. 

At the battle of Bull T!un this escort of First 
Ohio Cavalry was precipitated into a saber 
fight with "Stonewall" Jackson's body-guard, 
the enemy outnumbering them two to one. In 
this encounter one-half of the men of (^>m- 
pany C were killed, and Captain Kii-by's horse 
was killed under him ; notwithstanding ihis 
slaughter Jackson's bodj'-guard was driven 
from the field, leaving their dead and wounded 
on the ground. 

Captain Kirby with his worn-out company 
was next sent to Antietam, and participated in 
the battle under General McClellan, and was 
subsequently stationed at headquarters as dis- 
patch carrier for the general while he remained 
in command. 

On November 4, 18C2, (Jeneral McClellan 
was relieved by General Halleck,and the First 
Ohio S(]uailron went into camp on Capilol Hill, 
Washington, I). C. Captain Kirby remained 
here for several months sick in camj), and, 
on the recommendation of Surgeon-General 
Barnes, I'csigned his commission and went 
home. On the 1st of August, 18(>3, having suf- 
ficiently recovered from his injuries, he ac- 
cepted a commission as captain of Com jtany P], 
FIcventh Michigan Cavahy, and again went to 
tlio front. 

In December, 18G3, the Eleventh Michigan 
Cavalry passed through Toledo, Ohio, reaching 
Covington, Kentucky, on the Slst. At this 
point Company E was detailed to guard the 
train, not allowing it to start until orders were 
received from Colonel Simeon B. Brown, com- 
mandiuic regiment. The men stood on duty 
all (lay in a drenching storm of snow and rain ; 
at night they were relieved and sent to Camp 
Fjlla Hixhop, Lexington, Kentucky, arriving 
there on that memorable "cold New Year's 
Day," Januarj^ 1, 18(>4 ; that intensely cold 
night men were obliged to lie down on snow 



and ice, without fires and but few blankets. 
The next morning a call was made for volun- 
teers to go a distance of fifteen miles through 
a blinding snowstorm for wood. Louis T)e 
Shettler, of Com])any E (a resident of Erie, 
Michigan), came forward with others and went 
for the wood. Upon their return DeShottler's 
ears were so badly frozen they dropjied off, as 
many of his friends can now testify, and 
scarcely a man in the company bnt suffered 
from severe colds and rheumatism. 

On January 28, 18C4, Captain Kii-by re- 
ceived orders to report to General Hobson, 
commanding at Camp Nelson, eighteen miles 
distant. Upon reporting to the general's head- 
quarters ho received orders to guard a drove of 
1,405 head of cattle through the mountains to 
Kno.Nville, Tennessee, for the relief of General 
Burnside's army. This perilous duty was per- 
formed with a loss of two men and nineteen 
horses killed, and eighty-one head of cattle 
poi.soned from mountain ivy. The whole dis- 
tance traversed by this "horned brigade" via 
Kingston was two hundred and twenty-five 
miles. This march was rendered extremely 
severe by receiving orders to go light — with- 
out overcoats or blankets, and without a wheel 
or j)ack mule to carry forage for horses. The 
rebel guerrilla Champ Furguson with one 
hundred cut-throats had burned the mountains 
over ahead of them, destroying the last rem- 
nant of feed for animals excepting browse. 
Company D, of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry, 
with seven hundred head of cattle, had pre- 
ceded them a few days, all of which were cap- 
tured by guerrillas ; and being determined to 
evade a similar disposition, it was necessary 
that the commanding ofticer be vigilant and 
constantly in the saddle at least from eighteen 
to twenty-three hours daily. 

Company E, Eleventh Michigan Cavalry, re- 
turned to camp at Lexington, Kentucky, on 
the 5th of April, 1864, and on the 27th of the 
same month General Burbridge requested Caji- 
tain Kirby to take command of a battalion ot 
the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry and proceed 
to Western Kentucky in search of some train 
robbers. LieutenantStearns, of Adriaii, Mich- 
igan, was among the volunteers to accompany 
this expedition. A march of ninet3'-six miles 
was made in thirty hours, and the robbers were 
caught the second night of their march, re- 



SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



.•^5 



turning; to Jjcxiiii^tim in liiiu! to join llicir rej;- 
iiiiorit, wlio were about to give chusc to Jolin 
Mor<;iiii, then making his last raid tiiroiigii 
I\i-nliicky. The I'jlcventh Michigan Cavalry 
siarleii in hot jiur.suit, and the rebel chieftain 
was overtaken at Mount Sterling, Kentucky, 
about three o'clock in the morning. After a 
tight lasting four hours John Morgan and his 
forces wore completely routed. In this en- 
gagement Captain Kirby commanded the 
second battalion, consisting of eight com- 
panies, and while leading a charge through a 
wlicattield to dislodge some rebels on the oj)- 
posite side under barricades, was wounded and 
reported to ('olonel S. B. Brown (commanding 
brigade) as being killed, and word to tiiat ctl'ect 
sent home to his family. The routed rebels 
were commanded by Colonel Cal Morgan and 
Basil Duke, who were closely pursued through 
Lexington, the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry 
being in the advance. On the morning of the 
12th of May they came up with the combined 
forces at Cynthiana, commanded by John 
Morgan. Line of battle was formed at day- 
light, the Eleventh Cavalry being placed 
near the center. Major-General Burbridge 
gave orders to move forward ; Major Smith, 
commanding the Eleventh, ordered a charge. 
Captain Kirby's battalion on the right and a 
column of platoons in front led the charge and 
went entirely through the enemy's line, which 
closed in behind them with the intention of 
capturing them ; but Company E, of Motiroe 
count}', Michigan, with two hundred rounds of 
cartridges to a man, stood by their commander 
and in less time than it takes to write it one 
hundred and ninety-two rebels were killed and 
wounded. Captain Kirby captured General 
Morgan's adjutant, with Morgan's saddle-bags, 
portfolio, order-book and promotion from 
March loth up to Juno 12th, and still has the 
folio in his possession. In this engagement 
\Vm. Nadcau, of Company E, was wounded. 

The battle being over. Company E acted as 
body-guard to General Burbridge to Lexing- 
ton, the Eleventh Cavalry following, and went 
into camp at Lexington, Kentucky. Captain 
Kirby being ranking officer was called upon to 
remount and uniform the regiment, there not 
being a field officer in the regiment; this dut}' 
was performed and on the 25th of June, bj- 
order of Major-General McClain, he was de- 



tailed as provost marshal at Lexington, Ken- 
tucky, and continued to act in this capacity 
until the close of the following winter. The 
duties of a provost marshal were found to he a 
trial, and in many instances heartrending. 
Three military jirisons were turned over to the 
jirovost marshal, besides a large amount of 
property taken with the prisoners. At this 
time the retaliation order of Abraham Lincoln 
was in force in Kentucky; That w'hcnover a 
ITnion person was murdered by any dis-Union 
person two guerrillas were to be shot to death 
aTid buried on the same ground. I'ris(»ii 
No. 3 was full of that kind of men, anil the 
provost marshal was frequently ordered to turn 
over to some officer from two to six per week 
for execution. On one occasion Company K, of 
the Eleventh Cavahy, was sent to Georgetown 
with two men for execution, one a murderer, 
the other an innocent looking boy of eighteen, 
who said he had never injured anyone, but was 
persuaded to go with them, and when sixty- 
two men were ordered to tire, but one bullet 
hit the young man, while the bodj' of the other 
was riildled with bullets, ("aptain Kirby was 
detained in the office of j)rovost marshal much 
against his wishes, having made repeated ap- 
plications to be relieved without effect. 

In January, 1865, finding himself prostrated 
with nervous fever, caused from wounds while 
in the United States .service, and having con- 
tracted rheumatism from previous exposure in 
1864, he drew up a resignation and tendered it 
in person to the commanding general, who ac- 
cepted it on condition that he would remain 
until his successor was appointed and all mil- 
itary ])risons, prisoners and property were 
turned over and accounted for. and a new 
guard and officers fully acquainted with their 
duties. This left him at liberty to return 
to his home in Lambertville, Monroe count}', 
Michigan, reduced from his former weight of 
205 pounds to the modest proportions of 146 
pounds. 

Resuming again the duties of the medical 
profession, he continued his residence in Lam- 
bertville until June, 1874, when he removed 
with his family to Petorsburgh, Monroe count}-, 
where he still resides. Two children wi're born 
to them : Canfield T., born February 2(i, 185'.t. 
died August 12. 1860; and Ella Klizabeth, born 
March 29, 1862, died May 29, 1879. 



366 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



DR. JOSEPH L. TUCKER. 

Joseph L. Tucker. Hon of James and Hope 
(Kellcy) Tucker, was boru in the village of 
Scituale, Ehode Island^ December 3, 1807. His 
ancestors were of English nativity and were 
among the earlier settlers of New England. 
Joseph was the second son of a family of thir- 
teen children. He attended the common 
schools fi"om the time he was old enough until 
he was thirteen years of age. At this period 
his father died, making it necessary for him to 
assist in caring for his mother and dependent 
brothers and sisters. Ho immediately accepted 
the busy life found in a manufacturing estab- 
lishment of his own town, in the meantime 
pursuing his studies by reading spare minutes 
and attending an evening session at the village 
academy. He Avas thus early in life made 
sensible ol' the fact that upon hisown exertions 
dej>endcd his future success. For five years he 
performed his duties with entire satisfaction to 
his employer. At the expiration of this time 
he found that by his frugality and strict atten- 
tion to the interests of his employer he was the 
happy possessor of sufficient means to enter 
upon a career befitting his natural taste, and 
immediately began the study of medicine in the 
office of Dr. Tyler in his native village. In 
1829 he entered the medical college at Castle- 
ton, Vermont, where be remained one year. 
The following year he enrolled as a student at 
Yale College. He remained here one year, 
under the instructions of Prolbssor Sillinum 
and others equally eminent in their day and 
generation. It was here that he formed the 
lifelong acquaintance of a fellow classmate 
(Abram Sager) who later in life was called to 
occupy a chair as professor of zoology at the 
State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan. 
Eeturningto his native town he presented him- 
self before a board of medical examiners, re- 
ceived a certificate, and for a length of time 
devoted himself to the duties of his jjrofession. 
A copy of this certificate, yellow with age, the 
writer inserts for the sake of its quaintuess : 



L. S. 



The President of the R. I, Central 
Medical Society. 



To Whom these Presents May Come, Greeting : 
Know ye, that Joseph L. Tucker hath been 
approved according to his knowledge in sur- 
gery and the practice of medicine ou examina- 



tion, relative to the rules and regulations estab- 
lished by the said society. I do, therefore, 
hereby license him to practice as a physician 
and surgeon, all tlic rights, privileges and 
honors thereunto appertaining, and do recom- 
mend him to the notice of the faculty and the 
employment of the public. In testimony 
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have 
caused the seal of the said society to be here- 
unto affixed at Warwick, R. I., the 3d day of 
February, in the year of our Lord 1834, and of 
American indcjiondence the 58th. | 

J. W. Olnev, 1 • 

Jeremiah Cole, V Censors. 
Daniel H. Green, ) 

Amos Collins, President. 

But compensation for medical services was 
meager in those days, and the struggle for ex- 
istence had now actually begun. With a clear 
Saxon cj'c he saw the " Star of Empire' hang- 
ing in the West, and in 1834 he came to Miclii 
gan Territory, traveling via stage line, Hudson 
River and Lake Eric. He arrived in Monroe 
in the month of September and at once pro- 
ceeded to the town of La Salle, near the Erie 
line, and began anew the practice of medicine, 
enduring all the trials and vicissitudes incident « 
to a now country. On the 22d day of Febru- 
ary, 183.^, he was married with Miss Elizabetli 
Jane Averj^ (daughter of Amos W. Averj-), who 
with her father had removed from Western 
New York to La Salle, Michigan, in 1833. In 
the autumn of 1836 the subject of this sketch 
returned to Yale College, where he completed 
his studies. Upon his return home in the 
spring of 1837, he at once set about founding a 
home for himself and family. A portion of 
land was purcha.sed which originally belonged 
to the farm known as the Cornell farm in the 
town of Erie, and here for a term of over thirty 
years he devoted himself assiduously to the 
duties of his chosen profession, and was per- 
mitted to enjoy some of the contrasts from a 
life in the wilderness to one of advanced im- 
provement. In 1840 a medical society was 
organized in the city of Monroe which made it 
incumbent upon practicing physicians to ap- 
pear for examination and become identified 
with the society. That the representatives of 
the medical profession were '' not slothful in 
business" in those early times, the following 
true copy of the certificate will show : 




'• /f^ ^^ m^^-^ 



SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



.%7 



State ok MiriiKiAN. 

To all to whom llicae prrsinU shall comi', or iiiaij in an;/ 
wise conicrn. the President, Sccrelari/ and ( Viisor.t of 
the Monroe Countij Medical Socifty send greeting : 

IVherea.s, Josepli L. Tucker liath cxliibilod 
iinio us satisfactory evidence that ho is duly 
i|ii:ilitic(i to jiractice physic and surgery, i<no\v 
yu, that pursuaTit to the power and authority 
vested in us by law, we do grant unto the said 
Joseph \i. Tucker the privilege of practicing 
piiysic and surgery in tiiis State, together willi 
all tiie riglits and immunities which usually 
apjicrtain to physicians and surgeons. 

{ Geoikie Landon, ) 

L. S. } Charles Osgood, >■ Censors. 

I E. Adams, ) 

In testimony whereof wo have caused the 
seal of the societ}^ to be hereunto affixed, at 
the city of Monroe, this 2iith day of l-'obruary, 
A. 1). ISKI. 

William M. Smith, 

President, P. L. 
Attest : IIarry Conant, Secretary. 

In the spring of 1850, Dr. Tucker with his 
wife became actively identified with the First 
l>aj)tist Church of Erie, under the pastorate of 
Elder John Thomas, and during his long resi- 
dence in that locality he contributed to its true 
interest with unswerving fidelity. He was 
eminently faithful and strict in meeting every 
personal obligation in business, in the church, 
in society, and wherever duty called him to 
act. He was of that conscientious New Eng- 
land mould which made him especially vigilant 
of every charge committed to his care, and 
throughout his. long residence in Erie was 
largely relied upon in i)romotingthe true pros- 
perity of the township, seeking faithfully to 
promote the establishment of general educa- 
tion, and was among the first to secure a schol- 
arship in Hillsdale College when that institu- 
tion was in its infancy. Dr. Tucker was a 
member of the Masonic fraternity and held the 
office of treasurer at the time of his death. 

In politics he was originally a Democrat, but 
from the beginning of the presidential cam- 
paign of 1857 until his death he was identified 
with the Republican j)arty. 

On the fith of June, 18(50, he was called to 
mourn the death of his wife, who for over a 
quarter of a century had walked faithfully by 
his side ; a woman endowed with rare social 



qualities which attracted to her a large cirtie 
of acquaintances. Three children survived her, 
Melissa M., wife ol Dr. 11. K. Kirby, of Peters- 
burgh, and two sons, Charles M. and Slieldon B., 
who lived to maturity, but both now deceased. 
In the autumn of 1867 Dr. Tucker removed to 
the village of Potersburgh, Monroe count}', and 
on May 2, 18(JS, was united in marriage willi 
Miss Isabel K. Posey, of Helena, Ohio, who 
. died November 15, 1874. One daughter by 
this marriage survives, Nora Bell, who is at 
present a student in the .scientific department 
of the Northern Indiana Normal College at 
Valparaiso, Indiana. 

His i-esidence continued in Pelcrsburgh until 
his death, which occurred June 11, 1S80. The 
funeral services were conducted by the Kev. 
Edwin Dawes,of the Methodist church of Peters- 
burgh. The funeral was largely attended by 
his friends, and as a s})ecial mark of respect 
tilt! Masonic lodges of Lambertville, Dundee 
and Petersburgh were represented in a body and 
accompanied the remains to the cemetery east 
of the village, where the Hon. James I. Kussell. 
master of Blanchard Lodge, of Petersburgh, ])ro- 
nounced an eulogy, making just recognition of 
the honorable and useful life ol' the deceased. 



EDWA-RD GEORGE JOSEPH LATTER, 

Or as he is better known to the inhabitants of 
Monroe and vicinity, Ed. G. J. Lauer, was born 
February 20, 1859, the place of his nativity 
being Monroe, and his parents Sebastian and 
Phillipine (Seitz) Lauer. His father was a 
native of Landshausen, Baden, where he was 
born February 9, 1820, and came to this coun- 
ti-y in 1841, settling in Monroe in 1843, and 
married August 2, 1845; beginning the boot 
and shoe business with his brother-in-law, E. 
Yacger, June 1, 1846, remaining in jjartnership 
with him until his death, Julj' 19, 1860 ; the 
business being now carried on by E. Yaeger & 
Son at the same stand where it was commenced 
in 1846. His mother was born in Wachen- 
heim, Bavaria, May 11, 1826, coming to Anuir- 
ica and settling in Monroe in 1837. August 
17, 1883, she died She left to mourn her loss 
one daughter, Mrs. J. F. Wagner, of Monroe, 
and two sons, Kmanuel S. and Edward, of 
which Edward was the j'oungest. 

Left an orphan at the tender age of two years. 



368 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Mr. Lauer owes, inai^rcal iiioasuro, his prcsonl 
position ill society (o tlio Clu-istiaii teacliiiigs 
ofa loved inoUier, anil after llirecyears' instriic- 
lioii at the jiaroi'liial school eonnected with 
Kinanucl (Ijutheran) church, more familiarly 
known as "the Old Peartreo church.' at the 
ai^o of nine ho entered the Monroe union schooLs 
and pursued his studies for five years, when 
the necessity of doing something for the suj)- 
port of his aged mother so worked on his filial 
affections that he renounced all idea of further 
education and entered upon his life work by 
securing employment in the dr}^ goods store of 
Gouverncur Morris, starting at the princely 
.salary of seven dollars a month and board 
himself, llis connection with Mr. Morris con- 
tinued until thesiiringof 1877, when he entered 
the emjdoy of J. M. Bulkley, wliere he remained 
until the spring of 1881, when Mr. B. improved 
the opportunity of enlarging his business by 
removal to Manistee, Micliigan. Mr. Lauer, 
having by close application acquired a thor- 
ough knowledge of the dry goods business 
during his nine years' clerkship, conceived the 
idea that Moni-oe could sustain a metrojiolitan 
dry goods emporium, and with that vision in 
his mind he made the start on May 1, 1881, the 
result of which has already shown that he had 
a peculiar adai)tation and talent for his chosen 
occupation. Engaging the store at No. 25 
Front street, he went to New York City, 
and with no capital and but little back- 
ing other than his experience in the business 
and the well wishes of his many friends 
in Monroe, made the acquaintance of Mr. 
John H. Eeed, of the large wholesale dry 
goods house of Bates, Eeed & Coolej^, to whom 
he frankly stated the circumstances in which 
he was situated, the condition of business in 
Monroe and a brief outline of what he expected 
to accomjilish. His manly bearing and honest 
appearance, together with his intimate knowl- 
edge of the wants of pro8j)ectivc customers, 
soon made a warm friend of Mr. Reed, who, 
with no further references than his own prac- 
tical judgment of human nature, offered Mr. 
Lauor all the credit he might need in starting 
his business venture. He commenced with a 
small .stock of fine and well selected goods, and 
in accordance with his convictions began a 
system of judicious advertising in which he 
announced to the public what he had in stock. 
and that he was offering bargains in his line of 



goods. By being < aiefiil lo do in every case 
as ho promised in liis advertisements, and 
keeping faith with his customers, and already 
having the good will and confidence of the 
)iublic by reason of his long acquaintance with 
them, trade grew apace, until before the year 
had pas.sed iiis first venture of a light stock of 
goods compelled him to fill a large portion of 
his shelving with empty boxes in order to 
make a showing. He had visited the eastern 
markets several times, posting himself on all 
the latest novelties that were being introduced 
and from them selecting all the most desirable 
for the Monroe market, making it always his 
studj^ and aim to keep on hand only fresh, de- 
sirable and salable goods, and giving his cus 
tomers a selection from a line as large and 
varied as any store of the kind in Toledo or 
Detroit. To all who came he took pleasure in 
showing goods and quoting prices; the rich, the 
poor, were always shown the same attention in 
his store, and found Mr. Lauor and his clerks 
pleasant, affable and courteous, witii whom it 
was always a pleasure to do business. This 
line of conduct deservedly found its reward in 
the rapid increase of his business, until the 
empty boxes had been taken from the shelving 
and now goods and greater varieties taken 
their place, and in less than two years he was 
crowded for room in which to show his stock 
and accommodate his customers. He suc- 
ceeded in obtaining a lease of the rear end of 
the adjoining store, which was soon filled and 
more room wanted. This was temporarily 
obtained by adding twelve feet of the rear end 
of Miss Webb's store to this ell, and in June, 
188C, he took the entire store and at once 
threw the two rooms into one, new show win- 
dows were put in and the store handsomely 
painted and papered, giving it a neat, fresh, 
attractive and convenient apj)earanee, which 
can hardly be excelled in the county. While 
the fact that Mr. Lauer has by his untiring in- 
dustry, judicious advertising and honest deal- 
ing, as well as his universally courteous and 
gentlemanly conduct, built up his trade from 
its small beginning to its present mammoth 
proportions, is greatly to his credit as an ener- 
getic and pushing business man, yet he mod- 
estly shifts much of the credit to his clerical 
force, in which he has been exceeding fortu- 
nate in his selection. On the starting of his 
mercantile bark, Mr. William F. Schmidt, who 



SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE LATER RESIDENTS. 



3r.9 



had been IiIh (cII")\v rlcrk at Mr. IJiilklcy is for 
four vearw, wan (Icciiicd sutHeient to uUetid to 
ill.' biisiiK'ss, but it grow mo rapidly that in 
li'SH Ibaiilwo rnoiilbrt he engaged the serviees 
of Mr. ficorge J. Uiir, and two rnonthrt hiler a 
third in the ]>crRon of MinH Annie liaiei'. wiio 
remaincil witii him until her marriage two 
years aflei', when her jilace wa.s supjilied by 
Miss Niila Nagel, who four years hiter married 
hi.i iiead salesman, Mr. Sehmidt, her ])laee being 
taken in the store by Miss Hose Wallinger. 
Six months after Miss Baiers engagement with 
iiiin, (ieorgc C. Kirsehner entered his employ, 
and in 1887 Willie Peppier began his clerkship. 
.Mr. Lauer. while opposed to pai'tnerships, be- 
lieved in giving his clerks an interest beyond 
their regular sahuy, and has ado]iled the plan 
of giving them a ])ereentagc of the jirotils as 
compensation for faitliful service, by which 
means he holds them firmly to his interests, 
never having had occasion to discharge an 
employe. 

Mr. Jjaucr's proud and independent sjiirit, 
iialred of cant and humbug, with a genial, 
atfable temjierament, and his frankness, made 
many friends and keeps them, among whom 
was Matihia, the accomplished ami beautiful 
daughter of George F. and Wilhelmina (Stocck- 
ert) Finzel, to whom lie was married January 
3, 1882. Her father has long been known as 
one of the most pojiular hardware merchants 
in Monroe. Mr. I.iaucr is justly proud of his 
two daughters, Nora, born Octot>er4, 1882, and 
Bertha, born November, 1884. 

In March, 1887, Mr. Lauer, not .satisfied with 
his almost phenomenal success in building up a 
large mercantile business from the smallest be- 
ginning, started a branch store at Petersburgh, 
placing it in charge of his elder brother, 
Emanuel S. Lauer, which from its inception 
has proved an eminent success, has been well 
patronized and is highly complimented by the 
Petersburgh press and people in that section 
of the county. In speaking of it the Peters- 
burgh Journal says : 

■'This branch enables Mr. L. to buy more 
largely and gives him the advantages alwaj's 
pos.sossed by large buyers, by which his cus- 
tomers are in turn benefited, as be can carry 
a much larger stock, of which be proposes 
always to have the best and choicest in the 
market." 

We copy the following from the Petersburgh 



./oiiiiKil of .\iigust2!t, lS8'.t: " Kd. G. .1. Lauer 
is in New York now. jiurchasing a mammoili 
sloi-k of fall and winter goods foi' his Uvu 
stores. The trip of Fd. (J. J. Lauer to New 
York calls to mind st>nio of the brilliant en- 
terprises ho has undertaken and cai-ried for- 
ward to a full success. Nolably among these 
is his branch store in this village. Kealizing 
that Petersburgh was about midway between 
Adrian and M<jnroe, and thinking to concen- 
li-atc tlo; trade which before was divided among 
several small towns, he started a branch store 
here, and under the efficient management of his 
brother, K. S. Lauer, the object sought was 
accomplished and he has a large and increas- 
ing trade. Men with push always firul ' kickei-s,' 
and Mr. Lauer was no exception to the rule, 
for it was prescribed by that claws that ' three 
months' would be the limit of his ability to 
make things work; but he was a -stayer' as 
well as a '|)usher,' and from Februai-y 14, 1887, 
his business has continued to increase.' 

While Mr. Jjaucr is of full German descent 
(for many years an active member of the 
Arbiter Untcrstuetzungs Verein) he is thor- 
oughly American in his views and princi|des, 
and believes the same to be fully embodied in 
the doctrines of the Democratic j^ai-t}'. He has 
not been what might be termed a politician, 
although taking an active interest in anj-thing 
that may tend to advance the welfare of his 
native city, from 188.5 to 1888 serving as a 
member of the board of education, and his 
j)opularity is shown by his having been in 
1888 elected alderman for two years from the 
strong Republican ward (the second) in which 
he resides. 

In every movement of public interest Mr. 
Lauer not only stands ready to take a leading 
])art in advice and suggestions, but unlike 
many who pose before the public with empty 
words as an advocate of im])rovement, he 
makes it a rule to advocate no measure which 
he is not willing to support his argument b}- a 
generous contribution from his bank accoutil. 
In fact, whenever any object which might lend, 
directly or indirectly, to advance the interests 
or promote the general prosperity of hi8|nalivc 
city is suggested or proposed, he is among the 
first to advocate and support it. 

While Mr. Lauer is much sought after by 
the representatives of wholesale houses, he 
largely deals directly with trade centcrsj to do 



3Y0 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 

which .locesKitatcs several trip.s to New York enviable position of one of the representative 

each year, thus enablinj,' him to take advan- businessmen of Southern Michigan, Mr. Lauer's 

tage of markets to wliicli otherwise he would career shows in a most remarkable manner 

be^a total stranger. what can be accomplished by earnest applica- 

As an example of a self-made man, rising tiou, integrity and honest dealing, and he well 

Crom the humblest walks in life by his own merits the verdict rendered by an appreciative 

unaided energy and pushing qualities to the public. 



I. 




CHArTER XXV 111. 



IIIsrOKY OF STATE ADMINISTKATIONS. 



THE connection of (Jovernor Jjowi.s Casn 
willi Iho gubernatorial ottiue ceased by liis 
resignation in 1831. lie was appointed Secre- 
tary of War by President Jaclison and inunc- 
diateiy entered upon the duties at Washing- 
Ion. His administration as governor was one 
of decided success, and wliile it secured great 
results to the Territory, it bound liiin to tiie 
])coj)le by the strongest bonds of respect and 
love. Nor did his connection with them cease 
in after years. Ho represented the State in 
liic Senate of the United States for two suc- 
cessive terms, was Minister to France and Sec- 
retary of War under President Jackson, and 
Secretary of State under President Buchanan. 
His was along life spent in public service, and 
he well deserved the rewards due to a faithful, 
honest and able public servant. The statue 
ordered by our legislature and placed in the 
ca|)itol at Washington during this year among 
the statues of the most eminent men of other 
States of the Union, is a just tribute to his 
memory. Michigan honors herself in thus 
honoring her most illustrious statesman. 

The next person appointed governor of the 
Territory was George B. Porter, of Pennsyl- 
vania. He was commissioned in August, 1831, 
but died after a short incumbency of the oflBco. 

He was succeeded in the performance of the 
executive duties by Stevens T. Mason, secre- 
tary of the Territory, who became acting gov- 
ernor on the death of Governor Porter. He 
continued to perform the duties of the office 
until September 8, 1835, wheti he was removed 
by President Jackson. 

This ])oriod of the last four years of Territo- 
rial government is one of note in the history 
of Michigan. During the time population was 
rapidly pouring into the Territory and spread- 
ing itself widely through the interior, building 
up towns and villages and beautifj'ing the 
country with cultivated farms. Near the close 
of this period was held the convention which 



pre[)ared a constitution for the future State, 
which was adopted by popular vote in Octo- 
ber, 1835. 

In this year o(-(urrcd the Micmurabic contro- 
versy with Ohio in reference to the southern 
boundary line, a controversy which greatly 
excited the ])ublic mind on both sides of the 
line, and made c()nsj)icuous the governors both 
of Ohio and Michigan. The subject of the 
controversy was really very simple, but the 
prospective importance of Toledo and its j)Osi- 
tion on navigable waters, prom])ted the almost 
frantic efforts of Ohio to secure it for that 
State. The disputed territory lay within the 
recognized limits of Monroe county, a county 
which was organized in 1817, and had con- 
tinued from the first to exercise unintcrruj>ted 
jurisdiction over it in every respect as a part 
of its territory, until the adverse claims to 
possession were urged in 1835. Resistance to 
lawful authority assumed an alarming aspect, 
the particulars of which arc fully given under 
the chapter entitled "The Toledo War." 

The national authorities at Washington were 
alarmed with the threatened collision. The 
president referred the question of legal rights 
to the attorney -general, and that officer on the 
21st of March, 1835, in an exhaustive and lucid 
opinion, concluded as a result " that the Terri- 
tory in dispute must be regarded as forming a 
part of the Territory of Michigan, and that it 
was the duty of the President so to regard it, 
and to protect and maintain it; that the act of 
the legislature of Ohio extending the jurisdic- 
tion of that State over it, was repugnant to the 
acts of Congress on the subject, and its enforce- 
ment would involve a most serious violation of 
the laws of the United Slates." He held al.so 
that the act of the legislative council of Michi- 
gan making it a criminal offense, punishable 
by fine and imprisonment, in any person who 
should exercise or attempt to exercise any 
official fuuctiouB, or officiate in any office or 
i71] 



372 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



situation ill tlic (li,s]iiitcd lorrilory, by virtue 
of :iiiy coniiiiissioii or :uitlioril\' not derived 
t'l-om Uk! Territoiy or tiio United States Gov- 
ernniont, \v:ih a valid law; and lie strongly in- 
tinialed that if an aniiod force sliould invade 
the Territory for the pui'pose of establishing 
the Jiirisdielion of Ohio by force of arms, the 
authorities of Michigan might properly repel 
force with force, in defense of their rights, and 
if tiiis did not avail, it might become the duty 
of the ['resident to render more effective aid. 
A question of national im])oi'tance arose, and 
greatly perplexed the authorities at the Fede- 
ral ca])ital. A hostile collision was imminent. 
The President was anxious to avoid such a 
conflict and ardently desired an amicable 
arraiigeineiit of the matter ; and for that pur- 
pose ajipointcd two commissioners, lion. Rich- 
ard Eush and lion. Benjamin C. Howard, to 
visit and intercede with the governors of Ohio 
and Michigan. They arrived in Ohio April 1, 
1835, and for four or five weeks thereafter were 
engaged in ettorts to effect their object, some- 
times in Ohio, sometimes in Michigim, often by 
personal interviews with the governors and 
.sometimes by correspondence. But the effort 
was not a success, and on the 5th of Ma}- they 
returned to Washington. 

During these negotiations Governor Mason 
stood firmly by the right of Michigan to tiie 
long conceded jurisdiction over the tract in 
disjuite aiul to tiie enforcing of the laws of 
Michigan within it, and refused to give any 
sanction to the organizing of counties or town- 
ships or courts witiiin it under Ohio authori- 
ties. They j)roi)osed to him to allow the juris- 
diction of Ohio to be extended, and that Michi- 
gan and Ohio should exercise concurrent juris- 
diction, and that the officers of both should to- 
gether exercise nuthority; but to this lie re- 
fused his assent. They urged him to abandon 
all idea of force and withhold his assent to the 
exercise of it, but he considered it his duty to 
preserve the integrity of the Territory and to 
allow the executive officers to enforce the laws 
of Michigan within its borders, and if the cir- 
cumstances demanded it, ho would refuse no 
aid which the executive might properly fur- 
nish. 

This controversy gave great annoyance and 
trouble to Governor Mason. A young man 
nearly twenty-four years of age had to bear re- 
sponsibilities and perform official duties which 



reijuired the wisdom and experience of an 
older man. This controversy brought him 
into sharp collision with men in high official 
position and distinguished for long exi)erience 
and eminent ability. His correspondence uii 
the subject is marked by its directness, its 
clearness of statement, its cogency of argu 
ment. His voluminous correspondence with 
the President, the Secretary of State, the Secre 
tarj' of War, the Governor of Ohio, and with 
Messrs. Hush and Howard, the commissioners, 
and his messages to the legislative council, all 
evince ability of more than ordinary power, 
and a zeal in urging the claims and defending 
the rights of the Territory, whose chief execu- 
tive officer he was. With the Governor of Ohio 
he was, of course, brought into sharp collision. 
With the wishes of General Jackson, then Presi- 
dent, and whom above all men he admired, he 
could not comply; and preferred to retire from 
his office rather than decline to do what he 
thought duty demanded of him. 

But on the real question at i.ssue, the ques- 
tion as to the true boundary line under the acts 
of Congress, and the legality of the jirojwsed 
action of Ohio in extending her jurisdiction 
and establishing and maintaining her offices by 
force within the Territory, there is no evidence 
that General Jackson took any view different 
from that of Governor Mason; and it is certain 
that tiie attorney general, his legal adviser, 
was clear in his opinion that Michigan was 
right in her view on this ])oint, and that tlie 
executive should maintain the established juris- 
diction, and that too by force, if invaded from 
abroad. And this, too, was the exjiressed view 
of at least some of the members of the cabinet. 

But the President was anxious to avoid all 
trouble, and it was said that he was particu- 
larly anxious to pacify and conciliate the State 
of Ohio, whose large vote might be important 
in the presidential election which was near at 
hand. Ho was willing to avoid the threatened 
collision by allowing Ohio for the time being 
to establish her jurisdiction, and her newly 
appointed judges and other officers within the 
Territory ; and that the executive of Michigan 
should abstain from resistance in the meantime, 
and cease to perform what in the view of the 
governor was his sworn official duty. On this 
they disagreed, and Governor Mason was re- 
moved from office. 

In this long and bitter controversy, Governor 



STATE ADMINISTRATIONS. 



373 



Mason at no time stood alone. The legislative 
council were always with him, and by their 
legislative act.s they not only proclaimed thoir 
rights but ])rovided sufficient mcan.s for secur- 
ing and defending them. The people were 
with hiin,an<l most heartily and zealously sup- 
portod him and his measures, and gloried in the 
chivalrous s|(irit with which lie defended their 
i-ausi'. 

On the lull day of September, 18:55, the 
troops having retui-ned from Toledo to Monroe, 
they were received by (lovernor Ma.son, an<l 
iUr hearty acclamations with which his short 
addi-ess was roeoivcd, gave ample evidence of 
the strong hold which he had upon the att'ec- 
tions of the people. Hut this was the last act 
of (iovernor Mason as Territorial governor. 
His removal from office followed almost imme- 
diately after. But on the first Monday of 
October succeeding — a short month after — he 
was elected governor of the Stale of Michigan 
under the constitution of 18:^5, by a vote of 
nearlj- eight thousand to about eight hundred 
given for the opposing candidate. 

(lovernor Mason was succeeded in the otfitrc 
liy .lohnS. Horner, who was appointed secre- 
tary of the Territory bj' General Jackson. His 
official term was short and by no means a 
pleasant or an exultant one. He arrived in 
Micliigan but ten days before the election was 
to take place under the State constitution of 
governor and other State officers, and suc- 
ceeded a man whose popularity was at that 
time unbounded, and whose praise was on the 
li]is of all. 

With the de])arturc of Governor Horner and 
the cessation of the Territorial government, 
the State organization at once succeeded. The 
governor and members of the legislature 
elected in October under the constitution took 
the oath of office earlj' in November, and put 
the State government in complete operation in 
all its departments. From this time until the 
pas.sage of the final act of admission by Con- 
gress, .Fanuary 2t), 1837, .Michigan was a State 
government fully organized, and its executive, 
judicial and legislative departments in com- 
plete operation, yet a State not admitted with- 
in the circle of the Union, nor was the Territo- 
rial government formally abrogated or an- 
nulled. The two jiirisdi(-tions stood face to 
face, but fortunately loi- all i)arties and for the 
public peace, no collision occurred, nor were 



an3' of the troublesome questions which the 
anomalous condition suggests, ever mooted. 
In the performance of executive duties Gov- 
ernor Mason was a.ssiduous and untiring. As 
a man he was genial, kind and companional)le, 
and his personal popularity never ceased. 

Krom the organization of the State, the 
genius of her people was e,\em])lifiiMl by the 
enactment of laws for the building of four rail- 
roads, several of which under now names were 
destined to be eminently successful. I*"or a 
history of the railroads of the Slate the reader 
is referred to chapter entitled Jlailroa<ls. 

S))ecial attention was given during Governor 
Mason's administration to the cause of educa- 
tion. An act in March of 1837, for the organ- 
ization and support of the ])rimarj' schools, ac- 
cording to an act of Congress setting apart fr>i' 
school purposes one thirty-sixth part of public 
lands in the State, and within the same month 
another important act, was passed which gave 
existence to the University of Michigan, which 
was located at Ann Arbor. For the history of 
the University the I'eader is referred to the 
chapter under that head. 

Special attention was also given to the min- 
eral resources of the State. An ap])ropriafion 
ol'S3(l,000 was made for a geological survey-, 
an<l the appointment of State geologist was 
conferred upon f)r. Douglass Houghton, who 
accomplished more than anj' other man to 
make known to the world the mineral resources 
of the State. 

It was during his administration that inter- 
nal improvements of the State were j)rojected, 
the State ]irison completed at Jackson, and ilie 
militia of the State organized. With the j-ear 
183!) terminated his administration, having 
had the honor of inaugurating a new State 
and j)roved himself to be not only a man of 
ability, but a true and valuable friend to 
Michigan. He emigrated to this Torritorj- in 
1831, when he was ap])ointed its secretar}' in 
his nineteenth year, and afler the expiration of 
his second term as governor entered upon 
practice as a member of the legal profession in 
the city of New York, but lived but about three 
years thereafter and died in New York City. 

Governor William Woodbridge, the second 
governor of the State, commenciid his term in 
January, 181(1, und ended with that year. He 
was a native ofConnccticut, but removed eai'l}' 
to Ohio and entered in jjractice of law at Mari- 



374 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



etta in IHUti, :ind was afterward.s a member 
both of the assembly anil senate of that State. 
He came to Michigan in 1814 under an appoint- 
ment by President Madison as secretary of the 
Territory, and continued in the office of secre- 
tary until 1827. In the course of that period 
the secretary was often called upon to perform 
the duties of Governor Cass. 

He was the first delegate to Congress from 
Michigan, u judge of the Supreme Court of the 
Torritorj-, a member of the convention that 
(Iraltcd the State constitution in 1835. His 
long intimacy with Michigan and its varied in- 
terests, and the ability and integrity with 
which he had performed every official duty, 
gave him exceptional qualifications for the 
position of chief executive officer of the State, 
and his fellow citizens did not fail to appreciate 
these qualifications. In 1841, he was chosen 
by the legislature to the Senate of the United 
States. He was a man of extensive reading 
and much and varied learning, a modest and 
retiring man, j'ct genial and kind in his feel- 
ings. He died in October, 1861. 

After Governor Woodbridge left the execu- 
tive chair, the then lieutenant governor, J. 
Wright Gordon, became the acting governor, 
and served as such for the balance of the term. 
The leading events of this joint administration 
were the completion of the railroad from 
Detroit to Ann Arbor, and the establishment 
of the branches of the State University at 
Detroit, Pontiae, Monroe, Niles, Kalamazoo, 
Grand Rapids, Jackson, White Pigeon and 
Tecumseh. Asa result of the distribution act 
of Congress, the State became possessed of five 
hundred thousand acres of public land, many 
portionsof which were selected with great care 
and to Itecomc the foundation of an important 
revenue. 

During Mr. Gordon's administration the 
Grand Lodge of Free Masons was reorganized 
with the constitutional number of lodges. Of 
the early organization of this Order we are not 
informed beyond the fact that the first Grand 
Ijodge was organized at Detroit, Juno 24, 182(>, 
was incorporated by the legislative council in 
1827, and by a formal resolution adopted in 
1829, Masonic labor was suspended. A gen- 
eral meeting of the Masons of the State was 
called for enquiry in 1840, and in 1841 the 
former (lirand officers granted dispensations 
for several lodges. The first Grand Mtisler 



under the original organization was General 
Lewis Cass. The Grand lloyal Arch Chajiter 
was organized in 1848. The Grand Council of 
Koyal and Selected Masons was organized in 
1858, and the Grand Commandery Knights 
Templar was organized January 15, 1857. 

John S. Barry, the third governor of the 
State, and successor of Governor Woodbridge, 
was a native of the State of Vermont. He re- 
sided at Constantine, and his occupation was 
that of a merchant. His first term commenced 
in January, 1842. He was again elected for 
the term commencing in January, 1844, and 
subsequently for the term beginning in Janu- 
ary, 1850. The repeated call to this high 
office by his fellow citizens shows clearly the 
high estimate in which he was held by the 
people, and their confidence in his integrity and 
capacity. 

His first two terms embraced a time of 
great embarrassment in business affairs. He 
guarded the public treasury with watchful eye. 
The economy of his administration was ])ro- 
verbial, yet he did not hesitate to pledge his 
own personal responsibility, when the jniblic' 
interest required, for the payment of a public 
obligation. 

In 1845 it became necessary for the State to 
purchase railroad iron to be used on the State 
railroad. The iron was contracted for in New 
York, but the vender was not satisfied with the 
responsibility of the State and would not de- 
liver the iron unless the governor would per- 
sonally guarantee the payment of the bonds. 
This he did, and the iron was delivered on the 
road. It was by law to be paid for out of the 
income of the road, but at the expiration of his 
t(!rm of office a considerable amount remained 
unsatisfied. He had expected it would be 
li<iuitlated before his term expired, and if it 
had been, no man would ever have known from 
him of the responsibility he had voluntarily 
assumed. The debt was, however, paid in due 
time. 

During his first term he had the satisfaction 
of seeing the University opened for the recep- 
tion of students, the Central and Southern 
railroads progressing rapidly, the former hav- 
ing been finished to Marshall, one hundred and 
ten miles, and the latter to Hillsdale, sixty- 
eight miles. 

The fourth governor nf the State w.as Al- 
pheus Pelch,of Monroe, who entered upon the 



STATE ADMINISTRATIONS. 



3Y5 



duties of the office in November, 1845, anil 
continued therein until March 3, 1847, when he 
resigned to accept a seat in the United States 
Senate. He omigratcil from Maine to Michi- 
gan, entered the legal ])rofossion and practiced, 
having Hon. Hiram Stone as a copartner.- As 
early as 1830 he bei'ame identified with public 
affairs, fir.st as a member of the legislature, 
"then as a banlc commissioner, as auditor-gen- 
eral of Michigan, also a judge of the Supreme 
Court, and sub.soquent to his term in the United 
Slates Senate was appointed commis.sioncr to 
settle the land claims. 

Tlic leading incident of his adniiiiistration 
was the sale to private corpoi-ations of the two 
railroads belonging to the State. The Central 
was .sold for $2,000,000, and the Soutlicrn 
S500,000. It was iti 1846 that the University 
librar3- was enriched with a choice collection of 
about five thou.sand volumes purchased in 
Europe. The reader is here referred to the 
" J5ar of 1837," for life of Governor Fclch. 

Kpaphroditus Kansom, fifth governor of the 
State, after serving as justice of the Supreme 
Court from 1843 was elected governor of the 
State in November, 1847, entered upon its 
duties January 1, 1848, and served out Jiis 
term January 1, 1850. He was a New Kngland 
man, had served one term in the Michigan 
legislature, and was a regent of the Univer- 
sity. President Buchanan appointed him re- 
ceiver of the land office for one of the districts 
in the State of Kansas, and he there died before 
the expiration of his term. 

It was during his atlministration as governor 
th;it bills were passed establishing the Asj'lum 
(or the Insane at Flint, and the Asylum for the 
Deaf, Dumb and Blind at Kalamazoo, both of 
which institutions were liberally endowed with 
lands and each of them placed in charge of a 
board of five trustees. The capital under the 
act of 1847 having been removed from Detroit 
to Ijansing, temporarj- buildings for the use of 
the legislature and State officers were occupie<l 
during his term. 

As before stated. Governor Barry was re- 
elected and served from January, 1S50, to Jan- 
uary 1, 1852. During this his third term tlu; 
V)ill was passed that established the State Nor- 
mal School, which was endowed with lands and 
phucd in chargcof the board of education, con- 
sisting of si,\' i)cr.s(ins. 

The removal of the capital transpired dur- 



ing his term and another event of great im- 
portance — the trial of the " great railroad con- 
spiracy" case. A series of unlawful acts had 
been committed on the propert}- of the Michi- 
gan Centi'al Railroad Company along the line 
of their road, and especially at Leoni and 
Michigan Center in Jackson count}', culminat- 
ing in the destruction by an infernal machine 
in 1850 of the depot in Detroit. Ofthe thirty- 
seven brought to trial, twelve were convicted. 
The conspirators were defended by Hon. Wil- 
liam II. Seward, of New York ; the prosecu- 
tion conducted by Alexander D. Frazer, of 
Detroit. The judge who presided on this occa- 
sion with great ability was the late Warner 
Wing. 

The successor of Governor Barry was the 
Hon. Robert McClelland, ofMonroe,whoentered 
upon his duties January 1, 1852, was re-elected 
and inaugurated January 5, 1853. His admin- 
istration terminated in March, 1853, when he 
resigned to accept a seat in thecabinotof Presi- 
dent Pierce as Secretary ofthe Interior, when 
Andrew Parsons, lieutenant governor, became 
acting governor the rest of the term. He be- 
came a citizen of Michigan in 1833; was for a 
number of years a member ofthe Monroe bar, 
and co-partner of the late Warner Wing ; was 
a member of the legislature and speaker of the 
Hou.se of Representatives in 1843 ; also a rep- 
resentative of the State in Congress, 1847-1841(; 
a member of the constitutional convention 
from Monroe county of 1835 and 1850, and the 
convention of 1867. 

During his administration the ])upils that 
attended our common schools numberiMl 175.- 
000, an increase in four j'ears of over 43,000. 
Such victories of peace arc what Michigan h.as 
alwaj's prided herself upon, and are in harmony 
with the victories of war in behalf of the 
Union, upon which she justl}' prided herself 
in the Mexican War of 1847, and in the war in 
behalf of the Union from 1801 to 1805. 

From January 1,1855, to January, 1859, the 
executive chair was occupied by Hingsley S. 
Bingham, who arrived in Michigan in 1833, 
settled in (ircen Oak, Ijivingston count}', was 
postmaster, su]>ervisor, judge of probate and 
brigadier-general of militia. Represented bis 
county in the Stale legislature in l.s;{7, 1838and 
18.30, and 1841 and 1842. Was Speaker ofthe 
House in 1838 and 1S3!(, and licpresentative in 
Conjrress from 1847 to 1849 and 1849 to 1851. 



376 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Died at Oak View, Liviiiii;Rton county, Miclii- 
gan, October 5, 1801. 

Tlie most notable event of his administration 
was the completion of the ship canal at the 
Saiilt Sto. Marie. August 26, 1852, an act of 
('ongress was approved granting to tiie State 
of Michigan 750,000 acres of land for tlie pur- 
pose of constructing a sliip canal between 
Ijaives Huron and Superior. I^'ebruary 5, 1853, 
tlic legislature of Miciiigan accepted tlie grant 
made by Congress and provided for the ap- 
)K)intmcnt of commissioners to select the 
donated lands and to arrange for the building 
of tlie canal. A comjiany of enterprising men 
was appointed, and a contract entered into by 
which the canal was to be completed in two 
years. Eveiyarticlo of consumption, machiiiei-y, 
working implements and material, timber for 
the gates, stone for the locks, as well as men 
antl supplies, had to be transported to the site 
of the canal from Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago 
and other lake ports. The stone for finishing 
the locks was brought from Marblehead, near 
Sandusky City, and from Detroit lliver. The 
rapids which hr.d to be contended with had a 
fall of seventeen feet and were about one mile 
long. The contracting parties completed the 
work ill May, 1855, accepted by the commis- 
sioners and formally delivered to the State 
authorities. In consideration of its national 
character as a highway between the lower lakes 
and Lake Superior, and in view of the sound 
character of the work, the originators and 
builders of this work deserve the gratitude of 
the country. The disbursements in the con- 
struction of the canal and selection of the lands 
amounted to *99!1,802, which absorbed the full 
amountof the Government grant. 

The successor of Governor Bingham was 
Moses Wisner, elected November, 1859; en- 
tered upon the duties of executive January, 
18(>0. He was born in Aurelius, Cayuga 
countj". New York, in 1818 ; received a good 
education; removed to Michigan in 1830, set- 
tled in Pontiac, studied law and entered upon 
the practice of his profession in 1842. Jn 1843 
was appointed pro.secuting attorney for Lapeer 
county. Continued to practice law until elected. 
Soon after his term expired the mutterings of 
the great rebellion began to be heard. 

Governor Wisner, on retiring from the exec- 
utive chair at the close of his term, delivered 
an eloquent ami ])atriotic address to the legis- 



lature of 1801. After presenting in the usual 
way full and well-considered summaries of all 
the essential facts regarding the important 
and varied interests of the State, he took up 
the discussion of the grave condition of the 
country at that time, over which a dark cloud 
had been cast by the recent passage in several 
Southern States of ordinances of secession, 
foreboding most dire results. In his language 
there was not a shadow of fiiltering, no tinge 
of di.saftection, no uncertain sound. With in- 
tense earnestness he breathed devotion to the 
Union and the flag in every sentence. Eveiy 
paragraph was a stirring counseling the main- 
tenance of the Union, denouncing treason an<l 
invoking jiatriotism. We quote from these in- 
spiring utterances words which fell upon the 
ear of patriots amid doubt, disloyalty and 
danger: " This is no time for timid and vacil- 
lating councils, when the cry of treason ami 
rebellion is ringing in our ears. The consti- 
tution, as our fathers made it, is good enough 
for us, and must be enfoi'ced upon every foot 
of American soil. Michigan cannot recognize 
the right of a State to secede from the Union. 
We believe that the founders of our Govern- 
ment designed it to be perpetual, and we can 
not consent to liave one star obliterated from 
our flag. For upwards of tliirtj' years this 
question of a right of a State to secede has been 
agitated. It is time it was settled. We ought 
not to leave it for our children to look after. I 
would calmly but firmly declare it to be the 
fixed determination of Michigan that the 
Federal constitution of the States must and 
shall be preserved." 

It was but a short time before personal ex- 
ample followed the.se glowing words, this noble 
advice. His fidelity to the Union and the honor 
of his State prompted him .soon to take the field, 
offered his services, was assigned to the com- 
mand of the Twenty-Second Michigan Hegi- 
ment of Infantry, where a short and promising 
career gave the name of Moses Wisner to the 
long list of Michigan martyrs to American 
liberty, for while on his way to the seat of war 
he was prostrated by sickness in Lexington, 
Kentucky, where he died January 5, 18C3, 
a man of fine mind, a good friend and worthy 
citizen. 

Following the valedictory of Governor Wis- 
ner, the legislature of 1801 listened with in- 
tense interest to the inaugural of Austin 



STATE ADMINISTRATIONS. 



.^7 



Bluir, his successor, who in ;i proiouml ami 
j)liilo80])hical address set Ibrtli the ti-uc nature 
of our system of government, and the real 
meaning of the present and impending issues, 
and closed with these emphatic and forcible 
ulleranocs : 

"Wo arc satisfied with the constitution of 
our country, and will obey the laws enacted 
under it, and we must demand that the peojile 
of all other States do the same; safety lies in 
this path alone. The Union must be preserved, 
and the laws must be enforced in all parts of it 
at whatever cost. The President is bound to 
this by his oath, and no power can discharge 
him from it. Secession is revolution, and 
revolution in the overt act is treason and must 
1)0 treated as such. The Federal Government 
has the power to defend itself, and I do not 
doubt that that power will be exercised to the 
utmost. It is a question of war that the seced- 
ing States have to look in the face. They who 
think that this powerful Government can be 
liisnipted peacefully have read history to no 
])iii-pose. The sons of the men who carried 
arms in the seven years' war with the most 
powerful nation in the world, to establish this 
Government, will not hesitate to make equal 
sacrifices to maintain it. Most deeplj' must we 
deplore the unnatural contest. On the heads 
of the traitors who provoke it must rest the 
responsibility. In such a contest the God of 
battles has no attribute that can take sides 
with the revolutionists oi' the slave States. 

" I recommend you at an early day to make 
manifest to the gentlemen who represent this 
Slate in the two houses of Congress, and to the 
country, that Michigan is loj'al to the Union, 
the constitution, and the laws, and will defend 
tlicni to the uttermost; and to prott'ei- to the 
President of the United States the whole mili- 
tary power of the State for that purpose. Oh ! 
for the firm, steady hand of a Washington, or 
a .lackson, to guide the ship of State in this 
licrilous storm. F.et us ho])e that we shall Hud 
hiiii on the 4th of March. Meantime, let us 
abide in the faith of our fathers — ' Lil)erty 
ami Union, one and inseparable, now and for- 
ever.' " 

Thesentinicni of the peo])le of the State had 
by this time been educated u]) to expecting 
proin])t and decisive action b^- the legislature, 
ami thcj^ were not disap|iointed. Inspired by 
its own st(^a<l(ast and invincibU! <imor ptilridi, it 



was quick in defining its position and unfurl- 
ing its colors to the breeze, declaring in joint 
resolutions passed February 2, 18G1, the adliei-- 
eucc of the State to the Government of the 
United States, pledging and tendering all its 
military power and material resources, and 
also declaring that concession or compromi.se 
was not to be en tertaiue<l or offered to traitors. 

Nothing, however, was definitely' attempted 
bj' the State authorities, and no actual defen- 
sive or aggressive measures were undertaken 
until the gigantic struggle was fully inaugu- 
rated by the fire upon Fort Sumter of (he en- 
circling batteries of the rebels in Charleston 
Harbor, when all hope of evadingan inevitable 
conflict gave place to prompt and needful ac- 
tion. 

Those awful tidings were received on .\pril 
12th, creating the wildest excitement all over 
the State, and in Detroit, the people, much 
alarmed, commenced estimating how united 
the public officials and peoi)le would be in the 
cause of the Union. On the follow-ing day a 
meeting of the bar, with other citizens, was 
held, presided over by the venerable Judge 
Eoss Wilkins of the United States Court, when 
the United States officials were required to 
take the oath of allegiance, and resolutions 
were adopted denouncing and repudiating the 
treason, and pledging the community to " stand 
by the Government to the last.'' I5y the fol- 
lowing Monday (April loth), the sui-render of 
the South Carolina fort was known throughout 
the land, and Michigan had receiveil the Presi- 
dent's call for 75,000 volunteers, assigning her 
own ((uota. The emergencies andduties of the 
hour were then fully realized by the ])eople of 
the State, and the u])rising was universal. 
Most cities and towns were holding meetings 
in open air, in ]nil)lic buildings — even in 
Christian churches — pledging fidelity and 
pecuniar^' assistance to the Nation in its hour 
of great peril, and volunteers in large numbers 
were congregating and demanding instant .ser- 
vice for the Union, while the watch-fires of 
patriotism had been kindkul on ever}- hillside 
and in every valley, burning and Hashing with 
intense brightness, at once cheering and in- 
spiring. 

Michigan was extremely fortunate in her 
J'jxecutive. His example and ulteranci's in 
public and private, full of loyalty, patriotism, 
and courage, gave an aliiding tcme lo public 



378 



HISTORY OF MONROfi COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 



sentiment, and inspired tlio troops. And al- 
though the intense prevailing patriotism of the 
people of Micliigan was undoubtedly the main 
source of the high standard reached by her 
troojjs in this respect, yet it being so eminently 
inherent in her " War Governor," Austin Blair, 
and which he so eloquently imparted to them 
on every fitting occasion, impressed it on their 
minds with so much earnestness as to produce 
most beneficial and enduring effects. 

The State was equally fortunate in her legis- 
lative bodies, being composed of men thor- 
oughly in sympathy with the Union cause, op- 
posing with great earnestness and ability any 
measui'es tinctured in the least with secession 
or even a shadow of compromise, and as a re- 
sult their declarations in this respect were 
" stalwart" and decided, not minced in clijiped 
or timid words, nor faint in expression, but 
bold, pronounced, and defiant. 

In the management of her interests at the 
National capital the State was well represented, 
having in the several departments of the Gov- 
ernment men of influence who esteemed the 
reputation of their State, and were ever anx- 
ious and prompt to advance her cause. In her 
representatives in both houses of Congress 
she was especially favored, and with these ad- 
vantages Michigan unhesitatingly, but reluct- 
antly, although hojjefully and fearlessly, 
launched her bark on the turbulent sea of war 
on rebellion. 

Governor Blair reached Detroit on Tuesday, 
April 16, 1861, and in the afternoon, at the 
Michigan Exchange, met by arrangement the 
State military officers and a large number of 
leading citizens and capitalists of that city. 

The President of the United States had 
called upon the State to furnish one regiment 
of infantry full}' armed, clothed, and equipped, 
to aid the Government in suppressing the ex- 
isting rebellion. It was then estimated that 
$100,000 would be at once required for this 
purpose, but the treasury was comparatively 
empty, and the condition of the State finances 
was such that this pi-essing call could not be 
immediately met. When this condition of 
attairs was laid before the meeting by the Hon. 
John Owen, State Treasurer, a resolution was 
unhesitatingly passed pledging Detroit to loan 
the State 850,000, at the same time calling up- 
on the State generally to make a like advance. 
At this meeting a subscripLiou paper was at 



once cii'culated, and $23,000 pledged by those 
present, and to complete the whole amount 
committees were appointed to solicit further 
subscrijitions in the city. Such prompt and 
liberal action could not fail to be successful, 
and furnished the sinews of war for the time 
being at least. Mr. Owen, with these pledges 
of the people in hand, coujiled with his own 
good credit, succeeded in negotiating a loan 
which was mostly taken by our own citizens, 
sufficient to warrant the executive to under- 
take uniforming and equipping troops. The 
amounts thus raised, as well as all other in- 
debtedness incurred in like manner, were 
assumed by the State on the assembling of the 
legislature. 

The necessity for such action on the part of 
citizens of Michigan, when contrasted with 
the present substantial condition of the 
State, financially, sets forth in the strongest 
light her rapid advance in prosperity and 
wealth, even in the face of a large war debt, 
which is now virtually canceled. 

April 16th a proclamation was issued by the 
governor, calling for ten companies of volun- 
teers, and directing the adjutant-general to 
accept the first ten that should offer, and mak- 
ing it the duty of that officer to issue all neces- 
sary orders, and give such instructions in detail 
as might be required. The movement thus in- 
augurated was at once successful, the com- 
panies responding promptl}', the tender of 
troops far exceeding the number required by 
the General Government. Thus all the duties of 
the hour were prompty met and discharged. 

The governor had also issued a proclamation 
on April 2d, convening the legislature in extra 
session at Lansing on the 7th of May. The 
legislature met pursuant to the call, when a 
stirring address was delivered by the governor, 
in which he gave a detail of the work already 
accomplished, and at the same time asked the 
legislature to legalize his past action, and to 
invest the State authorities with sufficient 
power for the future. 

A session of four days resulted in the passage 
of laws endorsing the acts of the governor, and 
clothing him with full authority to raise ten 
regiments; also to effect a loan of one million 
dollars, which was speedily accomplished. 

The legi.slatui-e, fully appreciating the patri- 
otic and pei-ilous services required of the 
troops, and the sacrifices which must be made 



STATE AnMlNISTRATTONS. 



;57i) 



!)}• their fiiinilios in their absence, especially as 
to means of support, and at the same time an- 
tiei])atiiig that some might bo unprovided for, 
or might be left in want by the contingencies 
or casualties of war, wisely enacted the "Sol- 
diers' Jlelief Law," to contributo aid to their 
liimiiies by counties; this allowance to be made 
in the discretion of the supervisors according 
to circumstances, but not to exceed fifteen dol- 
lars amondi, and in case of the death of a sol- 
dier, to continue one year thereafter. 

This relief was unquestionably administered 
with that generous liberality which the law 
contem])lated. Yet the duty was neither easy 
nor desirable, as it required much labor, good 
judgment, discrimination, and delicacy, at the 
same time giving opportunity for much cen- 
sure. While imposition on the counties had to 
be guarded against, respect for the claims of 
ajiplicants was demanded, and in its distribu- 
tion there was a degree of delicacy requisite in 
barring the least idea of a charity, and in 
establishing one of a right. 

The quai'termaster general, .1. 11. Fountain, 
a faithful and enci-gotic officer, who had been 
ajipointed in March, was charged with cloth- 
ing, equipping, and subsisting the troops on 
contracts made by the " Military Contract 
lioard," organized May 15tb by legislative 
authority, and composed of Colonels E. (). 
(irosvenor, Jonesville; Jerome Croul, Detroit ; 
and William Hammond, Tekonsha. Individual 
ability and great energy, coupled with exem- 
plary economy, characterized this board, re- 
lieving the quartermaster-genci-al of much 
labor and responsibility. 

(jeneral A. S. Williams and Colonel H. M. 
Whittlesey, of Detroit, Colonel A. W. Wil- 
liams, of Ijansing, and Colonel C. W. Leffing- 
wcll, of Grand Rapids, constituted the State 
Military J}oard,with the adjutant-general and 
quartermaster-general as members ex officio. 

Colonel William M. Fenton, of Flint, was in 
.lune following ajipointed a member of the 
board in place of Colonel Williams, who had 
gone to the field with the Second Infantry. 
Soon after. Colonel Fenton entered the service 
as colonel of the Eigbth Infantry, and was 
succee<led by Colonel E. H. Thomson, of Flint, 
who, on the 18th of August, was elected presi- 
dent of the board. 

Jabez U. Fountain, of Manchester, was com- 
missioned (|uartermastergencral Ajiril 1, lH(il, 



serving until March 25, 1S(I3, and was a faith- 
ful and energetic officer. 

Friend Palmer, of Dotioit, was ap|pointed 
assistant quartermaster-general in May follow- 
ing. His experience of several j-oars in the 
quartermaster's department of the regular 
army rendered him a valuable officer, and to 
him the State was greatly indobtcil for the 
efficient and economical direction given to the 
administration of that department. 

(ieneral William Hammond succeeded (Jen- 
eral Fountain March 25, ISO;?, and served until 
March 25, 18(55, when he was relieved b}^ the 
appointment of General (). N. Giddings of 
Kalamazoo. Both these officers served with 
mai'Ued ability and faithfulness, (ieneral Gid- 
dings iiaving resigned in March, 18()7, was 
succeeded by General Palmer, who served until 
September, 1870. 

On the 2l8t of May, ISUl, Colonel James F. 
Pittman, of Detroit, was appointed State pay- 
master, and served in that capacity, maUing 
large disbursements as pay to troops while in 
the service of the State, a duty which he faith- 
fully performed. He was also a member of the 
State Military Board from Se])tembcr 10, 18(11, 
until November 1, 18G2, when he wasapjiointed 
inspector-general of the State, .serving until 
March, 18(57. 

At the commencement of the war General 
John Robertson hold the ajipointment of adju- 
tantgenei'al of the State; has served continu- 
ously since that time to the lime of his death, 
which occurred at Detroit in 1888. 

Captain Ileber LeFavour was appointed as- 
sistant adjutant-general April 1, 18(51, which 
appointment he held until June 15th following, 
when he was commissioned as a cajitain in the 
Fifth Michigan Infantry, and took the field 
with that regiment. Captain l)e(!armo Jones 
succeeded him and served until May 0, 18(i2, 
when he resigned. Both these officers served 
with marked efficiency. 

Colonel Frederick Morley was commissioned 
May 6, 18(52, as assistant adjutant-general, serv- 
ing with eminent ability- and distinction until 
March 11, 18(55, rendering arduous and valu- 
able service to the State. 

The President's call upon Michigan for 
troops was promptly met by the muster in of 
the First Ileginient and its early movcmeni to 
the .scat of war in Virginia. 

In the meantime, authority- had ln'cn re- 



380 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 



ceivcd from the War Department to raise three 
other regiments, but at the same time stating 
that it was •' imj)ortant to reduce rather than 
increase tliat number." Tiiis authority only 
covered the Second, Third, and Fourth In- 
fantry, already in process of recruitment, while 
many companies throughout the State, not in- 
cluded in the organizations referred to, had 
been recruited without authority in the hope 
of obtaining place in those or other regiments, 
but were disappointed, and most of them sought 
and found service in the troops of other States. 

This limited jjolicy of the Government wa.s 
oxtremelj' at variance with the views of Gov- 
ernor Blair regarding the necessity of the 
country at that time, and deeming immediate 
preparation to meet emergencies necessary, he 
established the " Camp of Instruction " referred 
to in another part of this work. 

The great pressure for the acceptance of 
companies continued unabated, while the appli- 
cations for appointments as commissioned 
officers had reached the maximum, and the 
Governor was continuously importuned by in- 
fluential citizens of both political parties to a 
most unbearable degree, while men were being 
forced by them upon his attention for favor- 
able consideration, regardless of natural or ac- 
quired qualifications for the place. In fact, 
this continued during the entire earlier jmrt 
of the war, and although much care was uni- 
formly exercised in making selections, both as 
to original appointment and promotion in the 
field, it is but reasonable to expect that some 
mistakes were made. 

In his peri)lexing and responsible position. 
Governor Blair always recognized qualifica- 
tions for the office, and loyalty to the cause, as 
the tests, more than personal friendship or 
political status. 

Under a law of Congress of August 3d, the 
President was authorized to receive into ser- 
vice 500,000 volunteers, and while the propor- 
tion of Michigan was understood to be 19,500, 
the State was charged with 21,337 on an adjust- 
ment of credits. 

Michigan, in response to this requisition, 
continued a vigorous recruitment, sending regi- 
ment after regiment to . the field, and up to 
December, 1861, had sent to the front thirteen 
i-egiments of infanti-y, three of cavalry, and 
five batteries of light ai'tiilery, with a total 
Htrcngtii of 16,475 officers and men. Ten of 



these regiments, one battery, and one company 
had been subsisted, clothed, and partly armed 
by the State. In addition to this, thirteen 
companies had gone into service in regiments 
of other States, failing, as before stated, to find 
service in tho.se of their own. 

Governor Blair, on January 2, 1862, deliv- 
ered his message to the legislature, then in 
extra ses.sion, from which the following extract 
is made, and which was accepted at the time 
as an expression of the people of the Slate on 
the war question : 

" I cannot close this brief address without an 
allusion to the great object that occupies all 
men's minds. The Southern rebellion still 
maintains a bold front against the Union 
armies. That is the cause of all our complica- 
tions abroad and our troubles at home. To 
deal wisely with it is to find a short and easy 
deliverance from them all. The people of 
Michigan are no idle spectators of this groat 
contest. They have furnished all the troops 
required of them, and are preparing to pay the 
taxes and to submit to the most onerous bur- 
dens without a murmur. They are ready to 
increase their sacrifices, if need be, to require 
impossibilities of no man, but to be patient and 
wait. But to see the vast armies of the repub- 
lic, and all its pecuniary resources used to pro- 
tect and sustain the accursed sj-stem which has 
been a perpetual and tyrannical disturber, and 
which now makes sanguinary war upon the 
Union and the constitution, is precisely what 
they will never submit to tamely. The loyal 
States having furnished adequate means, both 
of men and monej', to crush the rebellion, have 
a right to expect those men to be used with the 
utmost vigor to accomplish the object, and that 
without any mawkish sympathy for the inter- 
estof traitors in arms. Upon those who caused 
the war, and now maintain it, its chief burdens 
ought to fall. No j)roperty of a rebel ought 
to be free from confiscation — not oven the 
sacred slave. The object of war is to destroy 
the power of the enemy, and whatever meas- 
ures are calculated to accomplish that object, J 
and are in accordance with the usages of civ- 
ilized nations, ought to be employed. To 
undertake to put down a powerful rebellion, 
and, at the .same time, to save and protect all 
the chief sources of the power of that rebellion , 
seems to (common minds but a short remove 
from simj)le folly. He who is not for the 



STATE ADMINISTRATIONS. 



:^81 



litiioii, iiiitoiiililioiially, ill tlii.s mortal .strui(glc 
is against it. Tiic liigiiest dictates of patriot- 
ism, justice, and luimanit}', combine to demand 
tiiat the war should he conducted to a speedy 
close upon principles of the most iioroicenergj' 
and retributive power. The time for gentle 
dalliance has long since passed awa}'. We 
meet an enemy, vindictive, bloodthirsty, and 
cruel, profoundly in earnest, inspired with an 
energy and self-sacrifice which would honor a 
good cause, respecting neither laws, constitu- 
tions, nor historic memories, fanaticallj' de- 
voted only to his one wicked pui'poso to destroy 
the (lovernmont and establish his slavcholding 
oligarchy in its stead. To treat this enemy 
gently is to excite his derision. To protect his 
slave property is to help him to butcher our 
people and burn our houses. No. He must be 
met with an activity and a purpose equal to his 
own. Hurl the Union forces, which outnumber 
him two to one, iipon his whole line like a 
thunderbolt; pay them out of his propert}-, 
Iced tlieiu from his granaries, mount them upon 
his horses, and carry them in his wagons, if he 
has any, and let him feel the full force of the 
storm of war which he has raised. I would 
;ipologizc neither to Kentucky nor anj^bod}- 
else for these measures, but quickly range all 
neutrals either on the one side or the other. 
Just a little of the courage and abilitj' which 
carried Napoleon over the Alps, dragging his 
cannon through the snow, would quickly settle 
this contest, and settle it right. If our soldiers 
must die, do not let it be of the inactivity and 
diseases of camps, but let them at least have 
the satisfaction of fulling like soldiers, amid the 
roar of battle, and hearing the shouts of vic- 
torj- ; then will they welcome it as the tired 
laborer welcomes sleep. Let us hope that wo 
have not much longer to wait." 

Equally estimating with the Crovernor the 
great emergencies and necessities of the coun- 
try, the legislature, with firmness and pluck 
worthy of the peof)le which they represented, 
passed with much unanimity the Ibllowing 
well-timed and eminently proper joint resolu- 
tion in reference to the rebellion: 

"Whereas, The Government of the United 
Slates is engaged in j)ulting down a caii.scless 
and wicked rebellion against its authoritj* and 
.sovereignty, inaugurated by ambitious men to 
obtain political power, — a Government, the 
safety and perpetuity of which must ever rest 



ui)on the loyalty of its cilizcii.s and an adher- 
ence to the constitution; 

" And Whereas, The welfare of mankind, 
the usefulness and ])0wer of the Nation are in- 
volved in the events and issues of the present 
conflict ; therefore, be it 

" Resolved (the House concurring). That 
Michigan, loyal to herself and to the Federal 
Government, reaffirms her undying hostility 
to ti'aitors, her abiding love for freedom, and 
her confidence in the wisdom and jiatriotisni 
of the National Administration. 

"Resolved (the House concurring), That the 
people of Michigan deem it the imper.-itive duty 
of the Government to speedily put down all 
insurrection against its authority and sove- 
reignty, by the use of every constitutional 
means, and by tlie employment of every energy 
it possesses; that Michigan stands firm in her 
determination to sustain, by men and treasure, 
the Constitution and the Union, and claims 
that the burthen of loyal men should bo light- 
ened, as far as possible, by confiscating to the 
largest extent the property of all insurrec- 
tionists; and that as between the institution of 
slavery and the maintenance of the Federal 
Government, Michigan does not hesitate to say, 
that in such exigency-, slavery should be swept 
from the land, and our country maintained. 

'' Resolved, That the Governor be requested 
to forward a copy of the foregoing preamble 
ami i-csolutions to each of our Senators and 
Representatives in Congress. 

"Approved January 18, 18t)2." 

Recruiting was being vigorously prosecuted 
at the commencement of 18()2, and under most 
favorable circumstances, brought about to some 
extent by a brisk competition between officers, 
often leading to various schemes for inducing 
recruits to change regiments both before and 
after muster — a practice then considered 
sharp, but which was neither legitimate nor 
scarcely honest, but still consiilered by some as 
evincing a degree of energy, and by .some 
called S.MART. And although this mode of 
operating was protested against from time to 
time, and complaints made leading to the pub- 
lication of orders against it, yet it was found 
impo.ssible to prevent the practice, and it was 
generally excused under a plea of zealous pur- 
pose. 

At this time there were in progress of rapid 
recruitment five regiments of infantry anil 



882 



HISTORY UK MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



throe biittci-ics of urtillery. TIkmi- coiiiplolion 
WiiM most induKtriousIy i>iislied Vi^- tlio officers 
engaged, find by the end of March, 1K62, they 
had all left the State for the field. 

In addition to these, a Lancer regiment, 
three companies of sliar])-shooters, and a com- 
pany for service at Mackinac had been organ- 
ized and mustered into service. 

The reports made in July to the adjuta.nt- 
genei'al's office by the several regiments, bat- 
teries and companies, gave an addition of 2,(128 
recruits to their original strength, showing up 
to July Ist a total enrollment of 24,281 officers 
and men since tlie commencement of the war, 
which, together with an estimated number of 
1,45;] enlistments in companies in service of 
other States, gave 25,734 as a grand total. To 
tlii.s maj' be added the Lancer regiment dis- 
banded, and the Chandler Horse Guard, making 
an aggregate of nearly 27,000 men placed in 
service prior lo tiio 1st of July, 1862 ; thus ex- 
hibiting a surplus of over 0,000 over and above 
the number required to comply with all the de- 
mands of the Government, and establishing a 
degree of patriotism and promptness unsur- 
2)assed by any other State. 

The following is taken from Charles Lan- 
man'sEed Bo(jk of Michigan : 

"During McClellan's disastrous peninsula 
campaign in May and June, the Michigan regi- 
ments had become much depleted by the usual 
casualties of service and by wounds, disease, and 
death, whilst recruiting had entirely failed in 
the State. The Seventeenth Infantry was then 
organizing, and it was found almost impossible 
to obtain men for its completion, and recruits 
for regiments in the field could not be enlisted 
under any circumstances. 

"This fearful condition of affairs liad as- 
sumed so formidable a shape as to make it 
necessary to hold public meetings in some 
localities of the State to stimulate the people to 
more energy in the cause of the Union, and 
especially in recruiting for the regiments in 
the field. A public meeting for that purpose 
was called in Detroit, to be held in the after- 
noon of Tuesday, the 15th of July, and on as- 
•sembling on the Campus Martins in accord- 
ance with the call, and while the husiness in 
view was being proceeded with, the gathering 
was surprised by a mob of men, who furiously 
intcrruiited the deliberations and entirel}- 
broke up and dispersed the meeting, driving 



the officers from the stand, and compelling some 
of them to seek shelter and safety in the Rus- 
sell House, a hotel adjacent to the Camj)us 
Martius. The exhibition of this rebel spirit in 
our midst proved of immediate and lasting ad- 
vantage to the cause of the army in the field, 
for it aroused such a feeling of indignation at 
these disloyal and treasonable operations, and 
such utter contempt for the ruffians who had 
been thus engaged, that the masses of the re- 
spectable citizens of both political parties de- 
termined that such proceedings should not be 
tolerated in Detroit, and therefore next day a 
meeting was appointed for Tuesday, the 22d 
of July, to carry out the objects of the previous 
meeting, and for the further purpose of main- 
taining the right of citizens to hold such meet- 
ings without interference or molestation. An 
immense gathering assembled under the call, 
severely rebuking the disloyal element, and 
with unbounded enthusiasm avowing a most 
faithful and persistent support of the war, and 
pledging, with jjrodigal liberality, means and 
personal encouragement, and adopting instant 
measures for the recruitment of the regiments 
of the State, and urging the immediate re-en- 
forcement of the armies of the Union." 

This prompt and decided action of the citizens 
had the desired effect, giving recruiting new life 
and energy, and served to end all demonstra- 
tions in the metropolis of the State opposing 
the raising of men for the armies in the field. 

The meeting referred to was held on the date 
stated, and although its intention was to affect 
the recruiting for regiments generally, yet 
much attention was given to the recruitment of 
the Twenty-Fourth Regiment, the raising of 
which had already been assigned to Henry A. 
Morrow, who had received the appointment of 
lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. 

This meeting was made up of the most re- 
spectable and influential citizens of both polit- 
ical parties, and the speeches were of a very 
patriotic character, strongly condemning the 
dastardly action of a disloyal clement which 
manifested itself at the former meeting called 
for the same purpose, and was broken up by a 
mob, and itsobjectsentirelj^ frustrated. This so 
thoroughly aroused public indignation that the 
masses turned out in their strength with a 
determination that it should not be interfered 
with, even if forcible measures should have to 
be resorted to in enforcing order. 



STATK AUMINISTKATIONS. 



;58:{ 



Tlic nioL-tiny whs iilso liclil witli ji viuw to 
devise ways and moans to assiHt in raisinj^ tiic 
(jiiota of men wliicii Detroit was required to 
furnish. 

Early in tiie afternoon processions of me- 
chanics from foundries, macliinc shops and 
sliip yards, licgan to assemble on the Campus 
Martius, around the stand which had been 
erected for the speakers, where a band of music 
was discoursing patriotic airs. Then the cit- 
izens generally came in crowds from the offices 
shops, and stores. AVhen tiie hour for which 
the meeting was appointed had arrived, liie 
ground was covered for acres witii a living, 
onthiisiastic mass, breathing the sti'ongest ))a- 
triotism. They had come as determined men 
— -they had come for a purpose, and with the 
intention of accomplishing what they came for. 

The meeting was called to order by E. C. 
Walker, p]sq., who nominated the lion. William 

C. Duncan, then mayor of the city, as presi- 
dent, who was chosen unanimously. Hon. John 
Owen then named the following gonllemen as 
vice presidents: 

lion. Lewis Cass, Hon. Ross Wilkins, Hon. 
IJunj.imiu F. Witheroll, Rt. Tlev. Samuel A. 
McCoskry, Rt. Rev. P. P. Lefevre, Shubael 
Conant, William Barclay, Charles C. Trow- 
bridge, Colonel J. V. Ruehle, Duncan Stewart, 
Alderman Jo.seph Godfrey, Alderman J. W. 
Ptircell, Alderman James Shearer, Cyrus W. 
.lackson, Adam Elder, Gordon Campbell, Ed- 
ward Kanter, Charles Kellogg, Fred Behr, 
Alexander Chapoton, Charles Busch, Hugh 
.Moffat, Fred. Buhl and Neil Flattery. 

The following were made secretaries: Stan- 
ley (i. Wight and C. Wood Davis. 

The president introduced the subject to the 
meeting in an appropriate address. 

At the former meeting a conimittee to draft 
resolutions to submit to the people had been 
appointed, composed of Thomas iM. McEntee, 

D. Bethune Duffield, William A. Moore, Dewitt 
('. llolbrook, William P.Yerkes,Chaunccy Hurl- 
hut and Henry A. Mori'ow. 

Mr. McHnteo then read the resolutions, 
which were unanimously adopted. They 
breathed a most loyal spirit, a genuine patri- 
otis7n, and suggested the consideration of cer- 
tain measures, in favor of raising means, l)oth 
by the city government and by the citizens. 

Eloquent speeches were made of a highly 
patriotic order by Colonel Henry A. Morrow, 



General Lewis Cas.s, .Mark Klanigan, appninled 
major of the Twenly-Fourlli, Duncan Stewart, 
C. 1. Walker, Halmer H. Emmons, and James 
F. Joy. 

When Mr. Joy closed, the jiresidonl was 
about putting the motion to adjourn when Mr. 
Emmons started and read, with tlu-illing effect, 
the following verses, and at the end of each 
st:inza cheer upon cheer went up : 

We are coming, Father .\l)raliain —three humlreil 

thousand more, 
From Mississippi's winding stream and Irom New 

England's shore ; 
We leave our i)lows and workshops, our wives and 

children dear, 
Willi lioarts too full for utterance, with but a silent 

tear; 
We dare not look behind us, but steadfastly before— 
We are coming, Father Abraham — three hundred 

thousand more ! 

If you look across the liill-tops that meet the north- 
ern sky, 

Long moving lines uf rising dust your vision may 
descry ; 

And now the wind, an instant, tears the cloudy veil 
aside, 

And floats aloft our spangled flag in glory and in 
pride ; 

And hayonets in the sunlight gleam, and bands brave 
music pour — 

We are coming, l'"ather Abraham — three Inmclrcd 
thousand more ! 

If you look all uj) our valleys, where the growing 

harvests shine. 
You may see our sturdy farmer-boys, fast forming 

into line ; 
And children, from their mothers' knees, are pulling 

at the weeds. 
And learning how to reap and sow, against their 

country's needs ; 
And a farewell group stands weeping at every cottage 

door — 
We are coming. Father Abraham -three hundreil 

thousand more ! 

You have called us, and we're coming, by liich- 

mond's bloody tide. 
To lay us down, for freedom's sake, our brotliers' 

bones beside ; 
Or from foul treason's savage grasp to wrench the 

murderous blade, 
And in the face of foreign foes its fragments to 

parade. 
Six hundred thou.sand loyal men and true have gone 

before — 
We are coming, Father .Vlirahaiu — three hundred 

thousand more I 



;{S4 



IIISrOKY OK MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



The followini,' from I'.islioji Lofcvro, of the 
Itornan Calliolic clmrcli, was read at the close 
of tlic iiici^tiui;: 

Dktuoit, July 22, 18(;2. 
11. If. Emmon.'< and Others: 

Deak Sirs — 1 am i;rt'atly obliged b}' the 
kind invitation you this morning extended to 
mc in behalf of the citizens yon repi-esentod, 
to ac( as one of the vice presidents of the pi'O- 
j)0scd meeting this afternoon. My engage- 
ments Avili prevent my being with you, but I 
avail myself of this opportunity to repeat ray 
often expressed opinions in relation to the 
necessity of immediate action on tlie part of 
all our people, ii^resjicctivo of creeds and ]iarty 
divisions. 

Tile object of 3-our meeting has my warmest 
symjiathies, and 1 take great pleasure in assur- 
ing my fellow-citizens that with much op|)or- 
tunity ibr observation I can learn of no differ- 
ence of ojiinion in regard to it. All, without 
exception, seem determined to sustain our 
Government. 1 do most sincerely hope that, 
to attain this gi'eat end, all differences of opin- 
ion relative to the means to accomplish it will 
be harmonized or abandoned. 

I am, yours, etc., 

P. B. Lefevke, 

Bishop of the Catholic Church, of Michigan. 

The infiuencoof this meeting spread through 
out the State, greatly aiding in the recruit- 
ment of seven other regiments, besides the 
Twenty-Fourth, viz.: Seventeenth, Eighteenth, 
Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-First, Twenty- 
Second and Twenty-Third, all of which were 
fitted ready for the field within a little over 
thirty days, an example of recruiting not 
equaled in the State during the entire war. 

President Lincoln, advised bj'the Governors 
of Ihe loyal States, who had consulted together 
regarding the emergency, issued a proclama- 
tion on July 2d for 500,000 men, the War De- 
partment assigning to Michigan a quota of 
11,080. On the 15th of July orders were pub- 
lished from the adjutant-general's dejiartment 
ol' the Slate urgently appealing to the people 
for a prompt and effective response, and pre- 
scribing regulations for a system of organiza- 
tion. 

The Seventeenth liegiment was then in 
process of orgaiuzation, being recruited in the 
State at large, while six regiments of infantry- 



were ordered and appointed respectively to the 
six Congressional Districts. Camps were es- 
tablished for each and commanders appointed : 
The Eighteenth at Hillsdale, Hon. Heniy Wal- 
dron ; Nineteenth at Dowagiac, Colonel Henry 
C. Gilbert; Twentieth at Jackson, Hon. Fidus 
Livermorc ; Twenty-First at Ionia, Hon. J. B. 
Welsh ; Twenty-Second at Pontiac, ex-Gov- 
ernor Moses Wisner; and the Twenty-Third at 
East Saginaw, Colonel D. H. Jerome. 

The adjutant-general of the State, in his re- 
port of 1802, says of the action of the peojile 
regarding this call : 

" The^-esponse of the people of the State to 
the President's call was patriotic and prom ] it 
almost bej'ond expectation. Individuals of 
every degree of prominence forthwith began 
to interest themselves in the business of filling 
the regiments. Communities gave to it their 
time and their almost exclusive attention, 
while, better than all, the substantial masses of 
the people offered themselves in person. War 
meetings were held in almost every village and 
township in the State. Eeprosentatives of all 
classes converted themselves either into recruits 
or recruiting officers, and among the most 
efficient of the latter were ministers of the gos- 
pel, some of whom led the men they had en- 
listed into the field. 

'•Immediately following tlie issue of tlie 
order referred to, applications reached the ad- 
jutant-general's office, by telegraph and other- 
wise, from all sections of the State, urging 
authority to recruit, and desiring instructions 
and forms for the enlistment of companies. Fa- 
cilities to promote this purpose wei'c promptly 
furnished, and as soon as the camp grounds 
could be provided with suitable quarters men 
began to flock in by companies and detach- 
ments. The gentlemen who had been charged 
with the duty of supervising the organization 
of the regiments performed their labors with 
diligence and success, and in little over a month 
from the date of the President's call men suf- 
ficient had been raised in the State, and nearly 
enough were in camp to fill all the regiments 
which the War Department had asked for 
under the President's requisition; 

" In the meantime, while patriotism wasthus 
zealously manifesting itself in all portions (jf 
the State, the people of Detroit and of Waj-no 
county desired an opportunity to put in the 
field a regiment of their own citizens, in addi- 



STATK AHMINISTRATIONS. 



;^S5 



tiiiij to those alro:i<ly in |)|-o;^|-i'.ss. Aiilliority 
was |ii-oin]itly i^ivoti b^' tlic governor for tliis 
|iiir|)oso, atui the Twontj'-Foiirth Regiment was 
ordered organized under the direction ol' Colo- 
nel H. A. Morrow, and ])hu'cd in rendezvous at 
i)etroit, making ciglil infantiy regiments (hen 
ill course of coiniiletion." 

The following is from the Red Book of iMicli- 
igan : 

" The Christian church in this State gener- 
ally proved, by its pronounced patriotism ami 
manifest devotion to the cau.sc of the country, 
Jin element of immense success. All true ]>a- 
triots commend its noble course, all faithful 
('hristians endorse its glorious action. From 
the time that Sumter was tired on until l^ee 
and Johnston laid down their rebellious arms, 
and Davis fled for his life, it encouraged ami 
nerved by word and deed the soldier in the 
Hold, aided much in the recruitment of men by 
its approval of the cause and its openly avowed 
abhorrence of rebels and those who sympa- 
thized w'itb them and o])])oscd the war. Where 
it did not, cowardice most moan and groveling, 
disloyalty gross, and blackest treason pre- 
vented its being included in the providence of 
God among the instrumentalities to save the 
nation, and hence neither deserves nor can ex- 
]H'ct any better fate than the certain condem- 
nation of every true lover of his countiy and 
of his race, and the disapproval of the (iod of 
Nations. 

"The valuable services i-endered attiiistime 
by the loyal press throughout the State can 
never bo over-estimated; for its successful 
ertbrts in strengthening tlic hands of public 
otKcers, in moulding public opinion in favor of 
loyaltj- to the (iovernment, in encouraging 
patriotism among the masses, and inspiring 
those at the front with a heroism leading to 
gallant deed.s." 

"Stand by the Flag, on land and on sea," 
was the motto of the women of Michigan, in- 
spiring and scattering i)atriotisin among.st the 
the people, and in the ranks at the front. 
Never doubting, ahvavs hopeful, ever confi- 
dent of success, trusting in God's help for the 
cau.so of liberty, humanit3', and right, while 
their interest in behalf of the soldier was in- 
tense, and their industry for his benefit con- 
tinuous. 

In providing for the immense re-enforce- 
nienls to the national armies under this call, 



some delay in arming and ecpiippiiig I hi' 
troops unavoidably occurred, and the Michi- 
gan regiments were ready before their field 
eiiuipmcnt. With great dispatch, however, 
they were put in reailinoss for the field, an<l left 
the State fully armed, clothed, and ei|iii|iped, 
l)rior to the ll'th of Septemlier. 

On the completion of the eight regiments 
referred to, it was ascertaineil that in the rush 
to the rescue of the nation, more companies 
had been raised than could be placed in the 
district regiments, and on the 2i)lh of August 
an order was i.ssued from the adjutant-general's 
otUce, directing tlui reci'iiitment of the Twenty- 
Fifth and Twcuty-Si.xth Regimeiitsof infanti-y, 
anil assigning the sui-plus companies thereto. 

The Twenty- Fiftli rendezvoused at Kalama- 
zoo, under the direction of the Hon. II. (J. 
Wells, commandant of cam]), and the Twent}'- 
Sixth at Jackson, in command of Colonel Jud- 
son S. Farrar. 'f hey were put in condition for 
active service with much promptness, and letl 
the State immediately thereafter. 

About the time that the President's last call 
for volunteers apjieared, the governor bad 
permission from the War Department to send 
into the field another regiment of cavahy, and 
authority was given Colonel R. II. G. Mint^-, 
then lieutenant-colonel Third Cavalry, to pro- 
ceed at once to raise the Fourth Cavalry. 

Soon after the organization of the Fourth, 
Colonef J. T. Copeland, late of the First Cav- 
alry, .sought and obtained the permission of 
the War Department, ap])roved by the gov- 
ernor, to raise another regiment for the same 
branch of service; and still later — when the 
President had issued an order providing for 
the draft of a further force of :5(»0,0(tO men — 
Hon. F. W. Kellogg, member of Congi-ess from 
this State, secured authority (also subject to 
ap)>roval bj' the governor) to raise two aildi- 
tional regiments for the same arm. The Fifth 
and Sixth Cavahy, comprising two of the 
three regiments thus authorized, were recruited 
with great rapidity, and would have been in 
the field by the 1st of October, had horses, arms, 
and equipments been proviiled as fast as the 
men were ready for them. 

The i)atrioiism of the men composing these 
regiments will not be (|uestioned, as they en- 
tered the service in the darkest days of the 
war, and when money could not have entered 
into the question, as neither (iovernment. Slate, 



386 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



nor local bounties were being paid, while, 
physically, mentally, and morally, the com- 
jiosite of these regiments was made uj) of the 
best young men of the State, and probably 
was not excelled in the troops of any other 
State, or in the armies of any other nation. 

The infantry regiments went to the front 
fully armed and equipped, their arms being of 
a superior quality to those which had been 
furnished to most of the preceding troops sent 
from the State, while the cavalry were equally 
well equij)])ed, although they did not receive a 
portion of their arms until they reached the 
ami}' in the field. 

From the lied Book of Michigan the follow- 
ing is taken : 

" At the time the call was made by the Pres- 
ident, and on which the regiments referred to 
were raised, much anxiety as to coming events 
and results existed throughout the land, and 
great despondency pervaded the masses, pre- 
vailing to an alarming extent in the army. 
The disasters of Bull Run and Ball's Bluff, and 
Banks's retreat from the valley of the Shenan- 
doah were fresh in the memor}'. McClellau's 
fruitless peninsula campaign had just termi- 
nated. Gloom covered the Union cause 
throughout the North, and loyal hearts were 
sad. But with these disasters and discourage- 
ments patriotism seemed to grapple, and strong 
and loyal men flocked to service under the 
standard of their country, without money or 
price, and with laudable determination. The 
regiments referred to were recruited in these 
memorable days, the darkest of the rebellion. 
Fighting had produced much suffering, and 
bullets death, and war had proved a fearful 
reality' ; yet patriotism in Michigan was at its 
maximum, and her j)eople demonstrated their 
indomitable pluck. 

" While great activity prevailed among the 
people and in the State military departments 
in meeting the call of July 2d, strong hopes 
were entertained that the final requisition for 
additional volunteers had been reached. The 
President issued an order on the 4th of August 
for a draft to be made without delay of 300,- 
000 militia to serve for nine months. On the 
9th of the same month general orders were 
promulgated by the War Department, assign- 
ing the quotas of the several Slates, that of 
Michigati being 11,G8G, same as under the last 
call. 



" Special instructions of a later date directed 
that if volunteers for old and new regiments 
mustered from July 2d exceeded the number 
called for (11,086) the excess might be deducted 
from the number drafted. 

"Accepting the exigency, the Governor 
issued his proclamation to the proper civil 
officers of each township and ward to make a 
complete census of the citizens of proper age 
and forward returns to the county clerks of 
their respective counties on or before the 10th of 
September following. This new demand upon 
the resources and patriotism of the people was 
assented to with great unanimity, and its 
pro)iriety and necessity generally accepted, 
but the desire was to obviate a draft, and 
strong efforts were being put forth to furnish 
the quota in volunteers." 

As an encouragement, large local bounties 
were offered, and the most sti-enuous and effec- 
tive measures were adopted and continued by 
most of the townships and wards to furnish the 
men required of them without recourse to a 
draft. 

For the I'ccord of the regiments furnished by 
the State of Michigan, embracing only the 
officers and soldiers of Monroe county, the 
reader is referred to further details under their 
ap]}ropriate heads. 

lleni-y H. Crapo, the eleventh governor of 
the State, was born in Dartmouth, Massachu- 
setts, Ma}' 24. 1801 ; resided for many years in 
New Bedford, from which jilace he removed to 
Michigan in 1857; became extensively engaged 
in the manufacture and sale of lumber; was 
for a time mayor of Flint, where he. resided ; 
served in the State Senate; was twice elected 
governor of the State, in 1864 and 18G(), jjcr- 
forming important services during the progress 
of the Rebellion. He served as executive with 
great ability until January' 1, 1869. Died in 
Flint, July 23, 1869. 

His successor as governor of the State was 
Henry P. Baldwin, of Detroit, who, though 
occupying the position of a private citizen 
throughout the war, rendered very valuable 
service in the cause of the Union, being promi- 
nent in the State among its strongest suji- 
porters both in counsel and in i^ecuniary aiil, 
and ever ready when occasion offered to stand 
by his country and uphold her glorious flag. 
He was born at Coventry, Rhode Island, Feb- 
ruary 22, 1814; received a common school edu- 



STATK ADMINISTRATIONS. 



387 



cation I'dIIduciI liy a loiii'si' in a New Hiii^laini 
acadoni}', bccaiiK^ a moruliaiiLs clerk ami oon- 
tiiiuod as sucli until ho attained his majority; 
was in business in Woonsocket, Rhode Island ; 
removed to Detroit, Michigan, in 1888, and 
immediately identified liimsclf with the Prot- 
estant lipiscopal church, in which he has ever 
been one of its most influential and esteemed 
members; has ever been a prominent ollicial 
and safe advisor and coansek)r in mattei's per- 
taining to the prosperity of the church of iii.s 
choice, and borne more than his share in its 
labors and burdens. By diligence and close 
attention to business has acquired a largo 
estate. At the close of the War of the Rebel- 
lion the State treasury was empty — the out- 
going Stale treasurer had made way witii ail 
the available means in his hands. John Owen, 
I lie newly elcctefl State treasurer, aided by 
oilier patriotic citizens, of whom Governor 
Baldwin was one, obtained upon their personal 
responsibility the means necessary to save the 
credit and meet the wants of the State. lie 
was one of the original stockholders of the 
Second National Bank of Detroit, was elected 
its president and has continued to fill that posi- 
tion from its first organization, and under the 
new organization up to the pre.sent time. lie 
was elected governor in 1868 and re-elected in 
1870, holding the office until January 1, 1878. 

During his terms he made a very honorable 
record, and great advances were made in the 
establishment and jirogrcss of our State chari- 
ties ; was the father of the State Public Schools 
for Dependent Children, a new departure and 
a model liighly appreciated ; organized a com- 
mission to supervise the State institutions: 
recommended the establishment of the Hastern 
Insane Asylum, the State Board of Ileallh and 
the State House of (Correction; projected ami 
secured the building of the new State capitol 
at Lansing; appointed the building commis- 
sion that carried it forward to completion. 

lie was a member of the Republican Na- 
tional convention in 187C ; in 1879, at the death 
of the Hini Zachariah Chandler, the veteran 
Senator fi-om Michigan, (rovernor Baldwin was 
appointed to serve through the unexpired term, 
making for himselfa successful and honorable 
record ; was in 1880 and 1881 chairman of the 
Michigan Republican Central Committee. He 
has during a long and useful life earned, and 
i-i i-iclil}- entitled to, the character of a Chris- 



tian gentleman, a desii'ahle friend, a IioumIcdiis 
giver, a true patriot, who.se li(e is consistent, 
and whose example is as valuable as his bencli- 
cencc. 

John J. Bagloy was born at Jledina, Orleans 
county. New York, July 24, 1882; came to 
Detroit in 1848 at the ageof si.xtecn and entered 
into the employ of Mr. Miller, a tobacconist. 
Becoming familiar with the business ho soon 
took the road as a traveling solicitor and made 
extensive acquaintances, and was soon known 
through the State as a tliorough business man 
of pleasant manners, correct habits, and good 
observer of men. When he attained his major- 
itj-, with the assistance of friends commenced 
in Detroit on his own account and soon built 
up a business that in a few years became one 
of the leading establishnionts in the Northwest, 
and eventually became one of the foremost in 
America. During his leisure hours he utilized 
his time in storing his mind with useful knowl- 
edge ; was a great reader and well informed, 
and became one of the leading spirits in the 
Detroit Young Men's Society', giving him access 
to the e.xtensive library, which was his favorite 
resort. He took a lively interest in the organ 
ization of the Republican party. Tlie honor of 
being elected a member of the Detroit board of 
education was conferred upon him, j-et until 
ho was elected governor never hehl an office 
that had the semblance of profit in it, and that 
office in Michigan involved great pecuniary 
burdens. In IStJO he took a very active part, 
and also when the war came on. He was lib- 
ei'al with his money and jiersonal exertions in 
sustaining the Government and contributing to 
the comfort of the troops, the sick and wounded, 
and was ever a welcome visitor to the eam])s 
and hospitals. 

In 1872 he succeeded (ioveriior Baldwin as 
chief magistrate of the State, and was in 1874 
re-elected to the same position. The improve- 
ment of the penal and charitable institutions 
was, it may with propriety bo said, a great 
hobby with him. His administration was in 
all respects creditable, and he lelt tlic jjublic 
service with the respect of the people and a 
well-earned reputation for his honest, humane 
methods of administering charitable and jicnal 
institutions. 

The confinement in public duties, added to 
his large business enterprises, wore uj)on his 
constitution, and in 1880 he retired from active 



388 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



business and soiiiflit roliof in tnivcl, and in liio 
Sjiring of 1881 diud in California. A tribute to 
his nicmoi'y in a large nionumenlai fountain as 
a large-hearted and enterprising forwarder of 
municipal and State interest was erected in 
1888 on the Campus Martins in the city of 
Detroit. 

I'liarle.s M. Croswell was born at Ncwburg, 
Oratjgc county, New York. When seven years 
of age, his father, mother and sister died, leav- 
ing him tiie only surviving member of the 
family witliout fortune or means. With an 
uncle lie emigrated to Adrian, Michigan. At 
the age of sixteen commenced learning the 
trade of a carpenter and worked at it diligently 
four years. In 184(5 ho studied law, and was 
ajipointed dci)utv clerk of the county of Lena- 
woe. After serving in this capacity' four years 
was elected registei' of deeds in 1850, and re- 
elected in 1852. In 185-1 took part in the 
formation of the Kopublican party, and \\ as a 
member of the convention at Jackson that put 
in nomination the first Republican State ticket. 
In 1855 ho formed a law copartnership with 
Judge Cooley, which continued until the re- 
moval of Judge Cooley to Ann Arbor. He 
was appointed city attorney of Adrian in 1862 
and was soon after elected maj'or of the city, 
and in the fall of the same year was elected to 
represent Lenawee county in the State senate. 
He was complimented with the appointment as 
chairman of the judiciary committee. He was 
re-elected to the senate in 1864 and again in 
18615. In 1867 was elected a member of the 
constitutional convention and chosen its pre- 
siding otficer. In 1868 was an elector on the 
Uepubliean presidential ticket. In 1872 was 
elected a representative from Lenawee county 
to the State legislature and chosen speaker. 

In 1876 was elected governor of the State of 
Michigan. He alwaj's felt a deejj interest in 
educational matters, and was for many years a 
member and secretary of the board of educa- 
tion in Adrian ; was also for several years sec- 
retary of the State board for the general super- 
vision of the charitable and j)enal institutions 
of Michigan, in which position and during his 
adminisiration as governor his care for the 
amelioration of the condition of the unfortu- 
nate and the reformation of the criminal classes 
signalized the benevolence of his nature and 
the practical character of his mind. He was a 
popular speaker, and many of his addresses 



attracted favorable notice in the public prints 
and are of jiormanent value. His career as 
governor was marked with the same qualities 
of head and heart that had ever distinguished 
him. 

l)avid H. Jerome, the tiltecnth governor of 
the State of Michigan, was born in November, 
1829, at Detroit. At the death of his father, 
wliicii occurred when he was ain infant, his 
motlier removed io and settled in St. Clair 
county, vvhere Mr. Jerome was educated. In 
185:5 ho went to California and located there a 
claim which proved to be worth millions of 
dollars. He projecti'd the tunnel and con- 
structed it for six hundred feet in the moun- 
tain towards the mine. In 1854 he settled in 
Saginavv and engaged in mercantile pursuits. 
In 18(52 he was appointed by Governor Elair 
and authorized to raise the regiment ai)poi'- 
tionod to the Sixth Congressional District, 
and was commissioned commandant, with the 
rank of colonel, to prepare the regiment for the 
liold. This regiment, the Twenty-Third, won 
a splendid record in the service. During 1865 
and 1866 he was military aid to Governor 
Crapo, and in 1865 was appointed a member 
of the State Military Board, of which he con- 
tinued a member and president until 1873. 
In 1862 was elected to the State senate and 
served therein six years. During his entire 
senatorial service he was chairman of the com- 
mittee on State affairs, and was influential in 
shaping the policy of all the imj)ortant legis- 
lative acts made necessary by the war. He 
never exchanged votes to obtain aid in his 
local bills, but treated all bills alike and loft his 
own to be considered on their merits. He 
helped to secure and was largely instrumental 
in the passage of the bill creating the soldiers' 
home at Harper's Hospital in Detroit. His 
rare qualifications as a legislator, so usefully 
and honorably exercised in tiie Senate, doubt- 
less led to his appointment in 1863 as one of 
the commissionei's to prepare a new State con- 
stitution. He is president of the Saginaw Val- 
ley and St. Louis Eailroad and of the Saginaw 
Street Railway Company, a member of the 
Board of Indian Commissioners, and trustee of 
the Michigan Military Academy. 

Josiah W. Begole, the sixteenth governor of 
Michigan, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, 
January 20, 1815 ; removed with his father's 
family to Geneseo, New York, accompanied by 



STATE ADMINISTRATIONS. 



389 



a miinber of tlicir forinor shivos. lie received 
an academic education at the Teni|)lf llill 
Academy, (lencsco. In August, 1S30, he emi- 
gi-ated to Genesee county, Michigan, settled in 
liie flourisliing city of Flint, at tiiat lime con- 
taining but four houses, and j-ct his residence. 
I)ui-ing the winter of 1887 and 1838 he taught 
sciiool. In 1839 commenced work on a new 
and unimproved farm, was successful and soon 
accumulated a farm of five hundred acres. lie 
enjoyed the confidence of the people, and was 
elected to various town offices, and in 18.")0 was 
elected county treasurer, and held the oflico 
four successive terms. At the breaking out of 
the war in 18G1, took an active part in recruiting, 
furnishing supplies for the armj-, and in look- 
ing after the interests of the soldiers' families. 
Lost his oldest .son by a Federal bullet near 
Atlanta in 1864. In 1871 was elected State 
.senator, where he served on the various im- 
portant committees, draltctl the hill for the re- 
moval of the capitol to Lansing; was a dele- 
gate to the National Kepublican Conven- 
tion held at Philadelphia in 1872; during same 
year was elected a representative from Michi- 
gan to the Forty-Third Congress; was elected 
governor of the State in 1882. 

Russell A. Alger was born in Ohio February 
27, 183G. His parents died when he was eleven 
years old, and the ne.xt seven years he worked 
on 'a farm, attending school at Richfield Acad- 
cm}' in tlie winters. He then entered a law 
olfice, and in 1850 was admitted to the bar. 
Ill health caused him to relinquish bis profes- 
sion, and in 18G1 he engaged in the lumber 
business in Grand Rajjid.s, but the call to arms 
led him to enlist in the Second Michigan Cav- 
alry. The next year he was wounded at the 
battle of Hooneville, Mississip])!, and soon after 
was promoted to be major of the regiment. 
October 10, 18G2, he was appointed lieutenant- 
colonel of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, and on 
.Tunc 2, 18G3, colonel of the Fiftii Michigan 
Cavalry, his regiment being a part of Custer's 
lamous cavalry brigade. July G, 18G3, he was 
Wfmndcd at the battle of Boonsborough, Mary- 
land. He was engaged in sixtj'-six battles and 
skirmishes. lie was brevctted brigadier-gen- 
eral and major-general " for gallant and mer- 
itorious services in the fielil." In ls(i.") tiu' 
general I'emoved to Detroit and engaged ex- 
tcnsivelj' in the lumber business, and is now 
one of the largest lumber operators in the State 



of Michigan, and is also interested in man}- 
other business enterprises. Getieral Alger was 
nominated for the olfice of Governor by the 
Republican partj' at the State convention held 
at Detroit August 14, 1884, and was elected for 
the term of two years from January 1, 18S5. 

The details of the Alger administration in 
Michigan would bo but a rei)etition of State 
records, and is yet fresh in the minds of the 
])eople. Those that may have formed an opin- 
ion that because of his wealth and well earned 
prominence he is not approachable, are mis- 
taken. He is peculiai'l}^ free from those evi- 
dences of false i)ride and petty weaknes.ses 
which too often mar the character of men who 
have ri.sen from the ranks to the possession 
of power and influence. As governor this 
marked and amiable trait of character was one 
of tlic first to attract attention and elicit ap- 
probation. One of his first oi-ders, simple in 
itself and extra official, serves well to illustrate 
this characteristic. As he seated himself in 
the gubernatorial chair his observant ej-e 
noted the grooves in either sideof the imposing 
doorwaj's. 

"What are those fi)r'.''" he inquired of his 
secretary. 

" Barriers." 
. "Barriers'? What do you mean?" 

'• Bars, to put u]) when the doors are open 
to ]ir(!vent people from intruding." 

" -Are those the barsover there in the cornei-'? " 

"Those are the bari'iers.'' 

" Made of jiine, are they not'?" 

" Yes, sir.'' 

" The\' w(ju1iI burn well?" 

" First rale.'' 

" Well, just send them down and have them 
fed into the furnace when needed. We have 
no use for barriers here. I am not barring out 
the people who made me governor, and when 
they call 1 want to see them." 

One of the chief aims of Alger's administra- 
tion was to secure the a|)plication of business 
principles to the management of public insti- 
tutions. To this end and with marvelous 
rapidity of comprelu'iision ho went through, 
mastering their details, detecting leaks ami 
flaws, pointing out remedies and suggesting 
changes, with a result that will be felt lor the 
good of these institutions throughout years to 
come. To him was largely due the adoi)tion 
of the colUigc system in caring for the insane. 



390 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



General Alger possesses the bigh and rare 
requisites which comprehend the necessities of 
a peojile, as well as the most direct, efficient 
and business-like way of securing them. Those 
who know him best pronounce this power little 
short of intuition, and concede to the man who 
could accumulate millions in a few years an 
executive ability rarely surpassed. One marked 
characteristicof the governor is worthy of men- 
tion. His gifts go with an impulsive response 
to the appeals of hunger, nakedness and suflFer- 
ing as they confront him in the daily walks of 
life — liis generosity is unstinted. He meets a 
siiivcring newsboy on his way from his palatial 
residence to his office. Forthwith a carte 
i/rtnc/te order is given to fit these little mer- 
chants who need it with suits and overcoats, 
and that practical charity has been repeated 
by the man, whose heart may have been moved 
us he looked back through the lapse of years 
and saw a little lad bravely fighting back the 
waves of povertj' as they beat against the door 
of the home when he was the sole dependence 
thei'e. Thousandsof his money havegono todes- 
titutc families in the city to supply flour, coal, 
wood and such other relief as the kindest con- 
sideration for the suffering might sugge.st. 
It is worthy of note that in such extended and 
numerous business transactions he has never, 
sued a man or been sued. As a proof of the 
estimate in which he was held by the people 
of Michigan, when lie voluntarily surrendered 
the governorship at the end of one term his 
name was urged lor the highest political gift 



of the nation ; it was one of the most prominent 
before the Chicago convention that nominated 
General Harrison. 

Cj'rus Graj' Luce, successor of Kussell A. 
Alger, was born in Windsor, Ashtabula count}-, 
Ohio, July 2, 1824. In 1836 he removed with 
his parents to vSteuben county , Indiana, endured 
the liardships incident to the pioneer life of 
that period, attended school winters in the 
proverbial log school house, and subsequently 
was a student for three years at the collegiate 
institute at Ontario, Indiana. From the age 
of seventeen to twenty-four he worked at card- 
ing wool and dressing cloth. In 1848 he was 
nominated for a member of the House bj' the 
Whigs of the representative district composed 
of the counties of Dekalb and Steuben, but was 
defeated by eleven majority. In 1849 he mar- 
ried and settled on a farm in the township of 
Gilead, Branch county, Michigan, where he 
still resides. He has been a member of the 
board of supervisors eleven years; represen- 
tative in the legislature one term. State sena- 
tor two terms, a member of the constitutional 
convention in 1867, and State oil inspector 
three years and a half He received the nom- 
ination for governor by the Eepublican party 
at Grand Rapids August 26, 1886, and was 
elected November 2, 1886, by a vote of 181,474, 
his chief opjionent, George L. Yaple, receiv- 
ing 174,042 votes, and Samuel Dickie, Pro- 
hibitionist, 25,179; was re-elected in Novem- 
ber, 1888, and is now discharging the duties 
thereof. 




HENRY DURElL, MOSES NADEAU, STEPH EN DUSSEAU. JOSEPH C N ADEAU, 
No 3 Bow and Caotain Stroke No 2. 



CIIArTEU XXTX. 



AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN f>l'' TIIK RIVICR RAISIN. 



IX l,S(;i) tlio bout cluhsof tlie Nortliwesl or- 
i^anizeil the Xortliwostern Ainiiteur liow- 
iiig Association. ToIchIo, Detroit, tiie Sagi- 
naws, Milwaukee, and Ki-ic, Penns3'ivania, were 
represented in the rtssoeiution by regular organ- 
ized clubs, thoroughly equipped with racing 
boats, and all backed up by an enthusiastic 
following from their respective towns. At 
that time there were plenty of j-oung men in 
Monroe aijuaticly inclined, but such a thing as 
a racing shell had never been seen on the 
liaisin, and the nearest approach to a racing 
boat was a lap-streak boat about twenty feet 
long, the "Kate Johnston," built bj' John 
Oades, now of Detroit, and formcrl}' owned by 
Kate Johnston, the " Queen of the Thousand 
Islands," and had been used by her in 183S in 
carrying provisions to her father, William 
Johnston, who was a sworn enemy of Canada, 
a hero of the Patriot War, for whose captui-c 
a rewartl of S200 and 8500 was offered by 
the governments of Canada and the United 
States, because be and his followers had cap- 
tured and burned the Canadian steamer, Sir 
Jiobert Peel. This boat had been presented 
to J. M. Sterling, her Michigan correspondent, 
during the time of the Canadian trouble, and 
preserved as a memento by him to the present 
time. A number of young men obtained the 
boat ol' him and bad her fitted out as a double 
scull, and under the name of the "Independent 
Boat Club of Monroe," entered the old boat 
against the modern racers at the first regatta 
of the Northwestern Amateur Rowing Asso- 
ciation, at Toledo, Ohio, July 8, 1809, with 
William C. Sterling and William Calhoun as 
the crew. All the boatmen of Monroe at once 
commenced to take an interest in boat racing, 
and the 8th of July found Monroe well repre- 
sented and all talking bout and enthusiastic on 
the subject, and although the Independents did 
not carry off the pi'i/o, ^-ol they made such a 
good showing that all c^ame home coiivincod 

[31 



that the Moni'oc boys, with a modern bout and 
outfit, would lake a leading position in ui|Mulic 
sports. 

The interest in boating increased the follow- 
ing season, and in February, 1871, the Floral 
City Boat Club was organized, an<l they pur- 
chased their first boat, a six oared lap streak, 
the" Atlanta," and fitted upa club room in the 
Stoildard building. 

In 187.'3, with the assistance? of the newly- 
formed club, the Amateurs, two local regattas 
wen; held, the great attraction in each being 
the races between the "Atlanta" of the Florals 
and the new boat of the Amateurs, the" T. N. 
Perkins,' a four-oared lap-streak. The " Per- 
kins " carried off the honors in liolh regattas, 
and from that time on was always able to hold 
tlu! flag as the fastest boat of her class on the 
Ivaisin. 

1 n Jaiuiuiy, 1S74, tiie (-lub moved into the 
rooms over Dansard's bank. They were hand- 
somely frescoed and tastefully fui-nisbed. In 
May they purchased the four-oared paper cox- 
swain shell, " Horace T. Conant," and as .soon 
as it was warm enough all the 3'oung men 
about town^'cnt into training. Cigars and to- 
bacco were put aside until "after the regatta," 
and there was a constant compari.son and meas- 
uring of biceps, and strife among the boys for 
the honor of being one who should be counted 
worthy to be in the racing crew, and the fine 
points, staying qualities and pluck of the pros- 
poclivo crew were discussed on all sides. The 
Ijoating craze took possession of the whf)le 
population, and everyone under fbrty-fivo had 
to row, be able to talk boatand regatta fluently 
or be set down as an old fogy. 

July 22, 1874, found the Floral City crew at 
the Northwestern at Toledo, ready to con- 
test for the prize for junior four-oared shells, an 
enthusiastic following, including many of the 
belles of Monroe, all wearing the colors of the 
['Morals. They carried off the honors in that 



302 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



contest, and that victory gave a great impetut^ 
to aquatic sports in Monroe. 

The Fhiral Cit}' club sent a four-oared crew 
to the Watkins association races i)i 1878 to 
contest for the championship of America, the 
winning crew to bo sent, at the expense of the 
association, to Enghmd and France to contest 
with the best crews there for the championship 
of the world. They made a good showing in 
the first heat, but the Sho-wae-cae-raettes with 
their " get thar "' stroke, as they called it, were 
too fast for tiiem and won the heat. 

In 1S77 thej- purchased a six-oared cedar 
slicll in Detroit; sent two six-oarod shell crews 
to tlio Nortliwostern in this boat, and both 
times tlicir boat was disabled and they were 
unable to finish. 

The}' also sent a crew to the great regatta 
held at Saratoga by the JSIational Association in 
1879, and have been represented in the North- 
western Amateur Rowing Association since 
1876 by J. C. »Sterling, who is now a member 
of the executive board and has held the office of 
president, secretary and treasurer. Hon. H. A. 
Conant was secretary and treasurer in 1877, 
and Alexander Grant was for several years a 
member of the board. 

A great many amateur theatricals wore given 
by the Florals for the jmrpose of raising funds 
to purchase boats, and were successful in every 
way. The Florals had about two thousand 
tlollars invested in racing boats. In 1880 their 
boat house was blown over by a cyclone. 
Theirboats were then stored in a warehouse at 
the dock, and all destroyed in the groat fire of 
1883. 

Honors won at regattas of the Northwestern 
Amateur Rowing Association by Floral City 
Boat Club : 

Toledo, Ohio, July 22 and 23, 1874— Junior 
four-oared shells; five entries; crew, VV. C. 
Sterling (stroke), J. C. Sterling (Xo. 2), A. R. 
Wing (No. 3), C. Kasselman (bow); W. P. 
Sterling (coxswain); distance, three miles: 
time, 22:14!. 

Toledo, Ohio, July 4, .5 and 0, 1.S7G— Junior 
four-oared shells; seven entries ; crew, Chai-les 
Iloyt (stroke), J. F. (Irant (No. 2), George S. 
Wiiletts (No. 3), W. P. Sterling (bow) ; dis- 
tance, three miles; time, 20:22. 

Detroit, August 17 and 18, 1877 — Junior 
ibur-oared shells; six entries; crow, F. G. 
JUilkley (.stroke), G. K. Bulkley (No. 2), Alex. 



Grant (No. 3), Oliver Johnson (bow) ; distance, 
three miles ; time, 19:48. In this race the 
Florals made the best time over made over a 
three-mile course by a junior four, 19:48, and 
this record has never been equaled or lowered. 
The shell, " Horace T. Conant," re-rigsred with- 
out coxswain, was used in the last two races. 
Junior Double Scull — Five entries ; crew, Joe 
C. Sterling (bow) and James F. Grant (stroke); 
distance, two miles; time, 16:31. 

The Amateur Boat Club was organizetl in 
August, 1872, and pui-chased thS four-oared 
coxswain lap-streak, " T. N. Perkins," of La 
Chapelle, of Detroit. The following year the)' 
jjurchased of the Detroit Boat Club a four- 
oared shell, and in 1874 a four-oared coxswain 
shell of Fl Waters & Sons, twenty-two inches 
by forty-three feet. These two shells they sold 
to the Sho-wae-cae-mettes,\vho refitted the last 
mentioned boat (after using it in one race at 
Toledo) without coxswain, and in this boat the 
"Sho'es" won all their victories. In 1875 the 
Amateurs obtained a new four-oarcd paper shell 
of Waters & Sons, tlie " Jennie E. Thompson," 
and H. W. Waldorf, vice president, presented the 
club with a fine single'shell, and with this boat, 
" George BoLsby, Jr.," the Amateurs at the 
regatta of the National Association, held at 
Newark, Now Jersey, won the junior single 
shell race. Distance, one and one-half miles 
straight away ; time, 9:40. This was the best 
time ever made in that class up to that time. 
Frank Sterling trained a crew in the " T. N. 
Perkins," which was called the "French Crew," 
and for several years were the champion barge 
crew of the Raisin and also a crew that prom- 
ised to rival the celebrated " Sho'es." They 
were entered in the six-oared shell race at 
Detroit in 1879, and in the race out-rowed all 
contesting crews, coming in far ahead of them 
all, but wore not awarded the race on account 
of having turned the stake the wrong way. 

The Babes in the Woods organized in June, 
1873. Their only club boat was an old-fash- 
ioned hi])-strcak single scull, the " Medora," 
twenty iuchcs by thirty feet, formerly owned 
by W. 1). Morton, of Detroit, and presented by 
him to J. C. and W. C. Sterling, who fitted her 
out as a double scull, and was again refitted by 
the Babes for a four-oared lap-streak. In the 
first regatta given by the River Raisin Navy 
Sci)tcmber 2, 1874, the ]5abcs in the Woods 
in the " Medora," witii a crew composed of 



AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN. 



3i».'i 



Norman Perkins (stroke), A. V. Diftoiibiiugli 
(No. 2), W. Waldorf (No. 3), and \V. P. Ster- 
ling (bow), defeated the Floral's " Atlanta " and 
.Vniateurs' '■ Perkins" with their best crews in 
a race of three-quarters of a mile and return. 
Time, 9:57^. The Babes were finally consoli- 
dated with the Amateurs. 

The Sho-wae-cae-mettes (the Indian for 
" lijihtniug on the water ")Boat Club was form- 
ed in August, 1874, and commenced to row in 
the old (our-oared cedar shell, " Lunetta," and 
in 1875 they purchased of the Amateurs a four- 
oared paper coxswain shell, the " Chas. G. 
Morris," and commenced to train for the com- 
ing regatta of the Northwestern Amateur 
Rowing Association at Toledo in August, with 
George Bolsb}-, jr. (bo.*), Joe Nadeau (No. 2), 
Moses Nadeau (No. 3), Steve Dus^seau (stroke), 
and Lewis Godfrey (co.xswain). Shortly' be- 
fore the regatta Joseph Nadeau was taken 
sick and Anthonj- Schaub was put in his place. 
Although the " Sho'es" and Floral City's were 
the only crews in the race with co.xswains, yet 
the " Sho'es "' carried off the prize in the junior 
four easily*. There were nine entries in the 
race, and the best crews in the association were 
represented. The " Chas. G. Morri-V was rc- 
rigged as a four-oared shell (without co.xswain), 
and was used bj" them in all their great contests. 
The space allotted in thi.9 book is too small to 
give any account of the numerous aquatic 
honors (except the Watkins and Henley races 
hereafter mentioned) carried off by the Sho- 
wae-cae-mettes. But the following list of 
honors won by them in the regattas of the 
Northwestern Amateur Rowing Association 
ami the National Association of Amateui' Oars- 
men, without mentioning the numerous races 
won at home and at regattas held by clubs in 
different parts of the country, will give the 
reader .some idea of the position they held and 
maintained in aquatic circles before going to 
England. The crews were composed as follows : 
In 1876, George Bolsby (bow), Joe Nadeau 
(No. 2), Moses Nadeau (No. 3), Steve Dusseau 
(stroke); 1877, Moses Nadeau (bow), Joe 
Nadeau (No. 2), H. Durell (No. 3), Steve Dus- 
seau (stroke) ; 1878, same crew as in 1877. 

The following is a list of races won at re- 
gattas of the Northwestern Amateur Rowing 
Association by the Sho-wae-cae-mettes : 

Toledo, Ohio, 1875 -Junior f<>ur-oarcd shells; 
nine entries; distance three miles; time, 20;48. 



Toledo, Ohio, 1S7{!— Senior four-oared shells; 
six entries; distance, three miles; time, 18:25. 
Open to all four-oared shell race — Four entries; 
distance, three miles; time, 18:30]^. 

Detroit, Michigan, 1877- Senior four-oared 
shells ; four entries ; distance, three miles ; 
time, 18:37i Junior single sculLs — Fleven en- 
tries ; Moses Nadeau ; distance, two miles ; time, 
17-38. 

Prizes won at regattas of the National Asso- 
ciation : 

Detroit, 1877 — Four oars; "Detroit Boat 
Club Cup;" time, 18:4G ; distance one and one 
half miles and return. 

Watkins, 1878 — Same prize and distance; 
time, 18;44i. 

The " Detroit Boat Club Cup " was a chal- 
lenge prize, and in 1879 the Detroit's changed 
the race from a foui--oared to a six-oared shell 
race. 

On May 24, 1878, the Sho-wae-cae-mettes and 
Floral City crew s left Monroe for Watkins. New- 
York, to contest in theWatkinsrcsrattato be held 
on Seneca Lake on the 28th. The winners of 
the test race were to be sent to England and 
France at the expense of the Watkins associa- 
tion. The "Shoes'' were also to contest for 
the challenge cup of the National Association. 

Notwilhslanding the objections iutcrposod 
by the Atalantas, the Watkins regatta com- 
mittee decided to adhere to their programme, 
and have the test races rowed in hi;ats. For 
this race there had been originally nine en- 
tries, but two of the crews, viz., the Emeralds 
of Saginaw and the Eurekas of Newark, fail- 
ing to put in an appearance, the remaining 
seven drew for position. The result was that 
the Atalantas, Carmans and North westerns 
were to contest the first heat; and the Sho- 
wae cae-mettes, Florals, Watkins and Zephyi-s 
the second. Our space limits us to a detailed 
description of the races participated in by- 
Monroe clubs. 

Sufiice it to say that the first heat was won 
by the Atalantiis in gallant style in the re- 
markable time of 7:22. The following descrip- 
tion of the second heat is taken from the New 
York Times and is accurate in every detail : 

" The water bj' this time was as smooth as 
could bo desired, and as the three crews— the 
Zephyrs went home this noon — pulled to their 
buo^-s, it was evident they were in for a 
beautiful race. Inshore lay the Sho-wae-cae- 



394 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



incttes, svvurtli}', wiry, and eluil in gaudy rac- 
ing costumes of red, whiti? ami blue. Moso 
Nadeau was in tlie 1>()W, and willi iiim wei'c J. 
Nadeau, \V. 11. Dnrell, and 8. Dusseau. The 
Floral ('ity'.s, from tlie same town as the in- 
shore crew, were No 2. 'I'hey \\ ere dres.sed in 
red from head to toot, and were easily dislin- 
guishahle in the twilight. At the outer huoy 
lay tlie Watkins ei'ew, full ol' hope and |)Iuck. 

'•At 7:45 the woi-<l 'go ' was given hy Ci)urt- 
iic\', and the crews wei'c off. They made u 
pretty start, the h'loral City's getting off a trifle 
the <|uiid<est. l'"or the first quarter the}' kept 
well togi'lher and all pulled a stroke of forty ; 
then the Sho-waecae-mcttes hugged the bank, 
and tiie Watkins men kept well out. Tlie 
Floral ("Iiy's kept a straight coui'se and gained 
a. lead i)t about a length. ()p])Osite the powder 
house, marking the half mile, Nadeau gave one 
of his peculiar yells, resembling a sharp bark. 
Dusseau responded willi a stroke of forty-four, 
and the big boat of the Sho-wac-cae-niettes 
went spinning to the front. The Floral City's 
quickened to forty-two. bul at the last quarter 
both their competitors were leading them. On 
the outside the Watkins men were pulling rag- 
gedly a stroke of thirty-four, and ap]ieared 
gone, but the}- someliow managed to hold their 
own, and it was only after anotlicr yell from 
Nadeau that his men made the effort that sent 
them over the line winners in 7:3G^, bj- three- 
quarters of a length. Tlie Floral City's were 
third, by two lengths. The Sho-wae-cae-mcttes 
were as fresh as daisies after the race, antl 
pulled out into the lake to cheer their pluclcy 
opjjonents. " 

Now came the tug of war. Which crew 
should represent America at Henley, Sho-wae- 
cae-metles or Atalantas'? Both crevvs were 
determined and both confident, and the greatest 
aquatic struu'gle that ever took place was at 
hand. Owing to the fact that the water of 
Seneca Lake was invariably rough after ten 
A. M., it was decided by Mr. Courtney to hold 
the final heat at half-|.)ast five Saturday morn- 
ing. The time di-evv near and everything was 
auspicious: as the signal gun boomed out the 
boats took their position. With no loss of time 
the word was given and the boys bent to their 
oars, Atalanta pulling thirty-five and Sho- 
wae-cae-mettes forty. No decided advantage 
was gained by either crew, the Atalantas bend- 
ing their broad backs to the work as they 



never had done before ; the Slio wae-cae-mcttes 
working witii a will, and watching their oppo- 
nents as a cat watches a mouse. 

Half the course passed and neither crew has 
gained a foot of advantage. 

The numerous friends of the New York crew 
shout wildly from the judges' boat, leaningout 
over the rail, while the Sho- wae-cae-mettos 
labor without a word of encouragement. Fi- 
nal Ij^ the grand stand is neared, the boats are 
still neck and neck, suddenly froui the shore 
the Monroe boys give shouts that echo back 
from the opposite hills — those w'ho have voices 
left, shout encoui'agement, entreaties, throats: 
" Pick her u]i, Steve !" "Joe!'' "Mose, ))ut her 
on, old bo}- ! " '' Sho-wae-cae-mcttes I " Those 
who have lost their voices in (lie pievious 
race, blow fish horns, and the whole crowd run 
along the bank, tumbling over the ro(dvs and 
bushes and behaving like mad men. Hall' way 
past the grand stand the boats arc still abreast. 
As the shouts reach the" Shoes," they straighten 
to their w^ork and pulling forty seven strokes, 
fairly leap their shell out of the water. Ata- 
lanta may give up the ghost now, as far as this 
race is concerned; the pluck-y Monroe boys 
walk ijust them like a flash, and cross the line 
fully a length ahead. Time, 7:17. 

Reaching the shore the victors are faiidy 
dragged from their boat by their enthusiastic 
friends, and the w-onder is that they are not 
torn limb from limb in their exuberant joy. 

Having won this race the Sho-wae-cae mettes 
have won the greatest distinction attainable by 
any boat crew in America. If they win at 
Henley, they will have reached a pinnacle be- 
yond which no oarsmen in the world can go. 

The three-mile race for the National Chal- 
lenge cup, which the Sho-wae-cae-raettes held 
last year, and additional heavy gold badges 
offeretl by the Watkins people, took place at 
about ten o'ch^ck Saturday morning. The 
Watkins crew were tired, the Atalantas dis- 
gusted, the Carman and Zeph3r crews had gone 
home, and at the call foi- the boats three only 
drew up to the line. 

All Western crews, all Michigan crews, and 
two of them Monroe crews : The " Sho'es," the 
Florals and the North westerns.- This race was 
to be a mile and a half and return. The North- 
westerns in thcii- uniforms of white, had the 
outside buoj- ; the Sho wae-cae-mettes, who 
showed no signs of fatigue after their hard 



AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OK THE RIVER RAISIN. 



30- 



strugjflo in the iiKiriiiiig, hail the middle posi- 
tion, and the Florals tho inside. 

At ihe word go the twelve oiirs struck the 
watei- simultaneously, the PMorals taking a 
slight lead, Sho-wae-cae-mettes second and the 
Northwcsterns last. For half a mile the Florals 
gradually forged ahead and at the end of that 
distance had a lead ofacleai- length and a half, 
pullinga stroke of forty to the minute. The 
Sho-waccae mette and Northwestern crews 
pulled nearly abreast, it being evident that the 
former were holding their strengtii in reserve, 
while the latter crew was pulling as hard as 
the}- knew how. Occasionally the Sho wae- 
cae-mcttes amused themselves by leading the 
Saginaw men a length, and then cheering them 
vociferously as they spurted to regain their lost 
advantage. At the mile buo3-8 the Florals still 
held their lead, pulling regularly and in good 
style, while the Sho-wae-cac-niettes toyed with 
the tai'dy Northwesterns, showing that they 
were not by any means doing their best. 
When within an eighth of a mile of the turn, 
the sinewy Sho'cs with a good spurt pushed 
past the Florals, and turned the slake and 
started for home just as the Florals commenced 
to turn. The latter crew had just begun to 
straighten away on tho home stretch, starting 
off in good shape, and with lots of reserve 
strength for the finish, when a loud crack was 
heard, and one of the outriggers broke, the 
rods falling into the water of the lake. This 
of course throw them out of the race, very 
ranch to their disappointment, as they were 
capable of maintaining a good second position. 
The rest of the struggle lay with the North- 
westerns, who, though pulling pluckily, fell 
behind rapidly. As the Sho'es approached the 
■grand stand, being about ten lengths ahead, 
they ceased rowing, and waving their hands in 
the air, shouted cheers back to the men in 
■white. Finall}-, laying to their oars, the Mon- 
roe boys spurted to the end at a forty-five 
stroke, passing the line in 18:4G, with their 
opponents several lengths behind. This race 
concluded the programme of the regatta, and 
as the Sho-wae-cae-mettes reached the shore, 
they were met by the Watkins band, which 
escorted them to their boarding-house j)la\'ing 
a triumphal march. 

The Carman crew of Washington Heights 
paid the Florals, Sho-wae-cae-mettes and other 
crews the compliment of an instrumental sci'e- 



nadc. Just befoi'c tlicir dojiarliii-c. Tiiis club 
is composed of very fine, gentlonianl}- fellows, 
who gave ample proof of their ability to row a 
jilucky race. 

The Sho-wac-cac-mettc crew sailed. on tho 
Anchor Lino steamer "Aisatia" for England 
June -Ith, with E. 1). Price as manager, and 
John L. Ilutfman as substitute. A large dele- 
gation of boating men accompanioci them to 
the steamer to bid them farewell and wish 
them bon voyage. They landed at Southamp- 
ton. The London and Southampton Railroad 
Company placed a salon carriage at their ser- 
vice and conveyed them to Jiondon free of ex- 
pense. Tliey arrived at Jlenley June 2((tii. 
The following are cli])pings from lettei's of Mr. 
Price, describing the course, regatta, race, etc. 

"A path extends along the bank of the 
Thames from the start to tho finisli of tho ro 
gatta course, the stalling point being about a 
mile and five-sixteenths down the I'ivor from 
Jlcmenhara Island, a little strip of land u])on 
which stands a large white pagoda. For aiiout 
a mile the course is straight and then there is 
a sharp turn to the le(t. Tiiis is believed to 
make a serious difference in the position of the 
boats, and it is generally believed among oai-s- 
men and towns]ieo])le that the cre.v luck}- 
enough to draw the inner position numbering 
from the Berkshire side has an advantage of 
noarl}- twolengtlis over an opponent. Alter four 
o'clock in the afternoon hundreds of ])eople 
line this pathway all the way from start to 
.finish and the 'coaches,' mounted upon liorsc- 
back, gallop along the river's edge shouting 
out instructions to their crews while practic- 
ing. The ' coaches' are genei-ally professional 
watermen. Sadler, ex-champion of England, 
is here with the Jesus College crew of Cam- 
bridge. He is a tough-looking, broa<l-shoul- 
dei'cd, gi-ay-headed little man, and was a tol- 
erably good oarsman before he became old and 
' stale.' 

" At the east end of the bridge, on tho Berk- 
shire side, is a spacious and well-fitted boat 
house, owned by the Henley Ro^al Regatta 
Association, and set apart lor the exclusive 
use of crews entered for annual competition. 
Here may be found a vast number of eight and 
four oared shells and single sculls, and goner, 
all}' a large attendance of oarsmen attired in 
fanciful suits of bright-colored flannel. 

"H style alone wouhl win a b(xit race, the 



3<)6 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



oarsmen of England could never be beaten. 
Any prediction concerning the coming contest 
for the Stewards' Challenge Cup would be 
hazardous now, inasmuch as the decisive re- 
sult will he known in America before the 
arrival of this letter. I may say, however, 
that the preliminary work of the Sho-wae- 
cae-mettes inspires one with increased confi- 
dence in the superiority over any four now 
here, and the London crew is the only one to 
hear from. The bronzed cheeks and hardened 
muscles of the Michigan oarsmen are in marked 
contrast with the pale faces, while ai-nis and 
more aristocratic appearance of the English- 
men, especially the college fours. The English 
crews all pull in good form, and some of them 
dash off with a thirty eight or forty stroke, but 
they do not long maintain it. I think that 
some of the fours iiere, especially Jesus College 
and Kingston, can row a mile very fast, but I 
doubt whether they will stand the strain of a 
hard, desperate race from the start to the 
finish, such as the Sho-wae-cae mettes are sure 
to give them. As yet the Monroe crew have 
been disguising their work as much as possi- 
ble, never pulling above thirty-eight. On the 
Monday previous to the regatta, the time for 
making objections then havitig expired, they 
will let out a few stitches and perhaps com- 
mand more respect. Among themselves the 
English scoff at the idea of an American crew. 
When addressing an American, or aware that 
one is within ear.-ihot, they are vastly compli- 
mentary, and ' really 'ope that the Hamerieans 
will win, after coming so far, you know.' " 

"If the great American public imagine for 
an instant that their aquatic representatives 
did not come out of the struggle with credit 
they should be undeceived in that respect. 
The five men who toiled so stubbornly and 
desperately to maintain their national honor 
upon the Thames deserve no word of reproach, 
no feeling of ill-will. They came thousands of 
miles to face the best oarsmen of the United 
Kingdom, upon their own lavorite course, at 
the most important of the scores of regattas an- 
nually held in England ; they came handicap- 
ped by insufficient time for recuperation and 
preparation, and crippled bj- the insidious cli- 
matic intliicnees of ii strange countrj^ ; the}' 
won more than half the battle, and finally, 
when the coveted trophies of the victory were 
almost witiiin their grasp, they saw them 



snatched away, their di8:i])pointnicnt being 
embittered still more by the realization that 
accident was the cause of defeat. 

" The regatta was unquestionably a very in- 
teresting event, although but few of the races 
were closely contested. The attendance was 
large, and noted for the aristocratic character 
of its composition. My lord and my lady were 
to 1)0 seen upon every band ; the massive bridge 
and its approaches were packed with luxurious 
carriages, whose elegantly attired inmates 
sipped seductive beverages and discussed 
choice salads, served by liveried footmen ; the 
grand stand, resplendent with the royal arms 
and a profusion of showy flags, had a high- 
toned occupant for every upholstered seat; the 
lawn in front of the old Eed Lion was crowded, 
and the broad meadow upon the Bei-kshiro 
side, from start to finish of the course, 
was alive with people, chiefly of the middle 
classes, together with scores of the pictur- 
esquely clad boating men who raced along the 
water's edge, cheering on their respective 
crews during the contests. Interspersed with 
all these were mountebanks, Irish vocalists, 
Cockne}' minstrels with blackened faces, 
thrumming the banjo and trying to palm 
themselves off as negro singers; old women, 
men and boys peddling fruits, programmes 
and cigar lights; beguars beseeching for 
alms; beery laborers importuning for 'six- 
pence to drink j'our 'ealth, sir,' but with all 
these no disorder, no disturbance, nothing to 
mar the pleasure and success of the affair. 

" But it was upon the water that the most 
brilliant spectacle was presented. Anchored 
along the Bucks side of the stream were 
numerous little steam launches, gaily deco- 
rated with flags of all nations, including the 
Stars and Stripes, while the narrow Thames 
was literally covered with hundreds of pleasure 
boats, loaded with richly attired ladies and 
their escorts, shooting about in every direc- 
tion and literally obscuring the course, until 
one unfamiliar with the management of aff'aii's 
could scarcely believe that a race could be 
possible. But, fortunately, the management 
was characterized by a promptness and pre- 
cision entirely unknown in American regattas. 
In one corner of the grand stand was a 
carpeted division, furnished with desks and 
arm-chairs, set apart for the secretary and 
stewards. Here the veteran secretary, Charles 



AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN. 



397 



Towsow of .Mai'ifatu — wlio has liild liis office 
since tlie Henley Regatta Association was or- 
ganized, thirty nine years ago, and lias never 
missed a meeting — watclicd through a jjower- 
ful glass (or the start of each heat. When it 
was eflected he waved a red flag as a signal to 
a ilistaut gunner. The cannon sounded, and 
instantly, as if by magic, the mj-riad of small 
boats darted inshore and lelt the course clear. 
The care of the course was intrusted to Mr. 
Ijurd and liis Thames Conservancy men, who 
uei-e in small boats distinguished by red flags. 
They were clothed witii full authority by law, 
antl if the occupant ot a boat tailed to coniph 
with an oi-der to move out of the wa^- he was 
instantl} summoned and subjected toa])Ciialty 
of £5 or tlO. A second command is rai'ely 
needed. There are fifteen heats the first daj-, 
commencing at twelve o'clock sharp an<l 
'oceurring every half hour, and the programme 
was completed at 7:30 to a minute. The um- 
pire never waits a minute for a tardy com- 
petitor, and the crews, knowing that the rule 
is inflexible, are alwa^ s on time at the start- 
ing point. 

Height. 

Sloses Xadeau (bow) 6.06 

Josepli Nadeau (No. 2) 5.05 

Henry Durell (No. 3) ^5.07 

Stephen Dusseau (stroke) ..5.U 

" The Showae-cae-mettes, whose gallant ex- 
ploits in America had won for them the repu- 
tation of being a phenomenal crew, were not 
quite 80 unfortunate, although thoy came to 
grief cventuallj- Their peculiar rapid stroke 
is so tliametrically opposed to all the estab- 
lished English theories of rowing that it 
horrified every Englishman who witnessed it. 
For the first few days after arrival their chances 
of success were .scoffed at, although still later, 
when they came in day after day entirely 
fresh and had accomplished the course on a 
trial in 7;52, the natives began to entertain 
considerable resj)ect for them and wonder if 
there might not be something in the strange 
style alter all. From the first fortune seemed 
to frown upon the Michigan representatives. 
In the first trial heat for the Stewards' Chal- 
lenge Cup, the great event of the regatta, they 
were unlucky enough to draw the Bucks side, 
the very worst station, while their compatriots 
from ijolumbia College secured the coveted 
inside place. To make matters interesting the 



K'culhl. 

138 


Age. 


140 


23 


HO 


25 


UiO 


2(i 



Dublin four were sandwiched in the middle. 
The latter crew was composed of hi;; powerful 
men, including II. II. Labat, who was one of 
the picked lour of the London Kovving Club, de- 
feated by the Beaverwycks at Pliiladelphia in 
187(). Dublin got the best of it at the .start, 
but the Sho-wae cae-metles pounded awa}- at a 
Ibrty-six stroke, until before half the course 
"as done thej- had dr wn clear of both the 
otiier crews. Moses Nadeau steered a beautiful 
course, and at the bend shot acro.ss to the very 
best possible advanta. o and was then two 
lengths ahead. It was at this juncture that 
Dublin, finding themselves rapidly going to 
the rear, ran into Columbia in such a manner 
as to indicate that the foul was intentional. 
This enabled the Si owae-cae-metles to go in 
at their leisure, all hough they put on a bit of 
a spurt opposite the stand, just to entertain the 
spectators. Columbia claimed the right to 
row in the final heat, but the umpire, J. G. 
Chambers, editor of Land and Water, very 
justly refused, upon the ground that at the 
time ot the foul their chances of winning were 
hojieless. This victory for the Sho-waecae- 
mettes raised them still higher in the estima- 
tion of boating men, and although odds of five 
to four were laid against them for the final 
heat with London next day, there were not a 
few wlio believed they would beat the crack 
English four, and not only believed but hoped 
it, for their dashing style had won for them 
many admirers. 

"The Sho-wae-cae-mettes from the first had 
felt no fear for the formidable English crew, 
and it was not until the morning of the 
second day that their enthusiastic confidence 
was .staggered by the sudden and violent ill- 
ness of Joseph Nadeau, the No. 3 man, who 
had rowed in everj- race since the crew's debut 
at Toledo, in 1875, when they won with a 
coxswain against several coxswainless crews. 
He had alwaj-s been considered one of the 
strongest men in the boat, while his pluck was 
undeniable, and when he was seized with a 
violent diarrhetic attack on the morning of the 
decisive daj', prospects for ihe first time began 
to look blue. His grit kept him up, liowe\'er, 
and be insisted that he could jiuU through, but 
the result proves that he was mistaken. Old 
Joe Sadler, ex champion of England, who was 
coaching the Jesus crow, and exhibited a lively 
interest in the Sho-wac-i-ac-iiH'ttis, shuok- his 



398 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



head when ho saw the sick man stripping 
for llie race and urged a witlidrawal. The 
latter course had been discussed by the crew, 
but Nadcau would not listen to it. It was 
finally decided that defeat was preferable to a 
withdrawal, which might be attributed to 
cowardice or some improper motive, and the 
crew pulled out, grim, determined and bound 
to do the best they could. Messrs. Edward 
Kanter, Johu V. Moran and T. H. Hinchman, 
of Detroit, who had witnessed the first victory 
of the Sho-wae-cae-mettes, and had come back 
from London that morning to see the final 
heat, were apprised of the condition of affairs 
by the writer just before the race; several 
members of the London press were also given 
the facts, but this did not prevent them froni 
jjublishing willfully false reports next day. 

" As before, the Sho wae-cae mettes had the 
worst, or outside position. Li their eagerness 
they made a false start, but on the second 
attempt the boats got off well together. 
Gulston, of the Londons, who has ro ved hero 
for years and knows every inch of the course, 
kept in the smooth water inside, while the 
Sho-wae-cao-mottes toiled against the current 
in mid-stream. At the half mile London had 
got a length the lead, but the Sho-wae-cae- 
mettes, fighting desperately against fate, 
slashed away at 44 and 46, and at the bond 
had pulled up, inch by inch, until they were 
less than a quarter of a length behind. Here 
the severe strain began to tell on the powerful 
Londoners, and they began to weaken and 
show signs of going to pieces. Even the her- 
culean Gulston exhibited distress, and the 
grand form in which his men had been rowing 
became impaired. Here it was that the Sho- 
wae-cae-mettes had expected to win by forcing 
the pace and rowing Jjondon down in the last 
quarter, relying upon that superior endurance 
which has always been regarded as their chief 
characteristic. But for the last half mile of 
the ter]-ibie struggle the port side had been 
steadily growing weaker. Once before Joe 
Nadeau had cried out that he was fiist going, 
but his brother Moses, in the bow, begged and 
implored of him to keep up. The plucky 
fellow shut his eyes and struggled on, and 
Moses, bent upon holding up the port side of 
tl)e boat, pulled with a strength born of 
desjiair. Dusseau at stroke and Durell, No. 2, 
were working grandly, and so long as the sick 



man kejit his oar moving, they hoped against 
hope. But when the bend was reached and 
the critical moment had come, the bow called 
for more power for the final struggle and 
Nadeau broke down. Ho made two or three 
convulsive strokes and then stoi^ped short, half 
blind and half unconscious. It was all up 
then, and while London was left a walk-over 
for the finish, Mose Nadeau and Durell slowly 
jiaddled their unwieldy old shell up to the boat- 
house. The three well men were good for a 
while more of such hot work as they had 
done, but Nadeau, faint and weakened by his 
unfortunate condition, was completely done 
up. There was no exj)rcssion of reproach for 
him, but on the contrary words of comfort 
from every source. The delight of the Lon- 
doners and their adherents, about 200 members 
of their club being present, found expression 
in the most cntliusiastic manner, and the 
English countenances which h;id been elon- 
gated by Columbia's victory in the final heat 
for the Visitors' cup, just previous, shortened 
as if by magic. Among the townspeople the 
Sho-wae-cae-mettes had a host of sympa- 
thizers. 

" Naturally enough when a crew stops short 
in a race the great mass of spectators jump to 
the conclusion that they are ' pumped out,' 
and without stop))ing to make inquiry peojjlc 
upon every hand wagged their heads and said 
they knew ' the fast stroke could not last.' 
Indeed, if the real cause of defeat could have 
been generally made known, few jjorsons 
would have believed it. Thoy would have 
regarded it simply as one of the flimsy excuses 
which a defeated crew is always ready to put 
forth. Tlie ]iublic would invariably rather 
believe the worst that can be said of their 
fellows, and in this instance they were very 
willing to believe that the Londoners had 
rowed their American rivals to a stand-still. 
Of all the p;ipers, daily ami sporting, pub- 
lished in London next morning, onl}- two — the 
Sportsma7i and the News — were fiiir enough to 
even allude to Nadeau's illness as having 
anything to do with the defeat. 

"Notwithstanding the howl that was made 
by the Turf, Field and Farm and other eastern 
papers concerning the non admission of the 
Sho-wae-cae-mettes, no trouble was encoun- 
tered. The stewards received their entry, and 
the seven days allowed for protests passed by 



AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN. 



a 9 9 



without a word of objection boinsj offered. Tlio 
crew cumo backed by tiie ofliciai certificate ot 
the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen 
of America, and they stood ])repared to sliow 
tlieir eiii^ibilitj' bcy<ind all question if any 
controversy had arisen. It is but justice to 
the young men who compose this crew to 
state that by their own conduct they have 
given the lie to the slanderous reports concern- 
ing them set afloat by certain malcontents in 
America. For tcmpei'ancc, morality, gentle- 
manly behavior, earnest hard work, self- 
deprivation, and rigid adherence to those rules 
of training which they believed to be the best, 
they have not been surpassed by anj' four men 
who pulled an oar at Ilenlc}'. Overcoming 
the ])reju<lico which :it first cropped out 
against them in certain quarters because they 
were Americans, thej' have won friends upon 
overs' hand, and a large majority of the Henley 
people sincerely regret that thej' could not 
have taken home the coveted ])rize. On the 
evening of the last regatta day the crew were 
hospitablj- entertained by the Thames club at 
the Eo^-al Hotel, when sevei-al compiiini'iitai-y 
speeches were made. Capt. Hastie, of the 
Thames club, i-eferred in high terms to the 
pluck and gentlemanly conduct of the Ameri- 
cans, and Capt. Gulston, of the London foui-, 
was manly enough to saj' that they had given 
him the hardest race he ever pulled in ins life, 
and that for a time he felt very uncertain how 
it would terminate. 

" The Sho-wae cae-mcttes and Mr. Lee ap- 
preciate the fact that they are onlj* themselves 
to blame for their reverses, and that they have 
received fair play and kindly treatment from 
the officers of the regatta association and the 
people of this hospitable little village, which 
they so earnestly desire to visit again another 
year. E. I), l'.' 

The following is the comment of the New 
Yoi-k Herald's London corresjiondent, upon 
the Shoes defeat : 

"The She wae-cae-mettes were beaten bj- a 
'stomach' — that is to say, in the great race, 
the race, the race in which the four Americans 
whom most of us held to be the fastest, met the 
unquestionably fastest amateur four in lOurope, 
were beaten, one, and probablj' the toughest 
and most endui'ing one of our four, going to 
pieces in the middle of the tight. They had 
shot to the front as promptly as usual ; they 



W(n-e rushing ahead at the terribly fast stroke 
whieli no other crew has yet pulled success. 
fully for any such distance as they have. But 
London, old, experienced and war^-, followed 
tlie sinuosities of the Berks shore, kejjt out of 
the slight current which the ' Sho'es ' could 
only breast, and finally drawing level, began 
to go by. Then came the call for a ' sjjurt,' 
the sharj), shrill, unearth I \' call of the now far 
famed ' Sweet Waters,' whieli no man having 
heai'd could soon forget. But that 'stomach' 
said 'no' It had been upset some hours 
back, but its owner, Capt Nadeau, vv hose con- 
fidence at licnley seems to have been as ireely 
outspoken as it was at W^ukins — and there it 
was marked — thought ho could row in spite of it, 
and he did, and lost, lost for almost the itientical 
cause which broke Will Simmons nine years 
ago on the Putnej- course, before Harvar I had 
rowed halfway. Unfortunate as it all is. and 
especially that they cannot have another trial, 
they must stand by their accidents on rare 
day. The 'Sho'es' now know defeat at the 
bands of the London four abroad, as they have 
from the Knieralds at home. They have 
fought gallantly, grandl}-, in a boat it was 
a shame to let them row in, in such an impjrt 
ant tight, and the}' have been beaten. If 
Lontlon would onl}' reconsider, and race them 
over the Putney to Mortlake course, that 
would settle conclusiveh" where lies the supe- 
riority. " 

The London Tivies account of the final heat; 

STICWARDS' CHALLKXGE CXV\ 
Fix.\i. He.\t. 

Xo. 1 — TJcrks — Lo.NDO.N Kowincj Club . 1 

S. le B. Smith 11 J I A. Trower 12 12 

K. S. Gulston 12 9 | 1''. L l^layford.— 12 2 

No.2 — Centre — M()NRoE,SH0-WAE-c.\E-MKTTiiB.(,'.2 

M. Xailiau 10 4 , J. Xadeau 10 (i 

\V. 11, Durell 10 9 | S. Dus.scau 12 

■'This race excited (he greatest interest ol any 
event on the programnie. The American 
crew went off with an exlraordinarih' rapid 
stn)ke of nearly fifty a minute. The LonMon 
rowers, although not so fast in stroke, were as 
speedy, and for the first half of the course no 
advantage was gained by either. Then Lon- 
don, keeping a little loo close in, jeopai'dized 
their chance by grazing with sti'oke's oar a 
projecting, grass}' point. The delay was bul 
momentary, for their stridic was hardly put 
out, and they went on with searcely any per- 
ceptible lo.ss of speed. From this ]ioint the 



400 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



race was neck and neck, and the Americans on 
crossing were exactly abreast of London. So 
they kept till close to the point, where London 
crept half a length ahead, and the Americans 
finding that, with the outside station, their 
chance was gone, and being moreover com- 
pletelj' rowed out with their rapid stroke, 
suddenly stopped, to the great disappointment 
of the spectators. As it is almost an unknown 
thing for a crew thus to give up there was a 
slight hiss from the bank at this seeming want 
of pluck, but tliis was promptly checked by 
the consideration that the visitors probably 
did not understand the English point of honor 
of rowing a race out to the end, and the 
Americans were greeted with a cheer for the 
fine race they had rowed. London received a 
reall}' enthusiastic greeting on reaching the 
winning-j)ost. The Americans paddled slowly 
in with two oars only, showing how completely 
they were pumped out. 

" As a rule, the interest of Henlej- Eegatta is 
far less upon the second than upon the first 
day. Upon the first day there are nearly twice 
as many events upon the card ; the excitement 
never flags, and the I'aces succeed each other 
so rapidlj- that the umpire's launch has to 
return the instant one event is decided in 
order to start the next. Moreover, the rowing 
in the heats generally affords so accurate a 
criterion as to the chances in the final heats 
that tiie interest of the second day's rowing is 
altogether discounted. Yesterday's I'acing, 
however, sufi'ered less than usual from this 
cause. The races decided on Thursday were, 
for the most part, so closely contested that no 
bi'oad distinction could be drawn between the 
various winners. The Sculls certainly were 
looked upon as a certainty for Edwardes- 
Moss, but the Goblets was considered likely to 
lead to a close struggle, while for the Chal- 
lenge Cup and the Stewards' splendid races 
were anticipated. In the latter race particular 
interest was felt, not only because the struggle 
was between the best American four and the 
best English, but because the style of the two 
boats was so diametrically opposite that the 
triumph of the Americans would have been a 
defeat of all the principles of rowing believed 
in by English oarsmen. The London four 
may be taken as the absolute perfection of 
rowing. For seven years this club has held 
the Stewards' fours without once sufi'erinff 



defeat. Their style is almost faultless, and it 
was difficult for any one accustomed to Eng- 
lish style to believe that the Americans with 
their short, snatchy stroke could have a 
chance with such a crew as this. Still the 
surprising speed which the American crews 
displayed on the first day showed that, ugly as 
thej' were, they were very formidable oppo- 
nents, and although the Londons were the fa- 
vorites the Americans found many sup- 
porters.' 

The following account of the return of the 
Sho wae-cae-mettes is taken from the New 
York Herald : 

" The Sho- wae-caemettb crew, their substi- 
tutes, and George Lee, the single sculler, arrived 
in the city yesterday morning on the steamship 
Utopia, from London. They were met on the 
pier by the crews of the Eureka and Triton 
boat clubs, of Newark, who accorded them a 
warm reception, and cordially invited them to 
make Newark their headquarters so long as 
they may remain in this vicitiity. This invita- 
tion was accepted, and late in the afternoon 
George Lee and the four ' Sho'es ' went to 
Newark. They were received with salutes 
from a small cannon, and welcomed by a crowd 
of people at the station. George Lee was as 
warmlj' greeted on all sides as though he had 
come home victorious ; and strangers strove to 
shake hands with him as though he was an 
intimate friend. The 'Sho'es' were also 
heartily welcomed and made to feel at home. 
They are strongly urged to remain in Newark 
until the 20th, and participate in the national 
regatta on that date, and have been told that 
they can do so without expense to themselves. 
They are, however, anxious to get home, and 
are hardly in a condition to do themselves 
credit at present, having been out of training 
for so long. George Lee will at onCe go into 
training, with a view to making some pretty 
time in the coming regatta, and showing his 
fellow-townsmen what he can do 

" From Mr. Price, of the Detroit Pnst and Tri- 
bune, who accompanied theSho-wao cae-mettes 
to England as their business manager, the fol- 
lowing account of their trip and the races was 
obtained last evening. He says: 'Our pas- 
sage over in the Alsatia was not unpleasant, 
though several of the boys were very sick, 
George Lee notably so. We experienced no 
difficulty in reaching Henley, but there we 



AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN. 



401 



foiinil no one to meet us to help us in obtaining 
quarters, or to assist us in any way. We were 
obliged to finii tilings out for ourselves. Wo 
obtained very comibrtable rooms in a private 
house, lor which we had to pay five dollars 
a|)ieco per week. We did our own marketing, 
and had oai' meals cooked for us b^' a cook 
whom we hired. Altogether our board cost us 
ten dollars apiece per week, instead of five 
dollars, which we had been told would be .suffi- 
cient before we left here. The Columbia boys, 
living at the hotel, paid twice that sum. We 
found everything in England more e.xpensivo 
than in America, and had to husband our re- 
sources ver}- carefully. In traveling by rail 
we always went third class, and even then paid 
the same rate per mile as we do for Hrsi-class 
passage in this country. 

"' We had anticipated some possible trouble 
in making our entries for the regatta on account 
of the unkind articles in some of the American 
sporting papers that had followed us, but met 
with none whatever. Our application was left 
open seven daj's for ol.jcctions, but none were 
made, and we were treated with uniform kind- 
ness and courtesy by the Henley steward.s. 
The Henley people rather took a fancy to us, 
too, after the first, and would not have felt 
badlj- had we won the race; but the general 
feeling in London, and in all England, seemed 
to be "anything to beat the Shoes.'' We saw 
but little of the Columbia men, though our 
boats were kept in the same house. They kept 
aloof from us, and seemed to desire none of our 
company. 

•''Our living was not particularly good, 
though we had the best of everything. The 
beefsteak that I had in the hotel to day was 
better than any that I have eaten since we left 
here. We were only in Henley- twelve days 
before the regatta, and the boys had not time 
to become properly- acclimated. In their prac- 
tice pulls the}' lacked the vim and life that they 
had exhibited in America, and I felt very 
an.\ious for them. George Lee was especially 
affected by the change of climate and diet, and 
was bilious all tlie time we were at Henlej-. 
His race with Mo.ss was a beautiful race, and 
he would have had it, bej'Ond a doubt, but for 
his own mistake at the finish, (leorge had the 
inside position, and led Moss beautifully to the 
end of the first mile, where the river makes a 
sharp bend to the left. At this point he was 



four or five lengths ahead, an<l we all tlmught 
that he was sure of a glorious victory. Then 
Moss put in the most beautiful spurt I ever 
saw. He pulled thirty-eight, and gained I'a])- 
idly on George. The latter hugged the Berks 
shore very closel}', and when he stopped row- 
ing, having, as he supposed, crossed the line, 
he was a good half length ahead. If ho had 
pulled three strokes more he would have won 
the race. As it w.is, he went to the boat-house 
and dressed, supposing all the time that he had 
won. When told that ho had not won he was 
nearly heart-broken, and couldn't believe it for 
some time. Wc had been told by all the 
Henle}' watermen thata large stump, standing 
prominently on the Berks bank, was on the 
line of finish, and in all practice pulls the boys 
had stopped when opposite it. The stake or 
post mrirking the real finish some twenty feet 
beyond the old stump, was onlj- placed in posi- 
tion on the morning of the race, and Lee 
stopped when opposite the stump instead of 
keeping on to the line of the post. Edwardes 
Moss is an English Jew, the son of a baronet, 
and a 8trap])ing big fellow, almost as large as 
Courtney; but I still think that Lee did beat 
him, and can do so again. 

" 'As to the Sho-wac-cae-mettes, they beat the 
Columbia crew easily, and can do it whenever 
the latter want to row them. When Columbia 
fouled Dublin the " Sho'es " were two lengths of 
o"pen water ahead and were taking it very 
leisurely. On the morning of the second day, 
when they were to row against London, .Joe 
Nadeau complained of feeling ill, but there was 
no one to take his place and the race had to be 
rowed. They had the outside or worse posi- 
tion, and their plan was to keep as close as pos- 
sible to London to the bend, and then rlraw 
upon their own wonderlul suppl)- of endurance 
and row the others to pieces with one of their 
famous, long-continued spurts. Thisplanthcy 
carried out to the end of the first mile, keeping 
their bow tip within five or six feet of that of 
London all the way, though London pulled 
tremendously, running their stroke up to fortj'- 
four, a faster stroke, as Playford said after- 
ward, than they had ever before attempted. 
Joe Nadeau said several times to the boys that 
he was sick and couldn't keep up much longer, 
but they urged him to keep on and do what he 
could, and his brother, who pulled on the same 
side of the boat, pulled with the strength of two 



402 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



men and turned tlie rudder so as to favor Joe. 
It wasteri-ibly exciting to us on the banks, and 
the several hundred Americans who were there 
with red, white and blue ribbons in their 
buttonholes, yelled themselves perfectly hoarse 
urgiii:,' on the •' Sho'es." The bend was reached 
with the two boats side by side, and then Mose 
Nadeau called on his men for one of their 
famous old-time spurts. They had taken but 
two strokes more when Joe Nadeau doubled 
over his oar with a groan, and began to vomit. 
Then the race was lost, for he was perfectlj- 
gone, though the others were as fresh and as 
well able to pull a Hfty-stroke to the finish as 
they were at the end of the three mile race at 
Watkins last May. They didn't pull to the 
finish, for Joe couldn't lift his head, and Mose 
told Durell to stop rowing also, and he and 
Dusseau pulled the boat home. They kept up 
their spirits before the crowd, and made light 
of losing the race; but afterward one of them 
came into my room and cried like a child, and 
we all felt pretty sore over it. As for the crew- 
being ])umped, as some of the London jjapers 
say they were, that is all nonsense, for, wilh 
the exception of Joe, thej- were as fresh as 
daisies. 

" ' We staid at Henley for two or three days 
after that, and George Lee went down and 
took a pull over tlio four-mile course from 
Putney to Mortlake. He wanted to enter for 
the Winfield sculls in the Metropolitan regatta 
over that course. Here he would have met 
Playford, the English amateur chamjiion; but 
they would allow none but Englishmen to 
enter, so he was barred out. We found that 
there w:is no steamer from London until the 
17lh, and so, finding that I could do so as 
cheaply as to keep them where they were, I 
took the boys over to Paris, where we staid 
five days. We did not meet any of the French 
oarsmen, though I believe .some of them were 
looking for us one day. We went to the Expo- 
sition, of course, and enjoyed it thoroughly. It 
does not impress one as so grand an affair as 
that at Philadelphia, nor give one so large an 
ide.i of the va.stness of the world's productions, 
but I rather think there is more in it. The 
American exhibit does not compare favorably 
with that of European nations, except in the 
matter of machinery; there 1 think she is 
ahead. She is very farbeliind in her exhil>its 
of painting and statuary-, atid if what we .saw 



there is the best that American artists can do, 
I think they had better stop painting. I see 
by the papers that medals have been awarded 
to two of the American paintings, but the 
judges who made the awards must have dif- 
ferent eyes from mine. After all, though, I 
suppo.se it is absurd for a Sho waccae-mette to 
pretend to art criticism. \ 

" ' Well, we returned to London from Paris, 
and sailed on the 18th. and have had a long, 
tedious passage, with poor accommoilations all , 
the way home. I think a strong effort will be I 
made in the West to send the " Sho'es '" to Eng- 
land for the Henley regatta again next year, 
and if they are sent they will go long enough 
beforehand to get thoroughly acclimated. I 
am glad we went, for we have learned many 
valuable lessons, and have had a good opportu- 
nity to test our powers again.st the best oars- 
men that England can produce.' 

" The Sho-wae-cao mettes have brought their 
old, well-tried shell home with them, but can 
probably never use it again, for in transit 
across London from the Paddington railway 
station to the ship, it got badly wrenched and 
broken, tleorge Lee sold his new boat to Let', 
of Boston, and brought his old one home. It 
was also considerably damaged in London, and 
he sent it to Troy yesterday to be repaired, so 
as to be ready for the national regatta on 
the 20th. 

"They all unite in condemning the lack of 
courtesy on the part of the English oarsmen, 
who failed to extend a single invitation of any 
kind to them during their entire stay on the 
other side. They sa\' that there was almost no 
betting on their I'ace with London, as the 
chances were considered too nearly even ; but 
on the race between George Lee and Moss 
there was considerable mone\' put up, with the 
former as the favorite. By many people he 
was afterward charged with having sold the 
race, and claims to have been in imminent 
danger of being mobbed. The jiresent'plan of 
the Sho wae cae-mcttes is to leave this cit}' for 
their homes to-morrow morning by way of the 
Erie raihva}'.'' 

The following account of their reception at 
Detroit and Monroe is taken from the Detroit J 
Poxt and Tribune : 

" The Sho wae-cae-mettes and their business 
manager, E. D Price, sporting editor of the 
Post and Tribune, who returned to New York 



AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN. 



403 



from Kngland last ^Vedn^.^sllaJ•, arrived in tliis 
city via the Canada Soullicrii Railway at !J:40 
o'cloclc Saturday morning. Tiiero was no 
formal reception, and only a small number of 
persons, including three or four local oarsmen, 
were pi-csentto greet tliem. Tliecrcw at once 
took a carriage to the Russell House, leaving 
their battered old shell in the passenger coach. 
Daring the afternoon they were met by numer- 
ous boating men and others, who listened with 
interest to the story of their varied exf)erienccs 
abroad. 

"Mr. Price, who has been a niiich inter- 
viewed young man since his return to America, 
in a conversation with a reporter of the Post 
and Tribune afforded considerable fresh infor- 
mation of interest concerning the visit of the 
Michigan oarsmen to England. 

"In reply to an iiiquiry as to what he 
thought of the Sho-wae-cae nietles' chances of 
defeating the famous London rowing club but 
for the sudden illness of Joseph Nadeau, he re- 
plied : 

" ' I am no projihet, nor do I believe in proph- 
ecy, but I shall always entertain the firm 
belief that the race was theirs but for Nadeau's 
breaking down. Scoffed at for a time on ac- 
count of the peculiarities of their style of row- 
ing — a st3le diametricall}- opposed to all the 
cherished ideas of the Knglish concerning a 
sj)ort in which thej' deem themselves invinci- 
ble—they had gradually won resjiect by the 
undeniable rapidity with which they managed 
to get their boat through the water. It was 
also conceded that they rowed exceedingly 
well together, despite some errors which were 
believed to be fatal to their success. After their 
comjiaratively ea.sy victory over the Dublin 
and Columbia College crew on Jul}- 4, thcj- be- 
gan to be feared as well as respected, but still 
the prevailing opiiiion was that London would 
beat them in the final heat. The result should 
not be accepted as proof of the P^nglish crew's 
superiority. Although handicapped by their 
heavy boat and disadvantageous position, the 
Sho-wae-cae-mcttes had accomplished all that 
they hoped to do and even more, u]) to the 
point where the sick man gave out. Tliey 
were confident that if they could keep within a 
length or so of the Lontloners for the first mile 
they could outrow them in the finish through 
the superior endurance which has hitherto 
been regarded as their chief characteristic. 



But when the decisive spurt was called for, the 
half fainting man at ^o. H could do no more 
and succumbed from sheer exhaustion. The 
violence of his diarrhetic attack had weakened 
him so that not even his wonderful grit and 
pluck could keep him up an^' longer. At that 
time there was not over haUadozen feet differ- 
ence between the bow tips of the two shells, the 
Londoners leading.' 

'" You have heard of thea-ssertions made soon 
after the race that Nadeau was not sick, and 
that the Sho-wae-cae-inettes .sold out?' 

■' ' I regret to say that I have hoard of the cir- 
culation of .such reports, and I take great pleas- 
ure in branding as willful and malicious falsi 
fiors the persons who gave them currency. 
Nadeau's illness was bona fide. In the first 
])lace there wa.s no opportunit}- for them to 
make money, had they been dishonestly in- 
clined. There was no pool-selling and very 
little betting. Occasionally a small bet of 
twenty to twentj'-five shillings was made, with 
the odds in favor of London, and once in a 
while an even bet of a few pounds was effected. 
In the second place, no pecuniary consideration 
would have influenced the Showae-cae-mettes. 
Thej' realized that the eyes of the whole 
American nation were upon them, and that 
the}" were there to uphold the iionor of their 
country. Tlu'\- went to England to win ; they 
were confident of winning up to the time that 
Nadeau was taken ill, and even then they did 
not despair of being able to pull him through. 
There is always a certain clement read}- to set 
up a cr}' of fraud and impute dishonesty to the 
loser in any contest of strength or skill. Some 
of the statements circulated were absurd enough 
to condemn themselves. One imaginative ci'ea- 
ture evolved the startling rumor that the crew 
made -$20,000 by selling the race, and that 
])oor Joe Nadeau received 87,000 of the jilun- 
der. Once for all, I desire to assert in the most 
emjdiatic and unqualified manner, that the 
Showae cac-mettes did not sell iherace. They 
came home as poor as they went. The Sho- 
wae cae-mettes feel indignant, and ver^- justlj* 
so, that a newspa])er published here in their 
own State should be contem])lible enough to 
publish and endorse these idle, floating rumors, 
unsupported by an atom of proof, and give them 
still greater publicity. The men assailed woi'O 
three thousand miles away, ignorant of the 
im])utations cast u]ion them and ])owerless to 



404 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



dofond tlicmselvos. This niudo the attack not 
only malicious but cowartlij'.' 

"'What was tlie actual cost of their trip 
abroad ?' 

"'The only moncj' which they had passed 
throuL(li my hands, with the exception of a 
check lor §100, which the citizens of Monroe 
scut ilircct to Mr. Dusseau, and this was di- 
vided equally among the four members of the 
crew and spent by them as thej- saw fit. First 
I received $560 from the Watkius Eegatta 
Association to defray the expenses of the 
seven members of our jiarty ; subsequently I 
received from the same source S190 more, 
making a total of $750 aside from the passage 
tickets furnished us. Out of this I paid their 
board, travelin:.; expenses and incidentals, and 
gave each man about $40 in spending money. 
The much-talked-of Paris trip cost exactly 
8104. When the Sho-vraecae-mettes left Eng- 
land they were almost or quite penniless. On 
board the ship I divided equally among the 
four men of the crew the little fund of $200 
subscribed by the citizens of Detroit, so that 
they had $50 each when they landed in New 
York. Contrary to the statements of the Free 
Press and Neivs, I did not share in the distri- 
bution of the Detroit fund. The money was 
raised by C. P. Toll and my.self for the crew, 
and it was paid to the crew.' 

" In response to an inquiry as to whether the 
' Sho'es' would visit Henley again next summer, 
Mr. Price stated that such was the earnest 
desire of the crew, who were anxious to wipe 
out their recent defeat. He was confid&nt that 
if they were furnished with a suitable boat and 
went long enough before the regatta to become 
properly acclimated thej- could defeat the Lon- 
don crew. They should be in England at least 
a month or six weeks before the race. He also 
was of the opinion that there were three or 
four crews in America who could show the 
Londoners the way over the Henley course, 
and thought he could pick out one of them 
right here in Detroit. 

" The Sho-wae-cae-mettes had intended to 
leave for their home in Monroe at 3:.0 p. m., 
hut postponed their dejiarture until 7 i'. M., 
upon receipt of a telegram from home request- 
ing the delay so that preparations for a fitting 
reception could bo completed. They desire to 
publicly express their grateful apjireeiation of 
the courtesy extended to them bj' the Eureka 



Boat Club of Newark, New Jersey, who enter- 
tained them for three days after their return 
from Europe, to Messrs. Witbeck& Chittenden, 
who entertained them at the Russell House 
yesterday-, and to Frank E. Snow, general 
passenger agent of the Canada Southern, who 
furnished free transportation from Buffalo to 
this city and thence to Monroe, and who was 
untiring in his personal efforts to assist them. 

" The Sho-wae-cae-mettes will not compete at 
the coming Northwestern regatta in this city 
next week, but will bo here as lookers-on. 
They have, however, accepted an invitation to 
give an exhibition pull over the course on 
Wednesday afternoon. 

" The Sho-waecae mette boys had a pleasant 
ride from Detroit and arrived at Monroe at 
8;20 I". M. They were met at the railroad 
station by the Monroe Cornet Band and citizens 
en masse. Everj'bod}' in the citv, man, wo- 
man and child, apparently, was on hand to 
give a cordial welcome home again to the 
oarsmen who had acquitted themselves so 
nobly since they left their native town behind 
them in May last and set out to try their for 
tune at Watkins. As the train moved up to 
the depot the band played a lively air and the 
assembled multitude shouted themselves hoarse 
with cheering. 

" Then the oarsmen were placed in a carriage 
drawn by four horses, and, led by the band of 
music, a procession was formed and escorted 
them to the courthouse. The city was bril. 
liantly illuminated and the court house and 
grounds were decorated with gaily colored 
lanterns. Inside the court house four chairs 
had been placed on the platform, and to these 
chairs the victorious oarsmen were escorted. 
The crowd filed in and filled every inch of 
available room in the building. Then there 
were speeches of welcome and congratulation. 
The first speaker was J. D. Ronan. He con- 
gratulated the boys on their safe return from 
their long trip, and welcomed them home again 
among their old friends. He spoke of their 
achievements at Watkins and at Henley, and 
said the people of Monroe had watched them 
with pride. He was followed by General 
Spalding and Judge R. J. Phinney. The 
latter spoke of their old boat, which he said 
some had thought of not much account, but 
which he believed just adapted to the crew. 
He urged them not to change it, and if the 



AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN. 



405 



old boat was damaged beyond ro])air, to liuve 
another built just like it. These speeches 
wore greeted with great applause and cheering, 
and between thcni the band played some ex- 
cellent selections 

"When the others had concluded, Captain 
Xadcau was calle<l on for a speecli. He said 
he was not a speaker, and could not bo expected 
to say much. Nevertheless he wished, on 
behalf of himself and his comrades, to return 
heartfelt thanks to the people of Monroe for the 
magnificent and entirely unexjjected reception 
which had been accorded to them. His remarks 
were applauded. 

" Then the crowd insisted on seeing the rest 
of the crew, and one by one they were called 
up. They had no speeches to make, but in 
response to the call simply rose and bowed, 
and were enthusiastically' cheered as they 
did .so. 

"When the demonstration at the court house 
had been conclud(!d, the Tiadics' Aid Society of 
the Methodist church inviteil the heroes of the 
day to a banquet in a neighboring hall. 
Thither they repaired and sat down to tables 
spread in luxurious stjde. Each of tlic oars- 
men was presented with a beautiful bouquet, 
and it was noticed that Henry Durell got two 
(onewitira mysterious card attached to it). 
These festivities were prolonged until a late 
hour. The citizens had hitherto hu/.zaed over 
tlie returning oarsmen until they coulil huzza 
no longer, and now the ladies vied with each 
other in bestowing upon them their sweetest 
smiles.' 

The Sho-wae-cao-mettcs after their return 
home from Kngland purchased a new four- 
oared shell. Henry Durell and Steve Dusseau, 
at the meeting of the Xoi'thwestern at Bay 
City, won the senior double scull race. The 
old crew in their new boat won two races, 
open to all, at the meeting of the Northwestern 
at Detroit, and the o])en to all four-oarcd race 
at the meeting of the Mississippi Valley Asso- 
ciation at Keokuk, Iowa. They also attended 
tlie regattas at Saratoga and New Orleans, and 
gave exhibition pulls at numerous places. 
They were invited to attend every important 
aquatic event that took place, and were 
alwaj-s royally received and entertained every- 
wliere they went. 

The Nadeau Hros. are now in business in 
.lie city. Joe ia married and has three young 



'■Shoes,' who all take to the water like ducks. 
The oldest is nine years old, and pulls a very 
jiretty oar and the " get there '' stroke Moses 
Nadeau keeps his old single scull, and all 
efforts of the fair sex to have him change it 
for a double have been fruitless. Steve 
Dusseau is a knight of the footboard, and 
drives a locomotive on the Jjake Shore. He 
is married, has one child, and lives at Elkhart, 
Indiana. Heniy Durell lives in Saginaw, is 
married, drives a locomotive, and has the 
reputation of being the best " runner ' in the 
Saginaw valley. 

THE RIVER RAISIN SCULLERS. 

There were a great many single and double 
scullers on the river during the boating excite- 
ment, and with the exception of the Amateurs' 
single were Hat bottomed and home-made, but 
were always an imjiortant feature of the home 
regattas and River Eaisin Navy. The follow- 
ing are the names of the sculls and the clubs 
represented : 

DOIHLK SCULI-S. 

" White Fawn,'' Babes in the Woods. 

"Cornell," Independent Scullers. 

"Dolly," Floral City Boat Club. 

"Little Diffenbaugh,". Independent Scullers. 

SINGLE SCULLS. 

"Muggins,'' Indejiendcnt Scullers. 

" Time-Killer," Babes in the Woods. 

"Grasshopper,". Indejiendent Scullers. 

" Army Worm," ... . Floral City Boat Club. 

THE ItlVKlt RAISIN NAVY. 

The Iiiver Raisin Navy was organized in 
August, 1S74, by about sixty members of the 
old clubs and scullers for the purpose of 
giving regattas on the river. Five regattas 
were given, and prizes offered for shells, 
barges, duck boats, tub races, etc. 

Thefirst regatta was held at(iuyor's Island, 
September 2, 1874, William (', Sterling com- 
modore. Honors were awarded in different 
races as follows: 

Four-oared Shell Race— 3 entries: "Ama- 
teurs,'' "Shoes," and "Floral City's." The 
race was awarded to the Florals on a foul. 
Prize, Commodore's cup. 

Punting Boat Race — :}-milc and return; 
prize, sack of flour ; L. Cooley ; time, 14:22. 

Duck Boat Race— .f-mile and return, open 
to all; prize, gold badge ; Alex. Duby; i:-i;2:)A. 



406 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Harn'c or Lap-Stroak Jlai'e— |-niilc and 
return; 3 entries: Florals, 6-oared L. S. 
"Atlanta;" Amateurs, 4 oared L. S. "T.N. 
Perkins;" liabes, 4-oared L. S. " Medora." 
Crew, K Perkins, stroke, A. V. DifTcnbaugb, 
No. 2 ; W. Waldorf, No. :{ ; W. P. Sterling, bow. 
Time — Amateurs, 10 niin.; Florals, 10:2; 
Babes, 10:5. The Babes under the rules had 
a time allowance of 9^ seconds, making their 
time !):57^ and giving them the race. This 
was the most e.xciting contest of the day. 

Duck Boat Jiace — |-niile and return, won by 
Thomas Arniitage in 14:02^. Prize, silver badge. 

Double Sculls— |-miie and return; prize, 
silver cup, presented b^' .J. 1). Roiian ; 2 
entries," Kate Jolinston," J. C. and W. C. vSter. 
iing, and the Babes in the " Medora." This 
was a very hot race, and near the finish the 
crew of the ".lohnston " quit, and the Babes 
believing it was a concession to give them the 
race, quit also, and the race was called off by 
the judges. 

Tub Pace— Distance, 80 feet; pi-ize, silver 
tub ; entries, tubs " Bad Medicine," " Henry 
WardBeccher" and " Elizabeth Tilton." This 
exceedingly funny race was won b}' " Bad 
Medicine," with Frank Carlisle in the tub ; 
time, 50J seconds, the best tub time on i-ecord. 
The other tubs collided and sunk. 

Single Sculls —|-mile and return; prize, 
silver medal, given by L. & J. F, Grant ; entries, 
W. C. Sterling, paper shell " Baby," and A. E. 
Wing, duck boat "Tom Collins." A. E. Wing 
won the race by a time allowance of 10 seconds. 
Time, 13:52.^ ; " Baby's " time, 13:44.J. 

The second annual regatta of the River 
Raisin Navy was held at Guyor's Island, Aug- 
ust 24, 1875, Wni. C. Sterling commodore, and 
attended by a large number of Detroit and 
Toledo people, ta.xing " Uncle Joe's " accom- 
modations to the utmost. The " Sho'es " with 
their new 4-oared boat, the " Chas. G. Morris," 
easily defeated the Amateur's new boat, 
" Jennie E. Thompson," and the Florals in the 
" Horace T. Conant." Time, 19:42| ; Florals 
second, time 21:15^. The Amateurs broke an 
oar and did not go over the course. 

Junior Double Sculls — f-mile and i-eturn, 
two entries: "White Pawn," of Babes in 
Woods club — crew, A. V. Diffenbaugh and 
W. C. Waldorf; and the " Cornell " of the 
Independent Sculler!? — crew, A. N. Perkins 



and VV. P. Sterling. The " (jorncU " came in 
aliea<l, time 9:58; "White Fawn," 10:44^. 

Senior Double Sculls—" Doll}' " of the Floral 
City Club, with crew W. C. and J. C. Sterling, 
easil}' defeated H, IbircU and C. Carselinan 
of the Independents in the " Lillie Diffen- 
baugh ;" time, 10:01. 

Junior Single — W. C. Waldorf in ' Time- 
Killer' defeated A. N. Perkins in " Grasshop- 
per'' in a very close race; time, 12:06, 12:0(51. 

Senior Single — This was a vei'y interesting 
and closelv contested race, and no one could 1 
tell which would bo in first when ten lengtlis 
from home. " Muggins," II. Durell, time 
11:UH; "Time-Killer^ W. C. Sterling, ll:18i. 

Lap streak Race- The " T. N. Perkins," with 
Frank Sterling as coxswain and his French 
crew, E, Duby, H. Anteau, L. Vinier and Ij. 
Lazette, easily defeated the Florals in the 
(! oared L. S. "Harry C. Bulkley." 

Four-oared Shells — Pi'ize, silver goblet ; 
open to Toledo clubs. The Undines, of Toledo, 
sent over a crack crew to row the " Sho'es " 
in this race, and at the start the Undines took 
the lead and at the three-quarter-mile buoy 
the " Sho'es" passed them, they having fouled 
the buo}'. The crowd was immensely excited, 
and cheer after cheer went up when the 
"Sho'es" passed the home stake some four 
lengths ahead ; time, 19:47; Undines. 20. This 
ended the most successful and best attended 
regatta ever held on the Raisin. 

The third annual regatta of the Rivei" Raisin 
Navy was held at Guj-or's Island, September 7, 
1876, Wm. C. Sterling commodore. The day 
was dark and threatened rain. But few ladies 
attended, and the audience was very small. 

The four-oared shell race for the Commo- 
dore's cup was virtuall}" a walk-over for the 
Sho-wae-caemettes, and the onlj^ contest was 
for second place between the Florals and 
Amateurs. The Florals steei-ed wildly and the 
Amateurs led them all the way from the stake 
to finish ; time, respectively, 18:54, 19:47, 20:24. 

Senior Single Sculls— W. P. Sterling in the 
" Wait," easily defeated A. V. Diffenbaugh in 
the "Go ;" five-eightlis mile and return ; silver 
cup ; time, 11:18^. 

Senior Double Sculls —Five-eighths mile and 
return ; silver goblets. This was a race be- 
tween the Nadeau Brothers, of the " Sho'es," 
in the "Dolly," and George Diffenbaugh and 



AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN. 



40< 



C. Karsuliaiin, ol tlio AiUiituurs, in tho "Jjillii.'.'' 
Tlic Nadeau brothers took tlic k'a<I (Voin the 
start, and won in S:5!l. 

Working Boat Kace — Tlircc entries; five- 
eiglitiis mile and return ; gold badges. Some 
of the strouge.st pullers on the river were in 
this race. The " John Wahl," with Captain \i. 
Joues (stroke) and L. Lazctto (bow), eanie in 
ahead ; time, 12:57^. 

Junior Double Sculls — Fiveeighthsniile and 
return ; silver goblets. The '• White [''awn," 
pulled by J. Dureli and A. V. Diftenbaugh. of 
the Babes, easil}- defeated the " Cornell," with 
W. P. Sterling (bow) and A. N. Perkins 
(stroke), of the Independent .Scullers ; time, 
9:25i. 

Senior Single Sculls — Five-eighths mile and 
return; silver cup. This was a race between 
George Bolsb^', jr., and Joe Nadeau. of tiie 
" Sho'es.'' It attracted a great deal of atten- 
tion, and was ver}' close to the end. Nadeau 
won in 10:04. 

The tub race afforded a great deal of amuse- 
ment, and was won by Johnnie Kull. 

The " T. N. Perkins" and her French crew, 
in the four-oared lap-slreak, had a w. ilk-over. 
They were the champions in theii' class on the 
river, and no crew could be found to compete 
with them. 

The fourth annual regatta of the Rivor 
llaisin Navy was held at Guyor's Island, Sep- 
tember 13, 1877, with W. 1'. Sterling as com- 
modore. A delegation of oarsmen were 
present from Detroit, and the steamer " Frost ' 
brought a largo load from Toledo. 

Senior four-oarod shell race was between the 
"Sho'es" and a Floral City crew, with F. G. 
Bulkley (stroke), G. F. Bulkley (No. 2), A. H. 
Grant (No. 3), and O. Johnson (bow). The 
"Sho'es" gave the Florals a start of thirty 
seconds and did not overtake them, the 
Florals coming in ahead; distance, one and 
one-half milesand return ; time, 10:10 and 18:50. 

Junior Double — This race was won by A. N. 
Perkins and W. P. Sterling, of the Independ- 
ent Scullers, in 9:42f . The Babes in the Woods 
came in about a foot and a half behind; dis 
tance, five-eighths mile and return. 

Senior Double— Five-eighths mile and re- 
turn. This was a race between the Nadeau 
brothers, of the " Sho'es," and two crews of 
the Florals. One crew of the Florals lost an 



oar, and the other on the home stretch did 
some wild steering and i-an into the side of the 
canal and smashed their boat. The "Sho'es" 
came in eight lengths ahead ; time, 10::!"), 

Working Boat Race — The coiiteslanls piilleil 
for all they were uorth to where the tur'ning 
buoys should have been, but the}- had been 
removed and the race was declared off, 

()\)v\\ to all Single— One !nile and reUii-n. 
The starteis in this race were F. 1). Standish, 
of the Kxcelaiors of Detroit; Moses Nadeau, of 
the Sho-wae-cae-mettos; and W. C. J.Camjioau, 
of the Detroit Scullers. Standish took the 
lead as they pa.sscd the grand stand ; as they 
took the river Campeau and Nadeau slapjied 
oars, Campeau recovering first and taking the 
lead, with Stanilisli second. As they rounded 
the bend Nadeau pulled to the front, and on 
the return they rounded the bend in a bunch ; 
ap]>roaehing the grand stand, Standish led by 
si.x lengths, with Campeau second and Natleau 
a i|uarter of ainile in the rear. Standish passed 
the line in 15:10; Campeau, 15:21. 

Pair-oared Race - Three entries. The crews 
were unable to ki'e|) clear of each other, and 
linally two gave up in disgust, and the Indo- 
jiendent Scullers' crow pulled over the cour.so 
alone. 

Junior Single— Five-eighthsmile and return. 
A. V. DiffcTibaugh easily defeated W. P, Ster- 
ling in 10:42. 

Senior Single was between II. Diirell and J. 
Nadeau, of the "Sho'es." Nadeau came in a 
length and a half ahead ; time, 9:3*1. 

The swimming race was won by Louis La- 
zettc. The tub I'ace was most amusing ; all tip- 
ped over and were unable to finish. 

The fifth and last regatta of the River Raisin 
Navy was held at the docks September 5, 
1878, W. P. Sterling commodore. The fame 
of the Sho-wae-cae-mettes had given Monroe a 
great reputation as a boating town, and people 
came from far and near to see the " Sho'es." 
The grand stand was crowded, over t"0 thou- 
sand people were on the docks, and all along the 
river banks were boats of evei-y description 
loaded to the water's edge with po>>)>le. 

The four-oared shell race was rowed in heats. 

The first ti'ial heat of the fouroared race, 
one mile and return, was between the Floral 
City Club and l^ndines of Toledo. It was a 
very chjsc race and was taken by the Floral 



408 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



City Club, by ubouL a boat length and a half; 
time, 14:44; Undines, 15. 

The breaking of a rudder wire caused con- 
siderable delay in the start of the second trial 
heat of the four- oared crews, but they got off 
well together, but the Centennials fouled the 
Amateurs before the}- reached the first quarter 
— the Amateurs withdrew, and the Centennials 
finished in 14:47. 

The next race was the single scull, one-half 
mile and return, between 'VanNieman, of the 
Undines, and Bowlsby, of the Amateurs. They 
started off nice!}', but Bowlsby took the race 
easily; time, 9:36. 

The race next called was for double sculls, 
one-half mile and return, between the Undines, 
of Toledo, and the Wj-andottes, of Wyandotte. 
They got a good start, but the Wyandotte crew 
soon took the lead and kept it to the finish; 
time, 7:(l9. 

In the final fou roared heat between the 
Centennial and Floral City crews, at the word 
go they started well together, pulling— Florals 
forty and Centennials forty-five ; the Centen- 
nials took the lead before they got to the 
quarter, and kept it all the way around. Just 
before reaching the finish the Florals, who had 
steered considei-able out of their course, ran so 
near the barge used for the judge's stand as to 
unship their oars, which caused them to tip 
over. They were rescued by their friends, 
somewhat exhausted and well scared. Time, 
Centennials, 14:10. 

The exhibition pull of the "Sho'es" was the 
attraction of the afternoon, and when they 
appeared upon the river they were received by 
the spectators with a round of applause. They 
pulled a mile with a turn in 6:30. 

The six-oared race, one mile and return, was 
between the Undine and Floral City Boat 
Clubs. It was very close to the turning stake, 
where the Undines " went to grass," but made 
a quick, short turn and got away for home a 
little ahead, on the return; about one-half mile 
from the finish, they fouled with the Florals, and 
by it lost considerable ground. This foul un- 
doubtedly gave the race to the Florals. Upon 
the whole this was one of the most exciting 
races on the river. Time, Florals, 13:33A ; 
Undines, 13:40. 

Working boat race, one-half mile and return, 
was won bj- Lazettc and Vinier in 11 minutes. 
They pulled the " John Wahl." 



The tub race was very interesting to the spec- 
tatoi's. It was taken by Henry Rotcheford. 

The presentation of prizes took place at 
hrtrong's Hotel, J. D. Ronan making the pre- 
sentation speech. The Centennials, of Detroit, 
winners of the four oared race, were the recip- 
ients of an elegant silver water-i3itcber. The 
Wyandottes, winners of the double scull race, 
each received a silver cup. The prize for the 
six-oared race, won by the Floral City's, was a 
handsome silver ice-pitcher. The single scull 
prize, won by G. W. Bowlsbj", was a silver cup. 
The prize for the working boats, two silver 
cups, and for the tub race, a silver badge. 

In the evening the visiting crews were en- 
tertained by the Navy, and after toasts and 
speeches by the various members of the boat- 
ing fraternity, Mr. H. U. Soper, in behalf of 
the citizens of Detroit, presented the Sho-wae- 
cae-mettes with a purse of $390, for the purpose 
of procuring them a new boat with which to 
attend the Henley regatta next season. It 
was a very pleasant surprise to the ''Sho'es," 
and their secretary, Mr. D. R. Crampton, 
thanked Mr. Soper and the citizens of Detroit 
in words that were expressive of the heartfelt 
gratitude of the club. 

THE MONROE MARSH COMP.\^NY. 

The Monroe Marsh Company was first started 
in the winter of 1880, with tlie following list of 
members: 

George Dawson, St. Catharines, Ontario. 

II. G. Jackson, Binghamton, New York. 

H. J. Taylor, St. Catharines, Ontario. 

Charles Ijobb, St. Catharines, Ontario. 

J. B. Giles, St. Catharines, Ontario. 

Chironce M. Teller, New York. 

Howard Soule, Syracuse, Ne v York. 

F. Brandreth, Sing Sing, New York. 

George A. Brandreth, Sing Sing, New Yorlc. 

Pierre Van Wyck, New York. 

Robert B. Lawrence, New York. 

W. B. Lawrence, New York. 

Joseph C. Willetts, Skaneateles, New York. 

Mathias Nicoll, New York. 

Wm. Treadwell, New York. 

Henry W. de Forest, New York. 

J. Mack, and five or six other applicants. 

On May 29, 1881, the first regular mei^ting 
of the stockholders was held at the Globe Hotel, 
Syracu.se, and the following officers were 
elected : 



AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN. 



40!) 



Pivsidcnt, (u'lirgo Dawson. 

Vice Pivsidont, Howard Soulo. 

So(.'ivtar3--Tivasiuvr, J. Bi'vans Gik-s. 

J)irectors, H. G. Jackson, L. Mosos, Franklin 
Brandri'th, R. B. Lawronce and Chark'S Lobb. 

CiinimilU'o on Constitution and B}- Laws, 
.1. B. Gilos, H. C. Symmes and H. J. Taylor. 

Tlio Collowing October, 1881, a .set of articles 
of association and rules were adopted, wliicli, 
with certain modifications, are still in force. 

The officers at prest'nt are as IdIIkws : 

President, Howard Souk'. 

Vice President, F. Brandretli. 

Secretary-Treasurer, Robt. B. Lawrence. 

Directors, Lucius Moses, Hon. H. \. Conant. 

Trustee, W. C. Sterling. 

The list of members is as follows : 

1. Frank B. Austin, New York. 

2. Franklin Brandretli, New York. 

3. Ralph Brandrelh, New York. 

4. Hon. H. A. Conant, Monroe, Michigan. 

5. A. N. Cowden, Batavia, New York. 

G. George Daw.son, St. Catharines, Ontario. 
7. Henry W. de Forest, Ne v York. 
H. Hon. Robt. R. Hamilton, New York. 
9. Hon. Frank Hiscock, Syracuse, N. Y. 
](». Robt. B. Lawrence, New York. 

11. Waltrr B. Lawrence, Now York. 

12. Lucius Mo.ses, Marcellus, New York, 
i;;. .lames Rafferty, Buffalo, Now York. 
14. Howard Soule, Syracuse, New York, 
l.'j. William C. Sterling, Monroe, Michigan. 
IC. Henry J. Taylor, St. Catharines, Ontario. 

17. Judge William J. Wallace, Sj'racust-, N.Y. 

18. Joseph C. Willetts, Skaneateles, N. Y. 
The original number of subscribers has been 

reduced from twent3'-five to eighteen. 

The company coTitrols about 2,300 acres of 
marsh and bay shooting. The ducks embrace 
all the best varieties. The canvasbacks and 
redheads are killed in large numbers, sixty- 
eight canvasbacks having been kilk'd by one 
member of the company on one day dui'ing the 
fall of lS8(i. Eighty-four redheads have also 
been killed in a day by the same member. The 
largest number of bii'ds brought in b^ a single 
gun was one hundred and tifty-seven, in the 
spring of 1883, and one hundred and forty-five 
of them were lesser scaup and ring-necke<l 
scaup. Geese and swan are at times shot ujion 
the marsh, but are not present in any such 
numbers as to insiiiv sport. 

The company have expen<led about six 



thousand dollars in >Mitable (■hil)-hon>es, situ- 
ated upon the bordei-sof the Moni'oe slii|) (-anal. 
The club is still 5-oung, and its history al)oul 
that of all similar associations. 

MONROE YACHT CMI! 

Organized and incorpoi'ated May 27, 1887. 
Station, Monroe, Michigan. Officers: 

Commodore, Wm. C. Sterling. 

Vice Commodore, So^moui- Re\ nobis. 

Rear Commodore, W. C. Waldorf. 

Secretary, Wing Little. 

Treasurer, J. C. Sterling. 

Measurer, Capt. J. W. Louttit. 

Board of Dii'cetors : J. ('. \Vhi])ple, Chas. |{. 
Wing, L. O. Goddard, R. C. Fullei', W. 1'. 
Sterling. 

List of yachts enrolled in the Monroe ^';^eht 
Club : 

Name. Oinner. Kig. 

Emma G. J. C. Sterling, e^rti. Sehoonci-. 

Reynolds No. 1. Seymour Reynolds. Sloop. 
Nellad. Capt. J. W. Louttit. Fore cV" A ft. 

Florence. R. C. Fuller. Cut Rig. 

Re^'nolds No.2. Seymour Reynolds. Sloop. 
L. B. Sink. Vetal Willits. Stoani. 

Emma N. Capt. L. Jones. Foroc^i Aft. 

Daniel Brown. Dewey Bros. Fi)rec*cAft. 

Fuller. R. C. Fuller. Steam. 

Beulah. John Stoncr. Fore^Aft. 

John Cooper. l)iu-lo& Duval. Fore.V .\(i. 

The Monroe Yacht Club joined llie Inter- 
Lake Yachting Association, and sent yachts to 
several regattas given l)y the association. The 
" Reynolds No. 2," at the regatta held by the 
a.ssociation in 1888 at Putin-Bay, carrieil off 
the prize in her class. The " Reynolds No. 1," 
at the regatta given at Toledo. Ohio, bj- the 
Ohio Yacht Club in 1887, carried off the honors 
in her class. She is now owned at Toledo, and 
still carries the champion flag. 

Mr. Seymour Reynolds and 1?. ('. Fuller 
have been the largest ))atrons of yachtini: at 
Monroe, and have devoted a great deal of time 
to the study of models, and have had several 
yachts built in accordance with ]>lans and 
models of their own design, Mr. Fuller giving 
his attention to steam and Mr. Reynolds to 
■sail yachts. Messrs. Cooper Brothers have 
iniilt most of the yachts launche<l here, and 
some of tliem iiave been very fast. Thc^- have 
a fine reputation all over tlie country as build- 
ers of all clas.scs of pleasure craft, and boats of 



410 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



their build are now owned and used in many 
States ot the Union. Vetal Willits, proprietor 
of the boat house, has l)uiit one steamer and 
many sail and small boats. Captain Ben 
Whitney built tlie " Fuller" for E. C. Fuller, 
the finest steam |ileasure boat ever built on the 
Raisin, and has IpmIK many small boats for ])er- 
sons in Adrian and dittci'eiit jiarts of the 
country. Ca])tain li. .lones. formerly in the 
boat business and an old builder, in 1888 built 
the ■• Emma N.," the finest finished, mo.st com- 
plete and fastest boat of her class on the river. 

The home sailing regattas, on account of so 
few boats being of the same class, were never 
very successful or interesting. But some of 
the matched races were ver}' exciting and will 
be long remembered by the pai'tici])ants and 
resident boatmen. The 'Daniel Brown" in 
all these contests always maintained her rejiu- 
tation of being the fastest lore and aft craft 
at this end of Lake Erie. 

In a matched race between the '• Emma(i.." 
"John Cooper" and "Reynolds," from the 
docks in the Third ward to and around the 
black can buoy and return, go as you please, 
towing by tug only excepted, the crew of the 
" Emma CI." eai'ned the reputation of being the 
liest all-round sailors and watermen in the 
club. The race was commenced in a severe 
blow, and. ended on the home stretch with a 
strong wind down the river, so that the boats 
could not work u|). On the home stretch, from 
the light-house to the docks, the crews of the 
respective l)oats manned the pike-j^oles and 
used them vigorousl3^ The tow-lines were 
brought out and made the best use of possilde. 
But the ci-ew of the "Emma G." capped the 
climax by taking to the water like ducks, anil 
towed and pushed their schooner in a winner. 
This was one of the most novel and exciting 
yacht races on record. 

Any account of boating at Monroe would be 
incomplete without mentioning Captain .Joseph 
Guyoi', who lived on the bank of the United 
States canal and gave it the name of •' Guj^or's 
Island." He kept an inn there for the accom- 
modation of sportsmen, boatmen and picnics. 
His fish, duck and muskrat dinners were 
famous, and he was never so happy us when 
he had served a dinner to strangers or unsus- 
pecting friends from the city, and after they 
had eaten heartily of " his chicken," to inform 
them that they had just finished a muskrat 



dinner and that they could not tell muskrat 
from chicken. He was known far and wide as 
"Uncle Joe." On the arrival of a party by 
boat he always went down to the canal to take 
the line, and his greeting, "Bon jour, comine 
vous porle vous," will be long remembered by 
his many ohl friends and patrons. He was an 
authority in all matters pertaining to hunting, 
fishing, the habits of wild fovvl, fish, muskrats, 
and other fur-beai'ing animals, and frequently 
appeared before the legislature at Lansing to 
advise them in regard to the legislation neces- i 
sary for the protection of game, muskrats and ' 
fish. His inn was the headquarters for yachts- I 
men and oarsmen ; most of the local regattas 
were held there. Three of the famous Sho- 
wae-cae-mette crew were relatives of his, and 
oarsmen from all parts of the country wore 
wont to meet at " Uncle Joe's," talk boat, drink 
a little elderberry wine, made from berries | 
gathered on the island, and warranted to keep 
off malariaaudall the ills of the marsh. Sports 
men came on from the Eastern States every 
fall to hunt, and the limited accommodations of 
the inn were alwa^'s crowded during the shoot- 
ing season. But finally the hunters became so .* 
numerous that the water-fowl were hunted 
from tlaylight to dark, driven from the marshc~ 
and their feeding-grounds practically broken 
uji. VVni. C. Sterling, after a fruitless endeavor 
to get residents of Monroe interested in thf 
enterprise, joined with a number of weallhy 
sportsmen from the East in purchasing Guyor's 
Island and the surrounding marshes, and estali- 
lishing a shooting preserve. Joseph Guyor 
sold out all his interests to the Monroe Marsli 
Club, moved up town, and died May 5, ISSti, at 
the age of seventy-four. 

The litigation between the Monroe Marsh 
Club and the trespassers and poachers was 
long and bitter. The question was not con- 
fined to the courts, but was discussed pro and 
con. in the newspapers, and by some treated as 
if it was the most important question of the 
times. No small part of the voters thought it 
a political and not a legal question, and were 
ojiposed to any candidate who believed in and 
favored the protection of the property rights 
claimed by the Monroe Marsh Club. " The 
Liberal Shooting Club," composed of some of 
the residents of Monroe, was organized for the 
purpose of contesting the right of the Monroe 
Marsh Club to j)reserve these lands purchased 



AQUATIC SrORTS AND OARSMEN OK THE RIVER RAISIN. 



Ill 



of Giiyor and olln is, mid :i \:iv^e sum of inoiioy 
was raised by the •' Jjibcral (Miib " for that 
liurposc. 

A test suit was coinmeiieed b}- William C. 
Stei-liiiir, trustee for the Monroe Marsh Club, 
against Charles JaeUson, representing the 
Liberal Club, for trespass. The ]>laintiff was 
re|)rescMtcd bj- Messrs. Grosveiior it Landon 
and v. A. Baker, and tlie defendant by John 
{{. Kaiich, Charles Whitman, A. C. Angell and 
lli)t>. I. 1'. Christiancy. The suit was decided 
in the Circuit Court in favor of the plaintiH', 
and aiijicalcd by the defendant to the Supreme 
Court, and was tu ice argued there before the 
court rendered a decision in fiivor of plaintiff', 
and then the court was found to be divided 
three to two. The principle was established in 
the.se suits, that the right of hunting and shoot- 
ing wild fowl was in the owner of the .soil, and 
seems now to be i)rctt}' generally ac(|uiesced 
in. This case, Sterling vs. Jackson, is reported 
in Mich. Reports. 

POINT .MOUILLE SHOOTING ('LIB. 

William O. Hall, (brmerly of Toledo, Ohio, 
now residing in Monroe, in 1872 purchased 
over two thousand acres of marsh lands and 
leased the shooting privilege on other lands in 
the tdwnslii]! (if Berlin, near Point Mouillc, 
built a hunters' ludge, employed game keepers 
and established a complete game preserve, the 
first ever established in the Northwest. Up 
to this time the marsh lands along the lake 
shore had but little value and were considered 
almost worthless, and no one seems to have 
thought of making an\' such use of them until 
Mr, Hall established this jireserve. The own- 



ers of marsh lands soon saw that as the 
jiopulation increased and the counti-y grew in 
wealth these lands would have great value for 
S)iorting purposes, and the pi-ice of marsh 
lands commenced to advance. Mr. Hall sold 
bis preserve in 1880 to the Point Moiiille Shoot- 
ing Club, be being the only incmbcr who is a 
resident of Monroe county. 

Joseph M. Sterling, John L. Ilotl'inan, Ben- 
jamin Lee, H. 'W. Waldorf and Joseph Nadeaii 
all own tracts of marsh lands, and maintain 
shooting preserves for their own pleasure and 
their friends. 

THE BAY POINT SHOOTINO CLIII'. 



ERIE .SHOOTING CLUB. 

The sportsmen and farmers in Erie owning 
marsh lands, finding that tliey were valuable 
for shooting purjioses and that outsiders were 
reaping all the benefits and enjo\ing the 
shooting, decided that they w-ould ]iut all their 
marsh lands into one preserve, form a club and 
protect them from trespassers, and in August, 
1S7.S, Dr. William R. (JifTord, Joseph S. Hilton. 
George .Stump, A. J. Kenny, James C. Potter, 
Charles M, Rowe, Jay W^, Kenny, John Wee- 
man, C, O, Brigham, Z. Pheatt, Geo, Hall, Levi 
Morrill, and others met and organized "The 
Bay Point Shooting Club " ■■ for the purpose 
of securing suitable territoiy for hunting and 
.shooting for the exclusive use of the members, 
their friends, etc. " All the members owning 
marsh lands leased them to the club, in all over 
4,000 acres. Li 1889 this club was reorganized 
under the name of tlio •• Krie Shooting Club. " 



CHAPTER XXX. 



BUSINESS INTERESTS OF MONEOE. 



TO write the life history of our esteemed fel- 
low-citizen, Hon. Joseph M. Sterling, 
woiilii be to give the storv of the rise and 
progress of the princii>al business and manu- 
facturing interests of the city of Monroe from 
1835 to the present time. Up to about 1838, 
from the peculiar advantages given it by nature, 
Monroe was the most prominent port on the 
lakes west of Buffalo and Cleveland, and all 
classes of merchandise were brought by water 
in any kind of craft to La Plaisance Bay, about 
four miles south of Toll's dock, to which place 
it was brought through the marsh from the bay 
in horse boats. 

WAREHOT'SES. 

In 1S37 George B. Ilarleston l)uilt the 
steamer " Alvira Smith," in which Captain 
E. L. Haft, at the bay and Toll's dock (Dr. 
Graham keeping the warehouse at the bay), 
received as a Ibrwarding house (under the 
name of Harlcston, Haft & Co.) all shipments 
at either end, which continued till about 1839, 
when J. Q. Adams, president of the River 
Eaisin Bank, formed a company, or in fact two 
companies, of which he was president and the 
bank mostly owners, calling them the fja 
Plaisance Bay Harbor Company, for the pur- 
pose of biiildiui; anti operating w-arehouses at 
the bay and dock; and the Lake Erie and 
River Raisin Railroad Company, for the pur- 
pose of building, operating and maintaining a 
railroad between Toll's dock and the bay. The 
road was built of Wooden rails laid through the 
mai-sh on piles, the motive power being horses, 
and with a car lor freight and passengers. 
Great calculations were made as to the increase 
of business which would result from this great 
improvement, so clo.sely identified with the 
financial interests of Monroe. 

About the same time a cojjartnei-sliip was 
forrne<l by and between A. Ivuinbei-t, W. (,!. and 
J. M Stci'ling, under the firm name of A. Jjam- 



bert & Co., and basing the price upon the pre- 
vious year's business, rented both railroad and 
warehouse for $1,500 per jear, and at existing 
tariffs they expected to realize largely on their 
rental. 

This may be said to be the turning-point in 
the history of Monroe. Up to this time there 
had been no exports. The country being new, 
the settlers had been compelled to import the 
necessaries of life, and fluttering sails caught 
the early spring and late fiill breezes on the 
lake, and Monroe was the principal point to 
which they made their consignments ; but in 
1840 the most of the imports ceased, and Ihc 
total of the exports amounted to only about 
five hundred barrels of flour. In 1841 the first 
products of the West came in from Adrian on 
the Michigan Southern Railroad, being six car- 
loads of wheat of one liunilred bushels each. 
These were landed in Moni'oe at a ]H)int near 
where Kurd's elevator now is, antl Patrick 
Golden had the contract to dock the shipment. 
As a contrast with the present methods they 
then carried the gi'ain in bags on their shoul- 
dei's, weighed the wheat and emptied it into 
the bins, working till about two o'clock in the 
morning, and when done taking their supjier 
at the baj'. 

A gradual increase from year to year lias 
shown that with all the competition from other 
points Monroe still held her own, as during 
the year 1888 one firm alone exported over 
825f),000 worth of grain. 

In the spring of 1842 J. M. Sterling, Cole A. 
Uisbrow, P'ifield & Sterling, and Morton, Birch 
& Co. had warehou.ses, making most of their 
shipments by lake to Cleveland and Bufliilo. 
Bronson & Colton then moved from Conneaut, 
Ohio, and in 1843 the La Plaisance Bay ware- 
house' was moved to the dock, and the ship- 
ments made throULch llie new canal, the ware- 
house being o|KTale<l by Slolham Wing, and 
is now ust'd as an icehouse. 



[412] 



BUSINESS INTKRESTS OF MONROE. 



413 



In 1S44 ("has. Noble hiiill a warclionsc for 
Strong iV Scolt, wliieli was used by Albert Jjee 
ami vvas destroyed by fire in 1883. During 
the same j-ear Noble & Sterling built what was 
long known as the old block warehouse, and 
niiw forms a part of the ]>hint of the Sterling 
Manufacturing Company. 

Daring the years 184:i-l Monroe was one of 
ihelargest produce markets in this section of the 
country and wlieat was brought in from Jack- 
son and j)oints in Washtenaw and Ijeiiawee 
counties, in wagons, atul what was not useil by 
the Mdiirot- mills was sent to the warehouses 
for shiiiim-nt to Buffalo. With the o])ening of 
the railroad through to Chicago from the lake, 
and the tariff being the same to boat t)r ware- 
house, five cents per barrel on flour and thre(? 
cents per bushel on wheal, the profits on ware- 
housing were so reduced tliat with the excep- 
tion of Noble & Sterling they were all discon- 
tinued. But they had come to stay, and Mr. 
Sterling said that for the next thirty ^-ears he 
priijiosed to have a ]mil of fresh drinking 
water in his warehouse oftice'on the dock. 

During tlie next few ^ears, owing mainly to 
the unsettled state of currency, nearly- all the 
business transactions of the da}* were in the 
nature of dicker, and in 1842-4 the flour wait- 
ing shi])m(Mit at the dock was stored in sheds 
and piled up, at times on account of the 
scarcity of vessels there being as much flour 
stored and waiting as there are now poles on 
the yards on the dock. The track to the bay 
was of the hardest kind of wood that could be 
procured. 2x4 in size, and in the trip from llie 
dock to the bay it was no unusual thing to 
'jump the track " five or six times. In those 
<laysthc boys liked to have their fun and save 
work as well as now, and in 1840 they rig^'cd 
up a hand car with a sail in order to save 
" pumping," thinking to take a trip to the bay 
in this railroad sailboat. J. M. Sterling was 
the first to board it, and just for lun started 
alone for the i)ay; but lie had i-eckoncd without 
his host, as he soon found tliat it was one thing 
to start but (juite another to stop the novel 
machine. On approaching the warehouse at 
the bay, and seeing no way of getting control 
of the sailboat, he " took a header " and left 
the car to run its course, whicii it soon did, the 
momentum carrying it through the warehouse 
and into the lake, from which it was afterwards 
fished out. As this involved more work than 



" |Mini])ing." it is neeilless to say that the 
Itoys did not again use the sail as a motive 
l)Ower. 

Many trips were made in those daj-s from the 
bay to Detroit in small boats, ami an incitleiit is 
told of one starting out in the spring of 1845 
from Detroit, and the '-sailboat " ride recalled 
to Mr. Sterling's mind the remarks of Mr. 
.Iiis<'ph Campeaii when toiil (hat the boat had 
floundered about in the ice, tore her paildle- 
wheels to ])ii'ces, but finally brought up in a 
demoralized condition at lOrie. Mr. ('ampeau 
says with his French accent : 

" Well, I t'ot so. Now when ze Englishman 
he want to go anywhere, he set down and t'ink 
how he get <lar; and va' Fri-nchman he wtiut to 
go, and he stop and link how he^'ctdar; but 
ze American, ze Yankee, he want to go, and, be 
gar, he go. He go heaven, he go hell, he go 
anywhere ! ' 

What a contrast between early transporta- 
tion and navigation and tiiat ol the present time! 
The Indian pony and the lumber wagon have 
given place to the railroad, the small boat and 
Mackinaw bateau to immense ironclad levia- 
thans : but some will doubtless feel that notwith- 
standing these impi'ovements, these increased 
conveniences and facilities, that the good old 
times when tliey made journeys through the 
country by the old fashioned stage coach or 
rockaway were far more to their liking and en- 
joyment; and tlu'ri' is, somehow, an air of inno- 
cence and ingenuousness, wholeness and com- 
})leteness associated with those old-lime manners 
and customs that is lacking in the modern 
improvements and conveniences, and of which 
we are strongly reminded wlu-n we see the 
farmer of to-day driving into the city with his 
comfortable old wagon, in the back of which is 
his crock of fresh l>uller, or basket of eggs, 
covered with newly mown fresh grass with 
which to feed the old family horse. It reminds 
one of old times, of healthful country breezes, 
and speaks of our forefathers' frugality and 
thrift and the wise and jiniileiil la^-ing-up for 
a rainy day. 

FIE!.. 

Up to about lS4(;-7 the (brests furnished fuel, 
and charcoal was largel}' used. In 1847, J. M. 
Sterling began bringing coal on steamers in 
hogsheads and barrels for the use of blacksmiths, 
and for many years supplied most of the coal 



414 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



used by that trade to points as far west as 
Goshen oil the Michigan Southern Air Line. 
In the fall of 1848 he built his first coal shed 
and stocked it with forty tons of blacksmith 
and grate coal, which at that time was con- 
sidered to be more than enough to last for the 
next decade. The business increased slowly 
but surely, until in 1860 nearly two hundred 
tons wore used in Monroe. In 18(35 over four 
hundred tons were sold by him, and in 1870 
over twelve hundred tons found a ready mar- 
ket. The next five years showed an annual 
increase of about one hundred tons, while in 
1880 the mark was made at nearly three thou- 
sand tons, which increased over four hundred 
tons a year for the next five years. In 1888 the 
receipts of coal at Monroe station for all parties 
were over five hundred carloads, or nearly ten 
thousand tons, an increase in fort}' years of 
about nine thousand and eighty-six tons. A 
large portion of this is handled by W. C. Ster- 
ling, dealer in coal, wood, salt, hay, straw and 
ice, at the same place where J. M. Sterling put 
up his first coal sheds in the fall of 1S4S. 

MONROE GAS LIGHT CO. 

The books of the Monroe Gas Light Com- 
pany- were opened for subscription in the com- 
mon council room on Friday and Saturday', 
November 11 and 12, 1859. The capital stock 
was jilaced at $40,000, and divided into eight 
hundred shares at fifty dollars. The company 
was incorporated December 10, 185D, by I. R. 
Grosvenor, B. F. Fifield, J. R. Kauch, C. K. 
Green and E. A. Lansing, under the provisions 
of an act of the legislature of the State of 
Michigan, approved February 12, 1855, and 
entitled "An act for the formation of Gas 
Light companies," the charter to run for thirty 
years. Ira R. Grosvenor was elected president, 
]?. F. Fifield treasurer and secretary, and with 
J. R. Rauch, C. K. Green and B. A. Lansing, 
formed the first board of directors. 

A contract was at once made with Sylvester 
S. Battin, of Newark, New Jersey, to construct 
the works at a cost of 836,000, payment to be 
inaih^ ill the stock of the company. The work 
of construction was commenced April 9, 1860, 
B. F. Fifield being chosen superintendent. 
November 24th of the same year the work was 
completed, and the resignation of I. R. Grosve- 
nor as president, and Green and Lansing as 
directors accepted, Joseph M. Sterling being 



elected to the former, and S. S. Battin and 
Benjamin Dansard to the latter positions. 

From this date (November 24, 1860) to De- 
cember 31st, the receipts from consumers were 
$305.76. During the twelve months ending 
December 31, 1861, the total consumption of 
gas was a little over 662,000 feet at $3.50 per 
thousand, the receipts being $2,317.31, with 
about 45,000 feet of main pipe. For the year 
ending December 31, 1888, the price was $2.00 
per thousand feet, and a little over 4,339,000 
feet used, for which the company received 
$8,678.76, and to supply which required over 
three and one-half milesof main pipe. During 
this time the service has been made without 
any accident of note except an explosion in the 
year 1862, which left the city without gas for 
about three months. 

STERLING MANITFACTURING CO. i 

The Sterling Manufacturing Company was 
incorporated in January, 1888, with a capital 
stock of $10,000, the incorporators being J. M., 
J. C, W.C, F. S., and W. P. Sterling. They 
began building in 1887, their plant consisting 
of a saw, shingle, lath and planing mill, with 
engine, power and necessary yard room. The 
mill buildings projier are two stories high, j 
90x80, or about 14,400 square feet of floor space, 
in which they conduct the business of general 
contractors and builders, having in process of 
construction over thirty houses in Toledo, be- > 
sides a large number in Monroe and Wayne > 
counties. The docks of this company, with the j 
pole dock of F. S. Sterling & Co., furnish the '■ 
only landing in Monroe for boats drawing over 
seven feet of water. 

WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH CO. 

Following closely upon the opening of the 
pole docks of F. S. Sterling & Co., the Western 
Union Telegraph Company recognized the 
great advantages offered by Moni'oe as a dis- 
tributing point and entered into negotiations 
by which they secured about nine hundred 
feet of dock room of the Sterlings. They then 
moved their yards from Toledo to Monroe and 
made it their distributing point for the central 
division, which includes all points governed 
by the central standard of time, or the entire 
portion of the United States between Buffalo 
and Omaha. This division is in charge of 
J. D. Dickinson, superintendent supply de- 



BUSINESS INTERESTS OF MONROE. 



415 



partment at Chicago, with C. L. Peei< in- 
spector at Monroe. Some idea of tlie iniincnso 
amount ot their business at Monroe may bo 
formed from the fact that the yards at Monroe 
employ from eightj' to one liundred men, and 
liave in stock an average of one hundred and 
twentj^ thousand poles, costing about two dol- 
hirs each. An average of two hundred cars is 
sent from the yards here each month and 
shipped to all points in the central division. 

PAPER MILLS. 

Among the larger industries of Monroe maj' 
bo counted the paper mills. Probably the 
oldest mill in the West, and one of the old land- 
marks around Monroe, is the Eaisinvillo mill, 
four miles west of the cit^'. It was built in 
1834 by Christopher McDowell, and for many 
years was the only mill of the kind in Southern 
Michigan. The first steam dryer ever used in 
the West was set up in this mill, in the latter 
part of the fifties. After passing through vari- 
ous changes it came into the possession of 
Jacob Mitchell in 1862, but the introduction of 
new and improved machinery and the cost of 
cartage to and from the mill rendering it an 
unsatisfactory investment, in 1887 it was finally 
closed. The Monfoe Paper Compan}', which 
consisted of Jacob and Leonard Mitchell, wa.s 
organized in 1866, using the old mill until 1874, 
when the present mill was built and a specialty 
made of wrapping paper. Of this they manu- 
facture about twelve hundred tons annually, 
most of which finds a ready market with 
Michigan wholesalers. 

The Monroe Manufacturing Company, of 
which J. R. Ranch is president, S. P. Jackson 
vice-president, and C. A. Jackson secretary 
and treasurer, has a mill 250x60 feet, and gives 
on an average employment to about twenty- 
five men. They daily manufacture an average 
of about five tons of wrapping and c.\])ress 
paper, mostly going to the wholesale market 
of Chicago. 

The Richardson Paper Company, of which 
J. ( '. Richardson is president, C. C. Richardson 
vice-president, and M. II. Richardson secretar3' 
and treasurer, manufacture from two and one- 
liiilf to three million pounds of straw wi-apjiing 
paper annuallj-, from which their revenue is in 
the neighborhood of forty thousand dollars. 



Their sales are mostly in the New York, Phila- 
delphia and Detroit markets. The company 
was incorporated with a capital stock of thirty 
thousand dollars, and is the outgrowth of a 
mill built in 1882 by Frank S. Sill and oi)eratcd 
by him until 1884, when he sold it to Richard- 
son, Tangoman & Scott, of Lima, Ohio. 

A peculiar enterprise under a great deal of 
difficulty was inaugurated in the spring of 
1888 in the manufacture of cloth binder's board 
by F. Wahlorf & Son, their two-story mill, 
35x55, now averaging from two and one-half 
to three tons of that article each day, and giv- 
ing constant employment to from fifteen to 
twent}^ men. 



ISRAEL EPLEY ILGENFRITZ, 

One of the leading nurserymen in the United 
States, and whose push, vim and sterling busi- 
ness qualities have done much toward building 
up one of the leading industries of Monroe, is 
the sixth child and second son of Jacob and 
Catherine (Epley) Ilgenfritz, and was born 
August 13, 1824, near Ijittle York, I'ennsyl- 
vania. 

Although thoroughly Americanized he is of 
German anccstrj^ the first Ilgenfritz who came 
to America emigrating from Strasburg over 
two hundred _years ago and settling in the wil- 
derness on the banks of the now celebrated 
Conomaugh, three and a half miles northwest 
of Ijittle "^'ork. On his death his eldest son 
fell heir to the farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres, together with a smaller tract of 
land adjoining, on which he built a grist mill 
and distillery. When the Revolutionary War 
began he was already an old man, but his 
eldest son, Frederick, the grandfathei- of Mr. 
Ilgenfritz, served through the war, and at its 
close settled on the old homestead, where he 
died in 1822. He had six sons, John, George 
David, Jacob, Frederick and Daniel. John 
emigrated to Ohio, settling in what is now 
Mahoning county about I8((l or 1802. He 
lived to an extreme old age, and many of his 
descendants are still living in Mahoning ctmnty. 
(icorge also moved to Ohio in 1832, and all of 
his brothers with the exce])tion of David and 
Daniel, the former dyingat Lafayette, Indiana, 



41( 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the hitter now living nciir Knhiniazoo, Michi- 
gan. Pi-cderick's brother Martin inherited the 
grist mill, and his joungest brother, Samuel, 
learned the blacksmith's trade and lived his 
whole life in Little York, becoming quite 
wealthy. His eldest .son, William, held the 
office of prothonotary in Little York for some 
twenty years. 

The Ilgenfritz family in the olden titae were 
noted, the men for thei r great mu.scular strength , 
and both men and women remarkable for their 
great independence of spirit. 

Jacob, the father of Mr. Ilgenfritz, after 
serving in the War of 1812, for which a short 
time before his death he received a bounty 
warrant for one hundred and sixty acres of 
land from the Government, lived near Little 
l''ork until about 1830, when he moved to near 
Carlisle, Cumberland county, Penns3-lvania. 
There he followed the occupation of agricul- 
turist until the spring of 1853, when he moved 
to Monroe, where he died October 23, 1863, 
after raising a family of twelve children, six 
boys and six girls. 

The early life of Mr. Ilgenfritz was spent on 
a farm, with the occasional advantages of a fevv 
weeks' schooling during the winter sea.son, 
until 1843, when he went to Bellcfonte, Center 
county, Penn.sylvania, and emharketl in the 
nursery busine.ss there. 

In the fall of 1846 he visited Monroe, and in 
the spring of 1847 he moved from Bellefonte to 
Monroe, bringing with him a small stock of 
trees, which he planted on Monroe street, just 
south of St. John's Catholic church. In the 
spring of 1848 he bought a half interest in the 
nursery of E. H. Re) nolds, on the land adjoin- 
ing St. Mary's church. Most of the shrubber3^ 
around the house of Father Joos, where their 
office then was, was planted bv him. Tn a 
short time Mr. Reynolds sold out his share in 
the business to Mr. Jesse Beardsle3^ who shortly 
afterwards sold it to Mr. Ilgenfritz, making him 
the sole owner in the fall of 1849 of the Monroe 
Nursery'. In the spring of 1850 the firm was 
changed to Ilgenfritz & Bentley (Mr. A. E. 
Bentley purchasing a half interest), and so 
continued till about 1856, when it again came 
into the hands of Mr. Ilgenfritz by the with- 
drawal of Mr. Bentley. About 1863 Mr. Ilgen- 
fritz admitted Mr. Amos Kellogg and Daniel 
Ilgenfritz to j)artnorship (each having a quarter 



interest), the former continuing about a year, 
the latter leaving the firiii in 1876. After this 
Mr. Ilgenfritz continued the business alone 
until his sons came in with him, when the firm 
name was changed to I. E. Ilgenfritz & Sons. 

Starting with a small plant, about 1850 it was 
enlarged by the rental of the Edmonds' farm. 
About 1856 the first part of the Waterloo farm 
of about two hundred acres was purchased. In 
1858 the railroad farm, of one hundred and 
sixty-five acres, came into his possession, and 
in 1872 he acquired the title to the Clark farm 
of seventy acres. This latter was used as 
packing grounds for about a year, when it was 
found necessary to be more central, and the 
present grounds adjoining the Lake Shore and 
Michigan Southern depot were graduallj- pur- 
chased of the Rev. Mr. Saft'ord and others. 

Probably one of the ha|)piest moments of 
Ml'. Ilgenfritz's life was when about 1855 he 
became the owner of his first property on Elm 
street, on Ander.^on block No. 1, which is now 
known as the homestead lot. The old log 
house was formerly used as an Indian trading 
])08t. Here he lived for thirteen years, and it 
it now used as a dwelling house by his son 
Theodore. 

December 24, 1846, he was married to Mary, 
daughter of Michael and Margaret (Walters) 
Fishburn, whose children arc : Margaret E., 
born February 17, 1849, and m.irried February 
15, 1871, to Thomas Osborn, a well-to-do farmer 
living near Tecumseh ; Harriet F., born June 
29, 1850, and married May 15, 1872, to J. M. 
Loose, well known in connection with the Red 
Clover Com]iany, of Detroit; Charles A., born 
September 5, 1852, married September 13, 1881, 
to Miss Sadie Ketcham, of Saginaw ; Albert W., 
born October 23, 1854, died May 2, 1855; 
Theodore E., born May 3, 1856, married Feb- 
ruary 6, 1877, to Kate Lafontain, of Monroe, 
and now living in the old homestead house ; 
Wilbur F., born June 21, 1858 ; Edgar C, born 
May 11, 1860, married November 5, 1884, to 
Hattie Harvey, grandchild of Captain Harvey, 
well known to the older citizens of Monroe ; 
Frank L., born April 16, 1862; Mary B., born 
April 11, 1864; Thomas I., born March 25, 
1866; Kate v., born December 24, 1867, and 
Lilla A., born December 15, 1869. 

All of the Ilgenfritzes two generations ago, 
with the exception of Mr. Ilgenfritz's great- 



BUSINESS INTKRKSIS OK MONROE. 



417 



uncle, Samuel, wore Democrats; lie married 
into the Hay family and they converted him 
into a Federalist. Mr. Ilgenfritz i.-* a .strong 
Republican, and yet, such is the estimation in 
which lie is held In' his fellow citizens, that he 
has been thrice elected to represent his ward 
(the fourth) as alderman in the citj- council — 
in 1875-G. in 1887-8, and 1889 MO; the « ard 
on an averege vote of 180 usually going Demo- 
cratic by about 40 vote.*, at the last term gave 
him a majority of 21 votes. 

Since about 1851 Mr. Ilgenfritz has been a 
constant member of the Methodist Episcopal 
<-luirch, and for most of that time has held the 
office of class-leader, steward and trustee. He 
lias always been liberal according to his means 
in contriliuting to all church work, and in all 
his dealings showed that his profession of faith 
was not a cloak to cover the garb of hypocrisy. 

Devoting bis entire time and energy to his 
chosen calling he has earned a re])utation 
throughout the country which makes him an 
umpire from whose decision there is no appeal 
in questions as to the name and variet}" of any 
fruit, and while for many years he was foremost 
at fairs and exhibitions, he now has only time 
to devote to his constantly increasing business. 

We take the following trom the fourth annual 
report of the secretar}- of the State Pomological 
Societj- of Michigan. 

" We were back again at Adrian 'in time for 
the 8 A. M. train for .Monroe. A sandwich 
and cup of coffee sufficed for a l>reakfast, and 
alioard the train for Monroe, where we arrived 
in time for a substantial dinner at the hosi)i- 
tahle mansion of 1. E. Ilgenfritz, who is the 
Nunser^- King of the State. 

THE MONROE NURSERIES. 

. . . " Directly in front and adjoining the 
Michigan Southern Railroad depot are the ex- 
tensive packinghouses and ornamental grounds 
of this establishment. A description of the 
buildings and grounds may not be inappro- 
priate here. The main packing house is 40x15(5 
feet, two stories high, with cellar for heeling in 
such trees and plants as are require;! for spring 
sales and would be likely to take injury through 
the winter if left in the open ground ; another 
advantage is, it facilitates early shipments in 
spring. This cellar extends under the entire 



building, and is entered at either end liy door- 
ways of sufficient size to admit of team and 
wagon loaded with trees. The bottom is laid 
with a coat of cement four inches thick, and 
this again covered eighteen inches deep with 
fine sand for laying in the roots of trees and 
plants. Here thousands of trees and ])lants 
can be safelj- stored out of all danger of injury 
from wind and weatlier, readj- for shipment a 
month or more before any can be moved from 
the open ground. In fact, at any time during 
the winter months, should mild weather occur, 
thej- can be handled from these cellars. The 
ground floor is used for boxing, marking, etc., 
and affords ample room for thirty or fort)' men 
to work. On one end of this floor are the 
business offices, and underneath the grafting 
room. The upper story is used for manufac- 
turing and storing boxes used in packing trees, 
and for the storing of tools, &c. 

'■So indispensable to their extensive business 
have the proprietors found the heeling cellar 
above mentioned, that they were erecting and 
tiad nearly completed another building, 50x156 
feet, with walls of masonry fourteen feet high, 
and set in the ground six feet, to be used exclu- 
sively tor this purpose. 

" The ornamental grounds attached to these 
buildings are nine acres in extent, and were 
made up of city lots covered with dwellings, 
which the Messrs Ilgenfritz have purchased 
and torn down or removed, until they have the 
present area all to themselves, and situated in 
one of the most advantageous and pleasant ]iarts 
of the city. The grounds were somewhat low 
in their natural state, and the proprietors have 
been at great expense in filling and leveling. 
They have covered several acres with fine soil 
for the growth of ornamental plants, to the 
depth of from two to six feet. It was a vast 
labor, but .Mr. Ilgen'Vitz remarked: 'The 
soil should be laid on until it ploa.sed him, if it 
required a depth of ten foot.' There is ' a heap 
of vim' in this man. I. I']. Ilgenfritz. These 
grounds were in part already planted to the 
finest varieties of ornamental (lowering plants 
and shrubs, and the coming season they will be 
entire filled. 

•' From the ornamental grounds I accom- 
panied the jiroprietors to the farms, where the 
heavj- slocks of fruit and ornamental trees arc 
grown. There are three in all. covering up- 



418 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



wards of three hundred acres in extent. All 
such stocks of trees are wonderful. The 
quantities of special leading varieties — 50,000 
Baldwin, 50,000 Greening, 20,000 and 30,000 
Spy, Canada, etc. — were no unusual quantities 
to be found in single blocks. The soil where 
these nurseries are located is a rich alluvial, 
underlaid with clay, covering the limestone 
formation at most but a few feet below the sur- 
face, and cropping out in numerous places. 
The cultivation was the nearest perfection to 
be met with anywhere. I much doubt if 
throughout the whole extent of these grounds a 
barrow load of weeds could have been gathered. 
All the grounds are underdrained. Mr. llgen- 
fritz informed us not a rood of ground was 
used for nursery purposes without first being 
thoroughly tiled, the cost of which varies from 
forty to one hundred dollars per acre. 

"In the way of the newer varieties of fruit 
tree stock, tliese men were found no way behind 
their eastern and western competitoi'S. Among 
the apples were Grimes' Golden and American 
Beauty in large quantities, and many other 
novelties I was surprised to find in such 
quantities. This seems to be the soil for grow- 
ing the pear ; finer specimens, of all ages from 
one to three and four years old, can be found 
nowhere in the State; nor have I seen finer 
blocks of pear frees at Eochester, Geneva, or 
Syracuse, and the quality fully up to the 
demand. The cherry and peach are not so 
heavily grown ; but the proprietors have a keen 
eye to the prospective demand, and jilant in 
l)roj)ortion. 

" And yet one important branch of this ex- 
tensive establishment was hardly u]) to the de- 
mand of the times: I refer to the ornamental 
department. They should have some glass 
houses, a propagating house, a sjjecimen ))lant 
house, etc., and now that they are finallj' estab- 
lished on their newly acquired and long coveted 
grounds, they should bo added at once. Prep- 
arations were already being made for their 
erection, and early in the coming season will 
find them completed. The increasing demand 
for hardy evergreens must require a much 
larger stock than were noticed here, and on 
inquiry we were informed that they were pre- 
paring for a heavy stock in this department the 
coming season. Their one and two-j'cars-old 
grape vines were particularly fine ; one block 



of 11,000 Concords, this season's cuttings, were 
extra. But in the immense stocks of the apple, 
their fine growth and healthy condition, the 
uniformity of size and form of tree, the neatness 
and order of planting, with rows as straight as 
lines of light, and extanding in some blocks for 
a mile or more in length, are found an abun- 
dant source of meritorious praise. 

"Some idea of the magnitude of this estab- 
lishment may be gained by referring to the 
amount of stocks planted during the past three 
years. On referring to the registry for 1871 the 
planting for that year footed up to upwards of 
600,000. In 1872 their setting reached 650,000. 
These two lots were cut to the ground in the 
spring of 1873. They are a magnificent lot of 
trees now, and ready for market, standing from 
five to seven feet high, well branched, and as 
desirable a lot to select from as one would wish. 
In 1873, 400,000 were planted ; again in 1874 
400,000 more. The fall of 1875 and spring of 
1876 will find this establishment in possession 
of nearly one million trees ready for market. 

" Tree planters of Michigan ! give these gen- 
tlemen a trial ; they are worthy of j'our patron- 
age, and your own interests will be served by 
so doing. They have had their share in the 
disasters of the unprecedented cold winter of 
1872 and 1873 ; the lo.ss was very great. After 
becoming convinced of the damage done, they 
resolved to 'destroy all that were known to be 
injured, and upwards of $20,000 worth were 
committed to the flames. " 

The above from the report of 1874 can 
hardly be improved upon in describing the 
buildings and nursery of Messrs. Ilgenfritz, 
except to add a few words showing their 
present condition. The main building is 
^Ilxl5t) and two stories higli, with a wing 
175x50, having a drive-way and platform be- 
tween for shijiping, etc. The cellars under- 
neath are used for trenching, and those under 
the wing have the Howe truss roof. The 
extent of the nurseries gives constant employ- 
ment to about seventy-five men, and consists of 
the packing grounds, office and main building, 
nine acres in extent, where they propagate all 
kinds of choice ornamental stock, such as tree 
roses, rhododendrons, choice shrubs, vines and 
ornamental trees. 

The railrord farm on the north side of the 
river stretches along the Lake Shore & Michi- 



BUSINESS INTERESTS OF MONROE. 



419 



i;aii Soiitlu Til tracks a inik> and a quarter from 
tin- rivtr, aud covoi's one huiidrod and (--i^lit}' 
aeri'S ; on this there arc five barns, having a 
floor space of over one thousand square feet. 

Tile Waterloo farm of two hundred acres is 
located on the southwesterly city limits, and 
lias four hundred square feet of wcathersheds 
and barns. 

The Clark farm is situated on the nortli- 
wcstcrly city limits, where about seventy acres 
are devoted to the cultivation of everi^reens 
and ornamentals, and on which are five 
hundred square feet of barn room. 

The homesti-ad lot on the nortii side of the 
river, between the two bridges and opposite the 
residence of Mr. Ilgenfritz. is used for stables 
and general storehouses, making in all nearly 
live hundred acres under cultivation for nur- 
sery purposes. 

The Monroe Nur.st^ries do not make a spe- 
cialty of any one thing, but have over two 
niillion trees, consisting largely of apjile, peach, 
pear and cherry in all stages of advancement, 
and aim to carry in stock all kinds of fruits 
indigenous to the soil, alwaj-s striving to have 
only the best varieties. 



NUKSEKTf;S. 



One of the industi'ies of Monroe of which 
the average resident has but little conception 
of the magnitude, is the nurseries. Beginning 
less than half a century ago it has developed 
from less than two to nearly a thousand acres 
under cultivation, lu our survey of the culture 
of fruits, let us commence at the beginning, 
(iradual. and e.xperimeiital work of the culti 
vator has given rise to a branch of industry in 
.Monroe that has widely surpassed the most 
sanguine dreams of its founders, and from the 
employment of a few in 1840, furnishes means 
of subsistence to several hundreds of industri- 
ous citizens. 

In the tro]iics, amid tlie lu.xurianl vegetation 
of that great natural hot house, nature offers 
to man, almost without care, the most refresh- 
ing, delicious and nutritious fruits ; but in the 
temperate zones nature is more harsh, the 
genial warmth and sunshine of one season 
being followed in quick succession by cold 
winds, ice and snowstorms. In a perpetual 
struggle man is engaged in ameliorating and 



transforming nature, and it is in the face of 
obstacles that man as the gardener ari.ses and 
forces nature to yield to his art. Up to within 
a comparativel}- few years the profession of 
niirseiyman was unknown, each farmer raising 
for himself such trees and plants as best suited 
his tastes. But in tim'e the stuivlj- tiller of the 
soil found that the special study of trees and 
plants, by systematic and well-planned experi- 
ments and carefully noting the results, gave a 
much finer variet}" and a more ))rofitable 
marktt. Thus naturally the business gradual- 
ly fell into the hands of a certain few who 
made a study of it, and the result was that 
Monroe has become a large and growing nur- 
sery center, the soil and climate being from 
certain natural advantages esiieeially ada])teil 
to the growth and pro<luc(ioii of strong, hardy 
and well ripened trees. This, together with its 
ei^ntial location, midway between the East and 
West, and the abundant railroad ailvanlages 
aft'orded, gave the fullest opportunities for the 
development of the business. 

As early as 1840 Bi.xhy, Mattocks, llartwelj 
and others had nur.series on a small scale, but 
jirobabi}- the first one established as a distinct 
business investment was in 1841 by E. H. Rey- 
nolils on about two acres of lan<l on Elm street, 
where the residence of Father Jose now stands. 
In 1847 I. E. Ilgenfritz came to Monroe from 
Bellelontc, Pennsylvania, with a small nnrsery 
stock, anil opened an office at the same ]>oinl in 
partnership with Mr. Reynolds, who soon alter 
withdrew from the business. 

These wi-re indeed ])riinitive times and days 
of small beginnings, anil the man who would 
then have |iredicted that in less than a genera- 
tion the lilisiliess would have assumed the 
gigantic pro])orliinis it has, would have lieeii 
looked upon as a visionary enthusiast, and even 
a few years before the war a niau from another 
])ortion of the .Slate coming to .Monroe with a 
view of starting in the business, and seeing the 
fifteen acres of apple trees set out by Mr. Il- 
genfritz, backed out, thinking that alrcadv 
more trees had been ]ilanted than would ever 
be sold, and there was no use for hini to enter 
into eom|ietitioii. 

There is no siibji'ct eonsiderid by the larnier 
of equal imiiortance as the variety of the trees 
in the orchard he may ])lant. Has he an infi'- 
rior breed of liorscs or cattle, his old stock is 
worth something for work or meat, and he can 



420 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Iiini (licni ntVwitli no iii;i(iTi:il loss aiul rrpliKv 
willi im|inivc(| IhtimIs. Jiul on jiluntini;- an 
(irclianl llir .u,-n>un.| is (UMlicatdl to tlic tree and 
as a rule tlir varirty plantcil, ami if, atUT fivo 
(ir Ivn years ol aii.Ninus waitinii' ami ]iaticnt 
Iiiil, liic varicly is fmiml wortlik'ss liy llic 
ii;niiram-i^ oi llu- purc-liasiT or knavery of tlic 
nurseryman, the evil is mil so easy to i-enicdy. 
Jleiice llie work of tlie lionesl nnrsei-ynian 
i-omes in, to mil only make new \arielies, hnl 
by <-arelnl allenlion lo Ihe nature of llie soil 
and ex|)osni-e when ijrowinii-, lo use judn'menl in 
]ilaeiML;' his trees wliel-e Ihey will mature to Ihe 
hesi advanla<;e. 

Foi-ly years a<j;o men ;frew their own li'i'es; a 
few years later niirser\-nieii pedilled their stoek- 
from farm toliirm wilh horse and wagon, rarely 
i;-oino- more llian a liun<lred miles from home, 
and the i;realer |iorlioM of stoek came from 
easlei'u nurseries. Now the aetive canvasser 
wilh Ids sample hook ami i;-lili tontfue convinces 
the farmer that he has jus! the trees wanted, 
and lakes orders for spriuLi: and fall didivery, at 
whi<di seasons a cai'load or more of stocd< is 
shi|i|iei| lo Ihe ]i..int most desirahle tor disti-ilm 
tioii, and ihe nurseryman whose re|iutalion foi- 
iMUiesI dealinn- and knowled^'e of his business 
stands Ihe hiiihest is, es])eeially if ably re|i|-e 
sentcd by his a!;vnts, apt to .n'ct the ci-earn of the 
trade. Asid(.' from the facilities for immediate 
and speedy tr-ans]iortatioii. tlic Monroe sloidi, 
beiiii;- aeelimateil to the soil, was founil to be 
uuieli better adapted to the western soil and 
climale, and i^radually suj)plaiited the easlern 
market in the Icadiui;- sorts most protitalile lo 
this loeality. 

We rind 111. H. Reynolds in 1841, followed 
by 1. E. Ilgenfritz in 1847, from whicU in 1876 
we have I. E. Ilgenfritz & Sons, and known 
as the Monroe Nui-series ; Eeynolds again in 
1850 as the Monroe City Nursery, and joined 
in 1866 by S. B. Lewis, until 1880, when the 
partnershi]) was dissolved and the Floral City- 
Nursery started by Lewis, an<l Eeynolds Nur- 
sery by Reynolds. 

The iiiverKaisin Valley Nursery was estab- 
lished ill 1857 by .1. C. W Greening. In 1882 
bis two sons, George A. and Charles E., with- 
drew, and started on their own account on 
thirty acres next east of the original nursery, 
and in 1886 they took the entire charge of tbe 
nursery located about a mile and a half south 
of the city of Monroe, and consisting of 240 



acres. In 1854 Mr. Greening planted the first 
Concord grape introduced into Monroe county. 
Naturally following the propagating of trees 
comes the production of small fruits. In 1876, 
after dissolving partnership with his brother, 
Mr. Daniel Ilgenfritz started as the pioneer of 
berry culture in Southern Michigan, and now 
has on his fruit farm 1,000 apple and 500 pear 
trees, and 10 acres of grapes, 20 of blackber- 
ries and SO of raspberries, the shipments from 
which are from 75 to 100 bushels daily, mostly 
to Bay City and Saginaw markets. 



SAMUEL BAKElt LEWIS, 

The pi'Oprietor of the Floral City Nurseries, 
was ushered into this world October 5, 1823, 
taking his first view of life on a (arm about 
two miles west of Monroe, being the third 
of a family of ten boys, his parents being Silas 
and Lydia (Chilsoii) Lewis, the former of 
whom was killed by the falling of a tree 
December 1, 1853; the latter was born in Cart- 
wright, Delaware county, New York, a few 
miles (i-om Albany, May 2, 1799, and is now 
living at the advanced ago of ninety years in 
Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1806 she went with 
her ))arents to Little York (now Toronto), On- 
tario, and was but a short distance away wdien 
the magazine was blown up, resulting in the 
death of General Pike. Her father, John Chil- 
son, was impressed into the British army dur- 
ing the War of 1812, and not wishing to right 
against his own conntr^ymen, was at that lime 
in hiding under a neighboring bank, which 
fact probably saved him from the fate of 
hundreds of his comrades. 

His grandfather, Reuben Lewis, came to 
Monroe in 1806 with eight families, and was 
probably one of the first American settlers in 
Monroe. He, with Silas, was attached to the 
cavahy, under General Hull, during the War 
of 1812, and at Hull's surrender August 11, 
1811, took to the woods and carried the news 
to General Winchester. His aunt Lucretia 
(mother of the late Mrs. E. H. Reynolds) lia<l 
just made a new cloak which the Indians tried 
several times to take from her ; as she pluckily 
recovered it each time, they finally took both 
her and the cloak to their camp about eight 
miles distant, and from which she managed to 
make her escape the first night. His grand- 



BUSINESS INTERESTS OF MONROE. 



421 



father and gi-iiiidiiiotber in company with a 
number of other settlers made their escape 
i'roni the Frcncli and Indians, and in an open 
bateau followed the coast of Lake Krie to 
(Meveland; in conse(iuencc of exposure during 
Ihc trip Mrs. Lewis died, and Mr. Ijewis after- 
ward went to Kentucky and ro-married. 

Shortly after peace was declared, Sd;is 
married, and returning to Monroe settled on the 
old farm, and also worked a tannery and boot 
and shoe shop, and on the opening of the 
Michigan Southern liailroad from Monroe to 
Adrian took the contract for the constriu^tion 
of sections eight and eleven. 

His brothers are: Manson, born -May, 1820, 
died November, 1824; Shubael, born February 
2S, 1822, for two years treasurer of the town- 
ship of Milan ; Silas, born July, 1825, wlii» 
went to California in 1851 over the overland 
route, and bringing up in Texas just before the 
War iif the Kebcllion, was pressed into the 
Confederate service, and served in the rebel 
army through the war, at the close of which, 
in company with two other families, fitted out 
teams, intending to emigrate throui,'h the Indian 
Territory to Iowa, but the first night out, when 
camped on the banks of Blue River, tlu'y were 
overtaken by white men disguised as Indians 
atid the men brutally- murdered, while tlu' wo- 
men and children, after iair\ ing their hushands 
;\Tid fathers in hurriedly dug graves, returned 
1(1 Bonham, Fannin count}-, Texas; Mos&s, 
horn in 1827 and died an infant; John Chilson, 
liorn in 182i), went to California with ('oloncl 
Wadsworthin 1851, now livingin Iowa; James, 
born in 18:^1, now living in Colorado: William, 
horn in 1834; Nelson, born in 1837; the two 
latter, with John ("hil.son, went to Iowa and 
settled in the SDUthern part of Kane lownshi]), 
Pottawattamie eoiitily, which a few \'ears 
.ago was set off and named Lewis town- 
ship; and (Jeorgo IL, born in 1841, and now 
living in Monroe. 

A remarkable fact in connection with Mr. 
Lewis's family is that all thelirothers (with the 
except of the two who died in infancy and the 
one who was shot) are living, hale, hearty, old 
men, who have hardly known the meaning of 
sickness in their lives. 

November 28, 1849, Mr. Lewis was married 
ill Brownst«jwn, Wa^'ne county, Michigan, to 
.Mary Klizabeth. daughter of Joseph and Julia 
Ann (DeForest) Viles, the former of whom 



died April 2'J, 1877, and the latter April 2C, 
1888. Mrs. Lewis was a native of Steiilicn, 
New York, where she w:fs horn April 2, l.s:j2. 
Her children are : Emma Ijucretia.horn Septem- 
ber 18, 1852, married to William V. Strong, an 
engineer in Charlevoix, and .son of Captain 
Strong, one of the old residents of Monroe; 
Claire Klizabeth, born Octolier 1, 1852 ; Susan 
Augusta, born Feliriiary 14, 1854 ; (ieorge 
Washiniiton, born September 30, 1855, married 
March 28, 1883, to Belle Hendriek, of Rochester, 
New York, and now living in St. (Shark's, 
Michigan; Franklin May, horn November 12, 
1857, died January 23, 18(!ll; Alva, born Sep- 
temher 14, 1859, died September 30, 1859; 
Haltie Minnie, horn March IS, 18fil, now living 
in Monroe, the wife of Willis Baldwin, county 
surveyor, to whom she was married April 11, 
1883; Samuel Cliilson, born July 4, 18li3 : and 
Mary Alzada, born November 11, IStJS. 

Of Mr. Jjewis's brothers none were in the 
Union army, altliougii he ]iaid for a suhstitute 
and was not drafted, and Shubael was drafted 
and cleared the call by reason of deafness. 
Silas was pressed into the rebel army, in which 
he served through the war, and was shot by 
iiushwhackcrs on the hanks of Blue River, 
Indian Territory, in July, l!~!(;5. 

The grandf\ither of Mr-^. Lewis ftJeorge 
DeFoi-est) was an officer at West Point, where 
he died during the War of 1S12. 

Mr. Ijewis had hut few educational advan- 
tages in his I'arly youth, attending school in the 
old log school house on the Harvey farm, and 
graduating from the .select school kept by 
Ingi'rsoll & Peters under the old Jlelhodist 
Episcopal church. A farrmr from his hoy- 
hood, he ran a threshing machine for about 
ten years; from 1855 to 1857 he had charge of 
the county poorhouse and farm, and after 
traveling for Ilgenfritz in 180(1, in company 
with K. H. Reynolds slarteil the Monroi' City 
Nurseiy on the fiirm wheir the River Raisin 
massacre occurred. The great hailst<n-m of 
1883 resulted in the dissolution of this partner- 
ship, and on tlu' hundred acres coining to him 
as his sliare, he started the Floral Cit}- Nursery 
as S. B. Lewis & Co. His brother George was 
the company, hut he soon afterward withdrew. 

Mr. Lewis has by close attention built uji a 
large business, extending over the entire 
country. His selection of varieties, manj' of 
them imported, emhraces all the latest and most 



422 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



proiiii.siii^ iiitroduelioiis, as well as the most 
popular and thoroughly pi-oved older sorts, 
hoth of fruits or orBanientals, for tlie garden, 
orchard, park or lawn. His aim is to krcp 
fully abreasl of an enlightened and enltivated 
taste in llie introduelion Of new and valnalile 
varieties of fruit, and novelties and valnalile 
acquisitions in ornamentals, giving the most 
careful scrutinj' to tlieir propagation, accepting 
with jileasurc anything that has real merit. By 
a careful consideration of the wants of his 
trade, and faitiiful attention to husiness, he is 
warranted in ofliei'ing his stock as pure and 
ahsolutcly true to name, and is enabled to offer 
the product of his nurseries with entire confi- 
dence to planters in all sections of the country. 
In politics Mr. Ijcwis has always been a rad- 
ical Democrat. For many years he has heen a 
consistent mcmbei- of (he Presb3'terian church. 



WACONMAKERS. 



While in tin' mainifacturc of wagons and 
carriages Mcmrcn' has never risen to the clignily 
of a s)iecially, yet the wurk cif her wagnniakers 
is largely songht aftei' by farmers in the con- 
tiguous territory. As no record of the business 
has heen kept it would be an impossibility to 
give a ])erfect account of the in(Uistry, but as 
early as 18:!5 we find John Hill (who after- 
wai'ds sold to John Si»encer), with Samuel 
S^■llers as his smith, and a shop located on 
Monroe sti'eet where the Methodist church now 
stands. 

At that tinie (1835) Cramer & Garwood were 
the only l.laidvsmiths. Up to about 1840 we find 
G(.o<lenough (1838), Blue, Dunbar, Eaider, 
Samuel Kobinson (1836), McCormick, John 
O'Reilly (1837), and Spencer. Mr. Spencer 
came from York State with twenty fitrm wagons, 
and failed, as the main work of the carriage- 
maker in those days (the population being 
mostly French and living almost entirely in log 
houses) was French carts and coffins, and his 
wagons were too expensive to meet with sale. 

Lebrouch, with a smithy where St. Mary's 
seminary is, J. H. Dennison, John Jones and 
Fischer, came during the thirties, and from 1840 
to 1850 we have Fischer, Westerman, Kull 
Brothers. The next decade brings R. Gilmore, 
Felix Hughes, Kiddie, George Custer (an uncle 
of General Custer). As good tools were an 



essential factor in the wagonmaker's vocation, 
about 1840 White & Miller startiiil an edge tool 
factory, and in 1845 were succeeded by one 
Prindle. John Lewis, as far back as 1835, 
furnished castings needed in the business. U]i 
Id I lie time nf the wai- this liranch was in a 
crude state, and mostly confined to custom jobs 
anil (irdered work; liut with thi' advent of new 
machineiy and manufactuied white stock, a 
change was made, and the business as now 
carried on practically dates from about 1860. 

It would be an impossiiiility to give the 
career of each workman, or even a list of those 
who have been engaged in the business in 
Monroe at different times. In 1874 we have as 
wagonmakers : John Black, John H. Denni- 
son, John Fischer, August Peters, Balders 
Porth, and Westerman & Co. Combined with 
a blacksmith shop were : Acker, Leonard & 
Co., F. Bezeau, Ohr & Beck, and Wagner Bros. 
Having a forge only were : John Alexander, 
John Baier, George Custer, Egle & Knap, John 
C. Heck,Kull Bros., and Peters & Cassedy. 

Fifteen years later we look at the condition 
of the business with as near as possible the 
year from which they date, as follows: 1861, 
Beck & Baier, F. G. Ohr ; 1835, Anton Wester- 
man ; 1837, John H. Dennison; 1850, Kull 
Bros. ; 1862, F. Bezeau; 1870, B. Porth; 1875, 
G. & F. Wagner; 1882, Ludwig Krzyszke ; 
1885, J. B. Picjuett. And of the sons of Vulcan : 
1840, John C. Heck ; 1845, William Acker, 
John Baier; 1860, Frank Benderritter ; 1873, 
Anton Egle ; 1886, Adolphus Dubery. 

Of these we make mention of John H. Denni- 
son, the oldest son of Ezekiel R. and Abigail 
(Adams) Dennison. He was born in Durham, 
Connecticut, October 21, 1813, and came to 
Monroe in 1837 from Livonia, New York. 
Here he entered the employ of one Fischer till 
the next spring, since which he has carried on 
a shop for himself October 20, 1840, he was 
married to Amelia, daughter of George and 
Sarah (Ely) Pegler, by whom ho has had twn) 
children : Zenas H., born February 14, 1844, 
and now living in Marshall, Michigan ; and 
Sarah, born Mai-ch, and dying in September, 
1846. In politics Mr. D. is a Republican. For 
many years has been an active member of 
the Presbyterian church. 

Frank Benderritter came to Monroe in 1853 
with his parents, Joseph and Maria (Rosenldatt) 
Benderritter. He was born at Sandusky, Ohio, 





t^ 



0/4. 



<^:^VC-o* "-^ 



BUSINESS INTERKSTS OK MONROE. 



423 



June 13, 184:i In May, ISCl, he onlistcil in 
Company A, Fourth Micliiican Vi)lunteci- In- 
fantry, serving until mastered out as ("irjxiral 
.lunc 30,1864. Al tlie battle of Cold llari.or 
lir was wciunilcil in llie liainl, f()r wliicli lie 
receives a small |iensi(]n. November 22, li^TO, 
he marrie<l the dau.<;hter of William and Bar- 
bara (Schneidi-r) Kull, who is the molher of 
(!eorge,born September, 1872, and Joseph, born 
January, IBTO. Mr. Benderritter is a member 
of Joseph R. Smith Post, No. 7(1, (1. A. R., of 
which he is now junior vice connnandcr. In 
polities an inde]>endent Democrat. He has for 
two years served as city marshal. 

Ferdinand Bezeau was liorn at ("olcau dc Sac. 
Canaila, December 12, 1832, and at an early 
day went with his parents, Joseph l/ouis ami 
Charlotte (Mitteaud) Bezeau to Eochester, New 
York', where he lived till tlu' death of his mother 
in 1842. His uncle then brought him to Mon- 
roe and he learned the tradi' of waiionmalccr, 
which he followed successfully till the fall of 
1888, when he became landhu-d of the Floral 
City House. During the time he was in the 
business he made the oidy omnibus ever- built 
in Monroe. He has served as alderman and 
street commissioner two terms each. He has 
li)und marriage a success, having tried it three 
times, June (i, 18G5, with Catherine, daughter of 
Philip an<l Margaret Ann (Devon) fJregoi'v, 
who died February 2, 1870, her ehildivn being 
Mary, born May 7, 18G7; Louis Philip, Di'cem- 
ber 8, 1869; Elida, August 3, 1871 ; and Kliza- 
beth, March 27, 1874. His seeon<l wife, to whom 
he was married September !>, 1878, w-as Mary, 
daughter of Eilward and Mary Ann (Navarre) 
Loranger; she <lied without issue August 8, 
1882. His youngest child is Emma Horlense, 
born July 27, 1885, her mother being Emma H. 
(sister of his second 8]>ouse), to whom he was 
married March 18, 1883. 



JOIIX MARTIN, 



Who for the past six yeai's has been the pro- 
prietor of a brickj^ard in the western part of 
Monroe, was ushered into this world the seven- 
teenth day of Oetol>er, 1836, and is a native to 
the manner born, his birthplace being Monroe, 
and his parents Thomas and Marj^ (Cooney) 
Martin, who came to Monroe county in 1836. 
The life of Mr. Martin has been that of a man 



who not having early eilucational advanlai^es 
made up for it by a large amount oi' sound 
common sense. Altera boyhood spent as mo-l 
boys do, he, in the spring of 1S.^)!I, wont to worU 
in the Eaton brickyard, continuing in that 
emj)loymeiit until 18711. when his savings en- 
abled him to jiroeui-e a horse anil dray, and for 
about seven years he might have been found 
ready to do anj' work that ])reseiited itself. 

Januarj^ 20, 1877, he married Mary (Nuhfer), 
ilaughter of Frederick and I'auliiie (Liden- 
berger) Kodeinan, whose two sons, William and 
Pet(!r Nuhfer, are now eTiginecrs, the one on 
the Peniisj-lvania lines, the other at Detroiton 
the Michigan Central Railroad. While Jlr, 
Martin was born and brought up a Catholic, 
his contact with )icople has made him very 
liberal in his views. 

In 1870 he purchased the house ami lot on 
Kront street, where ho now lives, and in 188.'! 
added about six or seven acres adjoining and 
began the manufacture of brick and tile. His 
trade, although mainly a local one, steadily 
increased until he has now from ten to fifteen 
men working for hitn, manufactures duringthe 
season. ten thousand brick daily and lorty four 
thousand feet of tile each week, running con- 
stantly two first-class machines. In 1885 he 
joined Lincoln Lodge, No. 190. 1. (). O. F.. of 
which body ho is an active niembei-. ,M r. 
Martin has never taken any active part in 
politics, but has alwavs been an ind<>pendent 
Democrat. 



r.RICKYARDS. 



Looking at the jiresent condition of the 
brickj-ards in Monroe, it may be of interest to 
recall some reminiscences of that branch of 
business in Monroe. The first brickyard of 
which wo can gain any information wasstarted 
in the early part of the forties by James Nel- 
son on his farm, on the north side of the River 
Raisin, near the west end of the city, and tor 
several years was under the charge of Silas W. 
Eaton. F'rom this yard came the bricks used 
in the construction of the Presbyterian church 
and many of the brick houses erected prior to 
1850. In 1848 Mr. Eaton started a yard on the 
Downing farm in the same locality, which he 
worked for about two j-cars, it then being 
operated bj- Mr. Downing till about 1>^60. 
From about 1851 to 1857 Mr. Eaton, then 



424 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



count}- slicritV, worked :i yard on the ronunons 
in front of the county jail. In 18GG a man by 
the name of FU'isliman again started the yard 
on the Downinsr farm, continuing it for al>out 
three years, hi 18<S1 and for two years after, 
Frank Luce contributed liis share of the same 
product, his yard being near the Michigan 
Central depot. About 1883 John Martin started 
in near the west end of Front street, and his 
yards now cover an acre and a half, with a 
capacity each day of about ten thousand In-ick 
and seven tliousand tile, giving employment to 
eleven men. 

In 1854 we tind Job C. Eaton starting a small 
yard in the extreme western limit of the city 
on Front street, which has increased until its 
daily capacit}- is over twenty thousand brick 
and twenty-five thousand tile. Mr. Eaton, who 
may bi^ considered the pioneer brick manul'ae- 
turcr of Monroe, and who has invented several 
brick machines, was born in Burlington, Ver- 
mont, February 22, 1832, and when eighteen 
months old came to Monroe with his parents, 
Silas ^V. and Harriet (C^onger) Eaton, the 
fornier of whom is still living at the age of 
eighty-seven. He was married November 17, 
1853, to Rachel, daughter of William and Eliz- 
abeth (Ineson) Fox, who is the mother of 
Nelson, born November 28, 1854. died March 
3, 1860; William Fox, April 20, 1857, died 
March 21, IsTd; Mary E., October 1, 1859, 
married to James N. Bentley December 27, 
1882, and died July 9, 1883; William Harrison, 
June 10, 18t)2; dharles G.. March 27, 1865; 
l'",ihvin J.. .\|iril 15. 186S; and Sidney N., Juno 
S, 1871. In the month of February, 1865, Mr. 
Iviton went into the service as second lieuten- 
ant Compaii}' K, Eleventh Michigan Volunteer 
Infantry, and served till the clo.se of the war, 
and is now Surgeon of Jos. E. Smith Post. No. 
76, Grand Army of the ltc]iublic. A Republi- 
can in politics, he has serve<l for six years as 
aldei-man in the city and for lour years as 
county sheriff. 

In 1885 the La Plaisance Manufacturing 
Companj', of which J. M. Bulklcy was president 
and R. Fleming secretaiy, started the manu- 
facture of "Monroe" Bath Brick, which on 
May 2, 1886, was purchased by the present 
proprietor, Mr. P. H. Mathews. Their main 
market is St. Louis, Missouri, shipments, how- 
ever, being made to Lincoln, Nebraska. Minne- 
ajiolis, Minnesota, and other western points. 



About 1S3-1 C. Mohr & Son eslablished the 
first marble yard in Monroe. Some years after 
Tajdor & Eichbauer started in the same line, 
and were succeeded in 1874 by L. Eichbauer <t 
Sons, the ]M-incipal product of both yards being 
monunu'ntal work. 

FLOUR M1LL.S. 

As early as 1820 the Waterloo Mills were 
started, and Monroe, from its natural advan- 
tages, became the grain market of southeastern 
Michigan. About 1840 the Monroe City MilN 
were built, and the Erie Mills, of Black Rock, 
near Buffalo, New York, sent Mr. F. Waldorf 
to take charge of the lormer, which they had 
rented of Mr. Beach in 1842, ami three years 
later they leased the latter, Mi-. Waldorf 
superintending the working of liolh. while 
Samuel J. Holley ha<l charge of the outside 
work. At this time money did nol enter into 
the dealing in grain, and trade was all in dicker. 
These being the only mills in this section of 
the country, parties came from as far as 
Maumee City and waited for their grist to bo 
ground. About the time the Monroe City Mills 
were built liy Birch & Frost, a water-power and 
dam had been constructeil by Bacon & Law- 
rence, and prior to the occuiiancy of the mill 
by Mr. Waldorf, a quarter interest was owned 
by each. In 1844 the Erie Milks, as a forward- 
ing instil ul ion. did not find it to their interest 
to be known in connection with the mills at 
Monroe as pro))rietors, and so persuailed 
Messrs. Waldorf tt Holle}- to lease ihem, which 
was done in 1845. Six years later the Water- 
loo Mills were thoroughly overhauled and 
refitted, and in 1852 were purcha.sed h^- Mr. 
Waldorf, who sold them in 1858 to Messrs. 
Norman & Perkins, the latter continuing in 
possession until 1870, when they were sold to 
Stiles & Harvey. In 1875 Harvey .sold his in- 
terest to Mr. C. G. Johnson, who continued in 
partnership until 1881, when Mr. Stiles became 
the owner by purchasing the interest held by- 
Mr. Johnson, again changing in 1887, with 
Cyrus Stiles in charge. This left Mr. Waldori 
in full charge of the Monroe City Mills. 

Prior to the opening of the canal, all shipments 
(if flour and other materials had to lie made 
from Ija Plaisance Bay, t<i which |ioinl .-i ii-aek 
was laid, and cars drawn by hor.ses as a motive- 
power. There being no warehouses at Ypsilanti, 
Ann Arbor, or in fact anywhere except at 



BUSINESS INTEKKSTS OF MONROE. 



Monroe, it was the best wlical iiKirkel in tliis 
section of the country, and it was no iiniiMiiii 
thing at early morning to see the streets in the 
vicinit}' of the mill blocked with team's wailing 
to unload, the farmers having come in from 
taverns near bj', where tiie}- had remained over 
night so as to bo on hand in time. The mills 
were run to their fullest capacity day and 
night, and shipments made to ihe Buffalo mar- 
ket, vessels leaving the bay with two and three 
thousand baiTcls of flour, which were frc- 
qucnth' sold long before the boat reached its 
destined point. Buffalo at that time was tiie 
great distributing point for that section, and 
the reputation of Monroe flour was of the high- 
est. On the completion of the canal ware- 
houses were ready, and wheat that could not 
bo at once used in the mills found a ready sale 
llu^re, the first ones in the Held being started 
by Sterling it Noble. 

When the railroads were released from the 
State and passed under private control, coni- 
petition at other points began and Monroe 
lost its prestige, although it has ever had its 
fair share of business in the grain market. 
About 1875 the machinery of the Bay City 
Mill at Sandusky (where it had been for fortj- 
years) was shipped to Monroe and a mill started 
by Mr. Boyd, and after passing through several 
hands, the "Standard" Mill came into the 
possession of Messrs. Johnson & Stiles in 1879, 
whooperated ittill 1883, when itwas shut down. 
The little mill of Cau.x & Stiles was built as a 
store about 1875, and within a year the ma- 
chinery of the mill from Adrian was put in 
operation in the old store room. The daily 
capacity of the several mills now in operation 
is about three hundred barrels, market being 
found mostly in Detroit and Cleveland. 

While as a historian wo would not give 
fulsome flattery to any meritorious subject, yet 
we can not pass this point without a brief 
sketch of oneof Monroe's most popular citizens, 
who, after nearly half a century of active busi- 
ness life, is known as one of the solid men of 
the city, and while not at all ostentatious in 
the displaj' of, yet is always open to the call of 
charity, never letting his left hand know what 
his right does. When he passes away at the 
call of his Creator to join the heavenly hosts, 
hundreds of worthy poor will without doubt 
mourn the loss of one whose watchful eye, 
ever on the lookout to relieve worthy destitu- 



tion, is foi'ever closed to tlic NCencs of earth and 
can no more guide his han<ls in answer to the 
calls of sufl'ering humanity. Boi-n in a mill iti 
Darmstadt January 27. 1825, he came to this 
country with his parents. Adam and Mai-y 
(Maples) Waldorf in August, WM, when they 
settled in Lyons, New York, his father enter- 
the employ of the Hi-ie Mills, at that time the 
largest in the Union, having a dail}" capacity 
of live hundred barrels of flour. In 1H3'J he 
removed to Black iiock, near Buffalo, New 
Yoi'k. still in the emjiloy of the same firm, and 
with whom he learned the secrets of the miller's 
trade. As a "dusty miller" he came to Mon- 
roe in 1842. and is justly looked upon by his 
bi'other millers as the patriarch of the business 
in this section. 

In June, 184-1, he was married to Celestine 
Ann, daughter of James J. and Victoria 
(Navarre) Godfroj-. 

When but a boy four years old he was left 
without a mother, but had the counsel of a 
father until 1864. Coming to the land of the 
free he early imbibed the true principles of 
freedom, and himself and Hon. I. P. Chris- 
tiancy were the fathers of the Reptublican 
party in Monroe, he being the first Republican 
mayor elected in the city, and presidential 
elector on that ticket from this district for 
several presidential elections. For j-ears he 
has been a consistent member of the Lutheran 
church. From the early days of the First 
National Bank a director, he was elected presi- 
dent on its reorganization in 1877, which office 
he has since held. 

GRAPES AND .<.MALL FRUITS. 

Prior to 1865 the Sister Islands were sought 
by a number of the families in Monroe as a 
summer resort. The variety of luxurious 
grapes that were cultivated to so great an 
extent was one of the chief attractions. They 
were shipped in boxes ami baskets to eastern 
and western cities in great quantities, com- 
numding readily 12i cents per pound. Up to 
this time ventures in field |ilanting, with but 
one exception, that of Joseph M. Sterling on 
the south side of the River Raisin, had not 
been undertaken. 

Pointo Aux Peaux, the only rock bound coast 
on the south shore of Lake Erie between San- 
dusky and the mouth of Detroit Rivei-, about 
eight miles from the Monroe light-Lousu 



42(i 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



jind six miles soutliwest of Moiiille light- 
house, derives its name iroin flie fact that 
at an early day the Indians sought it as the 
most desirable place for drying their pelts and 
skins. 

Saiiscrainte, the lirsl while settler at the 
Pointe and owner ol' sonu! 200 acres, is said to 
liave become greatly enamored of a beautiful, 
sjjarkling French maiden, daughter of one of 
the neighboring French settlers. The merce- 
nary young charmer, realizing her power over 
one who was suing for her heart and hand, 
coolly bargained for twenty-five acres of her 
choice from 8anscrainte's land, to he deeded her 
as a marriage portion. He deeded her the 25 
acres from the north side in triangular form, 
with its broad side on Lake Brie, the same 
premises which were in 18C5 purchased from 
her son, Sanscrainte built for his bride a sub- 
stantial log house, siding it with hewn clap- 
boards, which still stiinds, weather beaten and 
old, upon the Pointe. 

The Pointe Aux Peaux Company, consisting 
of four gentlemen, viz.: William A. Noble, 
Caleb Ives, Joseph M, Sterling and Samuel P, 
Williams, all early settlers in the Territory 
before Michigan became a State, was then 
formed, with a view of field planting on the 
main land in Monroe county, and Pointe Aux 
Peaux selected for the reason that it projected 
so far out into the lake, and the soil like that 
of the Islands, that it would be admirably 
adapted to the cultivation of the grape, and 
being on the main land at all times accessible. 
This may be regarded as the introduction of 
field planting that has grown to such wonder- 
ful jjroportions in Monroe county. Several 
cottages were built on the lake shore on this 
tract, which has ever been a delightful summer 
resort for their families and friends. 

Wine-making was commenced there in 1868, 
and in 1870 a substantial two-story wine 
cellar of limestone, brought by vessels from 
Sandusky, was erected. In 1871 the vintage 
reached 67,000 pounds of grapes, from which 
5,000 gallons of wine were manufactured. 
The Point Aux Peau wines attained a very 
fine reputation for their purity, and were ex- 
tensively used for medicinal purposes as well 
as a beverage. In 1874 44,000 pounds of 
grapes were taken i'rom the vineyard, $1,200 
worth sold to the Monroe Wine Company, and 
the balance made into wine. 



In 1872 the total yield of grapes and wine 
in Monroe county was 420,000 pounds of 
grapes and 40,000 gallons of wine, divided as 
follows: 

Pointe Aux Peau.x Wine Co. 15,000 gals. 

Joseph Weier & Sedlaczek - 15,000 " 

George W. Brackner - 2,000 " 

Others- ... - 8,000 " 



Morrison Pauldint 



20,000 lbs 



In 1873 the committee appointed by the 
State Pomological Society to examine and 
report upon vineyards, reported over twenty 
vineyards in Monroe county in a very 
flourishing condition, and the grapes and wines 
therefrom have annuall}- successfully competed 
with vineyards of the State, and captured first 
prizes for the best varieties and quality of 
grapes, 

A great quantity of roots of choice varieties 
of grapes have for years been annually pur- 
chased from the Monroe City Nurseries by the 
farmers in Monroe county, and it would he 
veiy difficult to give a fair estimate of the 
number of acres devoted to the culture of 
grapes therein. In driving in any direction 
through the county, you rarely pass farms 
that have not a small portion devoted to the 
culture of the vines. 

The shipments by rail from depots in the 
city of Monroe in 1884 .was 49!t,500 pounds ; 
1885, 161,850 pounds; 1886, 722,655 iiouuds; 
1887, 1,237,944 pounds. Fully one-third of 
the croj) is consumed at home, making the 
product of 1887 1,650,592 pounds. 

The yield is so abundant that (independent 
of those shipjied in baskets by rail and sold to 
the manufacturers of wine) it is considered a 
remunerative crop at 1^ cents per pound. The 
princijjal manufacturers of wines in Monroe 
are Jose75h Sedlaczeck, Anton Weier and Ernest 
Entemau, and their annual sales aggregate 
640,000.00 and generally held at from 80c. to ' 
$1.25 per gallon. 

Independent of the nurseries and vineyards 
heretofore mentioned, a large income is an- 
nually Idealized by the cultivators of small 
fruits. Our citizens prominently engaged 
therein arc : 

Daniel Ilgenfritz, who commenced twelve -, 
years ago -and has under cultivation 85 acres, j 
65 acres of which is in rasjjberries, strawber- j 
ries, blackberries and grapes, the remainder in 1 



BUSINESS INTERESTS OF -MONROE. 



-4-j: 



ehoici:' apple and pear lires ; his sales aro all 
made in foreign markets. 

Fred. Gurtz, an extensive producer, sold 
50.000 pounds of grapes, and from one acre 00 
bushels of strawberries, in 1889. 

Edgar C. Ilgenfritz has under cultivation 
and now in bearing 20 acres of raspberries, in 
rows 6 feet apart and plants 2 feet apart in 
the rows, and is annually extending his acre- 
age ; his shipments this year (1889) were 48ri 
bushel.s. and he realized a large sum for 
supplying families in the cit}'. 

Messrs. Soleau & Roberts, dealers, shipped 
300 bushels of raspberries. 

Monroe countj- has ever been famous for the 
culture of apples and pears of nearly every 
variety grown, and this year (1889) the crop of 
each has been very abundant, and it is difficult 
if indeed possible to estimate the quantit}' 
ship])ed b}- rail and transported otherwise by 
sail and wagon to Toledo and Detroit. 

The culture of grapes tor the past twenty 
years has been constantly increasing, and re- 
munerative to those who are properly engaged 
in it. The county of Monroe is largely indebted 
for what there is of grape growing to its enter- 
prising citizen, the Hon. Joseph M. Sterling, 
who first introduced its field culture, and he was 
induced to try the experiment by the simi- 
larity of soil to that on the Put-in Bay and 
Kelley's Island of Lake Erie, with which soil 
and grape culture there he had been for years 
familiar. 

Others have followed his example, and in the 
course of five years the culture of grapes in 
the countj' ceased to bo an experiment, and 



there are at tins time over one thousand acres 
under cullivation. The fact is already- fully 
demonstrated that our soil and climate are fully 
as well, if not better, adapted to the raising of 
the early ripening varieties of grapes than 
any point on the lake shore, or even on the 
islands. 

This fact being demonstrated, quite a large 
number of vines have been annuallj- set out 
for the past twenty-five years. Monroe countj^ 
is now second to no place on the lakes in this 
particular. The varieties grown are the Dela- 
wai-e, Concord, Catawba Ives Seedlings, Nor- 
ton's Virginia, and Ilarlford Prolific. 

One of the man}- successful business ventures 
quietly conducted in the midst of Monroe is 
that of the wine farm of Mr. Joseph Sedlaczek, 
owning about four acres of vineyard in the 
fourth ward. Mr. Sedlaczek is a Bohemian, 
being born in 1831 at Munchengraetz, and 
coming to Monroe in 1852 engaged in the 
manufacture and sale of cigars, which is still 
carried on by his brother. In 1865 he began 
experimenting as a wine grower, being one of 
the first to engage at it in Southern Michigan, 
and the only survivor of the original experi- 
menters. His business is altogether wholesale, 
shipments being to New York and Chicago, 
and some idea of its magnitude maybe formed, 
as it takes three years to do an^-thing with the 
wine. Each year's crop being about fifteen 
thousand gallons he has at all times two crops 
in the cellar and one on the books, or a total of 
nearly fifty thousand gallons. Mr. S. was 
married in Monroe and has six children, all of 
whom are living. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



MONROE WATER COMI'ANV. 



ONE of the latest entei-prises undertaken in 
the city lias been the construction of a 
comfilete and thorough water system, entirely 
adequate for fire protection, and so planned as 
to affoi'd facilities for nearly if not quite every 
family in the city to avail itself of the oppor- 
tunity of a sujjplj- of pure water for domestic 
purposes. 

The need of an enterprise of this kiud has 
been recognized for many years. A decade ago 
an enabling act was passed by the legislature, 
permitting the city to maintain water works, 
and a number of times previously the subject 
has been publicly agitated, but without avail. 
But as the time passed the need grew more ap- 
parent. The entire fire protection of the city 
consisted of the river, which furnished means 
of extiuguisliing fires for a narrow area on 
either side of the channel, four artesian wells 
and a few storage cistei'ns. It only needed the 
conjunction of a strong wind and a fire in a 
thickly built portion of the city, to produce an 
almost irrejiarable loss. The dependence for 
water for domestic purposes was entirely upon 
wells. These were shallow, being from eight 
to twenty feet in depth, extending through a 
stiff clay soil to the limestone rock, which is 
sometimes struck within three feet of the sur- 
face. It would naturally follow that in an old 
settled city like Monroe, the soil would become 
saturated with impurities from staliles, out- 
houses, chicken ytirds, pig pens, cow stables, 
and ces.spools, and the concentrated essence of 
this filth leached into the clay, would eventually 
appear in the water supply. 

For some years past another discomfort has 
been added. Probably owing to the clearing 
up of the forests and the consequent drying up 
of the springs, the supply of water in the wells 
lias been failing even- summer. Fevers and 
zymotic diseases have made their appearance 
each year. 

With this state of affaij-s j)resent in their 



minds the city officials in 1888 began a move- 
ment toward the creation of a system of water 
works. The press and public opinion urged 
them forward. Sevei-al attempts were made 
and a number of f)lans submitted. Finally 
J. D. Cook, a hydrographicengiueer of national 
rejmte, was employed to make plans and speci- 
fications suitable for the city. The source of 
suj^ply was determined uj)on as Lake Erie, at 
a point between the light-house and Stony 
Point, whei'c a depth of sixteen feet of water 
could be obtained. This is far enough re- 
moved from the channel which the Eaisin takes 
into the lake to obviate all danger from sewage, 
and at the same time sufficiently remote from 
the mouth of the Detroit Hiver to be reasonably 
secure from any contamination which that 
stream might bring. 

With these plans, and an elaborate system of 
distribution, so planned as to reach all parts of 
the city, both for fire protection and domestic 
supply, the council advertised for bidders to 
build these works, accepting a franchise, and 
the city to agree to rent a specified number of 
hydrants, at an agreed annual price, with pro- 
vision for extension of the system, if needed or 
desired. 

The various proposals were opened on Feb- 
ruary 18, 1889, and the lowest bidders were 
found to he W. S. Parker & Co., of Pontiac, 
Michigan. Upion the acceptance of their propo- 
sition by the common council, the " Monroe 
Water Company " was organized, with W. S. 
Parker as president, George M. Landou secre- 
tary, and George Spalding as treasurer. This 
company was duly incorporated, but owing to 
delays in getting at work a reorganization was 
effected later. Mr. Parker retiring from the com- 
pany. The works ai-e now being rapidly 
pushed to completion. 

Commencing at a point in the lake where :i 
defith of seventeen feet of water can be ob- 
tained, a crib is sunk into which the water 



[428J 



MOXROE WATKR CdMrANY. 429 

-apply is admilteil fridu llie lake. TIk'hcc il is One or more fountains in the |)iililic sKjuare 
taken by t\vent3--inch mains, submerged in the and elsewliero are included in the rental, to 
lake and carried in a closed trench when the gelher with drinking troughs fbi- teams. The 
land is reached, about a mile to the northwest. rental paid by the city for one hundred and 
where the influent ])ipe opens into a well. thirty-two hydrants, as contemplated in the 
divided into two sections. The ]>umping sta- moditied plan, is §G,200 per annum, and the 
tion is contiguous to this well, and su)iplied franchise provides for the purchase of the 
with two direct pressure engines of the Worth- works by the city at any time within a year 
ington pattern, capable of forcing 3.000,(100 from their completion to the .satisfaction of the 
gallons of water every twenty-four hours. city and Mr. Cook, or at any time after ten 
From this supply well the water is carried in a 3ears. upon favoi-ablc terms. 
si.\teen-inch cast iron main to the city limits. Under the energetic direction of the chief 
and there connection is made with the distribu- engineer of the company, Mr. Fullei-. the works 
tion system, consisting of twelve, eight, six and are rapidly approaching completion. The 
four-inch pipe. benefit to the city cannot fail to be great and 
The original plan contemplated the use of permanent, and their inception and construe- 
61.256 feet of pipe of the different sizes, or a tion arc indicative of the spirit of safe and con- 
total length of pipe in distribution and supply servativo progress which actuates the Monroe 
of over thirteen miles. This has beeti but of today, 
slightly modified in the actual construction. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



BENEVOr.KNT ANU SOCIAL CLUBS AND SOCIP^TIES. 



ST. MICHAEL'S COMMANDERY, KNIGHTS OF 
ST. JOHN. 

THE object for which this commaiidery is 
organized is the relief of side members, 
in cases where such sicliness has not been 
caused by immoralities; the visitation of the 
sick ; the burial of the dead ; in the discretion 
of the comraandery to relieve destitute families 
of deceased members ; to counsel and direct its 
members to the utmost of its ability in the 
manner best calculated to promote their spirit- 
ual and temporal welfare; and to instill into 
their minds at all times and under all circum- 
stances, a stern resolve to stand by the faith 
bequeathed them by their forefathers. 

The commandery provide and furnish its 
members the equipments of the Order, includ- 
ing swords, belts, feathers and chapeaux, which 
are the property of the Order, and the uniform 
on jjarade compares very favorably with that 
ofour best military conipanies, and great credit 
is accorded them for their precision and prompt- 
ness in adhering to all the rules of discipline in 
marching and exercises. 

The stated meetings are the first Monday in 
each montii, and drill once in each week from 
April to October. The initiation fee is three 
dollars, and dues arc fitly eencs per month. 

This society was organized March 27,1887,by 
the following named charter members : Andrew 
Mitchell, William Heil, Frank Daiber, Ed. J. 
Schreiber, Milton B. Soleau, John M. Heck, John 
A. Martin, Erhart Schrauder, Henry C. Schrau- 
der, Philip .Schaub, Andre^w Baier, H. D. Hoff- 
man,JacobMartin,JosephS. Perth, PhilijjEeese. 

The present officers are: John M. Heck, 
president ; Milton B. .Soleau, vice president ; 
H. C. Schreiber, corresponding secretary; H. J. 
Hoffman, financial secretary ; F. J. Yeager, 
treasurer; Andrew Mitchell, captain; Frank 
Daiber, first lieutenant ; Erhart Schrauder, 
second lieutenant. 

Present membership, '2'J. 



THE Q. F. CLUB. 

The Q. F. Club was organized in 1868, and 
for several years maintained a gymnasium and 
club rooms in the Dansard block, 18 East 
Front street, where they frequently gave ex- 
hibitions of grand and lofty tumbling and the 
manly art. They frequently entertained at 
the club rooms, and particularly a society of 
young ladies known as the " Bean Eaters," who 
were wont to meet once a week and consume 
Boston baked beans. The Leadville excite- 
mens and otber causes took most of the mem- 
bers from Monroe, and the club rooms were 
given up. But the organization and two old 
customs have been kept up to the present time: 
One of having a picture taken of all the mem- 
bers on the 1st of January of each year and 
exchanging, and the other of jjresenting each 
member, on taking a partner for better or for 
woi'se, with a club present, usuall}' a silver 
tea set. 

THE O. L. CLUB. 

In June, 1873, A. N. Perkins, W. C. Waldorf, 
W. P. Sterling, A. B. Diffenbaugh, F. S. Ster- 
ling and George C. Loranger, desiring " to have 
a place to go to," as one member expressed it, 
formed the 0. L. Club, and opened a fine suite of 
club rooms in the Dansard Bank block, con- 
sisting of billiard room, dining room and par- 
lors, all elaborately furnished with everything 
nccessar_v to the enjoyment of club life, and 
with special reference to the entertaining of 
friends. The rooms are kept open every eve- 
ning, except Sunday, the year round. Some 
of the receptions given by the members are re- 
membered and described as the finest ever 
given in the city. They have entertained more 
and their hospitality been extended more gen- 
erally than anj' other association in the Floral 
City. 



[430] 



CHAPTKR WXIII 



THK MEDICAL l'K( iFKSSION. 



DR. JOSHPII DAZI-:T was the first physi- 
cian tiiat settled upon the Hiver Raisin, 
.•ind came in the j'car 1784. Ho was a native 
of France. His ])ractice was limited to the 
French and Indians, as at that time there were 
no American residents. He had the reputation 
of being a successful practitioner. His resi- 
dence and office occupied the site now owned 
and occupied by I. K. Ilgenfritz. I remember 
well of seeing him and his wife, bent over with 
age, in our vicinity. They had no offspring. 
The3- removed to Detroit in 1830. and tiiere 
died. 

Dr. Lullier Parker was one of the first set- 
tlers on the Eivcr Raisin after the War of 1812. 
lie was a successful practiti(mer and had an 
established reputation as such. On the an-ival 
of Dr. Harry Couant (a biography of whom 
maybe fouml on page 150) a copartnership was 
formed, which continued a number of j'oars. 
l>r. Luther Parker's family consisted of two 



Honjamin !•'.. an undertaUei- of .Monroe. Doc- 
tor Adams owned and occupied as a residence 
the farm on the north side of the River Raisin, 
two miles west of Monroe, now owned and oc- 
cupied by Clinton Southworth, while his office 
was on the corner of Monree street ami FIni 
avenue. 

(;i:ORGE LANDON, M. I). 

Dr. George Landoii was burn at Sheffield, 
Massachusetts, J.)ecember Ifi, 179."), being the 
youngest of fifteen children. Losing his mother 
at an earlv age he found a home with his sis- 
ter, the wife of .Imlge Bishop, of Pittsfield. 
Here he received his education, attending the 
academj', then reading medicine in the office 
of Dr. Burgett, a distinguished physician of 
those days, and sub.sequently attended lectures 
in New Haven. 

He commenced the jjractico of medicine in 
sons, Samuel and Isaac; the latter died soon the town of Great Barrington, and occupied 
after he attained his majority. Samuel eon- an office in connection with the poet Brj'ant, 
tinned to reside in Monroe until a few years who had just begun the practice of law. While 
before his death, when he removed to Toledo standing in their office door one evening, at 
and lived with his son. Dr. Sewall Parker, a sunset, they saw the flight of birds which sug- 
practicing phvsician of the new school of gested to the poet his inimitable lines, " To a 
liomn'Opathic physicians. Water Fowl.'' 

Doctor Robert Clark came to Monroe under From Great Barrimjton he removed to Hich- 



aii ai)pointment of General Andrew Jackson as 
registrar of the land office. The reader is 
referred for biography to page 145. 

Doctor Kphraim Adams came in 1824 from 
Watertown, Jeft'erson county. New York. He 
was a liberalU' educated ph3-sician, had an ex- 
trnsive jiractite, and was highly esteemed as a 
physician and citizen up to the time of his 
death, which occurred in 1874. He left two 
(laughters, Frances and Mar^- — the latter of 
whom married Owen Cooncy, of Monroe — and 
five sons; James G., of Defiance, Ohio; 
Joseph G., of Saginaw City; James T., of East 
Saginaw: Thomas, a law^-er of Moni-oe; and 



mond, Massachusetts, and on the 15th of Feb- 
ruarj-, 1825, was mai-ried to Miss Elizabeth 
Abhy Noble, daughter of Deodatus Noble, of 
Williamstown, Massachusetts. 

In the fall of iHIil lie removed with his 
familj- to 5Ii)nroo, Michigan, in order to avoid 
the rigors of an eastern winter. In May, 18.35, 
he formed a ])artnership in his profession with 
Dr. William ^I. Smith, which continued till 
the death of the latter, a period of fortj- years. 

His wife died August 16, 1834, leaving two 
daughters. On September 6, 1830, he married 
Mi.ss Euphemia Alaria McQueen, daughter of 
Jiidge McQueen, of Schenectady, New 'i'ork. 



[431] 



4?>2 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



hv wlioiii h" had luur cliililren, who survive 
him. 

In 18(i0 he \v:is elcefetl couiity treasurer by 
the Republican parly, and in ls(;2 appointed 
surgeon of the board of enrollment for the first 
district of Miehigan. This office he held till 
the clo.so of the war. He died on March 9, 
187-J, after an illness of five months, which he 
bore with Christian fortitude. 

He was a man of rare gifts, fine presence 
and courteous manners, while his abounding 
cheerfulness and hopeful sympathy carried 
sunshine into the sick-room. His tastes were 
refined and his reading extensive. He not only 
kept abreast of the times in his profession, read- 
ing constantly the bestforeign and home medical 
journals and books, but was a loving student 
of genei'al literature, and fond of the English 
classics. AVith charity and love for mankind, 
he was foremost in all movements for the 
amelioration of his race. A man of strict in- 
tegrity, he cherished a hearty contempt for 
meanness and duplictj*. He was charming in 
social life, gifted with a ready wit, and an in- 
imitable etory-teder. 

He was a Christian gentleman of broad and 
liberal views, and a consistent member of the 
Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder 
for many years. His witty sayings are still 
repeated and his memory lovingl}- cherished in 
the families to whom he was a sympathizing 
friend and beloved phj-sician. 



EDWARD DORSCH, 

For thirty-seven years a practicing physician 
in the city of Monroe, is a native of Wuerz- 
burg, Bavaria, Germany, where he was born 
January 10, 1822, his parents being Francis L. 
and Elizabeth (Hartung) Dorscb, the former 
a prominentattache of the Bavarian court, who 
died in 1825. In 1828, at the early age of 
eight, he was sent to a celebrated Catholic in- 
stitute, where for a number of years he was the 
only Protestant pupil, and which he left in his 
eighteenth year to attend the Munich Univer- 
sity, from which he graduated with a diploma 
in his twenty-third year. By order of the 
Bavarian Government he was sent to Vienna to 
perfect his theoretical knowledge by actual 
practice in the hospitals at that place. In 
addition to the medical course at Munich he 



took up the study of philosophy, botany, nat- 
ural historj' and kindred sciences. An active 
thinker and ready writer, in the spring of 
1840 he became an exile from the land of his 
nativity, the tone of bis articles not being in 
accord with the government in power. With 
a large number of emigrants he was driven out 
by reason of their political faith during the un- 
successful revolution, he acting in the capacity 
of surgeon. 

On his arrival in New York he was nnirried 
to Sophia Hartung, who was born in Ingold- 
stadt. Bavaria, Germany, June 15, 1827, and 
with whom he lived until her death in Sep- 
tember, 1884. They had one son, who died 
when but eight months of age. At fii-st be 
went from New York to Detroit, but in the fall 
of the year he learned from Mr. Bruckner, a 
pirominevit German, that there was a good 
opening in Monroe for a German physician, so 
he came there in October, 1849, and made it his 
residence until bis death on his sixty-fifth 
birthday, January 10, 1887. After the death 
of his first wife he again married November 4, 
1885, his second wife being Augusta, daughter 
of Frederick and Friedieke (Korte) Ilhl. 

From his earliest citizenship he was a staunch 
Republican, and in 1860 was presidential elector 
from what was then the second district, on the 
ticket which was headed by Abraham Lincoln. 
He never took any active part in politics, and 
steadfastly persisted in refusing all local offices, 
accepting only for one term, November 5, 1872, 
to November, 1878, an appointment on the 
State board of education. In 1862 he was ap- 
pointed examining surgeon for the pension 
office, which position he held up to the date of 
his death. During the time he was pension 
examiner he prepared a draft showing the 
course and effects of a ball on the human body, 
which was afterward adopted and is used by 
the Pension Department at the present day. 

In addition to being a thorough physician 
and surgeon, he was a deep thinker and an 
alile writer, and from his college days was 
much sought for as a correspondent, both in 
prose and poetry, by weekly and monthly pub- 
lications. The force of his articles while at 
Munich and Vienna, and the position he thereii\ 
took, caused him to be exiled from Bavaria at 
the close of the German Revolution. Shortly 
after his settlement in Monroe, and perhaps his 
first literary venture outside of contributions 




C^'^<^f^^^ -ti^-^'^'^:-^ ^.^-^ 



THF. MKDICAI. PROFESSION. 



483 



to m:i'4;i/.iiies, \v;i^ a voliiinc of |ioomH, I'lititled 
" Hii'tcn Briefe an inein Volk." Of this, critics 
say ho was a master of words, and handled the 
subject in a masterly manner. In 1875 lie 
published a pamphlet, " Parabasen," and his 
last work, which appeared in 1884 and was 
l>ublishcd by the New York International 
News Company, was christened " Liedcr ans 
der Alton and Neuen Welt." 

Critics speak in terms of the highest jiraisc 
when reviewing the works of Dr. Dorseh. Ho 
was a deep thinker, in fact too deep for the 
master, as the thinker overruled the poet, and 
while holding himself to logic of tlie strictest 
kind, he does not permit his ej-cs to rove in 
Iteaiitiful ecstasies; still it would be doing him 
an injustice to say he did not feol real inspira- 
tion, as with the head of a philo-sopher and 
heart of a poet, he worked or blended the two 
together in the most of his poetical works. 
Yet, perhaps some of them would have been 
better had the}- been written in prose, as in 
many cases, carried away by the inspiration of 
his theme, throwing his entire soul into the 
subject in hand, and with an earnest desire to 
create in the reader tlie same determined oppo- 
sition to slavery and ardent love for freedom 
which inspired him, his argument and the 
language was so strong that the verses oft- 
times lost their harmony. 

As to hi.s last work, " Lioder aus der Alton 
und Neuen Welt," it is characteristic of the man 
and the poet, and gave scope to powers which 
were not known, perhaps even to himself, until 
this opportunity afforded him the chance to 
use it to the uttermost. To his own keen in- 
sight and intense .sympathy he owes everything 
of value in his writings. An ardent lover of 
books and a just critic in art, he throw his 
whole soul out an<l showed his innermost 
thought and feeling, until hi.s poems were so 
beautiful and rich in thought and quaint ex- 
pression you could almost call them pictures. 
They give the inner and ontcr life of a high- 
minded, tine-feeling and warm-hearted, talented 
man, of whom the editor of the ■' Deutsche 
Amerikaniscbc Dichtung," in speaking of Dr. 
Dorseh, says he was one of the most prominent 
German-American poets, one of the purest, 
noblest and worthiest priests, who died while 
soaring in the zenith of his fame as a poet and 
writer. 

Were it possible for us to translate into 



Kfiglish and preserve; the force and expression 
of the original, we feel that fordopthof thought, 
warmth of fooling and terseness of expressicin 
the writings of Dr. Dorseh would equal those 
of a Longt'ellow or a Whittici-. In addition to 
hi.s almost innumerable original poems, cover- 
ing over forty 3-ears, mostly written by the in- 
spiialion of nature while visiting his piitients, 
lie had the rai-e faculty of gnisping the idea of 
the author, and his translations of lOnglish 
poets into the German tongue are conceded to 
be masterpieces of art, and will of themselves 
make his name a shining star in the firmatnent 
of Gorman literatui-e. On his death he left a 
large collection of manuscript poems, which 
are from time to time ])ubiished in different 
German pa])ers. 

Personally. Dr. Dorseh was of a verj' retiring 
disposition. A careful student, he was bound 
up in his books, and while a great favorite witli 
all who knew him, generous to a fault, he had 
few intimates, and his warmest and truest 
friends were his books. A connoisseur in art 
he gathered a fine collection of artistic works, 
and on his death several thousand volumes of 
his valuable library were donated to the Uni- 
versitv of Michigan at Ann .\rbor. 



DK. SIL.4S R. AK.\'(»LI) 

Was born August 17, 1810, at FairHcld, Herki- 
mer county, New York. He was educated at 
Little Falls, and received his diploma in Albany 
as assistant surgeon. He entered the service 
of the United States July 1, 1837, and was 
stationed first at Fort Dodge, Southern Florida, 
afterwards at Sault Ste. Marie, where he re- 
signed from the service, preferring private 
practice. He there married hisfii-st wife. Miss 
Jane llolliday. by whom he had five children, 
only one of whom survives him — Mary, wlio 
is teaching in the high school at Chattanooga. 
Tennessee. 

He came to Monroo in 1840 and entered 
upon the practice of his profession. From his 
long experience in the army he was a very suc- 
cessful practitioner, and stooil high in his pr(»- 
fe.ssion as a surgeon. In 1857 he married for 
his second wife Miss Marianne Norman, of 
Monroe, Michigan. He was a consistent mem- 
ber of the Protestant Episcopal church ; was 
junior warden, in 1842, and at the death of the 



434 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MTCHIGAN. 



senior warden Jonadiuii Stevens, was elected 
senior warden, and lield the jjosition up to the 
time of iiis deatii, wliicdi occurred March 9, 
1875. 



CHARLES TRACY S(^FTHW()RTH, M. D., 

Was born May 19, 1827, at Covontrj', Chenango 
county, New York. lie ^vas a son of Dr. 
Tracy Southworth (a practicing physician and 
for many years copartner of Dr. George Lan- 
don) and Ruth M. Easton Southworth, both of 
Otsego county. New Y^ork, the one of English 
descent, tlie other of German. When he was 
sixteen his parents moved to Monroe, where 
they lived until their death, that of his father 
occurring in vSeptember, 1844, and of his mother 
in September, 1859. 

He received his classical education at Oberlin, 
Ohio, and at the Michigan University, and at- 
tended his iirst course of medical lectures at 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New 
York in 1845, suhsequeiitlv taking the course 
of si.\ months uuder Ricord and Trousseau in 
Paris, and spending two years as interne in a 
hospital at Madrid, Sjsain, graduating at the 
University Madrid in May, 1849. In Septem- 
ber, 1849, he settled in Havana, Cuba, from 
which, in March, 1851, he went to Matamoras, 
Mexico, M'hence, in October of that year, he 
removed to Vera Cruz. In A])ril, 185:^, he was 
commissioned division surgeon of cavahy by 
General Santa Anna, on his return to Mexico as 
dictatoi-, and accompanied him to the city of 
Mexico, retaining his commission as surgeon 
until the abdication of Santa Anna in 1855. In 
September of that year he sent in his resigna- 
tion, and in the following April was appointed 
surgeon general of the army of the North by 
Santiago Vidaiirri, then governor and comman- 
der-in-chief of the forces of Coahuila and 
Nueva Leon. In 1857 he resigned the commis- 
sion of Vidaurri, and returned to the city of 
Mexico, which he left by way of Acapulco in 
October of the following j'car, ari-iving at Mon- 
roe, Michigan, January 5, 1859. 

lie was mai-ried Februar3- 9, 1859, to Frances 
TI. l')l:ikelee, who died June 28, 1865, leaving 
him two daughters. 

In Pebrury, 18G;), he was commissioned sur- 
geon of the Eighteenth Michigan Volunteer 
Imantry, but resigned liis commission. June 
11. 18(j4. on account of ill health. 



In September, 18f!5, he was married to Kliza 
Jane Clark, who with three children, two sons 
and a daughter, survives him. 

On returning from the war he again entered 
into active jjractice, which he enjoyed until his 
death, which occurred on August 12, 1884, as 
the result of an injury to the heart, received 
l)y a runaway team running into his carriage 
from behind while he was driving on his way 
to Maybee on February 26th preceding. Tie 
suffered greatly from that time until his deatii. 

He was a jirominent member of the Ameri- 
can Medical Association ; also of the Michigan 
State Medical Society, of which he was fourth 
vice president in 1868, and first vice president 
in 1869 ; also of the Southern Michigan and 
Northern Indiana Medical Society, and its 
president when it held its meeting at Monroe, 
Michigan, in 1876. 

He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
a Royal Arch Mason, and High Priest of River 
Raisin Chapter, No. 22. 

In politics, he was a Democrat always, al- 
though never a politician. 



CHARLES TRACY SOUTHWORTH, .li-., M. D.. 

Son of Charles Tracy and Eliza J. Clark South- 
worth, was born at Monroe, Michigan, Decem- 
ber 12, 18G6. At the age of sixteen ho gradu- 
oted at the Monroe high school, and in the fol- 
lowing September entered the Michigan College 
of Medicine at Detroit. This institution he 
atten<led for two years, when it became tin- 
Detroit College of Medicine, at which lie 
studied for one year longer, and graduated in 
March, 1886. In September oi' that year he 
went to New Y'ork and entered the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons, where his father had 
attended foi'fy-one years before. 

During the winter of 1886 and 1887 he 
served a term of four months in the surgical 
department of the New Tork Hospital. In 
June, 1887, he returned to Monroe, Michigiin, 
and on June 6th he opened his office at his 
Aither's old stand, where he is now in active 
practice. 

On Januaiy 30, 1889, he was married to 
Nellie P. Cochran, of Monroe. . v , - _ 5' 

He is a member of the American Medical 
Association, which he joined at Newport, Rhode 
Island, in June, 1889, ard of the Michigan 
State Medical Society, which he joined in 1887. 



-^s^^ 




THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



435 



It is tjciionilly ailmittod tlial tlio doctor is a 
}-oung man of extraordinaiy qualification.-; and 
promise. '. . U:~ . ^, ;c _ ;i . 



WILLIAM C. WEST 



"Was born in Allegany county, >[arylanc|. 
FebruarN- 2G, 1834 ; graduated from College of 
Phj-sicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. 
He pursued his studies still further at St, Louis, 
Missouri, where be attended lectures and prac- 
ticed his profession in one of tlic large hosjMtals 
of that citj- for some time. Dr. "West was mai-- 
ricd in Georgetown. Mi-ssouri, to Miss Mary, 
daughter of Judge Brown of Kentucky, and 
settled in Sedalia, Missouri, where he practiced 
for some j-ears. Here two daughters were 
born: Anna M. and Ileiiniebelle : his wife did 
not long survive the birth of the latter. Dr. 
"V\'est was married in Monroe, Michigan, in 
1864 to Miss Eliza, daughter of Christopher 
Bruckner, a prominent and highly-educated 
citizen of Monroe. A son and daughter were 
born of this union: William B. and Mabel. 
Dr. AVest continued to practice his profession 
in the South until failing health required a 
change, when after .several years he returned 
to Monroe, where for some j-ears he had an ex- 
tensive practice, but bis health again required 
a change and he settled in Chicago. Here his 
talented and very promising daughter Hennic- 
belle died, and soon after the Doctor returned 
to Monroe. He has identified himself with 
many of the interests of the city, among which 
ranks pi-ominent in notice Woodland cemeterj-. 
Owing to the Doctor's unflagging zeal a cor- 
poration was formed and the ccnicterj- was im- 
proved and put upon an almost self supporting 
basis. His son, "William H. West, after graduating 
at the Monroe High School, entered the Detroit 
Medical College, from which he graduated iti 
1889. While in Detroit he practiced as a ph}-- 
sician in one of the largest hospitals. Soon 
after his graduation he received an appoint- 
ment as physican at Lake Tjinden, where he 
now resides. 



I'lIILA-NDER SHELDON ROOT, M. D. 

When Horace Greeley gave his advice to the 
j-oung man to ■' Go West,'' he simply put into 
words the spirit which has been tho moving 
spring of American progress. 



Ft was among the earlier liaiids of emigrants 
who started to spy out the land, early in the 
present century, that two brothers, William 
and Elihu Boot, left Great Barrington, Connec- 
ticut, bound for the undefined. Following the 
Connecticut river to the Berkshire Hills, they 
reached the mountains which fringe the Hud- 
son. Across that river, to the north, the blue 
Adirondacks loomed hazily in the far distance, 
and to the south the Kaatskills seemed to bar 
the way. Between these, a gateway to the land 
they sought, was the valley of the Moiiawk, 
and up this valley they took their way. Earlier 
settlers who had preceded thcin had located 
the lands nearest the Hudson, and it was not 
till they had penetrated a hundred miles 
into the wilderness that they pitched 
their tents and began the work of building 
homes. That wilderness where they settled is 
now Oneida county. New York, one of the 
fairest of the many fair counties in that im- 
perial commonwealth. 

It was near the present town of Vernon the 
brothers settled, and began their warfare with 
reluctant nature, to make the wilderness to 
blossom as the rose. Their sturdy worth made 
them of inrtuence in the communitj'. Their 
children gi-ew about them, and one by one 
stepped forth to perlorm with honor their 
allottoil duties among the world of men. The 
old pioneers have long since lieen gathered be- 
neath the churchyard mould, and where their 
lonely cabins once stood, the ej-e maj- .see over 
vallej-, plain and mountain the monument of 
their work. 

Elihu Root left to ])erpctuatc his name 
seven sons: Philander Sheldon, a prominent 
judge at L'tica, New York ; O. 1*. Hoot, of more 
than local fame as an engineer and railroad 
builder, having planned and constructed a jjor- 
tion of the elevated rail wa}' in New York City; 
Eiiakim, an educator of note in Eastern New 
York; Orin, for many 3-ears a ])rofessor in 
Hamilton College: Huet, a lawyer of ability 
and promise, but whose bright career was 
brouicht to an untimely clo.si' in early life; 
Elihu, who likewise dieil young, and Erastus 
Clark Root, who, following in the footste])s of 
his father Elihu, was a tiller of Irlie soil. Elihu 
Root, jr., a son of Prof Orin Root, and a lawyer 
of marked ability, was prominently mentioned 
for a cabinet place as attorney-general of the 
United States durinu the Artlnir ailministration. 



436 



HISTORY (IF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



To Erasfu.s Clark Jioof. and his wife Jane 
(French) Root were born six childi-cn, one of 
whom is dead. The youngest of these children, 
the subject of the present sketch, was l)orn in 
the old homestead, April 26, 185G. He led the 
life of a farmer's boy in his earlier years, hut 
there liuriied in his breast that desiri' for edu- 
cation which fbrces its possessor over any 
obstacle \\ hieli adverse fortune may throw in 
his wa3-. The '• midnight oil" was to him far 
more than a poetic fiction : it was a sad reality. 
After an ordinary education he entered Ver- 
non Academy, whence he graduated in 1872 at 
the age of sixteen. The succeeding } ear young 
Root began the world for himself as a peda- 
gogue, and for six years was engaged in teach- 
ing. The earlier portion of this time he was 
employed near home. Then he came to Ohio, 
and for a time taught near Springfield. In 
1876, at the age of twenty, having determined 
upon the profession of medicine as his life work, 
he returned to Vernon and entered the office of 
Dr. F. A. Gary as a student. While pursuing 
his medical studies, he continued teacliing till 
1879. Dr. Gary being a graduate of Detroit 
Medical College, recommended his pupil to 
that institution. He matriculated in 1879, and 
graduated in 1881 with the reputation of being 
one of the hardest workers of his class. 

At his graduation and while he was casting 
about for a place to display his newly gilt 
shingle, 3'oung Root, now "Dr." Root, acci- 
dentallj^ met Dr. W. C. West, of Monroe, who 
was then contemplating a removal to the Soulli- 
west, and desired to dispose of his office and 
practice. Dr. Root accompanied Dr. West to 
Monroe to look over the field, and although 
he found a discouragingly large number of 
people who wcrecheerfuUyjieggingawayat the 
age of three score and ten and upwards, and a 
lugubrious aspect of health seemed prevalent, 
he evidently found some inducement to remain 
and the deal was consummated, and Dr. Root 
entered upon the practice of his profession in 
our midst. On September 15, 1881, Dr. Root 
made another bargain with Dr. West's family, 
but this time it was with Anna M., Dr. West's 
charming and accomplished eldest daughter. 
From this nuirriage has resulted two children, 
Erastus Clark Root, aged seven, and Mary B. 
Root, aged three years. 

Dr. Root's professional success has been of a 
remarkably agreeable nature. While the 



usual diseases incident to our latitude have 
engaged his attention, he has proven specially 
successful in thoseailments of the lungs and air 
passages which are largely prevalent in this 
county, |)i-obabl_y induced by the low-l3ing 
character of the land, the proximity of large 
bodies of water and the resulting dampness. 

Believing that study is essential to progress, 
and alwaj^s aiming to keep in the front rank, 
Dr. Root is an earnest and a practical student. 
Earl}- in his professional career he began the 
practice of keeping .systematic notes and data 
of interesting and intricate cases. The results 
of his observations liave in many instances 
been published as monographs in various 
medical p)ublications, among which are the 
Medical Age, Medical Record, Therapeutic 
Gazette, American Lancet, etc., and the editors 
are always glad to welcome liis fresh and timely 
articles. 

For the past eight years he has held the 
appointment of physician to the Monroe county 
house, and for three years has been surgeon of 
the Lake Shore and Micliigan Southern Rail- 
way. 

The burdens of a large and increasing pro- 
fessional practice have not sufficed to smother 
his taste for literarj' studies, nor stifle his inter- 
est in the cause of education; nor have the 
cares of the household been pernutted to weaken 
the literary pleasures of his talented wife. For 
some years Dr. Root has been a jiainstaking 
and earnest member of the board of education, 
and the recent marked improvement in our 
|)ublie schools is to him a source of gratification 



GEORGE FRANCIS HE/VTH. 

George Francis Heath was born in Warsaw, 
Wyoming county, New Vork, September 20, 
1850. Ancestry : i^aternal side, early settlers 
in Berkshire county, Massachusetts; maternal 
side, early settlers in Rutland county, Ver- 
mont; grandparents settled immediately after 
the W'ar of 1812 in Wyoming county, New 
York. On account of mother's death in 1860, 
and father entering the army in 1861, he went 
to reside with an uncle, Dr. W. W. Hibbard, of 
Poultney, Vermont, where he attended the 
public, private and commercial schools and 
assisted in drug store for seven years. 

In 1870, Mr. Heath took the advice of Horace 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



437 



Groeley and '• went west,'' liringing uj) in War- 
reiisbura;. Missouri, where liis fatlier liail located 
at the close of the war. Graduated in tlio high 
school of that city in 1871, he had entered ad- 
vanced classes in the State Normal school 
located there in 1871, when on tlie Ist of Janu- 
ary, 1872, he was placed in charge of the ci(y 
postoffice, the postmaster having become a 
defaulter to the Government for several thou- 
sand dollars. He held this position until June, 
1876. when he retired to enter the drug busi- 
ness, in which he continued until tiie fall 
of 1879. On December 25, 1870, he was married 
to Lucy M. Kaj'hill; has one child living, a boy 
about four years old. 

In 1877 he was clei'ted alderman of the third 
ward of the city of Wai-rensburg on the liepub- 
lican ticket. He declined a renomination. but 
the vote at election resulting iu a tie. at tlie 
request of both parties he continued in office 
and served the second term. 

In September, 1879, he entered the Medical 
Department of the University of Michigan at 
Ann Arbor, graduating in 1881. In June (jf 
this year he was appointed by the board of 
regents resident physician and surgeon in 
ciiarge of University Hospital. During the 
three years in charge over three thousand eight 
hundred patients were treated, a much larger 
number than has ever been cared for in the 
same length of time, either before or since. 
Resigned in June, 1884, to enter general prac 
lice at Monroe, Michigan, succeeding the late 
Dr. C. T. Southworth. Is division surgeon, 
district of Toledo, Michigan Central Kailroad, 
and a member of the State Medical Society 
since 1881. 



(tEOUGK BAKCL.\Y McCALLU.M, M. 1). 

Dr. George Barclay MeC'allura is the third 
child and oldest living son of John and Marian 
.McCallum, and is of Scotch descent. When liis 
lather, J(jhn, who was born in the North of 
Scotland in 1818, was three years of age, lie 
removed with his father to near Paislej'. in 
Renfrewshire, Scotland. Here his boyhood, 
youth, and a portion of his manhood, were 
spent. Ho received a fair education during his 
early years, and at the age of fourteen entered 
the employ of an elder brother to learti the 
trade of a tannei'. He continued with his 



brothel- about fourteen ^-ears. Four3ears later, 
being then an inhabitant of St. George parish, 
Renfrewshire, he married Marian Lawson, of 
the parish of Abbey, in the same shire. 

For some time the eyes of McCallum and his 
brother had been turned to America, and his 
marriage was but the preliminary step toward 
making a home beyond the seas. Shortly 
after his marriage John McCallum and his wife, 
accompanied by.his brother and his family and 
their grandmother, set sail for America About 
a month was consumed in the voyage, and they 
landed in New York, May 20, 1850. Here 
they found employment, and John remained 
there till late in 1854, during which time two 
children, Margaret and John, were born unto 
them. John died in October, 1854, a short 
time before the removal of the family to Ann 
Arbor, and Margaret dieil January 1, 1855. 
The family reside<l at Ann Arbor until the 
spring of 1859, during which time two more 
children were liorn to them, George Barcla)', 
October 5, 1855, and Archibald, January 5, 
1858, both of whom still survive, the eldest 
being the subject of this sketch. 

Early in 1859 the family removed to Pontiac, 
Michigan, where they have since resided and 
still reside. Two more children were born to 
them, Marian in 18(J0, and Edward in 1862, 
both of whom, however, died in infancy. 

George B. was educated at the schools of 
Pontiac, graduating from the high school at 
the age of nineteen. Naturally of studious 
tastes and inclined to literary re.search, he com- 
mitted the not infrequent mistake among stu- 
dents, of sacrificing ])hysical to mental exer- 
cise. Not being of robust physique, his health 
demanded attention while yet a student of the 
high school, and this turned the bent of his 
mind toward medical study. 

In 1875 he entered the Freshman class at 
Michigan University, and in attempting to 
carry on two courses of study at the .same time, 
his health, still precarious, utterly broke 
down, and he was compelled to return home. 
Here he remained till 1877 striving to rebuild 
his shattered health. In 1877 heagain entered 
the University, this time in the medical depart- 
ment, and during his vacations read medicine 
with Dr. F. B. Galbraith, of Pontiac. During 
the first year he suffered seriously from ill 
health, but gradually grew better, and in the 
spring of 1880 received the degree ofM. 1). 



438 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



It was his iDtentioii, upon jj;r:i(luation, to 
pursue a special course witli tlio design of 
seeking appointment as an assistant surgeon in 
the United States navy, but a more careful ex- 
amination of the surroundings of such a prac- 
tice on the part of Dr. McCallum and his parents, 
caused him to abandon tlie idea of such an 
appointment. Being still determined upon the 
special coui'se of study in New York, however, 
in the fall of 1880 he went to Jersey City. New 
Jersey, where he began the practice of medi- 
cine, at the same time matriculating in the 
"College of Physicians and Surgeons of Now 
York," being the medical department of the 
famous " Columbia College," and the oldest 
medical college in the country. From this he 
graduated in the spring of 1881, and not being 
particularly pleased with New Jersey returned 
to Michigan. He spent a short time in look- 
ing up a satisfactory location, and had settled 
upon one, when he learned that Dr. J. B. 
Brown, of Monroe, had received an appoint- 
ment as professor in one of the medical col- 
leges of Detroit. He came to Monroe and 
made arrangements to take Dr. Brown's office, 
and commenced the practice of his profession. 
In September, 1881, some two months after- 
ward. Dr. Brown removed to Detroit. A few 
months later, as.sociated with H. P. Harring- 
ton, Dr. McCallum opened a drug store at the 
old stand of Brown & Chapin, having his office 
in the same building. Shortly afterward Mr. 
Harrington retired, and for some time Dr. Mc- 
Callum maintained the business alone, but 
finding it interfered to some extent with the 
practice of his profession, finally disposed of 
it, and removed his office to the Dansard build- 
ing. 

On November 24, 1880, Dr. McC'allum was 
married to Miss Minnie A. Bcntley, second 
daughter of A. E. Beutley, Esq, 

He has met with flattering success in his 
profession, and has built up a pleasant and i-e- 
munerative practice in the home of liis choice. 

Despite the duties of his profes.sion and the 
cares of business, he still retains his love ioi- 
literary work and study. He is an active and 
earnest member of the Congregational churcli, 
and his studies are largely in the line of 
Christian evidences and scrijjtnral explana- 
tions. During his scanty leisure he has written a 
number of theses upon subjects connected with 
roliiiion and church work, one of which has 



been published for pi'ivate circulation, and has 
been well received. 



ALFRED J. MASECAR 



Was born of German parents at Eockford, 
Norfolk county, Ontario, Canada, November 
23, 1839; was the youngest of four brothers, 
sons of the Eeverend Nicholas and Gertrude 
Masecar. His father was a large land and 
mill owner. He attended district school till 
the age of thirteen, when he entered aliteiary 
college at Portland, Maine. There he re- 
mained for two years, when he graduated, and 
returned to his native county, and in April, 
1851, entered the office of James Moon Salmon, 
M. I)., where he remained for two years. In 
October, 1856, he entered Uuiversit}' Victoria 
College, Toronto, Canada. The rules of that 
institution at that time enabled him to enter 
as a second year student, having had two 
years' tuition with a regular practitioner. 
,\ltcr attending a six months' course he re- 
turned to hisijrivate tuition till the following- 
fall, when he entered the Buffalo Medical Col- 
lege, Buffalo, New York, where he graduated. 
In the fitll of 1863 he re-entered University 
Victoria Medical College, and in May, 1864, 
graduated with honors. 

He immediately located and began the prac- 
tice of his profession in the county of Oxford, 
Ontario, where he soon, by skill and industr}-, 
built up a large and lucrative practice, and 
shared the confidence of the people, having 
been honored with positions of public trust 
from 18!;4 to ISTM. He iield the position of 
president or director of the Oxford Agricul- 
tural Society, member of the municipal council 
and mayor of the town. In 1876 he received 
the unanimous nomination for representative 
to the provincial legislature, but declined the 
election. In 1878 he was appointed by the 
governor coroner for the counties of Norfolk 
and Oxford, being the first instance where the 
(iovernment had made an ajipointment of coro- 
ner to two separate judicial districts. This ap- 
j)ointment was for life or during good behavior. 
In the same year he was elected representative 
for the Gore and Thames district, embracing 
eight counties, to the Provincial Agricultural 
Society, but, owing to poor health at that time, 
declined. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



439 



In 1S70, with a wcll-cariiod rc'iuitation, lio 
left his hii-ffc practice and traveled for a time; 
and being attracted to Monroe City, Micliigan, 
by the celebrated mineral waters, he finally- 
settled in that city and soon fonnd his health 
fully restored. Here he again began the ])rac- 
tice of his profession, soon sharing a well- 
earned reputation among his medical brothers 
of the city and countrj-. 

In 1885 he was elected by the people of the 
city of Monroe a member of the hoard of edu- 
cation, a position he ver^- acceptably' held for 
three years. In 1S8G he was (dected and rep- 
resented the third ward of Monroe City as 
alderman for two j'cars. 

Dr. Masecar has heen twice married, the 
first time, March 14, 18U0, to Mary Jane, 
daughter of lion. Lawrence Johnston and 
Margaret (Irwin) Hatch, who died in Novem- 
ber, 1875. In April, 1877, he was married to 
Appolona, daughter ol' Harvey and Elizabeth 
(Harvey) Van Potter. 

During his practice he has been medical ex- 
aminer for several life insurance companies and 
mutual benefit associations, among which was 
the Sun Mutual o( Montreal, in \\ hich for fifteen 
years he served in that cajjacity. passing upon 
more than five hundred applicants, of whom, 
up to two years ago, the company had not 
been called upon to pay a single death loss. 
In the Covenant .Mutual, of Galesburg, Illinois, 
he has been examiner for over ten years, dur- 
ing which he has averaged annually nearly ten 
thousand dollars of risks, examined with a 
similar result — a record of which Dr. Masecar 
justly feels proud. He has also been one of the 
censors of the Toledo Medical College, Toledo, 
Ohio, since its nrganizntioii in 1880. 



W. F. KNAPF, M. D. 

W. F. Knapp was borii July 2, 1855, in the 
township of liaisinville, Michigan. His father, 
Ludovic Knapp, is a highly esteemed, well-to- 
do farmer. In intervals of woi-k he found 
time to gratify varied and keen intellectual 
tastes, and made thorough preparation for the 
normal school at Y])silanti, Michigan, entering 
the same at the age of sixteen, taking up at 
once the full English course with Latin, com- 
pleting the same in 1875. 

Entered in October,lS7ti, the College ot Medi- 



cine and Surgery- at Ann Arbor, Michigan, 
from which he graduated with honors in the 
spring of 1878. He then assisted the eminent 
late Dr. Southworth in his very large practice 
until he located as practicing physician and 
surgeon in the village of La 8alle. Alicliigan, 
practicing there with marked success for six 
years. 

Removed by urgent requests to Monroe, 
Michigan, in October, 1884, where, by close 
attention to business, straightfoi'wardiiess, suc- 
cessful treatment, ever i-ca<ly b}- day or at 
night to attend to suffering humanit}-, as well 
as by industry, indomitable persistence of pur- 
pose, he attained a position of honor among 
men socially, and as an eminent practitioner 
of medicine and surgery ; is medical examiner 
for the thriving German Workingmen's Asso- 
ciation of Monroe (.^ity, as also for several life 
insurance companies. 

His amiable way and good will secures suc- 
cess in every work he undertakes. He is a 
hard worker, keeps a keen and intelligent 
watch of public affairs, is a warm friend to 
those he esteems, liberal in his dealings, a 
friend to the suffering poor, and thoroughly 
independent — is, in short, a good citizen, pub- 
lic spirited and ver^- enterprising, ever on the 
side of right and justice. A good illustration of 
what ma}- be accomi)lished by energj-, industrj- 
and integrity, under all circumstances. 



U DA WE, M. D., 

Was the youngest of three children born to the 
Jiev. and Mrs. Dawo. His parents still reside 
in England. His father is a very highly re- 
spected minister of the Congregational church. 
D. Dawe, jr., was born at Newport, England, 
on October 31, 1860. Ho spent the early part 
of his school life at home under the training of 
a private tutor. At the age of fourteen years 
he entered the British public schools as a pupil 
teacher, where he with other teachers received 
two hours instruction daily, for services ren- 
dered by them each day to younger classes. 
At the age of fifteen he was sent by his fixther, 
'■ who was overly anxious that he should be 
educated for the ministry," to a theological 
seminary at Brecon, Wales. While here he 
look up the study of Greek and Latin, but he 
was very much dissatisfied with this school be- 



440 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



cause he was by six or seven years the junior 
member of the seminary. Whenever an opjjor- 
lunitj' afforded itself, he would escape from 
school, and after a walk of twenty miles, would 
reach home wearied, and a little afraid to meet 
the stern countenance of his disappointed 
father. After a struggle of twelve months his 
parents decided to remove him to Cardiff, 
where he entei-ed a grammar school and asso- 
ciated with boys nearer his own age. Here he 
remained the full course of three years. 

In the summer of 1879 he sailed for America. 
He remained in this country for three years, 
when he returned to England to visit his 
parents. In the fall of 1882 he once more 
sailed for America, after a six weeks' visit in 
England. In 1885 he commenced to read 
medicine. In 1886 he entered the Homceo- 
pathic department of the University of Michi- 
gan. The summer of 1888 w'as spent in the 
office of Dr. A. I. Sawyer, of Monroe: he re- 
turned to the university in the fall of that 
year, and graduated from the said university 
iu the spring of 1889. 

While in the university he was connected 
with the Hahnemannian society, a literary and 
scientific organization, from which he also 
graduated on June 26, 1889. After having re- 
ceived the said diplomas he entered into part- 
nership with Dr. A. I. Sawyer, president of the 
National Institute of Homoeopathy, who has a 
very extensive and lucrative practice in the 
beautiful city of Monroe, Michigan. In 1884, 
Di'. Dawe was married to Miss Jennie Wood, 
daughter of Dr. and Mrs. W. M. Wood. 

BENJAMIN T. WILLETT 
Was born at Mansfield, Ohio, October Iti, 1850; 
received his education in Bryan and Columbus 
high schools ; attended lectures and graduated 
at Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery ; 
practiced as assistant to Dr. Bates at Little 
Lake, Ohio; removed to Hay, Indiana, and 
practiced there four years. After that, prac- 
ticed four years in Petersburgh, Monroe county, 
Michigan, and removed to Monroe in Septem- 
bei-, 188(i, continues to practice, and is the pro- 
prietor of a drug store on Front street. 

S. L. JONES, M. D., 
Was born in Buckingham, Bucks county, Penn- 
sylvania, September 18, 1832, of Quaker ances- 



try ; educated in the public schools and private 
seminaries of Bucks county, and Beverly Insti- 
tute, New Jersey ; commenced teaching school 
and reading medicine at the age of eighteen. 
In 1854 survej'ed Greene and Lewis counties, 
New York, for county maps. Jay Gould at 
the .same time surveyed Delaware count}', 
New York, for same purjjose. 

He came to Michigan iu 1855; landed at 
Monroe pier from steamboat "Dart," May 1st; 
found a good home at the old United States 
Hotel, kept by Mr. Harrington ; surveyed Mon- 
roe county during the summers for countj- map, 
which was not published until 1859; continued 
surveying iu Michigan until 1860, when he re- 
sumed study and commenced the practice of 
medicine with Dr. J. H. Woods at Quiney, 
Michigan. He graduated from the medical 
department of the University of Michigan, 
class of 1864. Received the ad eundem degree 
from Detroit Medical College in 1872. 

He served as hospital steward Thirtieth 
Michigan Infantry, and assistant surgeon 
Eleventh Michigan Infantry, during the War 
of the Eebellion ; settled at Deei-field at the 
close of the war, and practiced medicine in Lena- 
wee county until 1880. 

January 1, 1859, he married Clara A. Robin- 
son at (Quiney, Michigan, by whom two chil- 
dred were born, H. Gibson Jones, of Dayton, 
Ohio, and Mrs. Mary Cornell, of Petersburgh, 
Michigan. August 2, 1879, married Nettie, 
daughter of E. W. and C. A. Cornell, of Sum- 
merfield, and purchased the " Eureka House " 
at Petersburgh, January, 1880, where he now 
resides. 



JEROME J. VALADE, M. D., 

Son of Dr. Joseph L. Valade, was born at Erie, 
Monroe county, on November 24, 1859 ; went 
with his people to Newport at the age of seven; 
attended district an'd private schools until 
filteen years of age, and then at Monroe City 
and the State Normal school at Ypsilanti; 
after which he entered the Detroit Medical 
College and attended there three full courses 
of lectures, graduating in the spring of 1882. 
He has been a member of the school board of 
New'port several years. His mother, Mary 
Cousino Valade, was born in Erie township 
December 18, 1837, and was a daughter of 
Frank and Mai-ffaret Martin Cousino. Dr. 



THE MEDICAL I'KOFESSION. 



441 



Vahide is a young man of much iiromi.so and 
is rapidly gainiTig the contidcncc of the people. 



CIIAKLES EDWIN HENRY MUNRO, M. !>. 

The subject of tiiis. sketch was born in the city 
of Montreal, Canada, on the 27th day of Feb- 
ruary, 1843. His first attendance at school 
wiw at the age of seven, when he attended a 
day school in his native city for two j'ears, 
where he followed the ])rimary cour.se of an 
ordinary English education. At nine he com- 
menced the study of French, which he mas- 
tered. Two years after hi; entered upon a 
course of classical studies as an interne at the 
Montreal College, studying Latin, Greek 
and the natural sciences pertaining to that 
branch of studies, which he finished six j'cars 
after, graduating with honors. For one j-ear 
aflcr he devoted himserif to various pursuits of 
study, recreation, travel, and music, joined 
musical and literarj- societies, tlic oratorio, the 
circle iiteruire, etc. He traveled cxtcnsivcl}- 
throughout the United States and Canada, in 
the meantime gaining thereb3-a more extensive 
knowledge of the world. 

He concluded that he would follow tlu' pro- 
fession of his father, viz., the jiracticc of medi- 
cine and surgery, therefore on the 12th of May, 
1801, at the age of eighteen, in his native city 
of Montreal, he presented him.self before the ex- 
amining board of the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons of the Province of (Quebec, where, after 
pa.ssing a successful examination, he was admit- 
ted to the study of medicine. He at once entered 
the office of his father, Dr. Pierre A. C. Munro. 
He could not have fallen into better hands, 
and heiv he remained four years, until he 
graduated in 18<)0, being at the same time with 
his own family. This good fortune was the 
means whereby ho accjuired facilities for in- 
struction which was not offered to others. In 
clinics, practical anatomy and vivisection he 
hail an al)undance of material to work upon. 

Two years after this he took charge of a very 
large pi-actice at Alexandria, in the county of 
Glcngary,()ntario, where the good and lamented 
l)r. McDonald had for many years successfully 
practiced among a class of ]ieople ninetenths 
of whom could speak nothing but Gaelic. The 
doctor remained there for six months, until the 
coinnienccment of the fill lecture session of the 



school of medicine, when he assumed the chair 
of practical botjiny. 

In 18G2 he was the corresponding member 
of L'Institute Medical de Montreal. In 1863 
ho continued the course of botany, wrote the 
essay upon the " Influence of (Jlimate upon the 
Physique and Morals of Men," " What Path- 
ological Anatomy did for the Science of Medi- 
cine," etc. 

In 18G4 he wrote "The History of Medi- 
cine in Canada from the Foundation of Quebec 
to 1804," giving a complete and conci.se history 
of all tiie leading events of the medical history 
of Br-itish North Anu'rica to that date, etc., etc., 
which is still preserved in tin; archives of the 
Victoria University at (Jobourg, Ontario. 

On the 9th of May, 18(;5, at the age of twenty- 
one, at the city of Montreal, he was again ex- 
amined by the board r)f medical examiners of 
the " College of Physicians and Surgeons of 
the Province of (Quebec," and after passing a 
successful examination was admitted to the 
practice of medicine and surger}-. The city 
papers at that time complimente<l him as liav- 
ing passed one of the most brilliant examina- 
tions among those who graduated. His exam- 
iners were Dr. Tuffy, of Nova Scotia; Dr. 
Tassc, of St. Laurent, Quebec ; T)r. Howard, of 
Montreal, and Dr. Michaw, of Quebec. 

From the time he received his dijiloma, as 
previously said, on the 9th of Ma^', 1805, he 
remained with his father, assisting him in the 
arduous duties of his profession. In the year 
following he became an active member of the 
Mcdico-Chirugical .Society of Montreal; in the 
same year was appointed surgeon to the Vic- 
toria Rifles Volunteer Regiment, at the time 
of the Fenian raids in Canada. 

In 181)3 he became a member of the "Cana- 
ilian Medical Asso<iation," which was estab- 
lished at Quebec in that year. In the fall of 
that year he determined to go west, and ac- 
cordingly after visiting several places between 
Montreal and Omaha, Nebraska, he finally de- 
termined to .settle in Detroit, Michigan, where 
he opened an office on Griswold street. Here 
he remained one year and from there ho went 
to Amherstburg, Ontario, where he also re- 
mained another year, when finallj- ho was in- 
dured to come to Newport, Monroe county-, 
Michigan, where he is at present and has ro- 
sidc<l most of the time since 1870. 

While at Amiu'rstbiirg he received from the 



442 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Victoria University of Cobourg, Ontario, the 
degree of Doctor of Medicine; became a mem- 
ber of Essex County Medical Society ; was the 
promoter of the first French newspaper pub- 
lished in Western Canada, L'Etoile Canadienne, 
issued at Sandwich, Ontario. He was also one 
the organizers of the National and Benevolent 
Society of St. Jean Baptiste, of the county of 
Essex, Ontario. 

He practiced in the city of Monroe, Michi 
gan, in 1878. In the year 1879, owing to the 
declining years and feeble health of his father 
he felt it his duty to return to his native city 
and a.ssist him. During his father's illness, 
until his death, which happened in 1882, he 
attended to his private practice, the hospital, 
and gave lectures on surgery at the Victoria 
University. He then wont to Papineauville, 
(Quebec, where he practiced two years, 
and from there to Fall Kiver, Massachusetts, 
where he also practiced two years in copart- 
nership with Dr. Casgrain. The untimely 
death of the latter dissolved the partnership, 
when he resolved to come again to the West. 
He felt as if the ways and manners of the West- 
ern people were more congenial to his tastes, 
and accordingly, in the month of February, 
1885, he found himself again in Monroe, among 
his old friends and patients. Here he resumed 
practice ai4 of yore. 

In 1887 he went to Toledo, Ohio, where he 
practiced one year, and finally returned to 
Newport, where he had practiced medicine and 
surgery for man}- years, and is still enjoying 
the confidence and esteem of the community at 
large. 

Dr. Edwin Munro has been eminently suc- 
cessful in his profession, both in surgery and 
general practice, being extensively known be- 
tween Detroit and Toledo. His practice has 
been quite extensive. 



L. BALDWIN, M. D., 



Was born May 20, 1862, in Monroe county, 
Michigan; was raised in Monroe and attended 
school there until 1881, when he went to Dakota 
Territory, and remained there until January-, 
1882. He then went to New Mexico, and from 
there back to Jackson, Michigan, and in the 
fall of 1882 entered the Homoeopathic Medical 
Department of the University of Michigan, 



graduating July 1, 1886; was in partnership 
with F. O. Hart, M. D., in the practice of medi- 
cine one year at West Unity, Ohio, and has 
been at Maybee, Monroe couiily, Michigan, two 
years. 

Parents: Kphraim Hahlwin, born in Canada, 
1822, died in Moni-oe county, Michigan, 1889 ; 
Charlotte A. Baldwin, born in Monroe, 1833, 
formerly Charlotte A. Garwood, resides at 
Ma3'bee, Monroe county, at present. 



P. H. MORROW, M. D. 
P. H. Morrow, M. D., was born at Toledo, 
Ohio, November 9, 1865, and was left father- 
le.ss the following year; lived with his grand- 
mother, Mrs. Heminings. He was graduated 
at the public schools of Toledo; graduated 
from the Toledo Business College in 1883 ; 
attended medical lectures at the Northwestern 
Ohio Medical College; eighteen months at St. 
Vincent's Hospital ; came to Erie, Moni'oe 
county, Michigan, on the 27th of June, 1889, 
where he still resides and is rapidly building 
u]) a lucrative practice, enjoying the best wishes 
of his fellow practitioners. 



GEORGK W. RICHARDSON, M. D. 

Certain careers are distinctly illustrative of 
American self-reliance. The lives of such men 
always have point and value. Although much 
has been written about American indoiiendence, 
whenever a downright example thereof is en • 
countered the interest is unfiiiling. Such an 
example is presented in Dr. George W. Rich- 
ardson, of Dundee. Di'. Richardson helped 
himself, and in this waj' laid a secure founda- 
tion for helping others. 

He was born in 1856 in Niagara count}-, New 
York, one of a family of nine children. Ho 
went from the homestead when eight years old, 
the father consenting, to live with an older 
brother on a farm within the county ; remained 
with this bi-other five years, when striking out 
for himself, he worked a year on a farm. Dur- 
ing this time he had the privilege, usual with 
counti'y boys, of attending school winters. But 
now the desire to get away, to gain wider con- 
tact, to assert his entire independence, grew ,so 
strong that leave Niagara county he must, and 
in the spring of 1870 this courageous boy, 
scarcely fourteen years old, puts in an appear- 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



443 



ancc west of the Mississippi, at Waterloo, Iowa, 
and, as was natural with him, looking lor work. 

He engajned for the season on a farm. The 
year's farm work at an end, a j-earning for 
more schooling as.sertcd itself To this end our 
young student finds his way to Webster City, 
Iowa. Explanations were made and a bargain 
struck with Dr. (i. L. Hendrick.s. a leading 
physician of Webster City, Iowa. George was 
to do chores for his board and the privilege of 
attending the public school. This he did for 
two year.s, and was now first able to go to 
school both summer and winter. The work 
was not easy, but his heart was light. He had 
the care of three horses and throe cows and the 
wood cutting for three stoves. 

It appears that here, for the first time, the 
thought of studying medicine gained a clear 
and firm hold; this doubtless through the 
chance of observing the life of a physician in 
Dr. Hendricks, the opportunity for great use- 
fulness, the inviting play of sv-mpath}-, and, on 
the assumption of honesty, ability and enthu- 
siasm, the certainty of material reward. 

The earnings from farm work which he had 
prudently saved, went to solve the clothes (jues- 
tion, and there ensued two full years of mental 
freedom and consequent |)rogress. 

Dr. Richardson dwells upon the fact of his 
gaining, while at Webster City, the signal 
advantage of a clear view ahead. This clear 
vision in turn compelled another onward move- 
ment. But to gain an advance money was 
needed, and this could not be earned with the 
desired rapidity in an Iowa village. There 
was a call to resolute action. 

The spring of 1874, therefore, found him at 
Omaha, in his seventeenth year, looking for 
something to do. This the j'oung man speedily 
found. The owners of outl^'ing ranches sought 
workmen in Omaha. To one of these, a man 
named Jack Marrow, Richardson engaged him- 
si-jf as a farm hand for the sea.ioii. Marrow 
hail twelve thousand a<'res of land on the Klk- 
horii River. Hy midseason (juite one hundred 
liamls were employed on the ranch. Among 
them were all sorts and conditions of men. 
Many of the circumstances were forbidding, but 
as an advance point had to be gained it did not 
matter. The grain harvest came on, and with 
it higher wages and extra jtay for extra hours, 
like the shocking of grain u' nights. Tliere 
were no binders in those days, but the self- 



raking reaping machines had come in. Our 
student was one of some thirty binders who 
followed the machines. For thirty-five days in 
the wheat, oat, and barley fields ho kept his 
place at the front, and in this time was able to 
earn one hundred and forty-six dollars, or an 
average of four dollars per day. During the 
season he earned something like two hundred 
and seventy dollars. The stay on the i-anch 
lasted through the threshing season and well 
into the fall. Dr. Richanl.son may be pardoned 
for telling of his feats of endurance while there. 
He returned to Omaha and became a student 
at the city high school, from which school he 
was graduated in 1875. The New York boy 
had completed his academic schooling in Omaha. 
He then returned to Niagara county and 
entered the oftice of Dr. M. B. Searles at Wales 
Center in Erie county. 

Dr. Richardson's first attendance at a medical 
school was in Cleveland, where he studied for 
nine months in the medical department of 
Wooster University. lie then matriculated at 
the University of Buffalo, from which in.stitu- 
tion he was graduated in the spring of 1S78. 
Drawn by his knowledge of the State's advan- 
tages the young Doctor of Medicine at once pro- 
ceeded to Michigan and began practice at Cone 
Station, on the Wabash road west of Milan. 
He soon after removed to East Milan and 
thence to Dundee. He was at Cone Station 
one year, and at East Milan a year and a half, 
coming to Dundee in August, 1880. 

Afler practicing at Dundee successfully lor 
one year. Dr. Richardson proceeded to New 
York for a six months' post-graduate course at 
the University Medical College. He reached 
there just in time to hear the eminent Dr. 
Weisse demonstrate the surgical analnmj' of 
Pi-esident Garfield's wounds. 

At the end of six months at University Col- 
lege he returned to Dundee and resumed active 
practice. From the day of leaving his brother's 
roof down to the completion of the course at 
Mew Y^ork, he did not receive a dollar of assist- 
ance from outside sources — all came from his 
own eai-nings. Every chance to earn money 
was improved, and this even while pursuing 
the medical studies. 

Out of this experience there grew and 
strengthened a feeling of independence of far 
greater value than a bank account proceeding 
from the savings of others. 



444 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



It is not necessary to dwell upon Dr. Ekliard- 
soti's widel}' acknowledged success as a phj-si- 
cian. His work as a sui'goon attracts atten- 
tion. 

The energy and foresight of earlier years 
have remained with hiin. His experience in 
fighting life's battles has been of such a char- 
acter as to develop and deepen a naturally quick 
sympathy for the suiferings of his fellows, a 
characteristic of a successful physician. 

In this is a partial explanation of the popu- 
larity he enjoys. Thi.s was attested in 1884, 
when the doctor was nominated for the legis- 
lature in the Second district on the Republican 
ticket. The district is heavily Democratic and 
an election was hardly to be expected. The 
usual Democratic majority of some five hun- 
dred votes was, however, cut down to three 
iiundred and eleven ; and in Dundee township, 
out of a total vote of eight hundred and fifteen 
the doctor received six hundred and eighteen. 

Doctor itichardson lives in a handsome resi- 
dence on Yjisilanti street in Dundee, thus giving 
evidence that his early wisdom in money mat- 
ters still abides. Thus from his lucrative prac- 
tice a handsome ])roperty is resulting. 

He is still a young man of thirty-three, in 
full health and vigor, with an enviable career 
belbre him. 

Dr. Eichardson was luippily married in 1878 
at Cone Station to Miss Minnie Caswell. 



ELWIN II. D.VMON 



Was born in Ohio, December 0, 1850; received 
a common school education ; worked at farm- 
ing until about twenty-four years of age, when 
he began studying medicine under Dr. J. L. 
Bean, of Medina, Ohio. 

He attended the Cleveland Honnpopathic 
Hospital College, of Cleveland, Ohio, during 
the winters of 1870-77 and 1877-78, and grad- 
uated from that college in February, 1878. 

He located at Reading, Hillsdale county, 
Michigan, in March, 1878, and practiced medi- 
cine thei-c until April, 1887, at which time he 
moved to Dundee, Michigan, and has continued 
there to the present time. 



Canada East. His father and mother, An- 
thony and Mary Death Paquette, were born in 
Paris, France. At the age of fourteen he en- 
listed in the " Patriot War," and served for two 
months. In the spring of 1838 bo left Canada 
and moved to Detroit, Michigan. In 1844 he 
moved to Monroe City and worked at the sad- 
dler's trade. 

In 1846 he married Miss Harriet J. Hope, 
who died on the 12th day of April, 18^9. Was 
married again to Miss Helen Michaw, and a 
third time to Miss Soj)hia Noble in 1887. In 
18G4 he enlisted in the Seventeenth Michigan 
Volunteer Infantry as a private. May 13, IStU, 
wasdetiiled to the first division of the field 
hospital as assistant surgeon. 

He began the practice of medicine in the 
year 1859, and since the close of the war he 
has been actively engaged in the practice of 
medicine at Petershurgh, Monroe county, 
where he still resides and jiracticcs medicine. 



NAZARTH PAQUETTE 
Was born on the ocean on the 1st day of 
March, 1824, and was reared at Chamblae, 



DR. JOSEPH L. VALADE 

Was born at Kast Dover, Canada West, and 
now resides in Berlin township. His father, 
Louis, was born in Spain in 1769; his mothei', 
Jane, in Deti'oit in 1782. His father was a 
sergeant under General Brock at the battle of 
River Raisin ; was cripjjled for life, and died 
when Jcseph L. was eighteen 3-eai"s of age. 
He taught a French school four years, mean- 
while studying medicine. Ilepas'^edan exam- 
ination before the general council, and came to 
Detroit and entered the office of Professor 
Zina Pitcher, and attended medical lectures at 
the university at Ann Arbor. 

He settled in Monroe county in 1852, where 
he still resides. He has filled the office of 
school inspector, notary public. Justice of the 
peace, and was a member of the State legisla- 
ture in the year 1877. He was appointed liy 
the State Medical Society, at a session held at 
Lansing in 1878, one of the committee on or- 
ganization. 

He was married November 14, 1858, to Mary 
A. Cousino, daughter of Francis and Margaret 
(!ousino, both of whom were born in Monroe 
county. Dr. Joseph L. Valade and Mary had 
four children : J. Jerome, Leon G., Clara E , 
Joseph L., the latter a phj'sician of Newport, 
Monroe county, Michigan. 





^^-^. 




^^Jh.^.>^ ^.4> 



THE MKDICAI, PROFESSION. 



•145 



JOHN WAKNKU MASON 

Was born in Orloans county, New York, .lanii- 
aryU, 18:i!l ; lie eanio to Monroe county in 1H54; 
wiicn the war broke out he joined the Sixth 
Midiif^an Rci^inient November 2, 18G1, serving 
as assistant surgeon. On December 23, 1864, 
lie was ])romote(l to the office ofsuri^eon. Dr. 
.Mason served in tiie (iulf (iejiurtment, and was 
discharged with his regiment September 20, 
1 StJS. 

Dr. Mason w;i.s mari'icd in Ann Arbor to 
Sarali Matihia Walker, November 11, 1852. 
Their children arc: Kdward Walker Mason, 
born August 30, 1853, resides in Chicago; 
Charley Lee, born June 17, 185(5, died Octo- 
ber 2!t. ISdO; Ada Matilda, born February 24, 
ISdG. Dr. J. W. Mason is enjoying as a physi- 
cian and surgeon in Dundee, Michigan, a vary 
e.xlensivc and lucrative practice. 



(iKOKGE W. JACKSON. 



The subject of tiiis sketch was born on the 
Holland Purchase, in the State of New York, 
September 21, 1836 : was the oldest son of a 
family of eleven children. His father and 
mother were both natives of the State of New 
York. In September, 184(5, thej' removed 
from Ferry, State of New York, and accom- 
panied by their .son (icorgo W., then ten jears 
of age, settled in Dundee, Michigan, then nearly 
an unbroken wildei'iiess. He endured all the 
]irivations and hardships that fall to the lot of 
a farmer's son on new and hcavilj' limbered 
land. lie attended school at the old red school 
house on the banks of the River Raisin, "Aunt 
.Milly" Parker being the preceptress. Ho 
attended school three months in the year, 
working nine months in the twelve. 

After attaining his majority he taught the 
district school in Raisinville at the Bruckner 
school house in the winter of 1857. Martha L. 
Andrews, at the public exercises, captured the 
first prize, and subsequently captured the 
teacher, and married Dr. George W. Jack.son 
September 22, 1859. He continued teaching 
school most of the time until September, 18(53, 
devoting his leisure time to the study of medi- 
cine, when he entered the medical depart- 
ment of the Michigan Univei'sity. 

He left the University and entered as a pri- 
vate in Company E of Eighteenth Michigan 



Infantiy, accompanied b^' three of the family, to 
assist in suppressing the Ucbollion — four brave 
and efficient soldiers of the war. Mr. G. W. J. 
was stationed at Decatur, Alabama ; partici- 
pated in the defense of Decatur against General 
Hood's rebel forces October 2(5, 27 and 28, 
under the command of Colonel Doolittle. Mr. 
Jackson was one of the number sent out under 
Captain William C. Moore to dislodge a body 
of rebel sharpshooters that occupied a line of 
ritle pits near one of the Union forts. The 
movement was successfully executed under a 
galling fire, capturing one hundred and fifteen 
]M-isonors. December 19, 1864, was detached 
to act as surgeon by order of J. M. Evans, 
surgeon of Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry. Dr. Jackson received an honorable 
discharge May 26, 18(!5. 

He returned to Dundee, and formed in Sep- 
tember of same year a copartnership with 
George D. Mungor, druggist. In November, 
1865, attended medical lectures at the State 
University ; also during the years 1866 and 
1867, and received his diploma as Doctor of 
Medicine with the class of 1867. He then 
engaged in active practice in Dundee — an 
active and remunerative practice — until 1874, 
when from injuries received in the army his 
health failed, and he sought Colorado and Cali- 
fornia to regain it. He returned to Dundee 
in 1880 and engaged again in drugs and medi- 
cines. In 1869 erected a two-storj' drug store, 
the first story being occupied as a drugstore, 
and second story by the Thomas lodge of Free 
and Accepted Masons, of which the Doctor is a 
member; is a member also of Simon Post 
Chapter, of the Monroe Commandery, and of 
the William Bell Post at Dundee, and now sur- 
geon of said post. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jackson had two children ; 
Cassic, born October 25, 1872, and James, who 
died of consumption April 19, 1889. 



DR. TRACY .SOUTHWOItTH 

Was born in the Slate of New York, Jul\- 16, 
1798; was married in 1824 to Ruth M. Easton. 
In 1836 moved from Elmira, New York, to 
Monroe county, and settled on a farm in Erie 
township where he resided a number of 3-ears, 
having an extensive practice in the southern 
part of the county. He formed a copartner- 



446 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ship with Dr. Gi'orgo Lamloii and moved to 
Monroe. Died September 17, 1843, from result 
of a fall from a bam ; was the father of Dr. 
Charles T. Southworth, sr., and grandfather of 
Charles T. Southworth,jr., of Monroe, Michigan. 



DR. K. (iONSOLUS 



Was born in Fredericksburg, Province of On- 
tario, May 3, 1850; attended the Napann 
Academy, graduated at the University of 
Kingston, Ontario, also the Royal College of 
Physicians and Surgeons ; attended lectures at 
Bellevue, New York, in 1874, Paris and Berlin 
in 1876 and 1877 ; practiced in Pctersburgh, 
Monroe county, Michigan, six years; married 
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Annie E. Hard- 
ing, Octobei- 0, 1878; has a daughter aged 
seven, and .son two years. Hemoved to Dundee 
April 1, 1883, and has had an extensive prac- 
tice up to the j)resent time. 



DK. JAMES C. WOOD 



Was born January 11, 1858, in Wood cou)it3', 
Ohio. Parents : Father, Major H. L. Wood, a 
native of New York State, but who came west 
at an early date, and was a large contractor 
and the first superintendent of the Buffalo and 
Niagara Falls Eailroad. After locating in 
Wood county, Ohio, he was honored with many 
prominent public positions. His mother, Jane 
C. Kunkle, of sturdy German stock, was a 
native of Pennsylvania. She, too, moved to 
Ohio with her parents at an early date. 

James C. Wood attended district school until 
fifteen years of age, working on the farm sum- 
mers. At fifteen he attended one year the 
high school at Waterville, Ohio. He then 
took a three months' course at a business col- 
lege in Delaware, Ohio, and later spent three 
months at a normal college, Fostoria, Ohio. 
The following winter he taught a district 
school near Fostoria, Ohio, intending to pur- 
sue his literary studies the succeeding year. 
Breaking down in health he moved, in the 
spring of 1876, with his father to Monroe 
county, Michigan, on what is known as the 
Franklin Moses farm, six miles up the river 
from Monroe. His father kept this farm but 
six months, and in the spring of 1877 they 
moved to Monroe, where he entered the office 



of Dr. A. I. Sawyer for the purpose of studying 
medicine, a long chei'ished wish. 

In the fall of 1877 ho entered the horareo- 
])athic department of the University of Michi- 
gan, graduating with honor and winning the 
only prize, a set of surgical instruments, ever 
given by the department, for the best examina- 
tions in surgery. Ho returned to the Ohio 
Wesleyan University the following fall with 
a view of completing his literary course, where 
he was ranked as a junior, having prosecuted 
his literary studies during his medical course. 
He was offered an instructorship in phj'siology 
in that institution, but accepted a proffered 
assistantshi]) in the University of Michigan 
instead. 

In the summer of 1880 he formed a partner- 
ship with his old preceptor. Dr. Sawj'or, and 
remained with him for five years. His associ- 
ation with Dr. Saw3er developed a taste for 
surgery which he has ever since cultivated. In 
the spring of 1885 he was tendered the chair of 
obstetrics and diseases of women and children 
in the homteopathic department of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan, which he has very accept- 
ably tilled ever since. At the time of appoint- 
ment he was the youngest full professor in the 
university. 

December 28, 1881, he married Julia K. 
Bulkley, daughter of G. Bulkley, Monroe, and 
has tvvo children, James h. and Fdna B. 



DR. EPHRAIM ADAMS 

Was born at Bellows Falls, State of Vermor)t, 
Windham count}', March 16th, in the year 
1800. He died in the year 1874, on the 6th 
day of May, at Monroe City, Michigan. 

Mr. Adams was of Puritan stock; his ances- 
tors came over on the Mayflower in the 
year 1620. He lost his parents in early 
youth, his father dying when he was three 
years of age, his mother when he was six years 
of age. His mother was left in straitened 
circumstances with five children, of whom the 
subject of this sketch was next to the youngest, 
the late James Q. Adams, lawj^er and the sec- 
ond mayor of Monroe City, Michigan, being 
an older brother of his. 

Mr. Adams, soon after the death of his 
mother, was bound out to a farmer, with the 
understanding that he should receive a colle- 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



447 



giiilo eilucatii)ii, wliicli lie did. lie was re- 
ceived at tlie Hanover Medical College, State 
of New Hainpsliire, as a student in the year 
1819. Ho graduated from Dartmouth College, 
December 19, 1S22. In November of the fol- 
lowing year Mr. Adams came west and mar- 
ried Maiy Paddock, of Watertown, State of 
New York. By this lady he had eleven chil- 
dren, eight sons and three daughters; of those 
five sons and two daughters survive him. 

In the j'ear 1824 became to Monroe and set- 
tied on the liiver itaisin, at the time when tho 
Indian and the pioneer French held undis- 
puted sway, and were about the only people 
that resided upon the River Raisin. Mr. 
Adams, after his marriage, entei-ed at onco 
upon the practice of medicine and surgery. 
He seems to have struggled against poverty 
and ill fortune for some time. It was about 
this time that ho was prosecuted for disinter- 
ring a dead body, which resulted in an honor- 
able acquittal. 

ilr. Adams held several honorable public 
offices in the early history of our county. In 
the year 1827 he took his seat as judge of the 
county or district court, with Hon. James J. 
Godlroy as associate judge, and Hon. Hicley 
Ingersoll, justice. At tho close of his term as 
ju<lge Mr. Adams devoted his time to the 
I>raclice of his profession, and at tho time of 
his death (1874) he was one of the oldest 
])ractitioners of our county. In his profes- 
sional duties beseemed to care more for profes- 
sional success than he did for the emoluments 
arising therefrom. He gave just as mucii of 
his time and attention, when called to tho 



homes of the jioor, trillioiit pay, as he did in 
the homes of tho more wealth}-, for pay. 

He had tho respect in a marked degree of 
the medical fraternity of our county, and it is a 
fact tiiat tho medical profession in our county 
at that time was second to none in this State ; 
that it stands high, and includes among its 
numbers some of tho most able and accom- 
plished gentlemen and skilful surgeons in our 
State, among whom I may mention tho names 
of Dr. A. I. Sawj^or and Edward Dorsch, the 
latter now deceased. 

In party affiliation Mr. Adams was a Demo- 
crat; in religion a Catholic, and was generally 
found on the right side, and when the 
homteopathic school of medicine were trying 
to get their rights in the State Univei-sit}-, he 
was one of the first to espouse their cause. Of 
his virtues, charity was the most prominent of 
all ; at his deatii tho poor lost a sympathizing 
friend, and his remains were followed to the 
grave by a large number of the common 
people. T. D. A. 

Doctor Adams more nearly filled up Pope's 
estimate of an honest man in the following 
lines, viz.: "An honest man is the noblest 
work of God,'' than almost any other man I 
have ever met. Besides being honest ho was 
one of tho purest, most unprejudiced and un- 
selfish of men. 

And the poor of this county will iicvei- cease 
to mourn for him, and they never should, as ho 
novor waited for fair weather or moneyed re- 
muneration when called by them. 

A CoNTEMPORARV OF THE SaME PROFESSION. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



THE I!AK OF MONKOE. 



COLONEL IRA R. GROSVENOR. 

AW EJjIj-KNIT and vigorous fruino,iui active 
step, an erect carriage, a keen yet kindly 
ej'c, bright and undimmed, a mind alert and 
ready to welcome and understand every ad- 
vance in literature, science or art, a cordial 
grasp and a clioerl'ul greeting to every one — 
that is Colonel Grosvenor. The casual observer 
would venture to guess that he was some- 
thing over fifty years of ago, yet it is given 
to few to see the changes which his e3'es have 
seen. Over every State and Territory of our 
laud extend thousands of miles of railroad ; 
yet he was a boy of fifteen when George 
Stephenson built his famous "Rocket" and 
made railroads possible. He was ten years old 
when the Stockton and Darlington line, the 
first railway to use steam power in the trans- 
portation of freight, was inaugurated. He had 
passed nearly the average sjian of human life, 
being thirty years of age, when that mes- 
sage "What hath God wrought!" sped on 
the wings of the lightning from Washington 
to Baltimore and the electric telegi'aph was 
born. Two years ago the rich and prosperous 
dominion of Michigan celebrated the semi- 
centennial anniver.sary of her entry into the 
sisterhood of States, yet he had attained his 
majority while the grand Commonwealth was 
still a Territory, for over that good gray head 
have passed more than the three score and ten 
years seripturally allotted to man. 

The ancestors of Colonel Grosvenor came 
from England to America among the first set- 
tlers of the valley of the Connecticut. One of 
the early and sturdy representatives of the 
race was General Israel Putnam, the unique 
but distinguished figure of the Eevolutionary 
war. The family settled at and near Ponifret, 
Connecticut, whence after the Eevolution, the 
Reverend Daniel Grosvenor, a C'ongregational 
minister and a cousin of General Putnam, re- 
moved to the township) of Paxton, Worcester 



county, Massachusetts, tiieii a wilderness but 
sparsely settled. There ho established his 
home, I'ollowing his sacred calling. To him 
were born numerous sons and daughters. Of 
these Ebenezer Oliver was born and grew to 
manhood in the new home. He married Mary 
Ann Livermore, a daughter of IJradyll Liver- 
more, a patrjot soldier of more than local re- 
nown. From this union sprang ten children, 
eight of whom reached years of maturity and 
filled well their parts in the drama of life, and 
four of whom, two brothers and two sisters, 
still survive. The oldest child of Ebenezer (). 
and Mary A. Grosvenor, Ira Rufus Grosvenor, 
was born at Paxton, Worcester county, Massa- 
chusetts, a few miles northwest of the present 
city of Worcester, on Saturday, March ISth, 
1815. The father, who had adopted the pro- 
fession of teaching as his life work, remained 
at and near Paxton for nearly ten j-ears after 
the birth of his eldest son. Then, moved by 
that western spirit which has made our land 
what it is to-day, leaving his lamily in Massa- 
chusetts till he could build them a home in a 
" newer and a better couuti'y," he went to the 
State of New York. For a brief time he 
taught at Saratoga, but was soon drawn to 
Schenectady, then the "Athens of New York," 
the home of the famous Union College. Then, 
as now, a class of young men were sent to col- 
leges whose aim seemed to be almost anything 
but getting an education ; sons of wealthy 
parents, who deemed that money paid for all 
transgressions, and incorrigibles of whose re 
straint at home their parents despaired. Col- 
lege faculties were long suffering and patient, 
but frequentlj- infractions of regulations were 
so glaring that they could not be overlooked, 
and the last disciplinary resort, expulsion, was 
inflicted. Now all the expelled student has to 
do is to pack up his belongings and seek a 
more complaisant college, but in those days 
the do'^rs of every college in the land were 



[448] 




\? 



-^^"7 ~^^Z^^-^^y7- 



TllK liAR OF MONROE. 



449 



cloHeiJ uguiiisl iui oxpcllfd .stmlciil. lliiirc 
cxiiulHion meutit tlic cessation of a college 
career. Many of the expelled students, how- 
ever, were sincerely desirous of obtaining an 
education, and, wlicn the ebullition of animal 
8i)irtH had passed awaj-, l)itlerly regretted tiicir 
condition. With a view to affording to such an 
oiiportunity of olitaining an education, as well 
as of opening a school where students might 
prepare for college. Dr. ^'ates of I'nion, in com- 
pany with KhencKcr Grosvenor, founded al Chit- 
icnango, Madison county. New York, '-Yates 
Polytechnic" for the liigher c<lucation, with 
which was also connected a |>repai'ati)ry acade- 
iii}-. Jlitlier Grosvenor I'eniovei] his family, 
teaching in the academy and the Polytechnic. 
The oldest son was abcnitten years of age when 
this removal was made, and for the ensuing h]x 
years was a student at the institutions in which 
his father was teacher. At the age of sixteen, 
being nearly pr-epared to enter college, he l)C- 
gan assisting his father. There were several 
brothers and sisters b}' this lime, and the pro- 
fession of teaching did not open the way to 
munificent pecuniary results. There was a 
steady pressure upon what Malthus calls the 
'' line of subsistence," and poverty had been a 
close friend of young Gi-osvcnor in his attempts 
to gain an education. Naturally of an indom- 
itable spirit, he chafed at and resented some of 
the humiliations of his position, and determined 
to become a bread-winner as well as a bread- 
eater. For three years he earnestly did what- 
ever his bands could find to do. At theexpira- 
tion of that time, having become an expert ac- 
countant, he managec] to secure a position as 
clerk ujion a small steamer plying upon Lake 
(Ontario and starting from Charlotte. One of 
the owners of this boat was Dan. B. Miller, then 
recently appointed to the charge of the United 
States land office at Monroe, Michigan. Miller 
became interested in young Grosvenor, and 
told him the boat was no place for him, that 
he ought to go west, and wound up byofleriug 
him a position as clerk in the land office if he 
would go to Monroe. Grosvenor accepted the 
offer, accompanied the boat to destination, bal- 
anced and closeil his books, settled with the 
proprietors and turned liis face westward, to the 
cit}' which was lor more than half a century to 
be his home. 

H}- the primitive means of transportation of 
that early day, partly by stage coach and partly 



by lanal. he journeyed to IJutfalo and there 
took steamer for Monroe. It was a summer 
afternoon of the year 1835 that he landecl on 
the dock at La Plaisance Baj", three miles from 
Monroe. Eastward lay the lake, northward 
an impenetrable marsh, southward a forest, 
and Westward a plank causewaj' over the 
waters of the bay connected with aroa<i sti'eteh- 
ing away into the distance. When he landcil 
on the dock his earthlj' jwssessions consisted of 
his little baggage and a solitary two-dollar bill. 
Some other piis.sengers destined for Monroe 
landed at the same time. No houses were visi- 
ble, the village was three miles away, and there 
was some grumbling that there were no means 
of transjiortation at hand. Young Grosvenor, 
gathering uj) his belongings, started on foot to 
the town. Trudging along the turn](ike he 
reached the foot of Scott street along which he 
passed to the corner of First, thence to Wash- 
ington, and then north to the tavern, the 
" Mansion House," kept l)y Lcandcr Sackett, 
where iJansard's bank now stands. Here he 
gave notice of the arrival of the boat and of the 
fact that there were some jiassengers desiring 
transportation, and a vehicle was speedily sent 
for them. 

It would be dilliciilt for an inhabitant of our 
fair city of today to imagine the scene which 
was spread out before young Grosvenor as he 
looked about him that waning summer after- 
noon. The hotel, a two-story frame building, 
fronted the river, a long porch stretching on 
its north side. On the river bank and acro.ss 
the road was a saw-mill, with logs along the 
stream. West of that was a two-story brick 
building, the lower story occupied by Dan. B. 
Miller as a general store, the upper by the 
United States land office. West of this was 
another brick building, in which Thomas G. 
Cole (later superintendent of the Michigan 
Southern Jtaihvay) ke])t store; then a small 
building occupied by Dr. Samuel S. Parker; 
then the office and drug store of Dr. Conant, a 
two-story frame building on the site of S. M. 
Sackctt's present store. Between this and tlie 
corner of Monroe street were a few small build- 
ings, the ephemeral structures of a new village, 
between which the steep river bank was visible. 
(Jn the corner of Monroe street stood a two- 
story frame building, then used as a store, 
and which shortly afterward and for many 
years was occupied by the late Benjamin Dan- 



450 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



sard. West of this corner were but a few striig. 
gling residences along the TTnited States turn- 
pike. South and east from the hotel were a 
few buildings, chiefly used for mercantile ])ur- 
poses. Where now stands the store of L. Fried- 
enberg & Son was a dwelling, noteworthy as 
having in the cellar a flowing spring. This 
building was occupied hy William L. Eiggs, a 
justice of the peace, who dabbled in jurispi'u 
dcnce in a small, one-story office, just soutii of 
his residence. From this office southward to 
the public square there were no buildings, but 
on the western side of the public square and 
north of First street was a one story house, the 
residence of Colonel Wood and his family. 
Across First street, and in what is now the 
square fronting the Presbyterian church, stood 
the county court house and jail, a plain, frame 
two story building painted yellow. The upper 
story was used as a court house, the iDwer as a 
jail, and lo further add to the security of the 
latter the building was surrounded by a high 
stockade, made of good sized round timbers, 
sharpened and driven into the ground, with the 
tops fastened together. A few log and frame 
houses, principally the former, wore scattered 
about in various directions. Such were j'oung 
Grosvenor's surroundings, as accompanied by 
a flaring tallow dip he climbed the stairs of 
Sackett's hotel, and passed his first night in ex- 
actly the same spot which half a century later 
his own well-a])pointed law office was to 
occupy. Jt were little wonder if, as the silent 
night came down and he thought of latlier and 
mother, brothers and sisters gathered around 
the hearth at the distant honic he had left, the 
boy's pillow was wet with not unmani}- tears. 
He had been born on a Saturday, and realizing 
the truth of the old rhyme that "Saturday's 
child works hard for his living," bright and 
early the next morning he arose and prepared 
for labor. Eating his breakfast, lie repaired to 
the office to interview that august functionary-, 
the clerk. Though lacking the diamond pin 
which is the badge of his fraternity at this daj-, 
the clerk of half a century ago had some traits 
in common with his later-born brother. Like 
Alexander Selkirk, ho was "monarch of all he 
surveyed," and like the Ancient Mariner, he 
had the faculty of "fixing the guest with his 
glittering eye." It was with some trepidation, 
though with a determination to " start right," 
that Grosvouor confided to this dignitary the 



fact that he had come to Monroe to work in the 
land office, and desired to make some arrange- 
ments about board. lie was informed that his 
bill was already two dollar,-*, and the solitary 
note which graced his slender j)urse was passed 
over to the frigid clerk. Grosvenor's opinion 
of the West was rapidly acquiring a basis of 
solid fact. Reporting at the land office he was 
set at work. Learning from another clerk 
that Colonel Wood kept boarders and that ho 
(the clerk) boarded there, though owing to lini- 
itcil room the Colonel could not furnish sleeji- 
ing accommodations, Grosvenor made arrange- 
ments to board at Wood's, sleeping upon a cot 
in a room adjoining the land office, and entered 
upon his residence in Monroe. 

For something over two years he worked in 
the land office. Careful, painstaking and accu 
rate in his duties, he speedily became head 
clerk of the office, and continued in that posi- 
tion till the I'emoval of the office to Detroit, 
when he elected to stay in Monroe. Even at 
the date of his arrival the unkempt little vil- 
lage was enjoying what in these days would be 
called a "boom." Every boat and every stage 
brought adventurers and pioneers, all anxious 
to reap those sudden fortunes which rumor in 
the East had it were to be picked up "out 
west." The location of the land office in Mon- 
roe made it a central point for them, and Gros- 
venor's position in the land office soon gave him 
an intimate knowledge of the outlying country 
and the qualit}' of the lands. He began bar- 
gaining for himself and shortly became the pos- 
sessor of considerable property. 

Alter the removal of the land office he began 
the study of the law, which he pursued for the 
next (our years under various preceptors. At 
different times during these four years he was 
employed and a student in the office of Robert 
McClelland (afterward Governor of Michigan 
and Secretary of the Interior under President 
Pierce), Wing & McClelland (Warner Wing 
being later a judge of the Supreme Court of 
Michigan), Alpheus Felch (later Governor and 
United States Senator), and David A. Noble 
(afterwards a member of Congress). At his 
examination for admission to the bar. Judge 
Fletcher presided, and the examining committee 
consisted of Alpheus Felch, Jefferson G. Thur- 
bcr and Hiram Stone. During his years of 
study he had been engaged in the sale of land, 
had worked as an accountant, and had for a 



THE BAR OF MONROE. 



451 



tiiiK) liold tlio position of ck'rii lo tlic conimiN- 
sioner of intiTiial improvements, and while in 
tiuit office had been an earnest advocate of tiie 
Miehigan Soiitliern Railroad. He also during 
this time had married Miss Harriet Wood, 
(ildest daughter of Colonel Wood (St^ptember 
14th, 1837), and commenced housekeeping in a 
small house south of the present site of the 
court Iiouse. 

After his e.xamination and admission to the 
bar he associated himself with David A. Noble 
and began the practice of his profession. This 
partnership continued for eight years, during 
which time his wife died (1S45). 

Tiio straggling and rude village had mean- 
time grown and extended till it had become 
a quasi rival of Detroit. The Territory had 
become a member (jf the Commonwealth of 
States, and in its councils Monroe held a 
prominent place, owing to the ability of it.s 
public men. The names of the lawyers men- 
tioned above, all of whom have tilled a large 
space in the history of Michigan, \\ill serve to 
show the ability of the bar at that period. To 
those names may be addetl that of Isaac P. 
Christianey. He came to Monroe, having be- 
gun his legal studies in the East, obtained a 
position in the land office and for some time 
was a fellow clerk with Grosvenor. He read 
law while employed as clerk, was early ad- 
mitted to the bar, practiced his profession here 
till the re-organization of the supreme court in 
1838 when he was elected one of its justices, a 
position he filled with honor till 1875 when he 
was elected a United States senator, and later 
resigned this to accept the appointment of 
minister to Peru. 

At that time in Michigan, as well as in other 
Western States, the prominent lawyers "rodo 
the circuits," i. e. followed the judges from one 
county to another and plead cases for clients in 
several counties. The early court calendars of 
Monroe county show that lawyers from Detroit 
made frequent appearances in Monroe, while 
the leading Monroe lawj ers likewise went to 
Washtenaw and Lenawee counties. Common 
law pleadings had undergone but limited modifi- 
cation, and the writing in an attorney's office 
was much greater than now. Upon the j-ounger 
lawyers devolved to a large extent the practice 
before justices of the peace. These were widely 
scattered. There was one in Milan, one in 
Dundee, one in Flat liock, one at Oakville, one 



in l-]r-ii^ and another at Whitetord. The roads 
in man3' cases were bridle jiaths through the 
woods, and when these became quagmires 
through long-continued rains it sonu'times hap- 
pened that the traveler was compelled at night- 
fall to fasten his horse and "camp out," listen- 
ing to the howls of wild animals during the 
night and resuming his journc)- when daylight 
pei'uiiUed him to find his way. 

It was in this rugged school that Colonel 
Grosvenor began as a lawyer and gained his 
experience. Professional success is a growth ; 
ofttimes a slow one, and its rewards some- 
times seem strangely delayed. The strength 
of the bar made ])rogre88 difficult for a \"Oung 
man, but it was through these years that the 
subject of this sketch formed those habits of 
research, and acquired that intimate familiarity 
with the principles of the common law, that 
stood him in so good stead in the time to come. 

The years that succeeded were just such 
years as fall to every busy man. Each repre- 
sents its fifty- two weeks of varied toil, cheered 
b}" the sun of success or darkened by the cloud 
of failure, but no salient incidents rise, like 
hills, above the level jilain of early life. When 
the partnership between Noble and (irosvenor 
was dissolved a new one was formed with 
Talcott E. Wing, Esq., which existed for eight 
years. In the meantime one famous trial. The 
Supervisors of the County of Monroe vs. Harry 
V. Man, in which Grosvenor, representing the 
plaintiff, was pitted against nearly the entire 
bar of the county, had served to give him the 
I'cputation ho has ever since maintained, of be- 
ing a "fighter" to the very end and fertile in 
resources. This case also gave him something 
more than local fame, and his practice began 
to grow. On May 22, 1849, ho married Miss 
Sarah A. Wood, a sister of his first wife. 

Succeeding his connection with Judge Wing 
he became associated with John R. Ranch, 
Esq., in a partnership which continued for 
iicarlj' fifteen years, until Colonel Grosvenor 
went to the Legislature in 1871. In 1859 he 
became the owner of " Fair Oaks Farm" (so 
named from the resemblance of some portions 
of it to the famous battle-field of McClellan's 
Peninsular campaign, in which Colonel Grosve- 
nor participated), where he now resides. 

With no longing fttr political honors, he had 
still been an indefatigable worker in every 
campaign, A believer in the prosperous luture 



452 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of the city of liis home, he \va,s largely insti'u- 
raontal in jirocuring anil framing the early 
charters under wliicli its government was 
administered, and held at one time the [idsition 
of recorder. This was under a charter which 
made the recorder a judge of the mayor's 
coui't, orgatiized aflcr the manner of city police 
courts, but with a more extended jurisdiction, 
taking cognizance of (-ivij as well as crimiM:il 
causes under ordinances. The old ducket ol' 
this coui't, with the ink upon its pages faded by 
time, is still on file in the office of the county 
clerk. Inidcr the operation of the old militia 
law, our of whose ]irovisions was the "general 
miisler"or training day, famous in song and 
story among the records of the Nation's earlier 
years, he took much iiiter'est in military in- 
struction; and later, when independent eomjia- 
nies began to be (jrganizeii, was nctive in the 
formation of one in Monroe, and became one of 
its officers. 

When, on that spring Sabbath in l,S(il, the 
echoes of the shot fired acro.ss Charleston bar 
bor at Sumter, rolled through the North like 
an electric shock, and wo realized that war to 
save the Nation bad become a stern necessity, 
Michigan be^an the enlistment and organiza- 
tion of troops. One regiment of three months' 
men was accepted by the Government. Under 
the first call from Washington, shortly before 
the c.\])iration of the term of the three months' 
regiment, the First Michigan Volunteers went 
forward, and the Second, Third and Fourth 
were in ]ii'oces of organization. These were 
rapidly filled and forwarded. Meantime the 
skeletons of the Fifth, Si.xth and Seventh regi- 
ments, the commissioned and non-commis- 
sioned officers, were designated, and in a cauij) 
of instruction at Fort Wayne, near Detroit. 
Officers of military cxjierience were scarce ; no 
war had occurred during the lifetime of the 
active men of that day, excepting (uir brief 
trouble with Mexico, and the knowledge 
gained in genei-al musters and indei)eiuK'nt 
companies was of importance. In the course 
of his life, Grosvenor had commanded not only 
a company, but had likewi.se been both a 
colonel and a brigadier-general of the State 
militia, and in view of bis military knowledge bo 
was commissioned colonel of the Seventh, hav- 
ing early offered his services to the Governor. 

When news of the first Bull Run reached the 
Slate, Governor Blair ordered these three 



regiments filled up as soon as possible. In 
less than fifty days all three were complete. 
The rendezvous of the Seventh was at Monroe, 
and here Colonel Grosvenor organized and set 
up the regiment It was mustered on Sep- 
tember 5, 1861, and at once proceeded to Wash- 
ington. It remained there but a, little over 
twenty-four hours, then started on a march 
through Maryland as the escort of a batter}', 
an<l on arrival at its destination encamped 
near Leesburg and became a part of (Jeneral 
Stone's corps of observation. Rumors pre- 
vailed of a rebel advance on the other side of 
the Potomac, and some of the troops were 
thrown across the river. It was in this move- 
ment that the battle of Ball's Bluff was fought. 
After the passage into Virginia, for a time 
Colonel Grosvenor performed the duties of a 
brigadier-general, having charge of the advance 
till the general crossed the river. After this 
the regiment went into winter quarters, where 
it remained until early spring. Then it pro- 
ceeded up the Potomac to Harper's F'crry and 
up the Shenandoah to Winchester, whence it 
was recalled to Washington to participate in 
the Peninsular campaign. Embarking on 
transports it proceeded to Fortress Monroe, 
arriving the day following the memorable con- 
test between the Monitor and the Merriraac. 
It was pushed forward immediately ami par- 
ticipated in the siege of Yorktown, April 4lh 
to May 5th ; on May 7th it was engaged in the 
battle of West Point, and then proceeded up 
the peninsula, building roads and camping 
among the miasmatic vapors of the Chicka- 
hominy swamps. May 3lst (bund the regi- 
ment in sight of Richmond at Fair Oaks Sta- 
tion, and Colonel Grosvenor sufferiTig from an 
attack of cholera morbus. Lying under a tree, 
under the influence of ojiiates, while the regi- 
ment went forward to take its jjlace in the line, 
he was shortly aroused by the sound of infantry 
firing in the advance. Hastily climbing on his 
horse he started for the battle. He soon came 
up with his regiment, and was at its head in 
the charge described in gloving terras by the 
historian Lossing. For a month after the 
battle of Fair Oaks the regiment remained 
encamped on the Cliickahominy. The sultry 
southern sun beating down upon the swamps 
bred disease, and was more fatal to the unaceli- 
mated northern troops than the rebel bullets. 
During this time Colonel Grosvenor began to 



THE BAR OF MONROE. 



453 



sufTer seriously from scurvy. His teeth be- 
came loosened, and the external manifestations 
of the disease increased in violence. When the 
movement across tlic j)eninsulato tlio new base 
ii])()n tlie James River began, he was scarcely 
able to sit upon his horse; but in this condition 
he led his regiment througli the battles of 
Teach Orchard and Savage Station on June 
29th; White Oak Swamp and (ilendale on 
June XOlli ; Malvern Hill im July 1st, and ihen 
accompanied the army to Harrison's Landing. 
The exj>osure and fighting of the seven da} s 
before going into camp at Harrison's had 
seriously told upon him in his exhausted con- 
dition, and he was informed by the surgeon 
that he must make a spcedj' clioice between a 
change of climate and a coffin. He applied for 
leave ofabsi'uce, but, under Halleck's orders, a 
furlough was denied. This left the alternative 
between resignation of his command or a death 
from the scurvy, which had now attacked liis 
bowels. On July 7th he resigned his commis- 
sion and started for Fortress Monroe. Here 
betook transport for Washington. The jour- 
ney so exhausted him that he was compelled to 
undergo medical treatment for a month before 
he was able to ])roceed. Under the advice of 
Ills ph}-sician he went to tiie mountains of 
Pennsylvania. Here he remained for a week, 
but not deriving the benefit which he had 
ex])eetcd, began to consider his ca.sc as a hope- 
less one anil was anxious to finish his journc}', 
that ho might die at home. Thetri|)to Cleve- 
land proved so severe that he was again com- 
]i('lled to rest. As soon as ho had r(u-iipcratcd 
a little he once more resumed his way, and 
linally reached Monroe, haggard, emaciated, 
full of sores, with teeth dropping (»ut, and an 
a|)parentlj- incurable internal disorder. For a 
lime he looked forward to death as the ])rob- 
alile termination, but under the tender minis 
tratiims of Imme, hope began to regain an 
ascendancy, and he even anticipated resuming 
a position in the army. The colonel of the 
Fourth regiment had fallen in battle, and 
Colonel Grosvenor was offered a commission 
as its commander. He accepted the offer, 
hoping to spcedilj- be able to go to the fi'ont. 
Hut as the time passed he became convinced 
that the effects of his di.sease were incurable, 
that further canqiaigning was a simple imjtos- 
siliilitv. that a iiHinth's exposure in the field or 



on the march would be undoubtedly fatal, and 
he was compelled to decline the proffered 
position. 

Little by little, as his feeble state ])ermitted, 
he gathered up the threads of civic life, which 
he had thrown down to enter the service of his 
country, and resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession. In 18G8 he built the residence on the 
west side of the public square which he occu- 
pied as a homo for seventeen j^ears. In 1S70 
he received the nomination of the Republican 
party for representative in the State legisla- 
ture, and although the county wasoveru helm- 
inglj- Democratic, was elected. Thai same 
fall there was elected as commissioner of the 
State land office upon the Republican ticket a 
Ca])tain Edmonds During the session of the 
legislature, Edmonds' administration of his 
office was such as to call for sharji criticism 
both as to his moral character and official in- 
tegrity. Reports of his misdemeanors became 
so prevalent as to challenge the attention of 
the legislature, and after tleliberation, it was 
determined by the House of Representatives to 
]iresent articles of impeachment to the Senate. 
The House selected Colonel (irosvenor as chair- 
man of the managers of the impeachment trial 
at the bar of the Senate, his associates being 
He])resentatives 15, W. Huston, jr., and Ijj-nian 
A. (Cochrane. 

The trial was a cause celchrc in Jlichigan. 
No precedents existed in the State ; it was the 
fir.st time in her historj' that a jiublic officer 
had been impeached, and Fdmonds was ably 
defended b}- Judge Shipman of Cold water, who 
fought every inch of the ground. Although 
the House managers, led by Colonel Grosvenor, 
presented overwhelming proof upon every one 
of the eleven articles of impeachment, a two- 
thirds vote of the Senate was necessary to 
sustain the House, and in the face of the i>lea 
that sustaining the charges might injure the 
part}-, this two-thirds majority could not bo 
obtained. The record of the im|)eachment 
trial, puhlished by the State in two large vol- 
umes in 1871, is a monument of the ability dis- 
played by Colonel (irosvenor in the manage- 
ment of this uniiiuc and interesting occasion. 
It is probable that the jireccdents bearing upon 
the law of impeachment and the procedure 
ujion the trial of sucli causes have never else- 
where been so cxhaustivel}' collated, not even 



454 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



upon the trial of President Johnson, as by the 
attorneys for the prosecution and defense in 
the Edmonds case. 

Upon the return of Colonel Grosvenor to 
Monroe at the close of the Edmonds trial, the 
partnership so long existing between him and 
Mr. Rauch was dissolved, and Colonel Grosve- 
nor became associated with Rufus E. PhiTiney, 
who had been previous!}' superintendent of the 
public schools and had then but recently been 
admitted to the bar. This partnership con- 
tinued till Mr. Phinney was elected judge of 
probate and assumed the duties of that office, 
January 1,1877. Shortly afterward the firm 
of Grosvenor & Landon was formed by Colonel 
Grosvenor and Hon. George M. Landon, then 
prosecuting attorney. This continued until 
the death of Judge Phinney in 1884. when 
Governor Bcgole appointed Mr. Landon judge 
of probate to fill the vacancy. Colonel 
Grosvenor then associated with him A. B. 
Bragdon, and in 1886, upon his admission to 
the bar, his son Elliot O. Grosvenor also be- 
came a member of the firm. 

In 1 884-5 Colonel Grosvenor built his present 
residence upon " Fair Oaks Farm " From his 
marriage in 1849 three living children survive; 
Irene Frances, who married H. B. WheelncU, 
Esq., of Chicago, Illinois, in 1886, and now re- 
sides there ; Elliot O , who graduated with 
honor from Michigan University as a B. A. in 
the class of 1885, was admitted to the bar and 
associated with his father in the practice of his 
profession in 1886, and the same year was 
married to Miss Minnie Hamilton of White 
Pigeon, Michigan ; and Winthrop W., now a 
student at college in Chicago, and who will 
have received his degree of I). I). S by the 
time these lines see the light. 

The forum where Colonel Grosvenor's life 
was passed, has been singularly lacking in 
cases of more than local fame, but for manj- 
years he has been found on one side or the 
other of the most important trials of the section. 
He was largely instrumental in unearthing the 
Ditch frauds and punisliing the perpetrators ; 
conducted to a successful issue the case of 
Monroe County against the State of Michigan, 
in which lie attacked the constitutionality of 
the law under which the State was endeavoring 
to collect some S30,000 from the countj', after 
having bid in and sold the lands upon which 
the taxes had been levied; in 1884 he over- 



threw the Drain law, under which attempts 
were being made to run drains through this 
and adjoining counties, and successfully de- 
fended in one and prosecuted in another of the 
most noteworthy murder trials in the history 
of the county. Previous to the reincorpora- 
tion of the city in 1873 under the general 
incorporation law, he was connected with the 
drafting of every charter under which its gov- 
ernment was administered ; its last special 
charter having been drawn and introduced by 
him while a member of the legislature of 1871. 
He was prominently identified with the move- 
ments which eventuated in the building of the 
Holly, Wayne and Monroe Railroad to the 
city, and the Toledo and Ann Arbor in the 
western part of the county, and his legal advice 
guided them through the formative stage. Dur- 
ing Judge Warner Wing's last illness Colonel 
Grosvenor performed the duties of the posi- 
tion, and after Judge Wing's death, became one 
of the counsel of the corporation. 

The First Judicial Circuit of Michigan for 
manv years was composed of the counties of 
Monroe, Lenawee and Hillsdale, while Wash- 
tenaw county was in the Fourth. In 1879 the 
legislature took Monroe from the First and 
Washtenaw from the Fourth and constituted 
the two counties into the Twenty-second Judi- 
cial Circuit. Colonel Grosvenor was put in 
nomination forjudge of the new circuit by the 
Re])ublican party. Both the Democratic and 
the Greenback parties had candidates who 
were strong and able men, and the election fol- 
lowed the general vote of the district, which is 
largely Democratic. In 1881 Colonel Grosve- 
nor was appointed a trustee of the Michigan 
Asylum for the Insane at Kalamazoo, and in 
1887 was reappointed for a second term. He 
has manifested much interest in the welfare ot 
the institution, and has been an indefatigable 
worker for its prosperity and success. He has 
been for many j-ears the president of the 
Monroe County Bar Association. 

Thus for nearly fifty years he has been an 
active practitioner in Monroe county. He has 
acquired and retained a lucrative and pleasant 
practice. As a lawyer his predominant char- 
acteristics have been earnestness, fidelity, 
acumen and industry. Thoroughly grounded 
in the principles of the common law of Eng- 
land (in his early practice he used to read 
Blackstone through once a year), his mind 




iaJ 




miJ 



THE BAR OF MONROE. 



455 



intuitively applies tliem to the matters sub- 
mitted to him, and his success in the Supremo 
court demonstrates the value of sueh knowl- 
edge and training. In the trial of causes he is 
dignified and urbane, but cool and wary, and 
on the alert to discover his opponent's weak 
])oint. Somewhat like the Englishman's Imll- 
dog, he doesn't know when he is whipped, and 
has often plucked victory out of the verv jaws 
of seeming defeatb)- his persistency and fertility 
of recourse. His unvar3ing courtesy and (con- 
sideration to his lirother attorne}'s, especially 
to those in their callow years, make him a 
pleasant opponent. His industry in the j)rep- 
aralion of his cases is great, and his adversary 
is apt to fiTi<l him armed at all points. As an 
advocate lie is a modest but effective speaker, 
if anything rather too much inclined to con- 
dense his thought into weighty sentences. He 
eschews bombast and clap trap, and his ad- 
dresses and briefs are logical and to the point. 
He is not a believer in technicalities, prefei-ring 
to try a cause upon the legal merits rather 
than win a victory by sharp practice. 

But what a man does is not all of his life. 
Being as well as action is included in the sum 
of existence, and man frequently exercises as 
wide an influen<'e and leaves his " footprints on 
the sands of time " as much by what he is as by 
his deeds. And when the "finis" shall be 
written against the record of his long and busy 
life, Colonel Grosvenor will be remembered not 
alone as the successful lawyer and the brave 
soldier, but as the kindly, helpful, honored. 
Christian man. Beneath the calm exterior has 
alwa\s lie;it a 83-mpathetic heart to which no 
sufterer has ever appealed in vain. No client 
was ever left defenseless through lack of moans, 
if injustice had been done him. The widow, 
tlu' fatherless, the oppressed and the pr)or have 
found in him a champion; whose labors in 
their behalf was not measured by the length of 
their ))urse. The " under dog in the fight " is 
always sure of his practical .sympath}-. Early 
in life he joined the Presliytorian church, of 
\s iiich he continues a valued member. 

Thus, still active and cheerful, honored and 
esteemed by all who know the depths of his 
nature, his laborious an<l stormj' day is ])assing 
to a caliM and pca(-eful sunset: as he draws 

" — nearer to the waysiile inn, 
Where toil shall end and reel begin," 



GOUVERNEUR MORRIS. 

Among the fo.v survivors of those who fifty 
years ago loft their quiot homes, on the hill- 
sides and in the valleys of New England, to 
cast their lot« with the then sparse population 
of Michigan and the great unsettled West, was 
Coiuerneur Morris, the subject of this sketch. 

Born in Springfield, Windsor county, Ver- 
mont, February 1, 1809, he was named for his 
great uncle, Gouverncur Morris, the statesman 
to whom President Madison gave the credit of 
clothing the constitution of the United States 
in its present form of words ; who afterwards 
received from I'resident Washington the ap- 
jjointment of Minister to France, where, tii rough 
all the bloody scenes of the Fi-ench Revolution, 
he was the only representative of a foreign 
government who remained faithfully at his 
post of duty. General Lewis R. Morris, the 
father of Judge Morris, was a son of Richard 
Mori-is (at one time Chief Justice of the Slate 
of New York, and whose tablet, with that of 
his wife, is still seen in Trinity Churchyard, 
at the head of Wall street), was born in Wall 
street, in the city of New York. He joined the 
Revolutionary army at seventeen years of age 
as a lieutenant, continuing in service during the 
remainder of the war, at one time on the staff 
of General Schuyler, and later on the staff of 
Crcneral Clinton. While still holding his 
commission in the army (1781 and 1782) he 
acted as first assistant in the State Department 
of the Government then knovvn as the Depart- 
ment of Foreign Affairs, and in that position 
during the necessary absence of the secretary, 
Chancellor Livingston, many of the negotia- 
tions with the various European courts in rela- 
tion to our peace with Great Britain, and the 
recognition of our independence by other 
powers, were carried on under his supervision. 
Removing to Vermont, he was one of two 
delegates sent b}' that Territory to secure its 
admission as a State into the Union ; received 
from President Washington the appointment 
of its first United States Marsiial ; was lor 
thirteen sessions Speaker of the Vermont House 
of Representatives, and for six years member 
of Congress from that State. Judge Morris's 
mother, a woman of culture and refinement, 
was a daughter of rjieutenant-Governor Jona- 
tlian Hunt, of Vermont, 

The first steps in the edur;ition of Judge 



456 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Morris were taken under the supervision of a 
governeBs. Kapidly outgrowing this form of 
instruction, he attended academies in Vermont, 
Maine and New Hampshire until his seven- 
teenth 3 oar, when he entered Dartmouth Col- 
lege, graduating therefrom in the class of ISHO. 
After one year of close application at the New 
Haven Law School, he left on account of ill 
health and traveled through the Soutliern 
States. Partially recovering his health, he 
entered the law office of King, Chase & Walker, 
of Cincinnati, and was a member of the first 
class of what was afterwards known as the 
Cincinnati Law School, where he completed his 
studies. Here a friendship commenced between 
Judge Chase (afteruai-ds Chief Justice) and 
liimseif, wiiich was continued in a correspond- 
ence for many years. He was first admitted 
to the bar in Kentuckj' ; afterwards returning 
to Vermont, he settled in Brattleboro, and com- 
menced the practice of his profession. 

In 1834 he was married to Frances V. Hunt, 
of Vermont; and three years later removed 
to New York City. In 1840 he came to Miclii- 
gan, settling at Brest, Monroe county, at that 
time a stirring village with all prospects of be- 
coming a prosperous city; but the growth of 
Detroit and Monroe usurping its brilliant 
future, he, with othei's, turned his attention to 
farming. In 1855 he removed to Monroe City, 
where he has since resided. In 18(i0 he was 
elected county treasurer. At the expiration 
of his term of office, he formed a copartner- 
ship with the late Roderick O'Connor, then a 
leading dry goods merchant of Monroe, anil 
has since retained an interest in the mercantile 
business in connection with the practice of law. 
During his residence in Monroe county Judge 
Morris has hold the offices of supei-visor, city 
treasui-er, county treasurer, alderman, member 
of the school board, circuit court commissioner, 
judgo'of probate, and finally circuit judge for 
the first term of the Twenty-second Judicial 
(Circuit, composed of Monroe and Wasiitenaw 
counties. The fidelity with whicii he dis- 
<diarged the duties of these various offices may 
he inl'erred from the tiut that in his election for 
circuit judge, he received a plurality of over 
twelve hundred (120(1) in Monroe county, in a 
triangular contest with two well known and 
prominent gentlemen, law^'ers of recognized 
ability. 

While Judge Morris has boen a lifelong 



Democrat, zealous for the success of his party, 
he has never been an office seeker. All the 
offices which he has held came to him without 
effort on his part. To him great credit 
is due for rescuing Monroe county from Re- 
publican rule in 18G8; since which time it has 
continued a Democratic county. In that 
memorable campaign he, as candidate for 
judge of probate, with his associates on the 
Democratic ticket, met the Republican part}', 
in its palmiest days, then having a handsome 
majority in the county, whose candidates pos- 
sessed the necessary wherewithal and a deter- 
mination to retain this majority at all hazards. 
The result was the election of the entire Demo- 
cratic ticket by fair majorities. It has been 
his effort to keep dissenters and sore-heads of 
other parties from obtaining officeat the hands 
of the Democracy; but when, through inad- 
vertence or chicanery, one of that stripe 
secures a place on his party's ticket, he has 
alwaj's considered it his highest duty at the 
polls to secure the fall of such political acrobats. 

Judge -Morris is a man of strong prejudices, 
always ready to do a kind act (or his friends, 
and equally readj' to punish his enemies. It 
has been his desire to gratify his friends rather 
than to appease the wrath of his enemies. 
While he resiJocts one who honestly and openly 
opposes him, he despises a fawning hypocrite. 

Judge Morris appears like one who has come 
down to t!)c present from a former epoch in 
history. There are others in the community 
who arc considered well preserved old men, 
but few of them retain in so great a degree 
their powers of body and mind. Having now 
passed four score years he still stands promi- 
nent at the Monroe county bar. 

Seeing Judge Morris still actively engaged 
in the laborious duties of his profession, one 
can hardly realize thai in youth he saw Pi-esi- 
dent Monroe during his official tour of tiie 
Eastern States ; was present at a reception 
given Lafayette in 1824 ; has conversed with 
Daniel Webster while a guest in his father's 
house ; has seen Joseph Bonaparte, brother of 
the great Napoleon and ex-king of Naples and 
Spain, in 1820, at his (Bonaparte's) hoTue, in 
Hoidenlown, New Jersey, Henry Clay, Martin 
Van Buren, John Jacob Astor, Noah Webster, 
and other prominent and noted men of their 
da\'. lias listened to sermons delivered by the 
father of llenrj' Ward Beeeher ; has attended 



THE BAR OF MONROE. 



45Y 



loctiires of the first Prnfessiir Silliiiian, and is 
familiar with and has a clear recollection of 
important events which to most of us are 
known onh' as history. 

A man of fine intellect and classical educa- 
tion, who has found his enjoyment in books 
rather than people, he is gifted with a wonder- 
ful memory, combined with an ardent desii-e 
for information upon all subjects that interest 
the world of to-daj'. 

(juiet, unassuming and cordial to all, j'ct he 
is descended from one of the oldest and most 
illustrious families of the United States, and is 
related by blood or connected by marriage 
witli the Hamiltons, Schuylers, Bleekors, Lud- 
lows, Lorillards, Hunts, and many others 
whose names are prominent in history. Still, 
Judge Morris recognizes no aristocracy' in this 
land, and is ready to accord to every one such 
consideration as their own conduct and (juali- 
fications merit. 



TALCOTT E. WING, 



Of Monroe, Monroe county, was born in De- 
troit, Michigan, September 24, 1819. His 
father, Austin R. Wing, was a graduate of 
Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, 
in 1814, and moved from Detroit to Monroe in 
1829 with his family. He was one of the first 
sheriffs of Wayne county, and was for three 
terms delegate to Congress from the Territory 
of Michigan. Subsequently he was regent of 
the University of Michigan, and in 1842 was a 
member of the Stale legislature, afterwards 
holding the oflSce of United States Marshal. 
He died at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1849. He was 
a public-spirited man. identifying himself with 
all public enterprises of importance. He was 
prominently connected with the temperance 
movement, being president of the first State 
Temperance Society. His wife, the mother of 
Talcolt K. Wing, was Harriet Skinner, daughter 
of Benjamin Skinner, Ksq , of Williamstown, 
Massachusetts. Talcott E. attended the old 
academy on Bates street, Detroit, until the 
familj" removed to Monroe, when he continued 
his education under the Kev. John O'Brien 
and Rev. Samuel Center, principal of the Mon- 
roe branch of the State Universilj'. He en- 
tered in 1836 Knox College, Gambler. Ohio. 
The following year he went to Williams Col- 



lege at Williamstown. Massachusetts, fi'om 
which he graduated in 1840. Returning to 
Monroe he entered the law office of his uncle, 
Warner Wing, afterwards judge of the Supreme 
Court, who was at that time practicing law in 
partnership with the Hon. Robert McClelland, 
subsequently member of Congress and Secre- 
tary of the Interior. He was admitteil to 
practice in 1844. In 1849 he formed a copart- 
nership with Ira R. Grosvenor for the practice 
of law, which continued for eight years. He 
was elected judge of probate in 18tJ4, and re- 
elected to that office in 1868, since the expira- 
tion of the last term continuing his practice, 
although not an active member of the bar. He 
has held a number of minor local offices, and 
was instrumental in organizing the union 
school at Monroe, of which he was a trustee 
for a number of years, and since 1844 he has 
held the office of United States Circuit Court 
Commissioner. Organizing the banking firm 
of Wing & Johnson, he retained an interest in 
it until 1864, when it was merged with the 
First National Bank of Monroe, of which he has 
been president and cashier, and is now one of 
the directors and its vice president. He was 
elected an officer of the State Historical Society 
in 1882, and at its meeting held at Lansing 
June 2, 1887, was made president of the society 
and was reelected to that office in 1888. He 
received from Governor Luce the apjiointment 
of president of the commission to attend the 
centennial celebration of the first settlement in 
the Northwestern Territory, under the ordi- 
nance of 1787, to be held at Marietta, Ohio, in 
April, 1888, and also the Industrial and Edu- 
cational Exposition to be held at Columbus, 
Ohio, in the fall of that year. 

Mr. Wing has for the last forty years been a 
member of the Presbyterian church of Monroe, 
being one of the board ol trustees, and was in 
1886 elected and ordained an elder of the 
church. He has been instrumental in organ- 
izing and establishing Sunday schools in the 
county, and has taken an active part in leach- 
ing and superintending them. 

He was married in 1844 to Hlizabelh P. 
Johnson, daughter of Colonel Oliver Johnson, 
of Monroe, the fruits of that marriage being 
four children, three sons and one daughter, all 
of whom are living. The eldest, Talcott J. 
Wing, is a merchant at Westfield, Massachu- 
.setts. Charles R. Wing, the second son, is a 



458 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



lawyer of Monroe, and Austin E. Wing 
was assistant cashier of the Commercial 
National Bank of Detroit, and in 1888 was 
appointed United States Bank Examiner, in 
which position he is now engaged. The 
daughter is the widow of James C. Little, and 
resides at Monroe. He was married in 1859 to 
Elizabeth Thurber, daughter of Hon. Jefferson 
G. Thurber, by whom he has one son, Jefferson 
T. Wing, engaged in business in Detroit. 

Mr. Wing has lately undertaken, at the 
solicitation of Munsell & Co., of New York, the 
compilation of a history of Monroe county, 
being one of its first settlers, and having a vivid 
memory which enables him to describe i-emin- 
iscences of daj's reaching far back of the 
present generation. 

He represented as elder the First Presbj'- 
terian church of Monroe at the Synod of Mich- 
igan, held at Grand Eapids in 1886, at Bay 
City in 1887, at Flint in 1888, at Kalamazoo in 
1889, and the Presbytery of Monroe in May, 
1889, at the General Assembly held in New 
York. 



OTIS ADAMS CRITCHETT. 

It was a characteristic of the early settler of 
New England that he named his son, not for 
some jiublic man whose name was famous, as 
is the custom to-day, but for some sturdy an- 
cestor of the boy, that his name might be a 
patent to the world of the blood which was 
his heritage. Descended by both the paternal 
and maternal families from this Puritan stock. 
Judge Critchett's names show his lineage. 

A few years before the Eevolutionary war 
John Critchett was a young New England 
sailor on a trading vessel sailing from the jjort 
of New London, Connecticut. He was over- 
hauled one night by a British press gang, taken 
on board a man of-war and became a sailor for 
King George. He had no opportunity to es- 
cape for nearly two years, but finally received 
his freedom in England and made haste to re- 
turn to his widowed mother. Lexington and 
Concord speedily followed, and taking advan- 
tage of the action of the Continental Congi-ess 
he became mate of a privateersman. He pros- 
pered financially and had accumulated a snug 
fortune, when one day the traitor Benedict 
Arnold, in command of a British expedition, 
appeared on the shore of the Sound, and the 



next morning Critchett was homeless and poor, 
having snatched his infant son and barely 
managed to escape from his burning dwelling. 
His wife was Grace Otis, of the celebrated fam- 
ily of Massachusetts patriots whose eloquence 
had stimulated the colonists to throw off the 
British yoke. After his losses in Connecticut, 
ho entered the land service and served till the 
close of the war, when he removed to Wash- 
ington county. New York, where his son James 
was born. The boyhood of James was spent 
across the border in the State of Vermont. 
Animated by the American desire to "go 
west," while yet a young man he emigrated to 
Seneca count}-, and later to Niagara county. 
New York. DeWitt Clinton was at that time 
building the Erie canal and Critchett became a 
foreman upon that work, and later a contractor 
upon the Welland canal. He settled in Lock- 
port, Niagara county, and entered upon the 
manufacture of soap and candles. • Here in 
1831 he married Abigail Winslow. She was 
descended upon her father's side from Kenelm 
Winslow, who came over in one of the earliest 
trips of the Mayflower, a brother of Governor 
Edward Winslow, who came with the Plj-- 
mouth colony in 1C20. They were natives of 
Droitwich, England. Abigail Winslow's mother 
was Abigail Adams, a daughter of the Massa- 
chusetts Adamses, her grandfather being a 
cousin of John Adams, the second president. 

Shortljafter their marriage,John and Abigail 
Critchettcame to Monroe county, Michigan, and 
settled in London township upon the homestead 
which is still in possession of their descendants. 
They had four children who survived infancy, 
thi-ee sons and one daughter, all of whom are 
residents of Monroe county. The daughter, 
Mrs. E. M. Lewis, is a resident of Dundee ; one 
brother is upon the old homestead in London, 
one in Milan, and the subject of the present 
sketch for nearly a quarter of a century has 
been one of the jjrominentand active attorneys 
of Monroe City. 

Otis A. Critchett was born November 30, 
1838, and during his childhood knew the la- 
borious life which falls to the bo}- in the family 
of the pioneer farmer. It was a hard and a 
rugged life at best, such a life as the youth of 
to-day hardly know even by tradition, but it 
made manly men and heroic women. His 
early school days were passed in a log school 
house, wherein taught a pedagogue who was 



THE BAR OF MONROE. 



459 



paid liy a 'Tate bill" ami wiio "boardeil 
around." At tlie age of seventeen he became 
a toacher himself and experienced the do- 
lights (?) incident to a continuously shifting 
boarding place. Having by this means accu- 
mulated a little money, he entered Lodi Acade- 
my to prepare liimself for admission to the Uni- 
versity of Micliigan. This acadomj-, now but a 
memory, was at that time quite a famous edu- 
cational institution. The public school .system 
afforded absolutely no facilities to the student 
desiring to prei)are for college, and he was com- 
pelled either to attend one of these jjreparatory 
academies or have recourse to a private tutor. 
Lodi Academy was presided over by Kufus 
Nutting, a former professor of languages in the 
Western Eeserve College of Hudson, Ohio. 
Under his tuition Judge George M. Landon, 
Edwin Willitts and others were prepared for 
the university. With the exception of a short 
time when j'oung Critcliett was in Monroe 
Citj', reciting to Edwin Willitts, who directed 
his studies, his preparation for the university 
was made at this institution, and after being 
prepared lie ])ursued the course of the freshman 
year under Prof. Nutting, taking charge of the 
classes in higher mathematics at the academy 
during this time. 

In 1859 he entered the so])honiore class at 
Michigan University, in the classical course, 
and graduated an A. B. in 1862. From his 
earliest boyhood the profession of the law had 
been his choice, and immediately upon his 
graduation in the department of literature, 
science and arts, he entered the law depart 
ment. Here in March, 18G4, he was graduated 
an LL. B. Continual study had told upon 
his physical well being, and in February, 1864, 
he became ill from overwork, lleturning homo 
he recuperated during the summer, coming to 
Monroe in the fall, where he had engaged as 
principal of the high school. Ho entered upon 
the duties of his position in September, 1864, 
but a few weeks after an attack of pneumonia 
compelled him to relinquish his position. Upon 
his recovery he continued the study of law, was 
admitted to the bar in Septemher, 1865, hung 
out his shingle and commenced his life-work in 
the practice of his profession. 

Among his earliest recollections he recalls 
scenes wherein at the earlj' dawn some trem- 
bling negro slave, escaped from bondage, would 
be brought to his father's house, his conceal- 



ment for a time, and his journey forward to 
the next station of the "underground railroad" 
when safe to do so. It is needless to say that 
the boy became an " Abolitionist; " and he has 
been a stanch Eepublican all his life. When 
Abe Lincoln was nominated in 1860, Critchett 
was a student at the university. It was his 
first vote for president, he having attained his 
majority only eleven months before, and in the 
raw, cold November weather, with roads stiff 
with freezing mud, he walked twenty-six miles 
from Ann Arbor home to cast his vote. 

In 1866 he was nominated by the Eepubli- 
can party for prosecuting attorney and was 
elected. He was renominated in 1868, but in 
that year the Democrats regained the ascend- 
ency in Moni'oc county, which they had lost 
during the war, and ho was unsuccessful. In 
1872 he was nominated and elected judge of 
probate, and ably filled the position till 1876. 
lu 1881 he received the nomination ol his 
partv for cii'cuit judge of the Twenty-second 
Judicial Circuit, consisting of the counties of 
Monroe and Washtenaw. Both counties were 
stronglj^ Democratic, j-et so great was the con- 
fidence of the people in Mr. Critchett in the 
count}' where he had been born, and where his 
abilit}- and integrity were best known, that he 
reversed the usual majoritj^, carrying Monroe 
count\- by nearly 500; though owing to the 
heavy Democratic vote of Washleiuiw county, 
his opponent, Hon. Chaunccy Joslj^n, was 
elected. He was appointed postmaster at Mon- 
roe by President Arthur, and held the position 
for four years. During his pi-actiee he has at 
various times associated himself with other 
practitioners. He was at one time the part- 
ner of General Maxwell, and in 1876 he formed 
a copartnership with his former preceptoi', Ed- 
win Willitts, which continueil during the terms 
of Mr. Willitts as Congressman, and until he 
settled in Ypsilanti as principal of the State 
Normal School. 

The interest which the boy took in educa- 
tional matters has been characteristic of the 
man, and he has been at all times a stanch and 
untiring advocate of mental advancement. For 
ten years he was a member of the board of 
education of Monroe City, and has taught its 
high scliool when sudden change has left it 
without a principal. Ho has been for sixteen 
years a trustee of Albion College, and has de- 
voted considei'abU' labor and time to the wi'l. 



4fi0 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



fare and progress of (hat flourishing institu- 
tion. 

His connection with the Methodist Episco- 
pal church is almost as extensive as his resi- 
dence in Monroe. Ho early became an attend- 
ant upon its sei'vices, and was made a member of 
its official board, even before he formally united 
witii it. His connection with its board of 
trustees has never been broken, and he con- 
tinues to-day to watch over its interests with 
earnest and intelligent care. 

rie was married at Ann Arbor, while still a 
student of the university, on November 23. 
18(il, to Anna G. Warner, also of New England 
lineage. Four children were the results of this 
marriage : James C, born October 25, 18G2, 
who was admitted to the bar of Monroe county, 
and is now in Mexico; John, born Noveniiier 1, 
1806, a graduate of Albion College, and now an 
instructor in the Flint Normal School; Mary 
Abigail, born September 1, 18(50, died August, 
1870 ; and Otis A., jr., born August 17, 1875. 
On July .31, 1882, his wife died, and in Sep- 
tember, 1883, he was married to Almira A. 
Warner, a sister of his former wife. 

As an attorney Judge Critchett has attained 
an enviable position and an excellent pi-aetice. 
He has, so far as possible, avoided "criminal 
practice," and devoted himself to the broader 
field of jurisprudence, liased upon the common 
and the civil law. He is a cautious and a safe 
counselor ; a clear advocate, depending upon a 
logical and rational presentation of his case 
rather than oratorical effoi'ts or sympathetic 
pleas, and a persistent practitioner who doesn't 
know how to " stay beaten.' Indeed, his op- 
ponent who fancies himself securely triumph- 
ant, not infrequently finds the judge suddenly 
" on top" and fighting as vigorously as ever. 

In the quiet of his pleasant home Judge 
Critchett has collected about him a notable 
library, in which his leisure hours are spent. 
While rich and full in every department of 
literature which challenges modern thought, it 
is particularly complete in iiistorical works of 
value, and especially so in those pertaining to 
American history. In the field of political 
and social economy, and particularly that de- 
partment of it covering the inception, growth 
and development of constitutional government, 
he is an earnest and close student. 

With matured and well-trained powers, he 
is yet but in the prime of life with, it is to be 



hoped, many useful and honorable years yet 
before him. 



JOHN R. RAUCII, 



A member of the Monroe county' bar, is a 
native of Pennsylvania. When a young lad, 
his father, with his family, consisting of his 
wife and eight children, moved to Michigan 
and settled on a farm in the township of La 
Salle, this county. After a few years of farm 
life he left home to attend school, and gradu- 
ated at Heidelberg College in 1856. He studied 
law with Colonel Ira E. Grosvenor of Monroe, 
and after his admission he became and was for 
a number of years associated with Colonel 
Grosvenor in the profession. He was married 
in 1864 to Frances C, youngest daughter of the 
late Rev. Charles N. Mattoon, D. D., who was 
then and for some years later, the pastor of the 
First Presbyterian ehurcli at Monroe. Mr. 
Ranch never dabbled much in politics, at least 
not with the view of making that a hobby for 
power or pelf Aside from the general demands 
of the public and the time and energy which 
any true citizen should give to the problems of 
social life, his time is occupied in professional 
duties and his private business interests. 



GEORGE M. LANDON, 



Son of Dr. George and Euphemia {Me(iueen) 
Landon, was born in Monroe, July 4, 1837. 
He prepared for college in Monroe, and gradu- 
ated at the Michigan State Universitj' in 1857. 
Studied law in Cleveland, Ohio, in the office of 
Ranney, Backus & Noble, and subsequently 
with Hon. Isaac P. Christiancy of Monroe ; 
was admitted to the bar and entered on the 
practice of his profession in Grand Rapids. 
He remained there but a few months, when he 
removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, and practiced 
law until the news reached St. Joseph of the 
disastrous battle of Bull Run, when he returned 
to Monroe and acted as deputy, county treas- 
urer's office, until the close of his father's term 
as treasurer ; entered the Fourth Michigan in 
summer of 1862; was in the Army of the Cum- 
berland until the close of the war; mustered 
out July, 1865. In the fall of 1865 entered the 
Chicago Theological Seminary and graduated 
in the spi'ing of 1868; ministered in churches 
in the States of Wisconsin, Iowa and Minne- 




/^/^^ 0^"^.^t^ — 



THE I!AK OF MONROE. 



461 



Rot;i. Ill 1875 i-lironic llii-oat trmiblcs com- 
pelled him to leave the miiiistr_v ; retui-neil to 
Monroe. In May, 1870, was ehosen city attor- 
ney, and in November of same year was elected 
prosecuting attornej* of the count}' of Monroe ; 
held the office for two terms. In 1871) ho 
formed a copartnership with Colonel Ira 1{. 
Grosvenor which lasted until appointed judgo 
of jirobate, February' 27, 1SS4, vice Hon. Hiifus 
K. Phinney. deceased : in the fall of same year 
was nominated and elected judge of probate for 
icrm ending with the year 1888, when he re- 
t urncd to the practice of his profession ; married 
April, 1873, Miss S. J. Johnson of Plainfield, 
Iowa, who died in 1882. In June, 1884, mar- 
ried Miss Kate Chapman of Monroe, Michigan. 
Though entitled to a pension, has not applied 
for one. 



HON. BURTON PARKER 

Is a native of Monroe count}', being born in 
Dundee, April 24, 1844. His parents were 
Morgan and Rosette C. (Breningstall) Parker. 
In 1854 he removed with his parents to Peters 
burgh, where his father engaged in milling and 
manufacturing lumber. For seven years he 
attended the schools at Petersburgh, until the 
breaking out of the civil war, when, with his 
father, Morgan Parker (from whom the G. A. R. 
Post at Petersl)urgh receives its name), he en- 
listed October, ISCl, in Company F, First 
Regiment of Michigan Hngineersand Mechan- 
ics. He participated in the campaign of 18(il 
in Kentucky. He, with his father, was at the 
battle of Mill Springs, January 19, 1862, in 
which the rebel general Zollicoflfer was killed. 
His father died April 4, 1862, and Burton was 
discharged the following July on account of ill 
healtli. 

Shortly after the close of the war he entered 
the employ of M. B. Thomas, at Petersburgh, 
as a clerk in a dry goods house, at the same 
time pursuing the study of law. He was 
elected justice of the peace in 1867, and the fol- 
lowing year entered the law department of the 
Michigan University fi'om which he graduated 
with the class of 1S70, and was admitted to the 
bar the following May. 

September 8, 186:-i, he was married to Fannie 
C, daughter of Nelson L. and Jane (Abies) 
Reynolds, whose children are: Hal. M., 
born January ^3, 1865, graduated from Michi- 



gan College of Medicine and Surgei'y at Detroit, 
in 1880, and now practicingat Metamora, Ohio; 
Thaddeus, born September 28, 1868, who follows 
in the footsteps of his elder brother, and enters 
the same college as his brother leaves it; and 
Dayton, born May 2, 1877. 

In 1876, Mr. Parker removed to Monroe, 
where he has since most of the time been 
actively engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion, being for eight years the law partner 
of J. D. Rouan. In 1872 Mr. Parker was 
elected circuit court commissioner. He was 
elected on the Republican ticket in a strong 
Democratic city as mayor for two terms, the 
first being 1881 and the second in 1883. Ho 
was elected ae representative from the First 
district of Monroe countj' to the State legisla- 
ture in a strong Democratic district in 1882 by 
a majority of 267, and in the legislature of 
1883-4 was chairman of the Committee on 
Municipal Corporations, and member of the 
Committee on Elections. During the same 
time he was on the Republican State Central 
Committee as the representative from the Sec- 
ond Congressional District. In the winter of 
1884-5 he went to Montana, and by appoint- 
ment of President Arthur, had charge of tho 
Indian agency at Fort Peck. In April, 1886, 
he went into partnership with E. R. Gilday in 
the practice of law under the firm name of 
Parker & Gildaj-. 

He is, with his wife, a consistent member of 
the Pi-esbyterian church, and as an old soldier, 
an active member of the Joseph R. Smith Post, 
No. 76, G. A. R., at Monroe, of which he is past 
post commander, and in masonry claims mem- 
bershiji in Blanchard Lodge, No. 102, at Peters- 
burgh, and River Raisin Chapter, No. 22, 
R. A. M., at Monroe. 



i:d\vin r. gild.vy, 

Son of William and Anna (Kareny) Gilda}', 
was born in LaSalle, Monroe county, Michigan, 
October 24, 1848. Attended district school 
until 1865. In the fall of that j-ear entereil 
the Monroe Union School and graduated there- 
from Julv 2. 18119. In the summer of 1872 
entered the law office of Joseph D. Ronan. In 
the fall of 1873 entered the law ilepartment of 
.Michigan I'niversity and graduated therefrom 
with the class of 1875. In the fall of 1874 was 



4fi2 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



elected county clerk of Monroe county on the 
Democratic ticket, and re-elected in the fall of 
1876. At the close of his terra opened an office 
as attorney and counselor at law. At the 
spring election of 1879 was elected a member 
of the school board for the term of three years, 
and re-elected for same term in 1882. In 1880 
was elected prosecuting attorney of the count}-, 
and re-elected in 1882. In 1885 was elected 
mayor of the cit}' of Monroe and re-elected in 
1886. Since 1879 has been continuously in the 
practice of law. 



CHARLES R. WING, 



Son of Talcott and Elizabeth Johnson Wing, 
was born in Monroe, April 2, 1853. Prepared 
for college and graduated at the High School 
in Monroe. Entered the Michigan State Uni- 
versity and graduated therefrom with the 
class of 1874. Was admitted to the bar, and is 
practicing law in the city of Monroe. 



CHARLES A. GOLDEN, 

Son of Patrick and Mary Golden, was born in 
the city of Monroe, March 27, 1854; was grad- 
uated from St. Vincent's College, Westmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania, class of 1873 ; law 
department Michigan University, class of 1876 ; 
admitted to the bar at Monroe May 3,1876. Mar- 
ried to Frances L. Soleau, October 27,1880 ; have 
three children. Was the circuit court com- 
missioner Moni'oe county, 1876-78; city attor- 
ney, 1877-1885 ; supervisor fourth ward, 1881 ; 
prosecuting attorney, 1884-88 ; chief of fire de- 
partment, 1885-89 ; mayor and president 
board of education, 1889. 



ALONZO B. BRAGDON. 

While the Mayflower colonj^ were strug- 
gling against hostile savages and want at 
Plymouth, Sir Ferdinando (or Fernando) 
Gorges, a Yorkshire nobleman, obt:iined a 
grant of land and sent a company of" knights, 
gentlemen and adventurers " to the new world. 
They landed north of -the Merriraac Eiver, in 
what is now York county, Maine, in 1623, and 
founded a settlement called Agamenticus. 
Gorges, with a liberality far in advance of the 



age. some years afterward granted the settlers 
the right to elect twelve councilmen who should 
make laws for the colony, reserving to him.self 
the right of approval before the laws became 
operative. This was one of the first, if not the 
first, representative government in America. 
Among the councilmen first elected, in 1640, 
was one Arthur Bragdon. His descendants 
settled in various places, as far east as Ells- 
worth, Maine, but the Indian massacre of 
1698 left but five of the name living. The 
elder branch of the family was reduced to two 
brothers, Thomas, aged twenty-one, and 
Samuel, aged seventeen, at the opening of the 
Eevolutionary War. Both entered the Amer- 
ican army, and were with Washington at 
Valley Forge. Thomas returned to Maine and 
died childless shortly afterward. Samuel con- 
tinued till the close of the war, and was among 
the company who carried the news of the sur- 
render of Cornwallis from Yorktown to New 
York. Two or three years afterward he mar- 
ried and settled in Maine. Here six sons were 
born to him, the eldest named Samuel after 
himself The others were Theodore and Asa 
B., who became farmers (the latter still living 
in Oswego county. New York); George L. 
(who settled later in Ontario county, New 
York, and whose son Charles D. was till his 
death editor of Moore's Rural New Yorker, 
and another son, George C, is editor of 
the Eochester Times); Erastus E. E., pro- 
fessor of Greek and Latin at Fulton Col- 
lege; and Charles P., a Methodist preacher, 
one of tlie founders of Evanston, Illinois, 
Theological Seminary, and whose son, C. C, is 
principal of Lasell Seminary, Auburndale, 
Massachusetts. 

The eldest son, Samuel, married in Maine 
and became the father of five sons and four 
daughters, the oldest being Asa B., born in 
Hallowell, Maine, in 1816. Of these children 
three sons and three daughters yet survive; 
one daughter dying shortly after her marriage, 
and two sons fill premature graves from wounds 
received in the War of the Eebellion. Asa B. 
removed with his father to Lockport, New 
York, in his boyhood. Here he married in 
1842 Almira Barnes, a native of Canandaigua, 
New York. Four children were the result of 
this marriage : Adelaide A., born 1843 ; Emma 
S., born 1845; Alonzo Bartlett, born January 
20, 1847, and Leroy P., born January 20, 1854. 



THE BAR OF MONROE. 



403 



The first two and last died in iul'ancy. In 
1S50 Asa H. i-emoved to I'ennsyivania, wliero 
lie resided for two years, going thenec to New 
IJsl)on, Ohio, wiiere lie remained till Septem- 
ber, 185G. Here, in 1854. Alonzo B. entered 
the intermediate department of the schools, 
liavini^ previously been taught at home. Re- 
moving to Hillsdale, Michigan, in 1856, he en- 
tered the high school. In December of the 
same year he removed to Hudson, Afichigaii. 
The village at that time afforded nothing better 
in the way of pnblic education than a district 
school, divided into the infant room and the 
" big room." Being an apt scholar and learn- 
ing easily, he soon mastered what that .school 
could impart. Fortunately, for several 3'ears 
select schools were established, furnishing a 
higher grade of education than the course in the 
district school ; but unfortunately in those days 
of barter, store orders and wildcat banks, 
financial reasons stood in the way of his avail- 
ing himself of these advantages. Determined 
to obtain an education, in which determination 
he was aided by his parents, so far as their 
means would permit, by odd jobs he managed 
to supplement his funds sufficiently to pur- 
chase necessary books and attend these schools. 
He became carrier hoy of the Hudson Gazette, 
and after school hours was a "devil" and then 
a compositoi-, acquiring some knowledge of the 
"art preservative." In 1801 the first union 
school in the village was opened, and he com- 
menced attending it, being a classmate and in- 
timate friend of Will Carleton. While prejjar- 
ing for college he taught Latin and the higher 
mathematics in this school. He was ])repared 
for Oberlin College in 1864 and entered in the 
class of 1868. He taught again that winter, 
keeping up his class studies and resumed them 
in college in the earl}- spring of 1865. lie was 
called home by the illness of his mother before 
commencement, and his funds being exhausted 
he sought another school, intending to i-esiime 
his studies in the fall. While looking for a 
school he was ottered a position as book keeper 
b\^ the firm of J. K. Boies & < 'o , and calculat- 
ing that he could earn enough in one year to 
maintain himself in college for two years, he 
accepted. He worked at the desk all day and 
attempted to keep up his studies at night, with 
the result of serious injury to his eyes. He 
intermitted the studies, and a generous increase 
in jjay induced him to remain another year. 



Before this expired, however, his eyes were in 
such condition that it was only by the greatest 
care lie was enabled to fill his term. Re- 
lim|uishingliis book-keeper's desk, he obtaitied 
a clerkship in the office of the Michigan South- 
ern and Northern Indiana Railroad, involving 
no evening work. Thanks to a vigorous con- 
stitution, in six months his eyes were entirely 
well. Some time before he had chosen the pro- 
fession of the law, and with restored eyes he 
entered upon its stuily. In 1868 he was 
offered and accepted the agency of the same 
com))any at Monroe, .Michigan. Here, for a 
time, his studies were interrupted, but bj- 
systematizing his work, he again resumed them 
in 1869. They continued till the fall of 1870, 
when interrupted again by a long and serious 
illness. He was nearly jirejiared for admis- 
sion to the bar, when in 1871 the completion of 
the Flint and Pcre Marquette Railroad gave 
him increased salary and sufficient help to 
render his position a desirable one. In 1873 
he tendered his resignation, intending to com- 
plete his studies and enter the profession of 
his choice, but was induced to withdraw it. 
For some years he discontinued all study of 
the law and retained his position, traveling 
over the eastern and southern portion of the 
United States in his vacations. In 1882, be- 
coming dissatisfied with his occupation, he 
again resumed the study of the. la^v under the 
friendly direction of Colonel Grosvenor. He 
was admitted to the bar January 2, 1884, and 
on the 17th of the same month entered Colo 
nel (irosvenor's office, with whom he has since 
been associated. 

He was married July 10, 186(i, to Agnes H. 
Ross, daughterof Rev. Benjamin Ross, of South 
Bend, Indiana. Four children have been horn 
to them : Florence A., 1869; Alonzo B., jr., 
1872; Charles R., 1874 (died August 31, 1874) ; 
and Bessie M., 1876. Despite a laborious life, 
from his early30uth he has been an omnivorous 
reader and a continual student. He has man- 
aged by utilizing the " unconsidered triffes " of 
time to do a great deal of reading and t<> ac- 
cumulate a large and well-selected library in 
which he takes great delight. He has contrib- 
uted in ]irose and rhyme to various period- 
icals and books, and was tendered an editorial 
chair in Chicago, but declined. Since his ad- 
mission to the bar he has dalibled slightlv in 
politics, and has held the office of circiiii court 



464 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



commissioner, deputy county clerk und city 
attorney. 

HARRY A. LOCKWOOD 
Was born in the village of Petersburgli, in 
Monroe county, August 28, 1861. His parents, 
Ezra L. Lockwood and .Jennie Hall Lockwood, 
moved upon the farm still occupied by them in 
the township of Bummerfield, in 18G2. His 
boyhood was spent upon the farm and in at- 
tendance upon the public schools of the town- 
ship, and, having finished the course at the 
union school of I'etersburg in 1878, he entered 
the Michigan State Normal School, from which 
he graduated with the class of '81. He then 
entered the Law Department of the University 
of Michigan and grad\iated with the class of 
1883. Having been admitted to practice as an 
attorney at law in December, 1882, he came to 
Monroe immediately after iinishing his course 
at the University, and began the practice ot 
his profession and is still located in Monroe. 
He was married to Helen Stone, of Washing- 
ton, Michigan, Aug. 28, 1884. 



HENRY SHAW NOBLE, 
Son of Hon. David A. Noble, was born in 
Monroe, December 19, 1839. He was educated 
at the branch school of the University, and at 
the age of sixteen entered the University at 
Ann Arbor. He was married to Miss Delia S. 
Vrooman in 1857. Mr. Noble entered the 
mercantile business the same year, and dealt 
in general merchandise under the firm name 
of W. A. & H. S. Noble until 1861, when the 
firm was changed to Noble & Eedfield, which 
continued until 1865. Mr. Noble was secretary 
of the Holly ,Wayne and Monroe Railway during 
its construction. He was one of the originators 
of the organization of the Monroe Democrat ; 
is a stockholder and trustee of that corporation. 
Mr. Noble studied law with Willitts & Raleigh 
and was admitted to the bar in 1872. Was afi- 
pointed by President Cleveland postmaster of 
tlie city of Monroe and still holds the office. 



Michigan. The subject of this sketch was edu- 
cated in the common schools, and after arriv- 
ing at tbe age of twenty-one years, he worked 
on his fiither's farm until the fall of 1873, when 
Mr. Adams entered the law office of the late 
Judge Warner Wing & Son, Anderson Wing, 
and after a course of study and reading lasting 
nearl}' three years, he was admitted to the bar 
in the year 1876. Mr. Adams, while a student, 
received many valuable suggestions and advice 
while in Judge Wing's office, with the use of 
his fine library, at that time the best in Monroe 
county. Judge Wing was a fine lawj^er, and 
his library was .stored with fine books, and in 
his ofiice a student had no reason to complain. 
Mr. Adams was married in the year 1879, to 
Marzette Bissonette, of Monroe, Michigan. By 
that lady he had five children, of whom four 
are now living: Thomas Darwin Adams, 
Warner Wing Adams, Ruth Mary Adams and 
Emma A. Adams. Mr. Adams has never been 
an aspirant for office, though he was elected 
township superintendent of schools several 
times. Is at the present time practicing law in 
Monroe City, Michigan. 



THOMAS D. ADAMS, 

Son of Dr. Ephraim Adams, of Monroe City, 
Michigan, and Mary Paddock Adams, of Water- 
town, Jefferson county, New York, was born 
March 25, 1842, in Frenchtown, Monroe county, 



JOHN W. BILLMIRE 
Was born November 19, 1853, in Wurtemburg, 
Germany. When John W. was four years of 
age his parents emigrated to the United States 
and settled in Monroe county, Michigan. Mr. 
B. received his education at the State Normal 
School, Yjisilanti, Michigan, and graduated 
from that institution in 1880. He graduated 
fram the Law Department of tlie Michigan 
University in 1883, and was admitted to the 
bar the same year. He is a Republican, and 
was elected county clerk for 1887-88 ; is now a 
member of the county board of school examin- 
ers. John W. resides at Monroe, Michigan, 
and is engaged in the practice of law. 



JOHN P. JAMINET, 
Born in Diffordingen, Grand Duchy of Luxem- 
bourg, September 23, 1839, received his educa- 
tion in his native village and schools in France ; 
emigrated to the United States in 1857, and 
came to Monroe in 1860 ; was elected an alder- 
man of the first wai'd in 1872 and served two 
terms; elected as justice in 1879, and is serv- 
ing now his third term as such; admitted to 
the bar in 1883 and elected circuit court com- 
missioner in 1888. 




^/^^^-^^ (^^^^z^^^^^ 



THE BAR OF MONROE. 



465 



JOHN DAVIS 
Was born oi> (irosse isle, in Monguagon town- 
ship, Wayne county, Micliigaii, January 21, 
1828, and has always lived in this State; 
attended the Young Men's Academy in Monroe 
under Professor Stehbins, and took a commer- 
cial course under Professor Stevens. Eighteen 
years he taught St. Mary's School for Boys in 
Monroe, under Right Rev. Bd. .loos as director, 
lie has held the offices of township clerk and 
school inspector of Raisinville, and afterward 
cit}' clerk, supervisor and justice of the peace 
ill Monroe City for about twelve years, and 
was superintendent of the poor nine years; 
studied law in the office of Judge Morris; was 
admitted to the bar May 15, 1880, and is now, 
ill 1880, justice of the peace. 



SETH V. RANDALL, 
Son of George C. and Esther A. (McAllister) 
Randall, was born in Orleans county, New- 
York, February 15, 1842. After receiving his 
education he came west. lie served liiree 
years in the late war as a member of Companj- 
I), Twenty-second Regiment Michigan Volun- 
teer Infantry. His hrother-in-Iaw, Harrison 1). 
Plank, was a member of the Eighteenth Regi- 
ment, and was lost off the Sultana. Mr. Ran- 
dall has held the office of town treasurer in 
Hlooinfield, Oakland county, Michigan, and has 
been school superintendent at Dundee. Mr. 
Randall was married to Ellen M. Plank, daugh- 
ter of James and Sarah 11. (Dubois) Plank, May 
IS, 1870. Their son Harrison was born Feb- 
ruary 17, 1871, and Don H., May 24, 1872, died 
October 18, 1872 ; has a successful practice, 
often advocating cases in the circuit court of 
Monroe county. 



SEWARD BAKER, 
Representative from the Second District of 
Monroe county, was born in the township of 
Ash, this county, October 11, 1858. His father, 
Harrison Baker, was born in New York State, 
April 4, 1832, and was one of the pioneers of 
Ash township. The mother of the subject of 
this sketch, Minerva (Donaldson) Baker, was 
born in Swanton, Vermont, in November, 1837. 
She married in November, 1857, and was the 
mother of ten children, Seward being the 
eldest. Two of the children are deceased, Mr. 
Baker remained on the farm with his parents 
until he had attained the age of twenty one, at- 
tending school during the winter months. He 



entered the Nortln'i-n Indiana Normal School 
and graduate<l in the teachers' department in 
1882, and the same winter taught a select 
school in Canandaigua, Lenawee county. He 
was elected to the State legislature in 1885-G 
and 1887-8 on the Democratic ticket. He 
entered the Law Department of the University 
of .Michigan in October, 1885, and wasadmittcd 
to tlie bar in June, 188(5, Since that lime he 
has practiced law in Carlton, and at present 
(1889) is prosecuting attorney of Monroe 
county, and has taken uii his residence in the 
city of Monroe. His father was accidentally 
killed on his farm May 28, 1888. His mother 
still resides on the farm in Ash townshij). 



B. J. CORBIN, 
Son of Lsaac and Martha C. Corbin, who emi- 
grated from Grand Isle county, Vermont, and 
settled in Ann Ai'bor, Michigan, died in 1871, 
and in 1883 his widow removed to Dundee, 
Monroe county, Michigan. The subject of this 
sketch was born in (irand Isle county, Ver- 
mont; received his education at the high 
school and Michigan State University; was 
atlmitted to the bar at Ann Arbor in 1878, and 
is at present law partner of Seth ('. Randall in 
practice in Dundee, 



JOHN O, ZABEL, 
Attorney and counselor, of Petersburgh, Mon- 
roe count}-, was born in Postenkill, New York, 
October 29, 185G, His parents moved from 
Postenkill to Dundee in 1860, and from thence 
to Summerfield, Monroe count}-, where they 
still reside, 

John O., the subject of this sketch, worked on 
the tixrm summers and attended district schools 
in winter months; attended union school at 
Petersburgh, two winters ; entered law depart- 
ment of Michigan University October 1, 1877 ; 
graduated March 2(i, 1879, class of 1879; was 
admitted to the bar the same year; commenced 
practice at Petersburgh, where he is sti][ 
located ; was married October 20, 1880, to Mate 
(Swick) Zahel ; has two sons, aged seven and 
three. Mr, Zabel was president of the village 
for the years 1883, 1887 and 1888 ; attorney of 
the village for the years 1884 and 1889; is at 
present member of the school board ; was 
chairman of the countj' committee of the (ireeii- 
back part}- for si.\ years, and candidate for 
attorney-general on the Union Labor ticket in 
1888; received 4,GC7 votes, the second highest. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



FISHERIES. 



LONG before the River Raisin massacre and 
for many years thereafter, while the 
country was yet inhabited by the aborigines, 
the waters of LaliC Erie bounding the shores of 
this county were known to teem with the 
choicest varieties of fresh water fish. Among 
these were whitefish, lake herring, pickerel, 
black bass, pike, muskalungeand the sturgeon, 
which our great American poet immortalized 
in his legend of Hiawatha, together with many 
other varieties of lesser note. The whitefish 
and herring are strictly lake species, never 
venturing up the smaller streams or rivers. 

Up to 1856 the appliances for fishing in this 
locality were very crude, consisting of a sweep 
or drag seine, often manufactured from elm 
bark, and calculated to capture a limited 
amount of fish for the immediate use of its 
owner. In the fall of 1856 a few enterprising 
men from Connecticut, Messrs. Chittenden, 
Dibble, Kirtland and Chapman, hearing of the 
abundance offish in our waters, determined to 
try a new device known as a pound net, which 
was at that time attracting much attention in 
their State. They set two of those nets one 
mile north of Monroe light. Their first sea- 
son's fishing demonstrated the fact that our 
waters teemed with thousands of white fish and 
herring. In the spring of 1857 Messrs. Chit- 
tenden & Co. moved their nets and boats to 
Brest, where they found a good harbor at the 
mouth of Stony Creek. Their spring catch was 
not as profitable as that of the previous fall, 
the fish taken consisting mostly of pickerel, 
mullet, perch and sturgeon, the latter at that 
time being considered fit only for Indians and 
half-breeds. But times have changed. The 
sturgeon has found favor with the white man. 
and is much sought after, not only for its flesh, 
but also for the roe of the female, from which 
caviar is made. It is now estimated that over 
$100,000 worth of caviar has been shipped to 
Europe from Monroe within the last 12 years. 



In the fall of 1857 Chittenden & Co. again set 
their lu'ts. Their catcli of white fish during the 
season was truly astonishing, oftimes reaching 
from two thousand to four thousand fish at a 
single haul. This wonderful success was soon 
heralded along the shores of the Great Lakes, 
and inquiry came from all quarters for informa- 
tion as to the manner of constructing and 
operating pound nets. The stories concerning 
these wonderful catches of fish at Monroe and 
vicinity' as they spread abroad became quite 
fishy, and a few years later in Duluth, Minne- 
sota, fishermen were telling about the great 
hauls of fish at Monroe, often reaching thirty 
or forty thousand at one lift. 

Among others, Mr. John P. Chirk, a pioneer 
fish dealer and fisherman of Detroit, heard of 
the Monroe fisheries. Heat once opened nego- 
tiations for the purpose of buj-ing out the Con- 
necticut firm. The bargain was consummated 
a year later. Mr. Clark sent men and boats to 
Stony Point to carry on the business, and each 
succeeding year up to 1887. In 1860 Mr. 
Henry Paxton opened a small establishment at 
Otter Creek. His success soon enabled him to 
go into the business on an extensive scale. Mr. 
.Tohn Little, a Monroe citizen, also embarked in 
the business and commenced operations to the 
northward of Monroe light, but unfortunately- 
was drowned before accomplishing much 
Excitement incident to large catches of fish 
along the whole shore caused many to em- 
bark in the business, comparatively few of 
whom succeeded, success requiring experience 
and skill, together with courage and great en- 
durance. 

In those early days there were no laws regu- 
lating riparian rights in the lakes, and fre- 
quently trouble arose among the different 
firms or parties engaged therein in regard to 
the possession and ownership of the fishing 
grounds, in one instance, at least, culminating 
in bloodshed. The parties to the affray were 



[466] 



FISHERIES. 



467 



Messrs. Uodi^os and Kinney <>ii one side, and 
one Snyder on the other. Tiie disputed terri- 
tory' was Gard Island, situated in the northerly 
arm of Maumoo Bay. Snyder was sliot and 
killed by an employe of Messrs. Hedges and 
Kinney. He was arrested, tried, ami acquitted 
on a plea of self-defense. 

As the fisheries hecame valuable, the home 
fishermen were constantly having trouble and 
disputes with fishermen from Ohio and other 
parts of the country as to the ownership and 
right of possession of the fishing grounds, and 
in 18G9 the legislature enacted a statute giving 
the riparian owner the exclusive right of driv- 
ing pound stakes and fishing pound nets in 
front of his property on the Great Lakes in 
Michigan within one mile from low water 
mark. This statute greatly enhanced the 
value of property on the lake front, which 
up to that time was of little value, as most of it 
was swamp and marsh, but was quickly bought 
up bj- fishermen for the fishing right a])purte- 
nant thereto. 

Hedges & Kinney continued in the business 
until the death of Mr. Hedges. In settling his 
estate Mr. Kinney, in 1881, sold to J. N. 
Dewey & Co. what is known as the Point 
Mouille Fishery, and in 1887 Mr. Kinney 
closed out his interest in what is known as the 
Bay Point Fi.shery to Alex. St. John. The 
Messrs. Dewey Brothers, Joseph B. and Jesse 
N. Dewey, commenced fishing for John P. 
Clark at Stony Point in 18(50, and after ac- 
quiring a valuable experience, in 1864 com- 
menced business for themselves in a small way, 
and by energy, economy and good business 
management have extended their business 
until at the present time they own or control 
about all the lake front and fishing grounds in 
Monroe county, and they and the parties inter- 
ested with them represent one of the largest 
fishing plants on the Great Lakes, 

At the time they commenced on their own 
account at Brest all our local fishermen sold 
their catch to the dealers in Detroit and Tole- 
do, and as a rule were entirelj^ in the hands of 
these wholesalers and packers, who purchased 
their catch almost at their own figures, packed 
and distributed them through the interior, and 
reapeil the lion's share of the profits. The 
Dewey Brothers built a small freezer and pack- 
ing house at Brest and shippt'd the local in- 
land dealers direct from their fishery, and from 



a small beginning have gradually extended 
their business until at the present time they 
have docks and packing houses at Toledo and 
Port Huron, operate large fisheries on Lakes 
Erie, Huron and Michigan, and also purchase 
the catch of many fisheries on the lakes. They 
supplj- the trade as far west as Denver, Colo- 
rado ; do a large business in the southern and 
eastern States, and have manufactured and 
shipped to Europe thousands of pounds of 
caviar. They have always been abreast if not 
ahead of the times in the use of modern appli- 
ances, and in their plant are included steamers 
for carrying the catch to the packing house, 
tugs, steam stake drivers for putting out nets, 
and give em])loyment during the fishing sea- 
son to about fiftj- fishermen in their local 
fisheries. 

The fisheries of Monroe county have been 
more prolific and productive of a greater 
amount of wealth according to the capital in- 
vested than have any other fisheries of the 
Great Lakes. While it is true that for a few 
years the catch was quite light, and many en- 
tertained grave fears lest the supply was giving 
out, yet in the fiiU of 1888 one firm alone 
caught over one hundred tons of whitefish 
from their nets. All of the fisheries of the 
county did well that season, the aggregate 
catch amounting to over two hundred tons of 
whitefish, and at least five hundred tons of 
herring, together with catches of other species. 

The white bass, once very abundant in the 
Kaisin at certain sea.sons, became almost ex- 
tinct about twenty years ago, owing to a 
small worm or grub that seemed to breed in 
its liver. In 1876 tiie black bass were attacked 
by a parasite working in their gills, and thou- 
sands were seen floating upon the surface of 
the lake in a dead and dying condition. The 
ravages of the parasite nearly depleted our 
waters at that time of this our most, gamy fish. 
Sturgeon also arc becoming very scarce. 
Their great ])opulai-ity as a smoked fish, to- 
gether with a brisk demand for the caviar, has 
caused them to be much sought aftei'. Upon 
those fishing grounds where thousands were 
caught a few j-ears ago in a season, but a few 
hundred are now taken. The United States 
Fish Commission has deposited at various 
times in the spring large numbers of young 
whitefish, which, it is believed by fisher- 
men, have in many instances matured, and 



468 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



upon their return in tiie ensuing seasons, have 
been captured in tlic pound nets. 

In the early days of the fishing industry, 
when the westei-n States were but sparsely 
settled and means of transportation limited, and 
rapid transit of perishables unheard of, prices 
were very low. Whitetish were often sold for 
two dolhu-s per hundred fish, sturgeon at ten 
cents apiece, and herring for ten cents a hun 
dred fish, while other kinds of fish which now 
find a ready sale could not be sold at all. 
Rapid transit, reCrigerator cars and cold storage 
have extended the market, and whitefish are 
now served at the best hotels of every large city 
in the country, and the extension of the market 
has raised prices until instead of being the poor 
man's food, as they were formerly considered, 
whitefish and most other hard fish are a 
luxury. At the present time wliitefish com- 
mand twenty-five dollars a hundred, sturgeon 
two dollars and fifty cents apiece, and herring 
one dollar a hundred weight, while other 
species command equally good prices. Indeed, 
so great is the demand that dealers in many 
instances find it difKcult to supi)ly the trade, 
which has been extended toalmost everj- point 
in the countiy having first-class railroad fa- 
cilities. 

River Raisin and the baj's and inlets in the 
county have long been known to lovers of the 
rod as a great fishing resort. The smaller of the 
fish, such as perch, rock bass, bullheads, and sun- 
fish, are caught at nearly all times from June 
to November, and in great numbers. The 
perch are considered by many as good eating 
as any fish caught in these waters. The black 
bass and pickerel are caught mostly in May 
and October, and parties of three and four have 
often hooked as many as an hundred in a day. 
These are the gamiest fish in our waters, and 
greater skill is required to land them than the 
others. Fishing with seines in summer and 
winter, it is thought by manj% destroys the 
fishing with hook and line, and laws have been 



enacted bj' the legislature restricting the use 
of seines, but the law has never been properly 
enforced. 

Fishing for pickei'ei in winter through the 
ice, is a sport much enjoyed. A house is built 
on runners, about six feet in length and height, 
by five in width, with a door just large enough 
to enter at the side. There is room within for 
a small sheet-iron stove at one end, and a seat 
the width of the house at the other. A hole 
about two and one-half feet square is cut in the 
floor and one in the ice of the same size. Tlie 
house is then drawn over it so that the hole in 
the former is directly over the one in the latter. 
The water selected is from four to eight feet 
deep. All light is excluded from the house, 
thus enabling the inmate to see everything 
passing under his house, while he is invisible. 
The spear used is a three or five tine, and the 
handle from ten to twelve feet long, which goes 
through the roof, allowing the fisherman to 
easily handle its great length in his small 
quarters. He uses a decoy fish, about five 
inches long, colored a bright red, blue, or gold, 
weighted with sufficient lead to pi'operly bal- 
ance it. This is attached to a line five or six 
feet in length, lowered in the water to the 
proper depth, and the line in the hands of the 
fisherman, jerked quickly, causes the decoy to 
move in the water like a minnow. Its bright 
color attracts the attention of passing fish, and 
in following it up comes within range of the 
spear, and while preparing to make a meal of 
the decoj', the spear is lowered noiselessly and 
plunged into him. It is considered by many 
greater sj^ort than fishing with hook and line, 
and fifty and sixty houses are often found on 
the lake in a space of half a mile. In these 
small houses, nicel}' warmed in the coldest 
weather, and with plenty of good companj' 
near, and nearlj' all other sport out of season, 
it naturally has many devotees, and will long 
continue to be the diversion for the winter 
season. 



\ 






/0/^<^^^o^ (y^^^^t^ 



CHAPTER XXXTT. 



BIOfiKAl'IlICAI. SKKTCIIES. 



HON. SALMON KEI-:NI;Y 

FIRST visited Monroe in 1827 with the view 
of seeking a home in the West, and dur- 
ing that j-ear purchased at the land office in 
Monroe the eighty acres which he subsequently 
cultivated in a high degree, and upon wliicli he 
resided at the time of his death. Thi.s farm 
was inlierited by his daughter Pamelia, wlio 
married William H. Wells, the son of the Kev. 
Noah H. Wells. The old homestead has given 
place to the stately residence now owned and 
occu])ied by them. The j'ear after entering 
the land, Mr. Keeney emigrated from his east- . 
ern home in the state of New York, with his 
family to the town of Erie, taking passage on 
a schooner from Buffalo. It was then custom- 
ary for emigrants to provide provisions neces- 
sary for the trip on the lake, as the captain and 
c-rew made provision for themselves only. As 
the schooner was delayed by contrary winds 
and storms, when it arrived at Cleveland they 
were all out of provisions, and reduced to a 
hack of a ham, which was picked to the bone. 
The stock of provisions for the re.st of tiie trip 
was purchased at Cleveland, hut as the crew 
was hauling the yawl lioat containing the sup. 
plies purchased up the stern of the schooner, 
the yawl boat upset, losing all in the lake. 
The ca])taiD, wishing to avail himself of a 
favorable wind, would not permit the passen- 
gers to go ashore again, and thus, in a starving 
condition, thej' arrived at LaPlaisance Bay. 
The judge rowed a boat from the bay to Mon- 
roe, and returned with provisions for his almost 
famished family. Was the guest of Olcott C. 
(Miapman, who kept tlio Man sion House, on the 
site of the present banking office of B. Dansard 
& Son. From thence he moved with his family 
into the old Catholic log church, with a bark 
roof. For the first year he taught an evening 
school, and for two succeeding years a daj- 
school. lie is justly entitled to and regarded 
as the founder of the tirst English school in the 



town of iM-ie. He was commissioned by Gen- 
eral Cass, October 22, 1829, Justice of the 
Peace. Was, under the county court system, 
one of the associate judges. Was for many 
years postmaster of the township. He died 
at his residence in Erie, March 9, 1847, uni- 
versally respected and esteemed as an upright, 
intelligent citizen, a judicious and wise coun- 
selor, leaving a widow and two sons, Andrew 
.1. and William, and two daughters, Mrs. Wil- 
liam Wells and Mrs. Williard. 



.\NrtRK\V .lACKSON KEENKY 

Was born in Wyalonsory. JJradford county, 
Pennsylvania, February 2G, 1819; enjoyed the 
advantages of a good common school eiluca- 
tion ; thereafter attended the Genesee Wes- 
levan Seminar3-, at Jjenia, New York. With 
his father's family removed to Michigan, land- 
ing at LaPlaisance Bay September 22, 1828. 
Came up the lake in a schooner, and from 
LaPlaisance Bay up the River Raisin to the 
docks by a lighter, as the schooner could not 
sail up the river at that time. Put up at 
Chapman's Hotel, located on the corner of 
Froni and Washington streets. The village 
consisted of but a few hundred inhabitants. In 
October of the same year the family removed 
to Frie, where the subject of this sketch has 
since resided. He assisted in clearing up the 
farm of heavy timbered land, on which he still 
lives, reclaiming it from a wilderness to a 
pi'oductive farm and pleasant home. His life 
has been devoted to farming, stock-raising, and 
a jjortion of the time large!}' interested in the 
lake fisheries, which ceased to be profitable 
owing to the improvident, unwise, and some- 
what listless manner of conducting the artiti- 
cial hatching and depositing young fish by the 
State Board of Fish Commissioners. 

While a nunil)er of French families had at an 



[409] 



470 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



early day settled at Erie, that of James Cornell 
was the first Amei'ican family, aud he for years 
kept a tavern eight miles south of Monroe, on 
the road leading to Toledo B. M. Newkirk 
kept a log tavern where the village of Erie 
now stands, and was its first postmaster. The 
third English familj- was that of Salmon 
Keency, the father of Andrew J. Keeney. He 
was the second jiostmaster of Bay settlement, 
and had the name of the jDostoffice as well as 
the village changed to that of Erie. The fami- 
lies of James and Samuel Mulhollen settled in 
Erie about the same, time, but the families of 
Francis Cousino, Peter Picott, Daniel Duval, 
and other French settlers, settled in Ei'ie soon 
after the war of 1812. 

The United States turnpike from Sandusky 
to Detroit was completed in the fall of 1828, 
then the only traveled road from Michigan to 
Ohio. The early settlers of Erie were strong, 
large-hearted men, hospitable, ever lending a 
helping hand to the " new-comers," as the new 
settlers were familiarly called, extending a 
cordial welcome to their homes and firesides, 
" their latch-strings always hung out.'' Most 
of the trade consisted in bartering dry goods, 
groceries, provisions, and whisky for deer and 
wolf skins, and venison hams, coon and musk- 
rat skins. The schools were maintained by 
private enterprise as there was no organized 
system south of Monroe, and the one organized 
church, the Roman Catholic, had as yet no 
regular service or settled priest. Mr. Keeney 
heard the first sermon in English preached by 
Father Eichard, a Catholic priest, and the 
first Methodist sermon by Rev. William Garst. 

Mr. Keeney is a member of Masonic Lodge 
of Monroe, No. 27. Was a member of the 
State Legislature in 1863-'64. Has held nearly 
all of the town otfices from pathmaster to and 
including supervisor; was notary- public for 
thirty years continuously; is now President 
of the Farmer.s' Insurance Company, of Mon- 
roe and Wayne counties, which office he has 
held for the past nineteen years ; President of 
the Erie Vigilance Club, and of the BayPointe 
Shooting Club. He was major of an inde- 
pendent regiment of light infantry under 
Colonel Allen A. Eabineau, Talcott E. Wing 
lieutenant colonel, Peter Loranger adjutant, 
from which he derived the name of major, by 
which title he is usuallj' called. 

Major Keeney has witnessed the growth of 



the City of Monroe from a small, untidy vil- 
lage, with none but log houses south of it, with 
but a few hundred inhabitants, to its present 
projiortions and pleasant surroundings. He 
has seen the county emerge from a wilderness 
to a well-settled, well-improved county, with 
intelligent, prosperous people, with churches, 
school-houses and all the evidences of thrift, 
culture and refinement. Instead of the large 
droves of cattle and hogs imported from Ohio, 
upon which we were dependent for pork and 
beef at an early day, we are now exporters. 
The long-eared and long-nosed hogs have given 
place to the Berkshires and SufTolks. Cattle 
have been greatly improved by the introduc- 
tion of blooded stock. The little, hardy, 
French ponies have given place to the large 
and powerful horses aud elegant roadsters that 
would be a credit to any county. 

When his father first settled in Erie there 
was but one four-wheeled vehicle in the place. 
Carts only were used, many of them without 
tii'es or iron of any kind. Grain was all cut 
with the sickle. His father made the first 
grain cradle seen in Erie, with a shaving- 
knife, jack-knife, and gimlet. It was a won- 
derful curiosity in those ijrimitive days, illy 
comparing with the self-binders of the present. 
Oxen were yoked by their horns. Most of the 
plows were of the old bull plow pattern, every 
house a log house, from the River Raisin to 
the fvapids of the Maumee — a log house cov- 
ered with bark, with chimneys built of sticks 
and clay. Ho has in early days played with 
Indian children, wore shoe packs, eaten wild 
hog pork, waded the creeks barefooted in 
March with the French boys and Indians, 
spearinggrasspike with wooden spears, caught 
crawfish and eaten them with a relish unknown 
to the modern epicure. 

Major Keeney was married at Middlebury, 
Wyoming county. New York, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Corey, September 30, 1841. They have 
five children. Ellen Keeney was married 
January 24, 1870, to Amos A. Morse, general 
freight agent of the Oregon Railway and Navi- 
gation Company, residing at Portland, Oregon. 
Cora Keeney was married to Newton Stanford 
October 10, 1876, a commission merchant of 
Fargo, Dakota. Mary Keeney was married to 
David K. Perry, freight and baggage agent of 
the Chicago k Iowa and Chicago & Milwaukee 
Raili'oad Company, November 24, 1884. Jay 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



471 



W. Kooncy married Flora C. Saunders, January 
20, 1878. Gordon J. Kceney inari-ied Lotty E. 
Nii'hols, April 21,1880. Both reside in Erie, 
with fine farms — the former a farmer and 
ilcalor and s;;ro\ver of live stock, the latter a 
furnierand dealer in lands and real estate. 



NEWTON BALDWIN, M. n., 

Oidfst oisix ciiiidreii of E. and C. A.Baldwin, 
was iioni in Monroe, 1850. His father, forced 
by poor health, moved on to a farm in Exe- 
ter, where the family continued to reside ex- 
cept at intervals, when driven out l)y the ague, 
until January, 1866, when the family returned 
to Monroe. Up to that age he had had about 
two terms at a countrj- school. He entered the 
union school and graduated in 1869; entered 
the literary department of the University the 
following j-ear. Spending one year in the 
literary departmeiil, he entered Dr. Sawyer's 
ofKce as a student of medicine in 1872. He 
continued there until medical lectures opened 
in the fall of 1873. He entered the old school 
medical di'partment of the University of Michi- 
gan, graduating in 1875; studying with Dr. 
Sawyer during the intervals of lectures, paj'ing 
his way hy collecting for Dr. Sawyer, and 
working in the nurseries. 

He entered into partnership with Dr. Saw- 
yer in the summer of 1875. After one year he 
went to Dundee, where he staid until 1878. 
There he married Miss Cora V. Long in 1878. 
l''rom there he removed to Staunton, Va., re- 
inaining until 1881, spending the j-ear 1881-82 
in New York and Philadelphia hospitals. 

He returned west and was appointed lec- 
turer on obstetrics and diseases of women and 
children in the homcepathic department of the 
I'niversity of Michigan, in the fall of 1882. 
There he remained until the fall of 1885, when 
the re-organization of the faculty forced the re- 
tirement of all but one member because of in- 
ternal broils. He then removed to Coldwater, 
Michigan, where his intention is to make a life's 
work, lie held in each place a remunerative 
business. He has two children, one son and 
one daughter, aged six and eight. 

Doctor Newton Baldwin has but very- few, 
if any, superiors as a diagnostician and practi- 
liiiner, amou'C the medical men of Michigan. 



HON. SAMUEL MULHOLLEN 

Was born in Monroe county, Michigan, F'cbru- 
ar}- 10, 1811. At the time of his birth his 
jiarcnts were living upon the farm of Samuel 
Egnew, his uncle, which was located upon the 
liiver Kaisin. This farm was known in later 
years as the Harbston farm. The town of 
Monroe at present includes this property. 

Mr. Mulhollen is the descendant of a sturdy 
Irish ancestry, both on the paternal and ma- 
ternal sides. His father was a hard-working 
farmer, who knew little of the luxuries of life, 
and when pleasures were few except those de- 
rived from seeing his family grow into useful 
men and women. His early education, out of 
necessity, was limited. School houses were 
few and the sessions short, lasting but three 
and four months during the winter, when snow 
and ice precluded a visit to the school for 
weeks at a time. In this new country where 
trees were to be felled, fences built and new 
ground to be broken, there were no hours of 
play for young Mulhollen ; his toys were the 
plow, spade and hoe, his evening hours were 
illuminated by a log fire or a fat lamp. Work 
being his principal educatoi-, Samuel soon 
learned the necessity of economy and self i-e- 
liance. 

At the age of seventeen j-ears he conceived 
tiie idea of entering into the hotel business in 
connection with farming, he and his eldest 
sister, Mrs. Mary Stowell, associating them- 
selves togetlier for that purpose. This being 
practically his first business enterprise, he telt 
somewhat anxious as to the result of his scheme, 
hut nevertheless he rented his father's farm in 
the town of Erie, which at that time was a very 
small French settlement, including hut four 
Amei'ican families, and situated on the old 
United States turnpike, the terminus of which 
was Detroit. Those traveling to and from 
Detroit and towns in Northern Ohio, including 
Fremont and Maumee, often found it necessary 
to patronize our young friend in his new enter- 
prise, so that in a short time his inn became 
popular and himself well known. This being 
the principal hostelry of that section, there 
gathered, as was customary, the unsophisticated 
Wolverine for the purjjose of discussing the 
issues of the day. Then, as now, politics had 
its place in their discussions. Some were 
Democrats, sume Free-Soilers, and others 



472 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Whigs. Here it was that Samuel received his 
first political tuition, and where we find the 
first seeds sown that in after years gave to the 
people of Michigan that strong advocate of 
political liberty and equal rights. The people 
of Erie soon learned to regard him for his per- 
sonal worth and force of character, and while 
little more than a youth, elected him to the po- 
sition of assessor, which he filled so satisfacto- 
rily that he was selected as a commissioner of 
Erie a few years later. Upon the advent of 
the steamers on the lake, the traffic upon the 
public roads became so limited that Mr. Mul- 
hollon decided to once more return to farming, 
which he did in 1840. 

During the last year previous to his retire- 
ment from the hotel, he married Miss Frances 
Gager, the marriage taking place at the home 
of David Graham, in the town of Erie, on the 
16th day of January, 1839. He now felt him- 
self devoted to his family and farm to such an 
extent that he had little desire to comply with 
the requests of those who desired his political 
preferment, until 184!1, when the necessities of 
the times and his well-known antipath}- for 
the extension of the slave territory, forced his 
nomination as a candidate to the State legisla- 
ture from Vienna by the Whig party ; a subse- 
quent endorsement of tiie Free-Soil wing of 
the Democratic fiarty secured his election. Mr. 
Mulhollen, though a new member, took an ac- 
tive part in the proceedings from the first upon 
all leading legislation. The State being com- 
paratively a new one, and. sparsely settled, the 
sessions were quite short, lasting but ninety 
days. 

He was again elected to the sessions of 1857, 
1858, 1859, as a Republican. During the ses- 
sion of 1857 the swamp land act j^resented the 
most exciting feature. In this Mr. Mulhollen 
took a most con.spicuous part as an advocate of 
the equal distribution of the proceeds arising 
from the sale of said lands for educational pur- 
poses and the maintenance of roads atid high- 
ways in the State. 

At the breakingout of the war Mr. Mulhollen 
was elected to the State senate from Monroe for 
the sessions of 1861 and 1862. During the ex- 
tra session of 1861, both the house and senate 
passed important measures for the recruiting 
of volunteers for the defense of the Union and 
the sustenance of the wives, children, and 
parents of those who enlisted. In all of these 



measures Mr. Mulhollen took an active inter- 
est, and much of the work accomplished was the 
result of his hand. His labor for the cause of hu- 
man liberty and the preservation of the Union 
did not end with the adjournment of the senate, 
as all who know him can attest. The Presi- 
dent's call for troops stimulated him with new | 
zeal, and lead him on to greater efforts. Time ' 
and money were given freely, the liberality of 
his hand knew no bound until the message 
came that Lee had surrendered. Then was his 
cup of pleasure full. He has been an ardent 
Republican since the formation of that party, 
ever ready to uphold its virtues and condemn ' 
its faults. 

In his early life he became a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, assisting in the erection 
of the first one built in Erie in 1850, where, up 
to within a short time he has held the position 
of trustee. 

Mr. Mulhollen was the eighth and at present 
the only living child of Daniel and Isabella 
(Egnew) Mulhollen, who were married at 
Painted Post, Steuben county, New York, in | 
the year 1794, having emigrated from Belfast 
and Antrim, Ireland, at an early age. The 
wife of Samuel died at Eric. February 8, 1883, 
and was buried at Woodlawn cemetery, Toledo, 
Ohio. At present Mr. Mulhollen is living at 
Toledo, Ohio. 

This is a brief sketch of a quiet farmer, cov- 
ering a jjeriod of seventy-seven years. In this 
life we find, as in all others, the conflict of 
hope, and fear, of joy and sorrow. While his 
life has been unmarked by great events, it has 
always been attended with devotion to duty. 
As a citizen he occupies a high position. 



WILLIAM TANDY \VHITE, 

Son of Enoch and Betsy (Tandj-) White, was 
born at Newport, New Hampshire, March 26, 
1807. On his fathers side he was the grandson 
of Enoch and Lydia (Sprague) White, and on 
his mother's of Parker and Mary (Thorn) 
Tandy, and a lineal descendant from Peregrine 
White, who was born on the Mayflower in 
1620. He came to Monroe in 1831, and opened 
a variety store in which could be found nearly 
everything wanted by the early pioneer. In 
1835 he removed to the N. W. J of section 7, 
township 5 south, range 10 east, and founded 




^>v<2a4wC" 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



473 



the villat^e of Newport, naming it after hi-; na- 
tive place. Here he opened a general store, 
built and operated a saw-mill, managed a nur- 
sery and greenhouses, and for many j'oars kept 
open house under the sign of "Stage and 
Steamboat House." During the " Patriot War " 
this was the general rendezvous of the " Hunt- 
ers," and the Maiden raid was planned at and 
started from his place. For about thirt}' j'ears 
he was postmaster at this point, and for most 
of that time served as justice of the peace. 

Februarj- IG, 1837, he was married in Mon- 
roe to Miss Nancy S., daughter of Stephen and 
Eunice (Hilton) Reynolds, who was born at 
Bavina, New York, J)ecember 20, 1816. Their 
children were twelve in number, of whom five 
are yet living: Hlizaiieth Mary, born Decem- 
ber 19, 1837, and married June 25, 1857, to J. 
. S. Gregorj', jr., one of the first settlers of and 
now living in Lincoln, Nebraska, engaged in 
the practice of law and the settlement of es- 
tates ; Asenath H., born March 31. 184!. mar- 
ried to W. J. Manning, February 12, 1SG2, and 
died June 9, 18G8; V. Nathan, born March 11, 
1845, and now living on the old homestead in 
Newport; Milton Morrow, born October 19, 
1849, and now living at Lincoln, Nebraska, en- 
gaged in the adjustment ot accounts ; Eva 
Viola, born November 29. 18fi2, and now living 
at home, and Nancy May, born May 3. 1858, 
and married September 23, 1885, to the Rev. 
All)ert Torbett, a (Congregational minister, now 
living at Lake Linden. Michigan. 

During the panic of 1837. like man}- others, 
Mr. White lost everything except his good 
name and reputation as an honest dealer. He 
again began the struggle of life with the de- 
termined push, vim, and energy he had inher- 
ited from his Puritan foi'efathers, and with his 
good wife as a partner and counselor, without 
engaging in any speculation, but by a strict at- 
tention to his business, he accumulated another 
fortune, which at the time of his death 
amounted to over one hundred thousand dol- 
lars, an uncommon estate in those days in 
Michigan. Shortlj- before his death he became 
a stockholder in the First National Bank of 
Monroe. 

In politics Mr. White never took any active 
part, generally- voting the Democratic ticket, 
and in local elections always voting for the 
candidate who in his estimation was the best 
qualified to fill the office, withoul regard to the 



party b}' whom he was nominate*!. With the 
exception of collector of customs, postmaster, 
and justice of the peace, he refused all offices. 

While he was the direct descendant of pure 
I'ui-ilan stock, he was a member of the Baptist 
church, and always lived a godlj-, upright, and 
Christian life. In his Christian charities he 
carried out the biblical injunction of not letting 
his right hand know what his left hand did, 
and after his death among his papers were 
found memorandums and notes of nearly 
twent}' thousand dollars' worth of accounts due 
him and which he had canceled, as thej', in his 
o])inion, were too poor to pay the amounts 
owed to him. 

When but eleven yeai's old, thinking par- 
tiality was shown his brother by his parents, 
he left home with the intention of going to 
sea; but the captain, who had known him all 
his life, instead of taking him to sea, sent him 
to his wife, with whom he lived for several 
years, and of wiiom he learned many secrets 
in pickling and preserving fruits, etc., which 
stood him well in after years. 

Losing everj'thing in the panic of 1837, the 
'• Patriot war " gave him a new start, and be- 
ing widely and favorabU- known as a business 
man of more than usual ability, he soon began 
to retrieve his fortunes. In his habits, while 
odd, his oddities were methodical, and to a pur- 
pose to identify himself with his business and 
make both himself and his business known by 
them. In his family relations there was always 
the utmost confidence and harmonj*. Every 
night with his wife around the famil}^ circle 
looking over and advising with her in regard 
to what he had done during the day, and what 
he intended to do the next. In his business 
matters everything was kept in the utmost or- 
der, on the principle that •' Order is Heaven's 
first law,'' and at the end of the yeai-, by look- 
ing over his books one could almost read his 
innermost tiioughts and wishes by the nota- 
tions which he was in the habit of putting on 
his accounts. 

His last illness was of onlj- a week's duration, 
and resulted from becoming overheated in hur- 
rying to catch the train from Monroe (where he 
was preparing a home for his old age) to go to 
Newport, the result of which was congestion, 
fr<im which he died at his home in Newport, 
November 22, 1866. leaving a wife and six 
children to mourn his loss. 



474 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



AUSTIN BOSTWICK CHAPMAN. 

One of the most enterprisini;; and independ- 
ent farmers in the county, with large tai'ms 
under a hig-h state of cultivation, unincumbered 
by mortgages, and a man who has largely con- 
tributed in laying the foundations for moral, 
religious and educational interests of Ash and 
Berlin, resides now on the Chapman road, the 
main traveled road from Monroe via Newport 
to Flat Eock. He has a fine two-story house, 
with mansard roof and manj' of the modern 
improvements, with barns and outbuildings — a 
farm of which any farmer might greatly be 
proud. In 1839, when but eighteen years of 
age, he moved to Ash (now Berlin) with a 
mother, brother and two sisters dependent on 
him, built a log house in 1840, and by perse- 
verance and hard work cleared up his farm. 
In the winter of 1843, with his brother, he pur- 
chased eleven head of cattle, cows and three- 
year old steers, for thirty dollars. The winter 
was exceedingly cold and severe ; feed could 
not be purchased in that vicinity, and they 
were com])elled to chop down basswood trees 
as a last resort. This winter the French citi- 
zens occupying the farms farther east and near 
the lake, drew straw on the ice from Canada 
as late as the first of April. The hay on the 
island, " Gro.sse Isle," was held at twenty dol- 
lars per ton, and the owners, by refusing to sell 
at tiiat time, found it a very poor investment 
as it was entirel}- destroyed by rats and mice. 

Mr. Chapman married Catliarine Burton, 
July 4, 1S47, and by their united efforts, en- 
ergy, prudence and economy, added to their 
jjossessions until they owned 520 acres 
in one body. At a time when a small sum was 
realized for produce, he remembers purchasing 
of William White, the merchant, of Newport, 
a plain calico dress for his sister at twenty- 
eight cents a yard (now sold for five), and re- 
ceiving for his lard six cents per ])Ound and five 
cents a dozen for eggs ; but Mr. Chapman states 
that six or eight yards were in those days 
ample for a dress. His wife had the same de- 
sires that characterize mothers of the present 
day; but instead of an upholstered, lace-cur- 
tained, willow baby wagon of the present daj^, 
costing from $30 to $50, sl.e sawed from logs 
the wheels, pierced with a wooden axle, made a 
rough box, and it pi'oved apparently as satis- 
factory as those of greater pretensions of mod- 
ern manufacture. 



He employed tiie first school teacher for 
three months, Sarah Crook, boanling her at 
one dollar per week ; then was instrumental in 
forming the first school district and building 
the first school house. 

When the Michigan Southern Railroad was 
built through Ash b}' Ransom Gardner, of 
Jonesville, contractor, the bills of Mr. Chap- 
man for boarding the laborers were promptly 
paid, amounting to $1,999.88. 

A prosperous Sunday school was organized 
and for two years maintained with the assist- 
ance of Mrs. T. E. Wing and Samuel M. Sackett, 
who attended eacli every alternate Sunday 
from Monroe. To the good seed sown at this 
time, Mr. Chapman attributes the organization 
of the Congregational church at Rockwood. 

Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have been bereaved 
of two sons and two daughters. Have two 
sons living: Austin B. Chapman, residing 
on the farm adjoining the old homestead on 
the north, married and has two sons and two 
daughters; H. H. Chapman, the sixth child, 
resides on the farm next south of the old home- 
stead, married, and has four children, three 
sons and one daughter. 

Bostwick Chapman is 3et hale and hearty, 
living on the old farm, surrounded with all the 
comforts of life, very energetic and enterpris- 
ing, and identified with every enterprise that 
has for its object the improvement and good of 
the town in which he lives. He is entitled to 
great credit for his contributions and energy 
in erecting the Congregational church, one of 
the most convenient brick churches, complete 
in all its apjjointments, situated on the north 
side of the river. 



JOSIAH C. ASELSTYNE 

Was born April 24, 1802, at Swanton, Ver- 
mont. His parents were Henry and Clarinda 
(Cheeney) ^Vselstyne. His father was a farmer, 
and while clearing land to build a house was 
killed by a falling tree. Mr. Aselstyne came to 
Monroe county in the fall of 1833, and the same 
year aided in building the Stickney saw-mill, 
the first one built in Toledo, Ohio. In 1834 he 
commenced to clear his farm ; his patent bears 
the signature of General Jackson. The farm 
consisted of 100 acres. In June, 1834, he re- 
turned to his native village and there he mar- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



475 



ried Miss H. E. Blodget, Seploml.er 25, 1834. 
Miss Bloilgot was tiic daugiitor of Ilonry and 
Zornah (Harrington) Blodget, and was born 
Septombor H!, 1812, in George, Vermont. 
Soon after their marriage they moved to the 
farm wiicre they now reside, living at tliat 
time in a log house in the woods, with the In- 
dians as their only neighbors. Six children 
Wfi'e born to them, one of whom, Byron J., 
born December 2, 1842, died October 9, 18(5:^. 
He was a member of Company G, Thirty- 
tliird New York State Volunteers. He died in 
a hospital at Bakcrsvillc, Marj-land. 

Horace Aselstyne was b(»rn February 17, 
1851. Married Elizabeth M. Clark May 18, 
1873. Seven children wore born to them : 
Byron J., Maude E. and MaryE. (twins), Blanche 
L., Harr^' E., Frank L., and Klvina, the last 
named dying in infancy. 

ilr. Josiah Aselstyue died May 15, 1853. 
Mrs. Aselstyne married for her second husband 
a Mr. Southworth, who died December 31, 
1885. Mrs. Southworth can relate many inter- 
esting stories of her early life in Monroe coun- 
ty. Her early friends were deer, wolves, etc. 
She resides on the farm where she has always 
lived. She has resided in one Territory, one 
State, one county and tlu'ee towns: French- 
town, Ash, and Berlin. She has been a mem- 
ber of the M. E. church for thirty-six years. 
Mrs. Southworth has returned to visit her 
friends but once since she went to reside on iier 
farm. 

ISAAC ASP:L8TYNE. 

One of the first settlers in the town of Ash, 
was born in Swanton, Vermont, March 7, 1807, 
and at the age of twenty-seven purchased of 
the Government of the United States 121) acres 
of land, which he improved and resided upon 
up to the time of his death, January 24, 1885, 
aged seventy-eight years. Helped chop and 
clear the old State road from Monroe to Flat 
Bock. Was a minister of the gospel in the 
Wesleyan Methodist denomination, and minis- 
tered to the people in the northern part of the 
county from the time ho entered his land to 
the time of his death. Was the first supervisor 
of the town of Ash ; enjoyed the confidence of 
the people, and a number of times was elected 
and held offices of trust in the town. When 
he first located in Monroe county, Josiah Col- 



burn was his nearest neighbor; soon after 
Isaac Donaldson and A. C. Thaj-er purchased 
land adjoining iiis farm, ai>out eight miles from 
Monroe, three miles north of (he settlement of 
Stonj- Creek. 

He was married four times; the daughter by 
the first marriage, Mary E. Skinner, resides at 
Swanton, Vermont. His second wife he mar- 
ried in ^Michigan, but she lived but one year 
after their marriage. Married for his third 
wife Susan Burgess, of Asli, by whom he had 
three children, two sons and one daughter : 
J)ai'ius Aselstyne, born in 1846: resides two 
miles from Carlton; fought during the last 
war, to use his own language, "through eight 
different States of the Union ;" returned to his 
birthplace, married and settled down for lil'e, 
conscious of having proved his devotion to his 
country, hazarded his life in many hard-fougiit 
battles for the preservation of the Union. 
Susan Aselstyne was born in 1848 ; married Mr. 
Rickabough ; resides at Maiden, Iowa ; Abram 
C. Aselstyne was born in 1850; marrietl and 
settled in Northern Michiican. 



JOHN B. SANCRAINT 



W^as a native of Quebec, and accomjianied iiis 
father, Flazet, in the year 1765, on a mission- 
ary tour to the Indians in the Northwest. 
They spent some time establishing missions at 
Black Rock, Fort Meigs, Maumee, Rockwood, 
Gibralter, and present site of Toledo, having 
for their guide an Indian chief — consuming in 
all eighteen months. Mr. Sancraint returned to 
(Quebec, and from that time was engaged as a 
trader with the Indians, making his annual 
trips from Quebec to Detroit, his headquarters, 
lie then made the acquaintance of and married 
Miss Margaret Soleau in the year 1785. Con- 
tinued an Indian trader until 1805, at wliicli 
time he was commissioned by the Government 
of the United States post trader, with head- 
quarters at Detroit. Through his influence 
many of the early French settlers were res- 
cued from the barbarity of the Indians. In 
1801 be accompanied Father Eichard on his 
missionary tour to the Indians and half-breeds 
at Lake Huron and Lake Superior. He re- 
ceived a commission from the United States 
Government and assisted in removing the In- 
dians west of the ilississippi, when be died in 



476 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1838. Five of his sons enlisted in tlie United 
States army in the "War of 1812, and thirty 
sons and grandsons as soldiers in the United 
States arm}' in the year 1861. 



THOMAS SMITH EDWARDS 

Was born in Conneaut, Ashtabula county, 
Ohio, April 12, 1824, and is the tiiird son of 
Obed and Marcia (Wright) P]dward8. His is a 
splendid example of a well-spent life, and at the 
age of sixty- five looks younger than most men 
fifty. His grandfiither was of Scotch and Eng- 
lish extraction, and served through the Revo- 
lutionary War with a conipanj' of colonial 
soldiers raised in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. 
After the war his son Obed, who was born in 
Elizabethtown, New Jersey, March 2, 1783, 
was bound out for a term of six years to learn 
the mysteries of carriage-making, alter which 
he moved to Connecticut, where he pursued his 
trade until 1809, when he moved to Ashtabula 
county, Ohio, and was one of the first pioneers 
of the Western Reserve. He served in the War 
of 1812, after which he turned his attention to 
clearing up a farm, his trade being of small 
account in such a new country. After several 
years he built and operated a saw-mill on 
Ashtabula Creek. He died November 5, 1849. 
His wife, Marie Wright Edwards, was born in 
Wilbraham, Massachusetts, May 19, 1791, and 
died at Chicago, Illinois, October 20, 18G8. 

In the saw mill on Ashtabula Creek, the 
subject of our sketch worked during his minor- 
ity. In 1849 he moved with his bi'otherin- 
law on a dairy farm in Dorset, Ohio, where he 
remained until 1860, when he went into the oil 
business on Oil Creek, Pennsylvania. Here 
he met with fair success, having an interest in 
the third flowing well in the State ; but at that 
time the opportunities for getting oil to market 
and storage being worth more than the oil, 
made the dividends rather small. In 1863 he 
moved back to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where 
he farmed and dealt in lumber until the spring 
of 1874, when he came to Carlton, Monroe 
county, Michigan, and in company with 
Messrs. Adams t*t Blinn, started a mill for the 
manufacture of staves and heading. After- 
wards Mr. Edwards bought the Blinn interest, 
establishing the firm of Edwards & Adams. In 
the j'ear 1887 the mill was destroyed by fire. 



At Andover, Ashtabula county, Ohio, Pebru- 
ary 19, 18G1, he was married to Mary, daugh- 
ter of Salmon and Mary (Cad well) Case, whose 
children are: Frank Luzerne, born April 17, 
1864; Fred. Wright, born October 6, 1866; 
and Charles Loomis, born July 2, 1868. When 
Mr. Edwards first moved to Michigan, it was 
necessary to locate his fiimily at Deerfield 
while their new home was being erected at 
Carlton. He had just completed the same 
and furnished it ready for occupancy when 
Mrs. Edwards was taken sick and died at Deer- 
field, October 6, 1874. The loss of a wife and 
mother fell heavily on the bereaved family, 
occurring as it did just as they were about to 
have a comfortable home, and the -sister of 
Mr. Edwards, Martha J., took a mother's place 
to the boys, and as housekeeper for Mr. Ed- 
wards, brought them u]i with more than a 
mother's care. 

In 1885 Edwards & Adams erected a two- 
storj^ brick block, 66x80, on Monroe street, di- 
vided into three general departments, and well 
filled with all kinds of general merchandise, 
including clothing, hardware, stoves, farming 
tools and agricultural implements. The firm 
is doing a very large business, and is con- 
ducted by Mr. Edwards and his three sons. 
They also manufacture pressed brick and tile, 
which find a ready sale, and are extensively 
interested in farming and raising fine Percheron 
horses. 

Mr. Eduards has never connected himself 
with any religious denomination, but has 
alwa}S, in both social and business transac- 
tions, made it his aim to live up to the golden 
rule, and by honesty of purpose and square- 
ness of dealing, has built up a large and pros- 
perous liusiness in a small town. He has never 
taken any active part in politics, but being 
l)rought up on the Western Reserve of North- 
ern Ohio, the home of Joshua R. Giddings and 
Benjamin P. Wade, he early imbibed an ardent 
love (or the principles advocated by Garrison 
and other anti-slavery reformers, and has been a 
sti-ong Republican ever since the organization 
of that party. 



HON. DANIEL GOODWIN 

Was one of the early emigrants to the Territory 
of Michigan, where he successfully practiced 
law. Was for many years the United States 



4>^WF 



W^ 







BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



47' 



T)istrK'l Attorney lor Miuhiuaii. Was substv 
<iucntiy appointed judge of the cirfuit court, 
and for years jiresided as judge of cii-euit 
court of Jfonroe county, lie served repeatedly 
in our State leij;islature. Was president of the 
constitutional convention of 1850. Appeared 
for the people in the great ti-ial of 1S5I, known 
as the •■ Railroad Conspiracy Case." Was sub- 
sei|uenllj- judge of the circuit court for the 
Northern Peninsula of Michigan. 



(iEN'ERAL LEVI S. Hl'Ml'HREY 

W;is lioi'n in Vermont, and one of early emi- 
grants of Michigan after it became an organized 
Territory. He was for many years a pi-onii- 
ncnt proprietor of tlic stage coaches on the 
south shore of Ijake Erie ; probably did more 
than any man of his da}- to improve the breed 
of horses in the Northwest. For many years 
he was prominent in Southern Michigan as a 
politician. Was many years engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits with Hon. Daniel S. Bacon, 
and was publicly known as 

Talleyrand the great and jiraiid, 

Talleyrand the Dickerer. 
lie was a member of the State legislature, 
one of the commissioners to locate the Southern 
and Central Railroads of Michigan; was con- 
nected with the government as register of the 
land office at Monroe, and as United States 
marshal for the district of Michigan. Was 
afterwards a contractoi' on the Great Western 
and Grand Trunk Railroads in Canada. Sub- 
sequently returned to his old home and re- 
mained until a few months previous to his 
death, when he removed to Wa_\ ne and there 
died. Those who knew him personally can 
never forget his imposing apjjcai'ance as well 
as his gentle manners an<l kind heart. 



WILLIAM V. STI'DDIl-'dUI) 

Is the son of Prter Studdiford, who was born 
in 17t)3, at Xew York city. In 178() he .studied 
for the ministry under L. I-ivingston, in the 
Christian Synod of R. D. Church. W.is ap- 
))Ointed professor of Hebrew in 1812. Possess- 
ing large views of Divine truth, and a rich 
store of various knowledge, he was ready, in- 
structive, and forcible in his jireaching. lie 
loved his work, and shrank not from effort in 



its ])crformance. He was a faithful and affec- 
tionate pastor, a patriotic citizen, and a humble, 
devout, and liberal-minded Christian. He ex- 
celled as an extemporaneous preacher, tran- 
scending himself, when suddenly called on to 
take the place of some absentee These efforts 
had more than the force of an elaborate prepara- 
tion. 

Rev. Peter Studdiford's church called his son, 
the Rev. P. O. Studdiford, who was pastor of 
the Presbyterian church at l>amliertsville, 
New Jersey. Ilischurch was so united in him, 
and opposed his going, that he declined the 
call and was pastor of thatchurcb for forty-five 
j-ears. They then called his son, who contin- 
ued their pastoi- until his death. For more 
than seventy years father and son filled the 
same pulpit. 

In 1833 the subject of this sketch left his 
native State and spent two years in Ovid, Sen- 
eca county, New York, and in 1835 came to 
Monroe. Previous to coming here he had se- 
cured a fine library, thinkinghe was going out 
of civilization. To his surprise when he ar- 
rived here he found a population of as intelli- 
gent people as he ever met, fai' above the aver- 
age of places of the same size in4he East, with 
all the culture of the older States, with a bar 
far exceeding any other place in the State, with 
such men as Wing, Noble, Felch, McCleanland, 
Thurber and others, placed it ahead of any 
place in the State. He arrived here just in 
time to enter into the excitement of the specu- 
lation of 1836. In that year he bought the 
upper water power and saw mills, and so great 
was the demand for lumber to build, that the 
mills netted SO, 000 profit that year. He also 
made a conti-act in Buffalo, and shipped the 
first black walnut, oak and ash lumber that 
was shipped from the State. In 1837 came the 
great revulsion that swept over the whole 
country. When the times began to inipi-ove, 
he built the brick store above the upper bridge, 
the stone store on Front street, and .several 
dwellings. When the Presbj'tcrian church 
was built he was chairman of the committee, 
with Charles Noble and I). S. Bacon, paying 
about S3,000 and taking some fifteen pews as 
paj'ment. Along about 1844 he was elected 
justice of the peace. In 1849 anri 1850 he be- 
came quite largely interested in steamboats. 
June 20, 1850, one of the steamers in which he 
was interested (the Griffith) burned, with a 



478 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



loss of 250 lives, includius Captain Roby and 
his entire family, with Mr. Studdiford's own 
dear wife. The same fall he lost the steamer 
Wave, a new boat he had built. This was a 
sad and disastrous year for him. In 1852 he 
moved to Buffalo, New York, and in 1856 to 
New York City. He has been actively en- 
caged in business since he has been there; ob- 
taining two charters for city railroads in 
Brooklyn, building them both, and was presi- 
dent of one for years. He is now seventy- 
seven years old, waiting the Master's call, with 
a firm faith and not a doubt. 



WALTER P. CLARICE 
Was born in Rhode Island, came to Michigan 
in 1832, and settled in Monroe in 1834, where 
he commenced the grocery business, which he 
continued for some years. In 1842 he was 
elected mayor of the city, and until his removal 
West, in connection with railroad construction 
contracts, he was one of the leading business 
and public men of the place. In connection 
with the late Thomas G. Cole, Mr. Clarke was 
a moving spirit in the construction of the 
Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Rail- 
road from Monroe to Adrian. They founded 
the village of Deerfield, and built the mills at 
that place. After the completion of this work, 
Mr. Clarke, with his three sons (Walter P., 
Stephen G., and Frank B. Clarke), undertook 
heavy contracts for construction of section8.of 
track on the Michigan Central, the Illinois 
Central, the Rock Island, and the Chicago, 
Burlington and Quincy Railroads. After the 
completion of these enterprises he purchased 
a farni in Illinois, upon which he resided for 
several years, but finally returned to Monroe, 
where the mother of his children and partner 
of his joys and sorrows died, April 11, 1870. 
Mr. Clarke was a kind and devoted husband 
and father, a warm-hearted, genial, and oblig- 
ing friend and neighbor. 

He was buried on Tuesday, March 5, IST.'ijat 
2 o'clock p. m., from Trinity church, of which lie 
was a member, leaving in addition to the three 
sons named above, one daughter, who was mar- 
ried to the Hon. Joseph M. Sterling, of Monroe. 



Otsego county. New York. His father was for 
many years a prosperous merchant in Monroe, 
and subsequently a railroad builder and con- 
tractor. The subject of this sketcii was edu- 
cated in Monroe and first attended school 
taught by John P. Rowe, Esq., subsequently a 
wealthy farmer and stock-raiser in Erie. 
Spent two years at Milnor Hall, preparatory 
deparatment of Kenyon College, Ohio, and 
finished his course of study with the Rev. 
Samuel Center, principal of the Michigan 
branch of the University, at Monroe, Michi- 
gan. He was married JSovember 20, 1844, to 
Martha Davidson Darrah, daughter of George 
W. Darrah, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Has 
one daughter, Mrs. Lottie Shepbard, wife of 
a lumber merchant of Chicago, and two sons, 
Harry and Byron, both with their fatlier en- 
gaged in railroad enterprises. Their son 
Frank, a very promising young busine.ss man, 
married Miss Mary Holly, formerly of Mon- 
roe, died at his father's residence at Wright's 
Grove, in Chicago. Mr. Clarke was for two 
successive terms mayor of the city of Monroe, 
chief of the fire department, for three succes- 
sive terms clerk of the county of Monroe. Re- 
moved with his family to Chicago, and has 
been largely engaged as a contractor and 
builder of railroads up to the present time. He 
is now president of the International Construc- 
tion Company, whicli is building 1,500 miles of 
railroad in Mexico; president of the New 
York Construction Company, which is now 
building a railroad from Columbus, Ohio, to 
Saugatuck, Michigan ; president of the North- 
western Colonization and Improvement Com- 
pany, which owns 2,500,000 acres of land in 
Mexico; president of the Lansing City Rail- 
way Companj^, also of the Janesville Street 
Railway Company; is largely interested in the 
construction of the Sonora, Sinaloa and Chihua- 
hua Railway, also in the Deming, Sierra ^Madre 
and Pacific Railway, also in the Columbus, Linui 
and Milwaukee Railway, the belt line around 
Columbus, and a line of steamers to run be- 
tween Saugatuck and Milwaukee, as well as 
large land interests in Mexico, which occupy 
his entire time and attention. 



STEPHEN G. CLARKE, 
Son of Walter P. Clarke and Abigail (Marsh) 
Clarke, was born March 24, 1822, at Plainfield, 



CHAUNCEY JOSLYN 



Was born at Throopsville, Cayuga county. 
New York, June 28, 1813. Educated at Tem- 





0. ^j^ovv 



.VUx^ 



BIOGRAI'UICAL SKETCHES. 



470 



])lc Ifill, fjivingston county. After leavinsj 
school he ciigatjed in teaching for five years, 
when he began the study of law. In 1837 ho 
settled in Ypsiianti. lie was elected a repre- 
sentative to the State Legislature in lS4:i, ap- 
pointed a member of the State Board of Hduca- 
tion in 1851, and judge of probate, Washtenaw 
eouTity, in 1851. In 1851 he was appointed 
one of the commissioners to construct tlie St. 
Mary's Falls ship canal. Was mayor of Ypsi- 
ianti in 1858 ; elected judge of the twenty- 
second judicial circuit in April, 1881, on the 
Democratic ticket ; served his judicial term of 
six years. Ilis death occurred October 31, 1889. 



JOHN STRONG, JR., 



Senator from the tiftli district ( Monroe county), 
was born in Greenfield, Wa\ ne county, Michi- 
gan, April 7, 1831. Eeceived a common school 
education and followed farming in that town- 
sliip until 1863. Then he removed to South 
Kockwood, Monroe county, where he engaged 
in milling, manufacturing staves, heading and 
lumber, in merchandise, farming and raising 
shoi't-horncd stock. Was a member of the 
House of Representatives in 1861, from second 
district of Wayne county, and from the second 
district of Monroe county in 1879. Mr. Strong 
is a Democrat. Was a member of the State 
Senate in 1880 and re-elected in 1882. Is re- 
garded as one of the most enterprising, sub- 
stantial and wealth}- men of Southern Michigan. 



ARCHIBALD BAIRDDAKRAH, 

l\e])resiiitative from Gratiot eounly, \vas Ijoiii 
in Monroe count}', J»eeeinber 22, 1840. lie 
prepared for college at the Monroe Academ}-, 
and graduated in the classical department of 
Michigan I'niversity in 1868. While a student 
in the university, he enlisted in 1862 as a pi-iv 
ate soldier in the Eighteenth Michigan Volun- 
teer Infantry ; was transferred in January, 1863, 
to the Ninth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, in 
which regiment he served until the close of the 
war of the rebellion. After leaving the mili- 
tary service he became jirincipal of the I'nion 
Schools at Jackson, Michigan, which position he 
held for two years, resigning to accept the office 
of county superintendent of schools. lie re- 
moved to Gratiot county, Michigan, in 1870, 



and established the first banking office in that 
county at St. Louis, where he now resides, on- 
gaged in the same business. lie has held the 
office of count}- treasurer of Gratiot county, 
president of the village of St. Louis, also seve- 
ral other local minor offices. Was elected to 
the State House of Representatives on the Re- 
publican ticket in 1882. 



JOSEPH B. GALE 



Was born in Monroe (son of Samuel Gale, one 
of the early settlers) in 1830, and lived with 
his parents on the Gale farm, so called, now 
known as the county farm, on which the poor- 
house is erected, until he was twenty. three 
years of age. Heingfond of adventure, he de- 
termined to seek his fortune in the far west. 
On his route, the Eock Island Eailroad, from 
Chicago to LaSalle, was partially covered with 
water from the melting snows, rendering it 
neces.sary for persons to wade in front of the 
engine to know when the track was in good 
order. From Ihence he took passage on a 
boat to St. Louis, and great was his surprise at 
the change in climate and the contrast between 
sleighing in Michigan and gardens under cul- 
tivation and trees in full bloom in South- 
ern Illinois. From thence he journej-ed 
to Cedar ilapids, Iowa, then contain- 
ing a population of almost 300, whei'e he 
remained about six years, during which time 
he made several hazardous trips through Kan- 
sas and the Indian Territorj-, where he, with 
his companions, encountered severe fighting 
with Indians and losing their horses therein. 
In the second trip to Kansas he made the ac- 
(juaintance of John Brown, James Lane, John 
Richie, Col. IIolliday,Wm. and B. C. Ross, promi- 
nent men that were active in the Kansas strug- 
gles and controversies. In 1859 he was one of 
the first adventurers to Pike's Peak, and cam|)ed 
on Cherry Creek, the present site of Denver. 
He undertook and was successful in his enter- 
prise of carrying freight from Leavenworth to 
Denver, requiring three months for a trip, tak- 
ing freight of 600 or 800 pounds with four 
horses, leaving a bag of grain aboutovery third 
day to feed on the return trip, receiving as 
compensation 813 per hundred. They slept at 
night under their wagons, and learned bv ex- 
perience that horses and mules would awaken 
thera by their uneasiness if Indians or wild 



480 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



animals approached them, pi-oving that hovses 
ami mules are good guards to give warning 
of an approaching enemy. Stop|)ing his teams 
to allow herds of buffalo to pass was a common 
occurrence, and the hills would often be black 
as far as the eye could reach with herds of 
buffalo. 

In 1861, when the war broke out, he accom- 
panied General Ijane as a scout, and continued 
as such with him until the general was elected 
to the United States Senate, during which 
time he met with many hairbreadth escapes. 
He was taken prisoner by the (^uantrell baud 
of which the notorious Hart was captain. 

He was in Kansas at the time of the burning 
of Leaven worth, and at 10 o'clock at night, with 
his comrades, left for Leavenworth and rode 
forty miles, but on reaching it found the town 
in ashes, with about twenty citizens murdered. 
They captured a number of the band and he 
observed on one tree five of them hanging and 
learned two more were added the .same day. 
While engaged in government cniploy as a 
scout, he was constantly riding through Kan- 
sas, Missouri, the Indian Territory and Ark- 
ansas. 

At the close of the war of the reljellion he 
left Leavenworth for Montana in March, 1865, 
and reached Virginia City August 20th, a dis- 
tance of over 3,000 miles. The compau}', for 
protection against the Indians, consisted of 350 
able-bodied men and fifty women and children, 
and were organized as a military company. 
On reaching Virginia City the company dis- 
banded. Prom this jioint he traveled about 
2,000 miles by compass and an Indian guide, 
reaching the headwaters of the Powder River 
and from thence to the headwaters of the Big 
Horn River, frequently annoj^ed by the In- 
dians, who were constantly on the war-path : 
from thence to the Yellowstone River, Boseman 
and Fort Ellis, never daring to send the stock 
out to graze with herders without first sending 
out pickets beyond the herders. 

Por the next six years Mr. Gale was inter- 
ested prospecting in Montana when there were 
no permanent settlers there. On his arrival 
he invited a friend to take a square meal with 
him at a restaurant and at the conclusion of 
the meal threw down a five-dollar greenback, 
and surprised was he when told his bill for the 
two dinners was $3 in gold, and that greenbacks 
passed for but forty cents on the dollar ; then 



cigars in addition at twenty-five cents each in 
gold, or four cigars for a two-dollar bill ; that 
the smallest change used was quarters. He 
has often hunted deer and antelope where the 
beautiful city of Helena now stands, which him 
grown from a few mining huts to a city of sev- 
eral thousand inhabitants. Provisions he has 
known so scarce that flour sold for $220 a bar- 
rel, bacon $1 per pound, beans $1, coffee $1.25, 
sugar $1 per pound. Tobacco and whisky at 
any price holders chose to ask. 

Mr. Gale has attended prospecting jjarties \ 
through the country where the brave General 
Custer with his comrades were massacred, in 
the fall of 1870 he returned to his old home 
after an absenceof eighteen years. His life has 
been full of adventures, and limited space pro- 
vents giving moi'e at length the important 
events of his life. 

He has now returned to the home of his child- 
hood to spend the evening of his daj-s. Mild 
and gentle in manner and feelings, yet bold as 
a lion in emergencies, he is little inclined to 
speak of his experience, which would be of 
great interest would the limits of this .sketch 
permit. 

Soon after his return from the West he mar- 
ried Mrs. Harrington ami now resides at Mon- 
roe, Michigtin. 



STEPHEN BROWN WAKEFIELD, 



P 



Son of Simeon B. Wakefield, was born Jul}' 29, 
1814, in Williston, Vermont, and lived upon his 
father's farm until tvventy-one years of age. 
He emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, where he re- 
mained until 1838, when he removed to Monroe, 
and in 1840 was married to Miss Victoria 
Shovarre, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Bes- 
sonette Shovarre, who were early settlers of 
Monroe county, and of French descent. By 
this marriage six children were born, three of 
whom are now living : George S., a prosperous 
farmer of Eaisinviile; Mary Victoria, wife of 
Captain B. H. Alfred, of Monroe ; and Franklin 
J., of Detroit. Mrs. Wakefield fell a victim to 
cholera iji the fall of 1854. Mr. Stephen B. 
Wakefield married September 19, 1866, his 
second wife, Esther, widow of James R. Moore; 
her maiden name was Gibson, daughter of 
Mathew Gibson, who with his family settled in 
Monroe in 1833. One child was born of this 
union, Stephen B., jr. Mr. Wakefield on arriv- 





7:^^^ 







ML-NSEl :, /. c 



lUOGRAPHICAI. SKETCHES. 



4S1 



iiiirat .Monroe oiiiiMijocI in tlu' livery and slairinir 
business, anil carried the United States mail 
(Void Detroit to Toledo for nearl^^ thirty years. 
His large briek liverj- stable on Wasiiiiiiiton 
street was burned on St. Patriek's day in ISiiS. 
was rebuilt the same year and the building- is 
still leased for the same business. Mr. Wake- 

r'field contracted for and built the Saline plank 

I road to Milan in two years. In 1858, liuill ten 
miles of the Erie plank road, of which he be- 
came the owner. He soon after constructed 
the Monroe and Flat Hock plank road and was 

I elected president of the same; healso built the 
Monroe City and Harbor plank road. In 18(54 
he macadamized two miles of road (rom Water- 
loo Mills to the docks, and was a very liberal 
c-bntributor to the construction of the Monroe, 
Holly and Wayne Kailroad, now a i)art of the 
Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad. In 1870 
built under contract ten miles of the Canada 
Southern Kailroad between Toledo and Detroit. 
In 1880 built twelve miles of the railroad be- 
tween Adrian and Detroit. In 1887 built 
twenty-five miles of the Nickel Plate Eailroad 
between Painesville, Ohio, and the State of 
Pennsylvania, and graded the same road be- 
tween Cleveland, Ohio, and Erie, Pennsylvania. 
In 1882 built twelve miles of the Michigan and 

' Ohio Railroad between Dundee and Marshall, 
Michigan. In 1886 built seven miles of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. In 
1887 built under contract one mile of the 
Chicago, Santa Fe and California Railroad, and 
the same year removed two hundred thousand 
3-ardsof dirt near New Cambria, Mason county, 
.Missouri. Several three stor}- brick stores on 
Washington street with a frontage oftwent}'- 
nine rods and five feet were built in 1 804 by 
Mr. Wakefield. 

Mr. Wakefield, now seventy-four years of age, 
is living on his old homestead, a farm of thirty- 
five acres, on w'hich is the celebrated Shaw- 
nee spring, deservedlj' popular for its excel- 
lent medicinal qualities. It is situated one 
mile and a half south of Monroe, and a resort 
for those suffering from rheumatism. 

During the late war Mi-. Wakefield, in com- 
l)aiiy with Joseph M. Sterling, [mrchased horses 
for the United States Government, and filled 
the contract for the commissar}' department of 
the Seventh Regiment of Infantry, of which 
I. R. Grosvenor was colonel. Mr. Wakefield 
was of great assistance in raising and recruit- 



ing tlie Fifteenth Michigan Regiment of In- 
faniry, named after Colonel Mulligan, and com- 
manded by Colonel John M.Oliver. 

When the subject of building the Union 
school was first brought before the public it met 
with much opposition, and credit is due Mr. 
Wakefield. Colonel Frazy Winans, Joseph M. 
Stirling and Jefterson G. Thurber, lor the active 
part taken by them in the cause of education 
(or the masses. When a final vote of submit- 
ting it to the people was urged, an eloquent 
speech by the Hon. J. G. Thurber succeeded in 
securing a majority vote. The grounds wore 
purchased and a fine building was erected, 
which has ever since been a source of ])ride 
and satisfaction to tlio citizens. 

Mr. Wakefield has been an active Democrat, 
and in 1882 was elected by an unanimous vote 
justice of the peace of the town of Monroe. 
He is a member ol the Protestant Episcopal 
chui-eh. As a citizen he has been honored, 
as a man esteemed, as a friend reliable in 
judgment, liberal and kind to the poor. He 
has been one of the most ]>ublic spirite<l men 
of Monroe, always foremost in advancing llie 
interests and prosperity of the city. 



ALEX.XNDKU (iK.XXT 



W'as born in Monroe, Michigan, Februaiy It!. 
1853; his ancestors on lioth sides wei'e Scotch. 
His father was tiorn in Scotland, and was a 
representative of the reliable and best qualities 
of the Scottish character. He died when his 
children were quite young, the subject of Ibis 
sketch being but twelve j'ears of ago. Tlu-ough 
the unwearied efforts of his faithful mother, he 
was enalilcd to gain a good education, complet- 
ing his course at the high school among the 
first in his class. Nature not only endowed 
him with a clear and active mind, bui gave him 
perseverance and a dignity of'cliaraclcr. which 
commanded the respect of old and young. 
From earh- childhooil he was taught habitsol in- 
dustry, and was energetic and thorough in what- 
ever he undertook. Alexander Grant enteivd 
the Monroe postoffico imnicdiatel}' upon leav- 
ing school at the age i>f' sixteen, and received 
ten dollars a month as clerk. He remained in 
the postoftice in various capacities for two years 
and a half, when he secured the ]>osition of 
mail-route agent on the railroad from Monroe 



482 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



to Holly, Mifliijiran, the road having just been 
completed. After nix months the run was ex- 
tended from Toledo, Ohio, to Bay City, Michi- 
gan, and soon after to Eeed City, Michigan. 
His services giving much satisfaction, he 
was promoted in June, 1874, to the more im- 
portant route from Toledo to Chicago. He 
continued upon this line for seven years, fill- 
ing every position from " roustabout " to head 
clerk. • Mr. Grant left the railroad department 
to enter the oiBce of division superintendent at 
Cleveland, Ohio, as examiner, which position 
he held until October, 1S83, when he was de- 
tailed to the office of general superintendent of 
the railway mail service, Washington, D. C. 
Here his work took a wider scope, and he came 
in direct contact with affairs of the postofflee 
department of the United States, involving the 
interest of the whole world. Here he acquitted " 
himself BO admirably, and showed such a com- 
prehensive knowledge of that very compli- 
cated department of our government, that 
after filling with satisfaction various import- 
ant desks, he was appointed chief clerk of the 
entire i-ailway mail service in December, 1884, 
and three years after was promoted to the office 
of assistant superintendent, which he still 
holds. Mr. Grant has attended faithfully to 
the interests of the departiueiit through many 
changes in the administration, and has been 
found indispensible to the different postmaster 
generals. His friends are numerous in both 
parties, and his friends in all parts of the 
country have manifested a strong desire to have 
Mr. Grant appointed to a still highei' position 
for which he is eminently qualified. 



ELI8HA BARDOW HITCHCOCK, 

Son of Samuel and Jemima Hitchcock, was 
burn in Amcnia, Dutchess county. New Voi'k, 
February 2, 1704. When quite young, his 
father purchased a farm of nearly 300 acres in 
Schodack, Rens.sclaer county, and removed his 
family tliither ; but dying when Elisha was 
twelve years old, his mother sent him to school 
until he was sixteen, at which time he entered 
the store of Schermerhorii & Co., on tiie Hud- 
son, where ho remained until twenty-one. His 
eldest brother, who was doing a successful mer- 
cantile business in Newville, Herkimer county, 
immediately received him as a partner. Soon 



after he married Miss Christina Spoor, daugh- 
ter of a well-to-do farmer of the same town. 
The sudden and unexpected termination of the 
war with Great Britain found them with^quite 
a stock of goods on hand, for which a high 
price had been paid, and they were obliged to 
sustain heavy losses. After mature considera- 
tion it was thought better to close business. 
When matters were amicably adjusted the 
younger partner removed to Rensselaer county 
and commenced fiirming, occupying a portion 
of the homestead, whicli had never been divided. 
Of their children, the first was born in Her- 
kimer county, six sons and two daughters were 
added in Rensselaer county, and four sons 
born in Monroe county, completed the circle. 
May 1, 1834, found us equipj^ed and under 
way for Michigan, father having been the year 
before and selected a place for a home. Ar- 
riving in Albany, 363 miles on the Erie canal 
took us to Buftalo, where we remained 
seven days, windbound, but came to Vistula, 
now Toledo, on the 17th, in tim.e to learn that 
the man who engaged to build a log house for 
us had failed to fulfill the contract; how- 
ever, he met us with two teams to convey 
us to a place within two miles of our own, 
where we might find shelter until one could 
be pre]>ared for us. The house was one 
room, made of logs, the home of five persons, 
and with our family of eleven persons, 
made us pretty thickly settled. Father 
bought a yoke of oxen and two cows from 
a drove near Monroe. A wagon and fai'in im- 
plements we brought with us. A man 
was hired, and at the end of four weeks wo 
moved into our own house, if house it might be 
called, without door, window, roof or chimney. 
Oak boards had been procured from a saw mill 
nearly twenty miles distant. No uncommon 
sisjht was the passage of a company of Indians, 
squaws, pappooses and ponies, along a trail 
near which our house was built, and occa- 
sionally the\- camped for a few days but few 
rods awa}-. Though at first we felt somewhat 
uncasv, yet we learned to be less fearful. 
But the fear of Indians and wild beasts bore 
little comparison to the fear that took posses- 
sion of some of us at the prospective Toledo 
war, as the troops were marching so near us 
in that direction. The lapse of time, together 
with the horrors of the civil war that was 
precipitated upon us, has made that aftair to 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



483 



ajipcar of less sii^Tiifictvncc, thoiifili tlicir cuusc 
as President Willits says, was settled in such 
a way that both sides were victorious. 

The first season we were quite fortunate in 
escaping sickness. The coming of a couple of 
families tended somewhat to break the monot- 
ony that had been so apparent before. 

In the fall of 183() our oldest bi'other went 
East to attend school, where ho remained nearly 
two years. That winter we enjoyed the first 
])rivilege of attending school. A room was 
fitted up in the chamber of Jackson Hoag's log 
house. The room was furnished with a few 
benches, writing desk, and warmed by a stove- 
j)ipo passing through. The school embraced 
the children of the two families, with our old- 
est sister for teacher. The long vacation 
seemed to have given a keen relish for study, 
and the school made fair advancement. That 
sister taught the Hopewell school, across the 
line, in the summer of 1837 ; was married 
December 10th of the same year. The fall of 
1S40 was one of severe sickness to us; but one 
escaping, Henry, now a farmer in Southern 
Iowa. I make brief mention of our father, his 
illness and death, which occurred August 2, 
1844. Though he had never a strong consti- 
tution, yet ho was industrious at work or study, 
and was, at times, chosen to fill an office in 
town. He was elected assessor, inspector, and 
supervisor, as the records will show. I remem- 
ber as supervisor he opposed building such an 
expensive court house, as he thought the county 
too poor at that time. Ho had long suffered 
from an affection of the liver, but had appeared 
for a time more energetic than usual ; had suc- 
ceeded well with the harvest and haying, but 
he took a sudden cold. His disease was ushered 
in with a chill which the family mistook for 
ague. A physician was called who decided at 
once that his case was a very dangerous one, 
" chronic hepatitis of the liver." All was of 
no avail for improvement. Hefirsteomplained 
on Saturday. After Monday he was too ill 
jierhans, to realize much about his surround- 
ings, and died Friday at noon, in the presence 
of all his family save the one who makes this 
record, who was attending school in Oborlin at 
the time. The depressing effect of the sad 
news was such that though surrounded by 
many friends, I found I must endure my sor- 
row comparatively alone. It appeared to me 
I could never study more ; even the thought of 



opening a linok became painful, and in a fow 
days I returned home only to find that the half 
of the desolation and grief abiding there had 
not been told me. Five brothers attended 
school in Oberlin. The Michigan schools had 
not then attained their present celebrity. Nine 
of the whole have taught. Our brothers are 
for the most part farmers in Bedford. The 
homestead is now owned and occujiied by 
George, the youngest. Our youngest sister, 
Charlotte, is -the wife of Samuel Southard, 
farmer, near West Toledo, while one brother in 
business in Chicago, was recently elected for 
the seventeenth year in succession, superin- 
tendent of what is known as '• the Moody Sab- 
bath School," of nearly 2,000 pupils of all ages. 
If any wonder why we have not made a broader 
mark, I reply it may be a wonder we have done 
no worse. While so many other incidents are 
before my mind, I will simply say we are still 
trying to work out the ])roblom of mortal life 
as best we can, according to the light that is 
in us. Eliza IIitciicock Candee. 

South Wmiteford, Nov. 20, 1889. 



JICKOMK 15. GALLOWAY. 

John and Alinda Galloway settled near 
ronliac in 1820. Removed to Monroe county, 
settled on the farm in lluisinville, on the north 
side of the River Raisin, ten miles above the 
city of Monroe, in March, 1840. lve]it a hotel, 
known as the John Galloway Inn, lor live 
years, and passed through all the hardships in- 
cident to clearing a farm in a new country. 
Their pioneer neighbors were A. P. Ta\-lor, A. 
B. Bentley, Michael Warner, A. Barnahy and 
Jacob Brown. 

Jerome B. Galloway, the subject of this 
.skcich, married Lois Bentley A])ril 15, 1855. 
p]nlisted in September, 1801, in Company I, 
Berdan's First United Stales Sharpshooters. 
Served through the peninsular eam])aign under 
General George B. McClelland as hos])ital 
steward ; was in the field all the time with the 
field and staff officers ; was mustered out in 
the fall of 1802, and served in the secret ser- 
vice until 18G4, then enlisted as sergeant in 
Company B, Fourth Michigan Infantry. Re- 
mained on dutj- at Detroit until the following 
March; then was mustered as second-lieutenant 
Company A, Eleventh Michigan Infantry, and 



484 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



soon after as fii-Nt lieutenant ot same companj'. 
Had eonimand of Fort Altoona, northeast of 
Chattanooga, and of Block House No. Four, 
East Tennessee, durini;- the summer of 1805. 
Eeturned 1o Mcmroe, and with his family re- 
moved to Dundee, Monroe eounty, in 187G. 
Wa.s a member of the school board in 1879 and 
1880; mendier of the village council two years, 
street ((ininiissioner two j-ears and village 
niarf^lial two years, and was elected and served 
as constable eight j-ears in succession, lias 
four ciiildren, one of whom, Charles F, (iallo- 
way, aged thirty, resides at Dundee. 



RICHARFt PKTERS. 

Of Petersl>urg, was one of the early pioneers 
of Monroe county, and his services has been 
invaluable in aiding to clear up and redeeming 
an unhi'oken wilderness from the savages and 
wild beasts which inhabited it. He pui'chased 
from the United States (Joveriinient some six 
hundred acres of land, about live hundred of 
which he cleared and brought into an cxctd. 
lent state of cultivation. 

He emigrated from Harperstield, Delaware 
ccunt'r, jSfew York, in 1824, at which place he 
received a common school education, and at 
which place he was married to Polly Wilcox, 
and proceeding directly to the .spot where the 
village of Petersbui-g now stands, where he 
built a hut and commenced improvements, with 
Morris and Lewis Wells and their families the 
nearest neighbors, two miles distant. The last 
two or three miles of road he cut through the 
wilderness. The family then consisted of a 
wife an<l three children, the former died in 
1834, and the latter are all still living. Mr. 
Eichard Peters held himself aloot' from all 
kinds of offices; was highly esteemed as a 
cili/.en and a tirst-elass tarmci-, anil though 
averse to holding office, was, notwithstanding 
this, fi'equontly forced to accept township 
offices, and was supei-visor of the town of 
Raisinville eight or ten \ ears, w hicli town then 
embraced Sumnierfiold, Dundee, Whiteford, 
Bedford, Ida, London and Milan. He died at 
the old homestead of inflammation of the lungs 
after a short illness of six weeks, at the ad- 
vanced a;.;e sixty-four years. His eldest son 
George was born September 21, 1822, at 



Harperstield, now residing on a part of tiie old 
homestead farm ; has been repeatedly honored 
with offices, indicating the esteem in which he 
is held ; has served the town as school inspector; 
was nineteen years supervisor; member of the 
House of Repi'esenlative in 1861 and 1862, and 
a member of the St:ite Senate in 1867 and 1868. 
He married Miss Mai-y J. Holmes; has one son, 
Eichard G., who resides on the home farm, and 
one daughter, who was married to Mr. Eay, 
and resides in Buffalo, New York. 

John resides on a portion of the old home- 
stead farm ; married Ellen Burnham; has two 
daugliters receiving their education in Oberlin 
College, Ohio. He is esteemad as a very sub- 
stantial and enterprising farmer, and has 
always resided on the farm, with the exception 
of a few years that he spent in California. 



KZRA L, LOCK WOOD 



Was born in Watertown. Connecticut, June 16, 
1831, his father, Jacob Lockwood, and his 
mother, Maria Scovill Lockwood, being pure 
tyjies of the •' Yankee." At the age of thirteen 
his mother died, and from this time on he has 
had to rely on his own resources. 

Mr. Ijockwood came to Michigan in the fall 
of 1850 and went to worJc in the township of 
Dundee. From this time until the jjrescnt he 
has always resided in this State, except two 
years, from 1853 to 1855, which were spent in 
the State of Illinois. 

In 1855 he, in ])artnership with Morgan 
Parker, purchased the water power and mills 
in Petersburgh. and they ran these mills until 
1861 when the ijartnership was ended. After 
closing up his business he found himself with 
no capital except his own push and labor. 

lie married Jennie Hall on the 29th of 
December, 1859, and these two with nothing 
but a superabundant amount of pluck and 
willingness to work, in 1862 moved upon an 
eighty acres of land in section twenty-seven 
of the township of Summerfield, upon which 
they had made a first pnyment of forty 
dollars. At this time it was a wilderness, 
and Mr. Lockwooil with his own hands 
cut the timber from a small spot upon 
which he built. At this time they had no 
neighbor within two miles. The land in the 




(y(^cc^-^ -u^ (^2^1 




-tii^VV' 



^k^z^o^ 



BIOGRAPHICAI. SKETCHES. 



485 



vicinity was a very strong soil, but was so wet 
and far from a natural outlet that by nianj- it 
was considered wortliless. He at once devised 
a plan for draining, maUing roads, and re- 
(•lainiing the thousands of acres of this land, 
and in spite ot strong oj)position, lie succeeded 
in getting laid and constructed, one after an- 
other, the great drains which were needed in 
order to put these lands in an}^ shape for use. 
One of these drains, which bears its projectors 
name, traverses the county of Monroe from its 
western limit to its outlet in Lake Krio, and is 
in places thirteen feet deep and forty feet wide. 
While carrying on tliese improvements ho also 
purchased more land from lime to time, until in 
1875 he was the owner of three thousand and 
twenty acres. As a result of the drainage the 
countrv, which, a few years ago was considered 
worthless, being covered with water nearly all 
the year round, is now one of the most pro- 
ductive sections of the county, and is fast 
being made into the finest farms. Mr. Ijock- 
wood has for several years been the largest 
breeder of cattle in the count}', and keeps 
about two hundred head upon his i'arm, with a 
butter dairy of eighty cows. He also keeps 
and breeds horses and hogs quite extensivelj'. 
lie is still an active man. full to overflowing 
with i)ush and energy, and keeps himself busy 
carrying on a farm of eleven hundred acres in 
one bod}-, which he has bought largel}- by his 
own labor from a wilderness to a high state of 
productiveness. 

Mr. Lockwood has been a very busy man, 
and has always taken an active interest in 
social, educational and political matters, but 
has never had an}- hankering for office. Of 
late years, he and his wife have been ver}' 
active in all the farmers' clubs, institutes and 
conventions of the county and State, and their 
favorable and taking talks have become a com- 
mon feature of all the gatherings of the farmers 
of the counly. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Lockwood have raised a family 
of three boj's and two girls, Harr}- A. being an 
attorney at law in Monroe. iLiry F. is a 
teacher in the State Normal school at Ypsilanti. 
Gertrude J. is a teacher in the high school of 
Jackson, Michigan. Willard Hzra is the farmer 
of the family, and is sharing the burden of 
carrj'ing on the work begun by the father, 
while Lamont IL is a student in ihe .Michigan 
Slate Normal school. 



AI.FRl'^D \Vll,Ki;K.'<n\ 
Was born February L'), 182(1, in the town of 
fjed^'ard, Cayuga, co\inty. New York. Re- 
moved to Dundee, Monroe county, Michigan, 
with his parents in the fall of lS8(i, settled on a 
farm in section nine, and about the first work 
that Mr. Wilkerson, then a lad of seventeen, 
did, was to assist in building a log school house, 
with an old-fashioned fire-place, in the vicinity 
of his homo. It was also used as a church, and 
was located near the ])lace now occupied by 
the brick church at Clarksville. Mr. Wilker- 
son's family had been in their new home 
scarcely three j'ears when both his father and 
molher were taken ill with feveranddied within 
tour days of each other, leaving a famil}' of six 
children, one son, older than the subject of this 
sketch, and four daughters, all of whom have 
since died, leaving Alfred the only living mem- 
ber of the family. 

In November, 1842, Mr. Wilkerson married 
Harriet M. Treraan and settled on the farm on 
"hich he still resides, and he often tells his 
j'oung friends of the first time ho took his 
bride to visit her father's family after thcj- were 
married with a pair of oxen and sled. To them 
were born four children — .lustus S., Horace 
A., Theodore C. and May A. M., all of whom 
are living and married. Mrs. Wilkerson died 
in 18G1. Mr. Wilkerson afterwards married 
Maggie A. Stewart, of good old Scotch an- 
cestry. She is the mother of Nora Dell. 

Mr. Wilkerson has alwaj-s been identified 
with all the interests and business of his town 
and county ; is a staunch Republican ; was 
member of the legislature in the years of 1858 
and 1859; was school director twenty -five 
years. An accomplished drill officer of militia, 
gave thirty boys a lesson in chopping wood at 
the Michigan Agricultural College at Lansing, 
and there acquired the title of ■' Professional 
Chopper.'' 

Friday, February 15. 1889, was the sixty- 
ninth birthday of Brother Alfred Wilkerson, 
and Sunday, February 17th. was the fiftieth 
anniversary of his reception into the Methodist 
Hpiscopal church of Dundee on probation. His 
friends to the number of nearly two huntlred 
assembled on his birthday to celebrate both 
events. Refreshments were served. Mr. J. J. 
Dixon, of the Dundee bank, referring to Mr. 
Wilkerson's record as farmer, representative 
in the legislature, and citizen, presented him, 



4S6 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



on behalf of coutribulin!;- friends, with a gold- 
hoadod cane. Pastor Morgan reviewed briefly 
Brother Wilkerson's early history, coming as a 
lad of sixteen with his parents, two brothers 
and fou-r sisters, in 183G, from Aurora, New 
York, to Dundee. Two years later his parents 
both died in one week, and his sisters and 
brothers have departed one by one, leaving 
him now the only surviving member of the 
family. When he was nineteen, with two other 
young men, he gave his name to the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and he has now a well- 
preserved certificate to that effect dated Feb- 
ruary 15, 1839, and signed by Eev. Ira Mc- 
Intire, who was acting pastor. Since then he 
has been actively identified with the church in 
the various capacities of class-leader, steward, 
and trustee, and has never been found lacking 
when financial burdens were to be borne. The 
pastor, in behalf of another group of friends, 
presented him with a beautiful gold mounted 
silk umbrella, reminding him that though he 
had braved many storms without shelter or 
protection, his friends now wished to shield 
him from unnecessary exposure; also in behalf 
of the young people a copy of " Core's Bible 
Gallery," assuring him that the young people 
counted him as one of their number, young in 
spirit if not in years. Mr. Still Stowell then 
came forward, and in behalf of still another list 
of friends, presented him with a solid walnut 
pillar extension table and a box of rare speci- 
mens. Eev. D. A. Curtis, of Petersburg, who 
was intimatly associated with Brother Wilker- 
son in early life, proceeded to catechise him, 
making him confess that he once lived in a log 
house, traveled through the woods guided by 
marked trees, took his family to church with 
an ox team, etc. Brotiier Wilkerson responded 
with emotion, as he alluded to his early strug- 
gles, and thanked God for the providence 
which had prospered him and raised up this 
host of friends. 



WALTER HACKETT, 



One of the early pioneers of the county of 
Monroe was born in the county of Tipperary, 
Ireland. Emigrated to America in 1830. Was 
married to Catharine Phillips, of Eoscomraon 
county, Ireland, in 1831, in the village of Erie, 
Monroe county. Settled in Ida on a farm. 



Three years after sold out his improvements 
and bought 100 acres of Henry B. Marvin, in 
the town of Eaisinville, Monroe county, on 
which he resided until he died October 24, 
1861, aged fifty-six years, leaving a wife and 
six children, three boys and three girls: 
Thomas, Patrick and Walter, Mary Catharine, 
and Julia; all still living but the mother, who 
died July 24, 1887, on the old homestead in 
Eaisinville, now owned by the son Walter. 
The son Walter represented the county of 
Monroe in the State legislature in the years 
1881 and 1882, and in the fall of 1888, was 
elected treasurer of the county of Monroe for 
the term of two years. 



SENECA ALLEN, 



Son of Ebcnezer Allen, was born February 18, 
1788, in the State of Vermont. His wife, Fan- 
nie Lucinda, the daughter of Moses Brigham, 
was born in New Hampshire, February 24, 
1794. Mr. Allen moved to Monroe in Septem- 
ber, 1827 ; taught school fall and winter ; was 
surveyor from 1827 until the time of his death. 
He platted and laid out the city of Toledo, 
about 1831, also the villages of Trenton and 
Flat Eock. He was for several years clerk of 
the council of the Territory of Michigan. In 
the fall of 1829, as the clerk of Dan B. Miller, 
he opened a dry goods store on the site where 
Manhattan now stands, the stock designed prin- 
cipally for trade with the Indians. The United 
States Government at that time paid annuities 
to the Indians, and about 3,000 wei-e there 
assembled. He returned with his family to 
Monroe and resided on the corner of First 
street and Macomb, the site now occupied by 
the residence of the late Dan B. Miller. 

The son of Mr Allen — George Allen, is a 
machinist by trade ; now resides at Azalia, 
formerly called East Milan. When a boy with 
his lather at Manhattan, then twelve years of 
age, in an Indian camp, his pocket-book was 
stolen from his vest pocket while washing. 
He accused the son of the chief, who denied it. 
He threw the chiefs son down, and at this 
juncture the chief came in and saw him take the 
pocket-book from his son's blanket. The chief 
caught him up in his arms, took him to his 
father and related the circumstances. He 
thought himself quite a hero for whipping an 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 



487 



Indian largiT than he was and two years his 
senior. A few days after tliis oc-currome the 
tribe of Indians left the place and tamped at 
tho present site of Alexis, to hold a feast and 
dance. The Indian chief, with the permission 
of his father, took Geoi-ge with him to attend 
the dance and feast. The chief asked him how 
he liked his dinner, he replied he enjoyed il, 
as ho was very hungry, but to bis astonisli- 
ment found he had been feasting on the meat 
of a dog. He was incredulous until the skin of 
the white dog was shown him. 

Mr. Allen, as a machinist, was employed on 
the Michigan Southern Railroad during the ad- 
ministration of M. Morris and Thomas G. Cole 
as superintendents, subsequently was employed 
by Isaac Lewis in his machine shops. In 1849 
he purchased eighty acres of land on section 
twenty-tive, which is still his home. January 
21, 1842, he married Miss Harriet Palmer, of 
Monroe, Michigan. 



JAMES VAX KLEECK, 



Keprcsentative from the district composed of 
Midland, Gladwin and Eoscommon counties, 
was born September 26, 184G, at Exeter, Mon- 
roe county, Michigan. He enlisted as a pri- 
vate in the Seventeenth Michigan Infantry in 
June, 18G2 ; was severely wounded at the bat- 
tle of Antietam, from w-hich wound he still 
suffers. He graduated from the law depart- 
ment Michigan University in the class of 1870, 
and began the practice of law at Midland City, 
where he continued in the profession a number 
of years, when he removed to Bay City. He 
has held various offices under the city govern- 
ment of Midland City, also that of the 
office of prosecuting attorney of Midland 
county for six j-ears; was elected to the House 
of Representatives of the State legislature in 
1882. 



nilLLIP J. L0RAN6ER. 

Mr. lioranger was born in Monroe, September 
27, 1821, and was therefore titty years of age at 
the time of his death. His father, Joseph 
lioranger, was one of the first settlers on the 
River Raisin, and owned immense tracts of 
lanil, which at this time would be of great 
value. They extended Irom the river back 



three miles. The family mansion stood on the 
present site of the blocks of E. (J. .Morton and 
William H. Boyd. 

Mr. Loranger was private .secrctarj- to Gov- 
ernor McClelland, held a clerkship in the 
Treasury Department at Washington during 
the administrations ol' Pierce and Buchanan, 
and after his return to Monroe he erected the 
tine block on the corner of Front and Monroe 
streets, entered the banking business with Mr. 
Lafountain, built a fine residence, was elected 
county treasurer, and enjoyed to a large extent 
the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. 



ANTOINE FRANCIS ROBERT. 

The eighty-first anniversary of one of our 
oldest French citizens occurred on June 1, 
1889, at the residence of Antoine Francis 
Robert in the town of Frenchtown. Hon. J. M. 
Sterling, Judge T. E. Wing and other old time 
friends of Mr. Robert were favored with press- 
ini; invitations to the festivities brought about 
by the occasion. The entertainment was upon 
an elaliorate scale, presided over by the wife 
and three daughters of the aged parent. The 
tables were tastefully adorned and loaded with 
the substantials of life as well as with the deli- 
cies of the season. Mr. Robert was born on the 
farm now known as the Sterling farm, the 
north part of which is occupied by the docks 
and mills on the river in the third ward, on the 
first day of Juno, 1808. He has a distinct 
recollection of the first cannon ball fired by the 
British during the War of 1812, which shat- 
tered the corner of the homestead, which 
alarming the inmates, they sought the cellar 
for protection. When Mr. Robert attained his 
majority his father presented him with the 
farm at Plaisance, now owned by Samuel 
Albain, which he occupied until recalled to the 
old home to assist his father, who was building 
the steamer Helen Strong and boarding a large 
force of men — some thirt^'-two in all. Ho 
exchanged the Albain farm for the one on 
which he now resides, then consisting of four 
hundi'ed and sixty acres, Imt now of one hun- 
dred and twenty-six, be having given his sons, 
as they attained their majority, forty acres 
each, with a liberal outfit to each of his daugh- 
ters as they were married. Mr. Robert married 



488 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



as bis first wife tlie daughter of tlie Hon. 
Hubert LaCroix, who was a colonel in the War 
of 1812, and subsequently for a number of 
years a member of the territorial legislature. 
By this marriage eighteen chiklren were born, 
eight of whom are now living. He married ior 
his second wife Margaret Burro, of Vienna. 
The fruit of this marriage u as nine children — 
five daughters and four sons, all of whom are 
living. He was thus the lather of twenty- 
seven children. He lias now eighty grand- 
children and five great-grand children. He is 
an exemplary member of the Catholic church, 
and ho and liis fanuly are constant attendants 
iqidii St. Mary's, of this city. 



GEORGE BUCK 



Was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 
1799; married the daughter of the Hon. Martin 
Shell, one of the most ]iromincnt men of his 
day in Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Buck moved to Richland county, Oluo, 
in 1833, purchased a farm, remained there until 
tlie year 1848, at which time he removed to 
Erie, in Monroe county ; was a prosperous 
farmer; died in 1859, leaving ten children sur- 
viving him — four sons now residing in Mon- 
tana, two in California, two sons in the State of 
Ohio ; one daughter who married Horatio M. 
Hurd,a prosperous and highly esteemed farmer 
of the town of Frenchtown, Monroe county, 
now deceased ; and Levi Buck, who was one ot 
the enterprising and fortunate men who sought 
the gold mines of California in the year 1850 ; 
came to Moni-oe in the fall of 1851 ; purchased 
one of the most desirable farms of one hundred 
and forty-nine acres on the south bank of the 
River Raisin, two and one half miles west of 
the city of Monroe, in January, 1852. He has 
erected thereon a very fine two-story brick 
mansion, has a fine oi'chard of fruit, timbered 
land and highly cultivated fields, with every 
comfoi't that money and good husbandry can 
secure. " Buck's cider '' will be pleasantly re- 
membered by the present generation, 

Mr. Levi Buck in 1863 married Miss Frances 
Amanda Snell, of Ida, Monroe county. They 
have two sons, one of whom is a graduate of 
the Monroe Union school ; the other is com- 
pleting his education therein. 



LEOPOLD HOFFMAN, 

Who, for over thirty years, was one of the 
business men of Monroe, was born in Oestrin- 
gen, Baden, Germany, November 28, 1810. 
His parents, Anthony and Francesca (Rizer) 
Hoffman, died when he was but nine years 
of age, leaving him in the care of a brother- 
in-law, with whom be lived until he was 
about t^venty-three years old, and from whom 
he learned the trade of a baker. He sailed ^ 
from Rotterdam for the Lhiitod States in { 
December, 1S39, and on his arrival in America 
worked his way to Monroe, being nearly a 
year on the Ohio canal. On his reaching Mon- 
roe, he engaged in the business of a baker 
until in 1844, he went back to Germany to set- 
tle the estate of his father and receive his por- 
tion of the paternal patrimony, which, during 
all these years, had remained intact in the 
hands of guardians, trustees and administra- 
tors. After an absence of a year be returned 
to Monroe, and was married November 18, 
1845, in St. Mary's church, by the Rev. P. M. 
Francis, o( the Order of the Redemptorists, 
and assistant to Rev. Father Louis Gillett, to 
Stephania. daughter of Sebastian and Frances 
(Resteren) Lammlin, whose death occurred 
May 28, 1872. Their children were: An- 
thony, born October 29, 1846 ; Saraphena, April 
11,1848; Mathilda, February 18, 1850; John 
Leopold, March 5, 1852 ; Bernard, October 22, 
1854; Joseph Sebastian, November 28, 1856; 
Francis Joseph, January 4, 1859; William 
Aloyse, February 22, 1861 ; Helena Francesca, 
July 23, 1862 ; Clara Augusta, October 8, 1864 ; 
Henry Daniel, May 20, 1867 ; Edward, Decem- 
ber 19, 1869 ; and Anna Theresa, May 20, 1872. 
Of these, three have died, Anthony, Helena 
and Anna Theresa. Those living in Monroe 
are ; Sarapliena, who married Maj' 19, 1868, 
to Sebastian Lauer, proprietor of a pojiular 
restaurant and grocery on Front street; 
Mathilda, married April 17, 1872, to Benjamin 
Stum, whose restaurant is located in the third 
ward, opposite the Lake Shore and Michigan 
Southern passenger depot; John Leopold, pro- 
prietor of a restaurant on Washington street, 
and who married Miss Elizabeth Weier, No- 
vember 16, 1880; Joseph Sebastian, dealer in 
clothing and gent's furnishing goods on Front 
street ; Clara Augusta, married May 31, 1887, 
to Frank Yaeger, a partner in Yaeger & Son, 




;<^..-^^ 



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c:. 



•^|^^^-^-/V '^^^^^^^^-^ <^ >^^1^V^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



489 



on Front street, ami one of the oldi-sl bimt :uul 
slioe houses in Monroe; Henry Daniel, pro])rie- 
toi' of a millinery and notion store on Front 
street, in a block built by Mr. Hoffman, and 
nmrried to Mary Knauf August 16, 188(i ; 
l-'rancis Joseph, of the firm of Frank J. & \Vm. 
,\. Hoffman, hardware dealers at Fenton, 
Michigan, and who was married April 18, 
1880. to Jane, daughter of Tonias Maxwell, one 
of the old .settlers of Fenton ; Kdward, living 
with his brother Francis in Fenton ; Beriuird. 
in business at LaSalle, and married May 16, 
1876, to Elizabeth Kremer : William Aloyse, 
in i)artnership with his brother at Fenton, 
.Miihigan. ComiTig to Monroe when but a 
young man, Mr. Hoffman opened a grocery 
store, bakery and restaurant, and by his strict 
integrity and careful attention to business, 
built up a large and prosperous trade, and 
while of a generous disposition and kind and 
liberal to his famil\-, was, without being at all 
miserly, very saving and economical in his 
habits, thus enabling him to accumulate a large 
competence for his declining years. While 
Mr. Hofl'man took no active part in politics, he 
was well known as a strict Democrat. In re- 
ligion he was a member of the Roman Catholic 
faith, and for many j-cars trustee of St. Michael's 
Church, to the erection of which he liberally 
contributed Irom his means, and his entire 
life, during his residence in Monroe, was such 
that in 1874, he returned to Europe for 
the purpose of enjoying the fruits of his ac- 
tive business life of over thirty years, and dic<l 
in Oestringen. Baden, November 5, 1874. As 
an honest and upright citizen, a faithful friend, 
and a kind and loving father, his loss was 
mourned by a large and interesting family of 
children and grandchildren, as well as by a 
numerous circle of .S3'mpathizing friends, who 
were prevented from pa^'ing to his momor^- the 
last tribute of fi-iendship and respect by i-ea- 
son of his i-emains being buried in his native 
town. 



JO.SEPII WKIER 



Was born in .March, .\. D. 1822, at Grand Duke 
I lesser, on the Rhine; married l^izzie Vogel ; 
came to Monroe in 1849. For a number of 
years kept a store, bo.irding hou.se and saloon 
on West Front Street; was engaged fifteeTi 
years in cultivating a vineyard, and (<jr many 



years manufactured from two to five thousand 
gallons of wine that were sent to ilealers in 
New York and Philadelphia. He is appreci- 
ated !(y the citizens of .Moni-oe as a man of 
strict integrity; has been honored by their 
suffrages to the offices of treasurer of the city 
and alderman ; was elected and served 
as a member of the State legislature in 
1869 and 1870. He has two daughters living; 
retii'ed from business, and with a competency 
is living at ease on the interest of his invest- 
ment. 



.\N"TON D.VrBEK 



Was born in Baden, (lermany; came to this 
Country in 1851, remained about one year in 
New York, and then came to Monroe, where 
ho was married in 1856, and resided here up to 
the time of his death, leaving a widow and seven 
children. Mr Daiber was a devoted Catholic, 
an honest and conscientious business man, 
quiet an<l unostentatious in his habits. Was 
the treasurer of our city, and always enjoyed 
the respect and good will of the entire commu- 
nity. He erected the large three-story brick 
store on West Front Street, in which he con- 
ducted a prosperous business. By his industry 
and close attention to business accumulated a 
handsome fortune, leaving his family in very 
comfortable circumstances to continue in 
business 



CHRISTIAN F. BECK 



Was born in Wurtemburg, (lermany, August 
20, 1820. Settled in Monroe in 1846. worked 
at his trade, blacksmithing, until 1852. While 
ratifying the nomination of Franklin Pierce 
for the presidency, the old cannon which 
stands on the public s(|uai'e in front of the 
court house was |)i-ematurely discharged, 
killing .losv]ih Stevincr and maiming Mr. 
15e(d{. Mr, I5eck was repeatedly honored 
with public offices of trust and responsibility. 
Was collector of the port of Monroe from 185X 
to 1857; ta.\ collector of the 1st ward; city 
marshal from 1860 to 1868, and alderman of 
the 1st ward in 1871 and 1872, In 1865 en- 
gaged in lumbei- business, and in 1876 formed 
a copartnership with his, son, Charles W. Heck, 
and the firm became C. F, Heck c*i: Son, The 
,son, Charles, continues the business, one of 



400 HISTORY OF MONROF COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 

tlio lai-iiost :>ih1 must sucocssl'iil Imsiiioss estab- ami at one tiiuo luastor of tlio lodtje. lie dioil 

lisliiiKMits in (be county, having rocontly leaving a wiilow, ono sou and one dauglitor. 

adiiod to the yards an extensive planing mill 

witli all the modern im]>rovements. 

Mr. C. V. Heck was n good and loyal citizen, .lOHN STUMT 

a careful business man, and in his dealings as ^^-.^^ ^j,,,.,, ,„ \v,„-,,.,nlun-, (icr.UMuv, .lanua.•^• 

a private citizen or public otlicer, his honesty ^ ^3^,3. ,.^,,,_^. ,,, jj^,,^^,^,^, ,,„„„,- Z ,,,,,|^,,| i",, 

was beyon.l question ; was very sociable, and ,,,.i^. ,,.,,,^,^.^,j ,,,_.^^. .^^^.^^^^ j.^^. ^;,^j^,^ ,^^. ,^^|,|^ 

one of the best known men in the county, llo ,,,^, j,^,,^,,,, ,,^,.^,.jj,^, j,^^, ,ig„,„„,,. ..f Gen. An- 

diod June :i, 1S87, leaving a widow, (our a. ow Jackson, dated October 1, 1835. Married 



dausjhters and six sons, with a very liand.-- 



Matilda J. Letford, born May 19, 1817, wh 



competency. . ^..^„,^> („ Monroe county in 1834, from State of 

New York ; were members of the Presbyterian 

church. Their children, John J., born No- 
vember ."), 183'), resides in JIi>nroe county; 

LEAVIS DARK.XH Cliristian II., born April 7, 1838, resides in 

Tennessee; .lames II.. born August 23, 184(1. 
AVas born in Fulton county, I'eniisj-lvauia. April died .liiiie 11. 1872; (ieorge (i., born .)uly22, 
27, 1807; learned the trade of a tanner with 1812, resides in Ottawa county, Ohio; Hannah 
his father; came to JMonroe in October, K.. born .lannary 24, ISot! ; irenry 11., horn 
1833, and engaged in the same business on the iMarch 14, 18.")9; the two last named arc resi- 
present site of Caux & Stiles' mill, near the Mon- dents of Monroe county, (ieorge (i., James 
i-oe street bridge. Subsequently purchased what K. and .lohii J. serveil in (he war of the rebel- 
is now known as the Letler farm, on the south lion, (ieoi'ge was a member ol the I'lightccntli 
side of Olto creek. In 184t> he was elected Michigan Infantry ; he was confined in prison 
supervisor; in 1847 was elected to the State six months and relea.sed at the close of the 
legislature ; was re-elected supervisor in 1849. war. James K. was a member of the Mighty- 
He returned to the city and in 1854 bought the sixth .Regiment (if Ohio Yolunteer Infantry, 
property on Monroe street, where he resided .lolm J. was a memlier of the Seventeenth 
up to the time of his death. He was a .lack- Regiment Michigan Inl'anti-y. All were honora- 
sonian democrat in ]>olitics, and the approach bly discharged at the close of the war. 
of a campaign always aroused his interest to The wile of John Stump, Clara .Newman, 
the highest degree. Filled the office of county traces her ancestry to France, and her ])arents 
treasurer, and was elected several times to the were engaged in our Revolutionary struggle, 
office of justice of the peace, which he held at Mr. Stump, in 1871, visited (ierman}', was 
his death. In his younger days was greatly cordially welcomed by the friends of his youth, 
mterestoii in military affairs, as a captain of but after an absence of fifty years found but 
voluuteers in the •' Toledo war," and delighted eight living. When the family tirst settled in 
in narrating the amusing and ludicrous inci- Monroe county lluv frecpjently entertained 
dents of that bloodless campaign. He was a Indians at their table, and were ever on pleas- 
member of the Masonic fraternity many years, ant terms witli them 



r> 



^^ 







^^/oyTylA- ^y^^/yyx4iy 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



TIIK I'RKSS OF MONUOK. 



AHlSTOliV of tlu' Pivss of Monroe county 
must nocossarily embrace imicli conoern- 
ini;- some of its ablest and most useful men 
that have been numbered among its i-esidents 
since the first newspaper was launched upon 
the sea of fortune. 

Early in the summer of 1825. Edward I). 
Ellis, a youni( man of about twenty-four years, 
arrived in .Monroe from Hutt'alo, briiiijins? with 
liiin a printing press and type for a newspaper. 
The arrival of the printing material and the 
|)rospect of a newspaper was especially gratify- 
inic to the inhabitants of the j'oung and 
growing town, and they gave Mr. Ellis a right 
cordial welcome. A location was pi-oeured for 
him, and the tirst number .soon appeared under 
the name of the Monroe Sentinel, it being the 
second paper started in thi! then 'I'lTritory of 
of Michigan; tlie only otliei- jiaper prinleil 
in the Territory at that time being the Detroit 
Free Press. Mr. Ellis was a native of Niles. 
X. Y. lie served an apprenticeslii]) in Au- 
burn, that Stale. He was a close observer, and 
kept a daily record of his doings and imjires- 
sions. This habit of journalizing helped him to 
become one of the ablest an<l most fireiblc 
■writers of the west. 

The method of printing a newspaper in 
those early times was by no means what it is 
at the ]iresent day; the paper having to l)e 
lirinted on a hand press, and the ink applied 
with hanil pads or ''beaters.'' The man who 
li:id the nerve to take a newspaper oiilfit into 
a country- so sparsely settled as was .Monroe 
county at that time, expecting to create and 
maintain a home and rear a family, might be 
expected to possess qualities which would make 
him a valuable addition to such a community. 
.■\nd so it proved with Mr. Ellis. 

The Sentinel .soon commanded a large pat- 
ronage, and as Ellis was an anient Democrat, 
the dominant party of those days, he was soon 
brought into prominence. Me took an aetive 



interest in all that pertained to the welfare of 
the growing community, and did much to 
build up the southern part of the Slate. 

Mr. Ellis was married in Monroe, in 1830, 
and afterwards the Sentinel was for a long 
lime printed in a building which stood on the 
ground now occupied by the store of N. N. 
Kendal, and which served both as a printing 
office and residence for Mr. Ellis and his young 
family. He was several times elected to the 
Territorial and State Eegislatures, arid was a 
member of the Constitutional Conveniion. in 
which boilj' he took a prominent part, and was 
the author of the statute then adojited and 
since remaining a part of our organic law, 
and which has become a law in several other 
States; That monies ]iaid as fines in criminal 
offenses and misdemeanors should be devoted to 
purchasing and maintaining public libraries in 
every town and city. 

In 1886 Ellis sold his jiaper in Monroe to 
Abner Morton & Sons, ami removed to J.)etroit, 
wliere he published a paper called the Ameri- 
can Vineyard. He died in Detroit in 1848, one 
of the best known ami most influential .jour- 
nalists in Michigan. 

In 1834 Abner Morton and family came to 
Monroe from ■' York Slate," bringing a print- 
ing press and newspa))cr outfit with them, and 
at once commenced the publication of a j)aper 
known as the Monroe Journal, A. Morton & 
Sons, publishers, and Abner Morion editor. 
After publishing the Journal a year or two, 
the .Mortons sidil it to E. J. Vanburn, who re- 
moved it to Pontiac, and Abner Morion 
removed to Detroit to take edit<n-ial charge of 
the Free Press, then a weekly paper published 
hv Sheldon McKnight. ami which was just 
blossoming into a daily. In Fcbruar\-, 18.S(), 
the Free Press changed hands, and Mr. Mor- 
ton returned to Monroe and ])urchascd the 
Sentinel, changing its name to the .Monroe Ad- 
vacate. Mr. Morton and his sons continued 



[491] 



492 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the publication of the Adrocnte until 1S:;9, 
when they sold it to a company consisting of 
L. S. Humphrey, A. E. Wing, Alpheus Folch, 
and some others, who conducted it through 
the "Woodbridgc and Ecforin" campaign, 
changing its name to the Monroe Times. Dur- 
ing this campaign the paper was edited by 
C. C. Jackson, afterwards one of the editors of 
the Free Press, and later a pay director in the 
United States navy with the rank of colonel, 
Mr. Felch being an occasional contributor. 
After the campaign the Mortons Iwught the 
office back for just half the sum paid for it. 
The new firm was B. CI. Morton & Co., with 
Abner Morton as editor. On January 1, 1841, 
the name was changed back to the Monroe 
Advocate ; the paper was continued under that 
name, with Abner Morton as editor, until 184:9, 
when its name was again changed to the Mon- 
roe Commercial, and E. G. Morton assuined 
editorial and business control, its politics re- 
maining the same. 

Soon after the last purchase of the paper by 
tlie Mortons, a new press was obtained, and A. 
C. Morton took the old Ellis press to Angola, 
Indiana, where he published a paper for a 
time, and subsequently removed it to Sand- 
wich, Ontario, when he sold it. Abner Morton 
proved himself an intelligent and able gentle- 
man, and a very forcible and vigorous writer. 
He died in Monroe in 1861 or 1862. 

The j)ublication of the Commercial was con- 
tinued by E. (i. Morton until 1856, when it 
was sold to a syndicate of Republicans, and 
converted into a Republican paper. 

In 1836 an attempt was made to establish a 
Whig paper in Monroe, it being called the Ga- 
zette, and edited by a Mr. Hosmer, afterwards 
for a number of years editor of the Toledo 
Blade. The paper afterwards passed into the 
hands of Charles Lauman, but lived only a 
short time. In 1848 another Whig paper was 
started by W. H. Briggs & Co., and called the 
Monroe Sentinel. It was also short-lived. The 
Monroe Citizen was another that enjoyed a 
brief career. Immediately after the purchase 
of the Commercial \)y the sj'ndicate, it passed 
into the hands of Thomas S. Clark, and was 
edited during that memorable Fremont cam- 
paign by lion. Isaac P. Christiancj^ and Edwin 
Willits. Mr. Christiancy was then an attorney- 
at-law in Monroe, and Mr. Willits a young 
lawyer associated with him. Both were able 



writei's and made a strong editorial team. The 
paper immediately came to the front as one 
of the ablest Republican papers of the State. 
After this campaign Mr. Willits continued as 
the editor of the paper, and T. S. Clark its 
publisher, until the early spring of 1860, when 
M. D. Hamilton assumed editorial control, 
having formed a business partnership with 
Mr. Clark under the style of Clark & Hamilton. 
This was the year that Abraham Lincoln was 
nominated and elected to the Presidency of 
the ITnited States. A year later the country 
was plunged into a civil war, and at the first 
call to arms, Mr. Clark, who had had military 
experience in the campaign against Mexico, 
offered his sei'vice to his country and marched 
to the front as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Sixth 
Michigan Infantry, Mr. Hamilton purchasing 
the establishment and continuing the publica- 
tion of the pajjcr. From this time until Feb- 
ruary 1, 1888, the Commercial maintained its 
leading position in Michigan journalism under 
the guiding hand of M. D. Hamilton and M. 
1). Hamilton & Sons, 

Milo Dwight Hamilton, the eldest son of 
Samuel W. Hamilton, like many other Michi- 
gan men, is New England born, having first 
seen the light of day at Blandford, Hampden 
county, Massachusetts, October 5, 1828. At 
the age of seven years his parents sought the 
Territory of Michigan, settling on a farm two 
miles from the present village of Homer, and 
here his boj-hood was passed. The couiitr}' 
district schools, the village schools of Homer 
and one term in an academy in the old bank 
building, were his means of education, and in 
1846 he began the world for himself as an 
apprentice to Seth Lewis, of the Marshal 
Statesman In 1849 he was foreman of the 
Liberty Fress, a " free soil " paper published at 
Battle Creek, when the entire plant was de- 
stroyed by fire. He went to Detroit in the 
summer of 1850 and was employed on the staflf 
of the Detroit Free Press, then under editorial 
charge of the famous Wilbur F. Storey. One 
year later he became commercial reporter on 
the Detroit Advertiser, under the charge of 
Rufus Hosmer. In 1856 the Detroit Board of 
Trade was organized, Mr, Hamilton being one 
of its organizers and its first secretary, a posi- 
tion he had as long as he remained in Detroit. 
In 1858 he became commercial reporter on the 
Cincinnati Enquirer, and retained that position 



THE PRESS or MONROE COUNTY. 



493 



till IKfiO. Ill the latter year he cnme to Mon- 
roe to take editorial charge of the Commercial, 
which was then an old paper, and which had 
previouslj- been edited by Messrs. f'hristiancy 
and Willits. lie subsequently became a part 
owner of the paper. an<l later its sole proprie- 
tor, and continued to edit and publish the 
Commercial until February, 1888. 

Mr. Hamilton's politics were Uepublicaii, and 
his jiaper was one of the representative Repub- 
lican papers of Southern Michigan. In 1864 
he was appointed by Governor Austin Blair 
one of the commissioners of election to take 
the vote of the soldiers in the field. He was 
assigned to the Seventh Michigan Infantry and 
the First Michigan vSharp-shootcrs, then with 
the army of General Grant before Petersburg. 
Ill 1870 he was commissioned postmaster of 
Monroe hv (ieneral (irant, and held the posi- 
tion four j-ears. He is a member of the New 
Jerusalem Church ( Swedenborgian) ; belongs 
to the Ancient Order United Workmen, 
Knights of Honor, and Michigan Sanhedrim. 

He was married in Detroit in 1852 to Mrs. 
Eveline S. Rawson. They had one chilil, Frank 
I). Hamilton, now of Hurand, Florida. 

Mr. Hamilton is a graceful and forcible 
writer, an<l his work upon the Commercial was 
always distinguished bj' a genuine courtesy to 
his brothern of the press, which made and kept 
them his friends. 

Mr. Hamilton's connection with the Commer- 
cial covered a period of almo.st tvi-entj^-eight 
years. When he took charge of the Commercial 
in 1860 it was a four-page sheet, with a circu- 
lation of less than five hundred ; a few years 
later the plant was materially enlarged and im- 
jiroved, and the circulation ran up to more than 
fifteen hundred copies, and weilded a powerful 
influence in social and political circles, and was 
looked u])on as one of the best conducted Repub- 
lican jiapors in the State. In 1885 Messrs. Ham- 
ilton it Son started a daily edition of the Com- 
mercial. The daily enjoyed a liberal circula- 
tion and advertising ])atronage, l)Ut the field 
was too limited, and it was di.-iconlinued. 
February 1, 1888, Mr. Hamilton sold the Com- 
mercial to Mrs. Josie D. KImer, of Defiance, 
Ohio, who is still its owner. 

But let us go liack to the anli-belluni days 
and trace the ups an<l downs of other news- 
paper ventures. 

In the fall of 1850, after the sale of the Com- 



mercial to the Re])ublicans by Mr. Morton, a 
Democratic paper called the Northern Press was 
started by A. C. Salsbury, and edited bj^ E. G. 
Morton. On the breaking out of the war in 
1801, Mr. Salsbury sold the paper to Titus 
Babcock and went into the army. Mr. Bah- 
cock, who, by the way, was a Eepublican, pub- 
lished the Press about a y^ear as a neutral or- 
gan, and then removed the plant to Hmlson, 
Lenawee count}', where he issued a paper called 
the Hudson Herald. 

In the fall of 1802 E. G. Morton started an- 
other Democratic paper called the Monroe 
Monitor. This was continued by Mr. Morton 
as its editor and publisher until his death, 
w-hich occuiTcd in 1875, something over thir- 
teen j'ears, when it passed into the hands of F. 
B. Lee and J. H. Kurz, who continued its pub- 
lication until the Morton estate was settled, 
when it passed into the hands of Mr. Kurz. 

The death of Edward G. Morton closed tbo 
career of one of the oldest and ablest news- 
pai)er men Michigan ever had ; one identified 
with the press of Monroe, an<l consequently 
everything pertaining to Monroe for a period 
of nearly forty years. He was born in Burl- 
ington, Vermont, in 1811. Came to Monroe in 
1854, and from that time until his death, which 
occurred December 11,1875, was, with one or 
two intervals, continuously in the business, and 
for nearly thirt3'-five j'ears of that time was 
editor and either sole or part owner of the paper 
he edited. He was repeatedly honored by his 
party in elections to places of influence and 
trust. He was elected mayor of the city in 
1851 ; was a member of the House of Repre- 
sentatives daring the sessions of 1849, 1850, 
1853, 1863. 1804 and 1865; was a member of 
the constitutional convention in 1857, and rep- 
resented the county in the State senate during 
the terms of 1809, 1870, 1871, and 1872. Ho 
was a representative Democrat in all the bodies 
and a leader in his party ; well known and 
highly esteemed by all. He was recognized as 
a forcible writer and speaker. Ho continued 
to write for his paper almost up to the day of 
his death. 

Ne.xt to E. (i. Morton as a newspaper man 
long in service in the city of .Monroe comes Mr. 
.1. Henry Kurz. 

In a quiet, unostentatious but eminently 
effectual manner, John Henry Kurz has prob- 
ably wichled as great an inHiience upon the 



494 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



newspaper fortuiiesof Monroe City as any man 
connected with the j)rofession, unless, possibly, 
it 1)6 Mr. Morton, and for long-th of service he 
ranks next to Mr. Morton. 

His f:ither, Henry Kur/,, was a Bavarian, 
who moved to Monroe county early in the his- 
tory of the State, settling first in La Salle town- 
ship, removing thence toEaisinville and finally 
to this city, where he died at a ripe old age a 
few years since. 

J. Henry Kur/. was born in Monroe county 
December 7, 1843. His boyhood was spent in 
the citj^; his education ac(|uired in the Trinity 
Church School. At the age of fourteen he en- 
tei'ed the Commercial office, under Thomas S. 
Clark, to learn the jjrinter's trade. He worked 
at the case here till 1863, when he spent some 
years in traveling, working upon various news- 
papers in Detroit, Miciiigan, St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, and at several cities in Illinois. Return- 
ing to Monroe in 1868, he entered the employ 
of M. D. Hamilton and worked upon the Com- 
mercial for some time, and later upon the 
Monitor, under E. G. Morton ; in 1872 he pur- 
chased an interest in the Monitor, the firm then 
being Morton, Lee & Kurz. In 1876 he pur- 
chased the entire stock of the 31onitor and be- 
came its sole proprietor. Mr. Morton having 
died in 1875, and Mr. Lee being retained by 
Mr. Kurz as editor. In 1880 the Monitor plant 
was sold to the Democrat Printing and Pub- 
lishing Company, of which corporation Mr. 
Kurz became the .secretary and treasurer, 
which position he .still holds. 

He was married July 18, 1873, to Miss Lj'dia 
Mohr, of Monroe. Three children are the re- 
sults of this union: Martha, born 1874; Henrj- 
.v., born 1876, and Edward C, born 1879. He 
has represented his ward, the second, upon the 
board of aldermen, and was noted as being one 
of the best informed and conservative members 
of that body ; a careful student of municipal 
law, and a persistent champion of every meas- 
ure calculated to benefit the city. 

For a number of years he was the assistant 
chief engineer of the fire department, and in 
May, 1889, was unanimously- elected its chief 
engineer. A newspaper career of over thirty 
years, the better part of which has been in 
Monroe, and his efficient public services have 
made him universal!}' known and as univer- 
sally esteemed. 

In February, 1880, a stock conijjan}- com- 



posed of leading Democrats of the city, was 
organized and incorporated. The Monitor was 
purchased, additional material supplied, a sur- 
plus cash capital in bank, and the Monroe 
Democrat, an eight-page, forty-eight-column 
paper, made its appearance on March 17th fol- 
lowing. The companj- put the entire control 
of the affairs of the office in the hands of D. R. 
Crampton as editor and business manager, and 
J. H. Kurz as secretary and treasurer. The 
Democrat took rank from the first among the 
ablest weekly .Democratic papers of the State, 
which 2)08ition it continues to maintain ; and its 
circulation reaching the highest figure of anv 
paper ever published in Moiiroe county ; and 
that, in active competition with nearly a dozt'U 
dailies from Detroit, Toledo and Chicago, and 
more than twice that number of weeklies. 

In 1858 a German paper was started in 
.^[onroe called the Unahharngige, with J)r. 
Edward Dorsch as editor. This paper was 
continued only a few months, and on its ruins, 
in 1859, the Stoats Zeitung was started, with 
Dr. Dorsch in the editorial chair. This paper 
lived a year or more, meeting with phenomenal 
success for the times, but it was stranded by 
bad financial management and its'publication 
discontinued. Dr. Dorsch was for very many 
j'cars known as one of the most successful phj- 
sicians of Monroe, and his reputation as a 
writer of verse and prose, and as a scientist, 
became familiar in this country and Europe. 

In 1874 a monthly paper for children, called 
the Little Diamond, was started. It was pub- 
lished by two 3-oung men from Toledo, Ohio, 
and edited by the Misses AVhelpley. The com- 
position and press-work was done at the Covu 
merciaioffice. Notwitlistanding its publishers 
had great hopes of its becoming a leader of 
juvenile literature, it soon ceased to sparkle. 

In October, 1877, the daily Itemizer made its 
appearance. It made a great liit as a liveh" 
society paper, but a libel suit ended its career. 

In 1878 George A. Cowan, a bright and s]iir- 
ited writer, establislied the Monroe Ledger, the 
organ of the Greenback party of the county, 
but after struggling hard for a year or moi'e, 
it sank beneath the newspaper horizon never 
again to come to the surface. Mr. Cowan 
worked his paper upon a home-made hand- 
press constructed almost entirely of wood, 
which his colored assistant dubbed " the half 
medium cider press." Every impression was 



THE PRESS OF MONROE COUNTY. 



495 



registered by the most terribU- creaking noise 
imaginable, as if the spirit of Franklin was 
entering its protest against such a contrivance 
in this day and generation. It is reported to 
have become the victim of a charttel mortgage. 
After the Monitor passed into the hands of 
the Democrat Company, Fred. B. Lee estab- 
lished the Monroe Index. This was in the fall 
of ISSl. It was a sprightly sheet at first, but 
inertia soon overtook it and its grave was an 
early one. The material went to Lansing to 
start a Gi-oenbaok pajier. 

The newspaper ventures of Monroe county 
have not been entirely confined to the city of 
Monroe. As the western part of the county 
became prosperous and populous the thriving 
towns ol Dundee and Petersburgh came to 
think a newspaper in their midst was essential 
to the business interests of those towns. In 
answer to this demand, in 1872 John Cheever 
established a paper called the Enterprise, in 
Dundee. After about a year he sold to L. B. 

. Smith ; the latter, after three months' experi- 

* ence sold to AY. W. Cook, who, in 1875. re- 
moved the office to Leslie and estalilished the 
Local, and run it for a number of ^'cars. In 
May, 1876, H. Egabroad started the Dundee 
Reporter. In August, 1882, he sold to J. E. 
Carr, who still conducts the paper, making it a 
faithlul mirror of the transactions of the enter- 
prising town in which it is located. In 1881 
l-'rancis Brooks commenced the publication of 
ilie Dundee Ledger. In 1883 he sold the sub- 
scription list to Mr. Carr and removed the 
plant to some other town. The Reporter has 
proved a success. 

Petersburgh has also had considerable news- 
pa])er experience. Its first paper was estab- 
lished in 1871 by Henry F. Gage & Company, 
and called The Avalanche. It survived a jear 
and a half, when it was cleaned out by tire. In 

I 1876 J. W. Seeley started tlie River Raisin 
Clarion. This paper went the wtxy countr}- 
papers usually go — b}' chattel mortgage — in 
less than si.x months. In 1881 I. 1). Boardman, 

I the " boy soldier," launched the Petersburg 
Bulletin, whicli still cnjoj-s a liberal i>atronage. 
In 1883 the Weekly Journal was started, but in 
about four months it was burned out, and re- 
established in 188-1 by O. C. Bacon & Brollier, 
who ran it two years and sold to E. A. txilbert, 
who still runs it. The papers, like that of 
Dundee, are mainly devoted to the local affairs 



of the town, and like all papers of their class, 
are doing a good work in educating, helping 
and encouraging the communities in which 
the}- are published. 



DARirs RALPH CRAMPTON. 

The biographies of several of the gentlemen 
who have in the past been editorially connected 
with the press in Monroe, are elsewhere given ; 
but the history of the press of Monroe City 
would be incomplete without some further 
mention of the subject of this sketch, who has 
brought to a profitable and successful issue the 
latest attempt in the journalistic field — the 
Monroe Democrat. 

Mr. Crampton, in the cpiality of his nature, 
betrays the strain of Latin blood inherited 
from his mother, while the paternal Anglo- 
Saxon characteristic is shown in his hatred of 
sham, and his persistence in any cau.se which 
his judgment commends as correct. His life 
has been a varied one, and the holiday element 
greatly lacking. His father, William C. Cramp- 
ton, was educated as a Connecticut clergyman, 
and wasol a race of Presb3'terian clergymen, a 
brother, R. S. Crampton, having at one time 
had charge of the Presbyterian church of Mon- 
roe. His mother was born at Havre, France. 
D. R. Crampton was born at Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, August 20, 1844. While but a small 
child his parents removed to Michigan, settling 
at first in Detroit, and later in St. Clair. The 
Crampton family consisted of five sons and 
seven daughters. The children availed them- 
selves of such facilities for education as a 
raiher peripatetic life afforded them, though at 
that perioil the educational advantages of 
Michigan were not what they are now. 

At the age of fourteen D. R. was the pos- 
sessor of a limited education and an unlimited 
appetite, and felt the necessity of finding some 
niche in the world where he could procure a 
living for himself. He "cntto the Lake Supe- 
rior region, then an almost unbroken wilder- 
ness, and labored for three j-ears. In some of 
his journeys he passed two hundred miles to 
the northward of the lake, penetrating a region 
that is yet almost a terra incognito. At the age 
of seventeen a shattered thigh put an end for a 
time to his labor and brought him back to St. 
(Jiair. Here, while the result of his accident 



496 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



was yet inihciiled, and lie was liobbliuir about 
on crutches, lie entered tbe office of the St. 
Clair Chief as " devil," earning the munificent 
sum of thirty-six dollars per year. At the 
termination of the year the salary failed to 
materialize. The jiolitical pot was seething 
and bubbling, the war begun, when young 
Crampton, by a eonibinatiim of circumstances, 
found himself the publisher of the St. Clair 
Bepublican. Hard work during the day failed 
to keep the paper going and was supplemented 
by hours of night work. It was the era of 
that poetical but exceedingly unsatisfactory 
illuminator, the tallow dip, and its steady use 
began to tell on the young man's eyesight. 
Another disadvantage beset him. Coming to- 
ward manhood, he realized the scantiness of 
his early education, and hours that nature 
required for rest were taken for study. Dis- 
satisfied with himself he gave up the Bepublican 
and coming to Detroit took cases upon the 
Detroit Free Press. In the early years of the 
war the oil excitement broke out in Canada 
and he went to Oil Springs, and " got out " the 
first newspaper in the country demoted to the 
crude oil interest — the Oil Springs Chronicle. 

With the cessation of the oil flurry he severed 
his connection with this paper and went to St. 
Catherines, Ont., arriving there when that place 
was a center of refuge for both northern and 
southern rebels, and a nest in which many 
treasonable plans were hatched. His experi- 
ence as a newspaper man had made him an 
expert at obtaining information, and his un- 
compromising union sentiment had prompted 
himto communicate to the secret service officers 
of the United States Government located in 
that city. He remained at St. Catherines seve- 
ral months engaged in the dangerous business. 

The following spring he went east, bearing 
letters to Horace Greeley. Previous to going 
to New York City, he visited a number of the 
large cities of the east. On his arrival at New 
York he presented his letters to the veneralile 
editor of the Tribiine, and was cordially re- 
ceived. Greeley offered him several positions 
of responsibility, but feeling keenly his: phys- 
ical inability, he hesitated to accept. He be- 
came acquainted with the elder James Gordon 
Bennett, of the Herald, met Henry M. Stanley, 
the African explorer, then a newspaper re- 
porter, and other newspajjer notables. He was 
an eye witness of the terrible draft riots in the 



city, passed up the Hudson Kiver to Troy and 
there saw a similar scene, hut lacking the ter- 
ror of numbers which marked the metropolitan 
ementi. Settling in one of the suburban por- 
tions of Troy — the village of Lansingburg — 
he embarked in two enterprises, one journalistic 
the other matrimonial. The latter was his mar- 
riage to Miss Louise Bradshaw, on New Year's 
Day, 186G. For several years after his mar- 
riage he was connected in various capacities 
with a number of the leading papers of the 
country. 

In 1872 he came to Monroe as foreman of the 
Monroe Commercial. He soon became favor- 
ably known as thorougblj- skilled in all the 
details of his craft and as a forcible writer. 
The death of E. G. Morton some years after- 
ward rendered necessary the closing up of the 
affairs of the Monroe Monitor, which had been 
for years the local Democratic paper of the 
county. The interest of Lee & Kurz was pur- 
chased by a syndicate composed of some of the 
leading Democratic citizens: some of the other 
stockholders of the Monitor also entered the 
syndicate, and on March 17, 1880, the first 
number of the Monroe Democrat was issued, 
with Mr. Crampton as manager and editor, and 
,1. H. Kurz as secretary and treasurer of the 
new corporation. Since that time Mr. Ci-amp- 
ton's story is the story of the Monroe De/nocrn^, 
to which he has devoted his energies and 
abilities, and which has had a gratifying and 
successful career of steady and unprecedented 
growth. 

Two children have been born to Mr, Cramp- 
ton, one of whom, Charles, a bright and promis- 
ing lad, has passed across the waveless .sea to 
the silent shore beyond ; the other, Faust, a close 
and energetic student, is laying the foundation 
for future career of usefulness and honor. 

Mr. Crampton became a member of Monroe 
Lodge, No. 27, F. and A. M., in April, 1875. 
An ardent advocate of the " mystic tie," ho 
entered the Chapter in December of the same 
)-ear, became a Cryptic Mason in 1877, and a 
Knights Templar in 1878. He was for several 
j-ears the secretary of Monroe Lodge, No. 27, 
and has been the junior warden ; has been sec- 
retary of the Chapter: for a number of terms 
recorder of the Commandery, and in 1888 was 
elected its eminent commander. 

Politically, Mr. Crampton has sought no 
office. In 1888 he was chosen by the common 



THE rUKSS ()!■ MONROE COUNTY. 497 

council a ineiiiltcr ol' the boanl of education, tci'cst, and knows how to .say it. whctiiei- llio 

and was made secretary by the board. His subject be poetical, political, polemical, thco- 

interest in the cause of education icnows no Inimical, domestic, a<;ricultural or literary, the 

limit, and ho contemplates with reasonable latcli string of the .sanctum alwaj's hanj^s out, 

pride the recent remarkable advancement made and the door of the column is always ojien. 

ill our public school system. His own writings, whether as unsigned cdito- 

.\s a writer, Mr. Crampton i.s terse, vigoi'ous rial and comment upon current and local 

and pcjinted. He is a sleepless, untiring and evcnt.s, or appearing over a paeudonym, are 

persistent advocate of any measure calculated widely i-ead ; and for a time in addition to the 

for the good of the community. The <|uestion work demanded by his own journal, be fur- 

of popularity ov expediency is jihvays sub- nished editorial for one of the newspaper 

servient to the question of right. To every unions. He is yet in the prime of his powers, 

one who has anything to .say of general in- with pi-ol)ablj- many useful yearsyct before him. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES OK MONROE COCNTV. 



THE First I'resbytcriuii elmreh of Monroo, 
was oi-giuiized in the old court house, by 
Rev. Messrs. Moses Tluater and John Monteitli. 
the 13th of Jiinuary, 1820. So far as can be 
ascertained, (he following individuals consti- 
tuted the church at the tinae of its organiza- 
tion, viz.: Joseph Farrington, Persis Farring- 
ton, Isabella MulhoUand, Mary Moore, Samuel 
Egnew, George Alford, Priscilla Alford, Polly 
Wells, Eliza D. Johnson, Samuel and Anna Felt, 
Eebccca Rice, Harvey Bli.ss, Nancy Bliss, Mrs. 
Sanborne, and Lucy Egnew, who united with 
the church by letters of dismission from other 
churches ; together with John Anderson, Eliza 
Anderson, Wolcott Lawrence and Caroline 
Lawrence, who were received on profession of 
their faith. On the HOth of the same montli 
tlie Sacrament of the Lord's SiijiiJer u as, for 
the first time, administered — the number par- 
taking of the communion being twenty-two. 
During the year 1820, others were admitted 
into the fellowship of the church. The 21st of 
May Wolcott Lawrence and Joseph Farring- 
ton, who iiad been elected to that office the day 
previous, v^'cre ordained as the elders of the 
church ; and not long afterwards (the exact 
date cannot be ascertained) Henry Disbrow 
and Oliver Jolmson were added to the session. 
In the course of the same year the Sabballi 
school was organized under the superintendence 
of Charles Noble. 

Rev. Moses Hunter, who labored alternately 
at Monroe, Fort Meigs and Perrysbiiru', su])- 
plied the pulpit for a few months. Mr. Hunter 
can\e into the Territor}- from the East at the 
solicitation of Rev. John Monteith, who was at 
that time the English preacher in Detroit He 
was the instrument of doing much good as a 
Missionary of the Gospel in this part ot our 
country. 

After Mr. Hunter's de])arturc the church en- 
joyed occasional preaching — not unfrequentlj' 
for a few months at a time — from Rev. Messrs. 



Frontis, Ely, Prince, Goodman and Mcllvaine, 
until the year 1829, when Rev. P. W. Warriner 
was installed their first pastor by the Presby- 
tery of Monroe. April 5, 1833, Robert Clark 
and Harry Conant were elected members of 
the session. When Mr. Warriner resigned his 
pastorial office in the spring of the next j'ear, 
the church numbered one hundred and twenty 
communicants. 

The church remained destitute of a stated 
supplj' for some month.s, when Rev. John 
Beatie served them in that capacity for a short 
time, yielding his post in June, 1835, to Rev. 
R. H. Conklin. 

Not long after this Mr. Conklin left the field, 
and Rev. Samuel Center supplied the pulpit 
until the ICth of May, 1837, when Rev. J. W. 
Bhthe was invited to the pastoral charge. As 
this call was not an unanimous one — the 
niinorily of the members being opposed to him 
on dcjctrinal grounds— considerable dissatisfac- 
tion was felt, which resulted at the close of the 
\ ear in a division of the church — twenty-nine 
individuals leaving it for the purpose of form- 
ing the Second Presbyterian Church of Monroe. 
They chose Rev. R. S. Crampton as their pas- 
tor ; and also elected Wolcott Lawrence, Nor- 
man R. Haskell, William H. Boyd and Isaac 
Lewis as their session. The First Church at 
the same time added to the eldership John 
Anderson and Charles Noble. Zion met with 
a great loss in the month of October of this 
year in the death of Dr. Robert Clark, alearned, 
judicious and distinguished member of the 
session, and an exemplary and devoted Chris- 
tian. 

In ti.e autumn of 1838 Mr. Blythc was dis- 
missetl, and the First Church immediately after 
extended an unanimous call to Rev. Conway 
P. Wing to become their pastor. He accepted 
the invitation, and soon entered upon the 
duties of his office. 

April 9, 1839, the union of the two churches 



[498] 




tM4A/CU 



U/lf] 



Vi/vu 



THE CHURCHKS OF MONROE COUNTY. 499 

\v!is cffi'ctinl. tliirty-foiir iiidividiiiils com]iosiii!r pleasing work of grace, wliicli resuUeil in Iho 

tiie Second Church being cordially received addition to the ehuirli of sixteen of the 

back into the old organization. The l!>tli of youth, in 18.50. September 2, 1S51, (!od called 

.lune ^Ir. Wing was installed their pastor hy to liis heavenly rest Dr. Harry Conant, the 

the Presbyterj- of Monroe. In the month of wisdom of whose counsels, the consisteney of 

Novenihcr following, Norman I!. Haskell. whose life and whose rclialdcness as a memlior 

William JI. Bo3-d and Stephen P. Morehouse of the session were such as to render his death 

were elected elders of the church. Two years generally lamented. 

after thi.s^Ir. Wing was constrained on account At the commencement of the ntxt year Rev. 

of ill-health to resign his charge and leave Thomas Forster succeeded Mr. Northrup in the 

for a milder climate, to the .sincere regret of same capacity as a stated supply. Six months 

the church and congregation. The number of afterwards, the 7th of .luly, Henry Disbrow. 

communicants at this time was two hundred another of that com|)any of cflicienl, active and 

and thirteen. (For steel plate of Mr. Wing honored officers in the (diureh, departed this lil'e. 

.see page 499.) |{ev. Louis P. Ledoux, having accepted a call 

.Tuly 3, 1840, the session were called upon to to the pastoral chai'go, entered upon his labors 

j]arl with one of their number, Colonel .John in .Jul}, lS.')o. His installation took place the 

.\nderson. from the very infancy of the church 2t)lh of October loUowing. Believing that the 

one of its main pillars, and most efficient and heultb of Mrs. Ledoux ro(|uired his removal to 

active member.s. a milder climate, he left in Aiu'il, 185.5. for 

Jiev. K. W. Patterson succeeded Mr. Wing as Richmond, \'irginia, having been invited to 

a stated supplj- tor a few months ; but not the pastoral office there. 

wishing to remain, Ecv. Nathaniel West en- He was succeeded in the same relation the 
tcred into the pastoral relation in the fall of first of November !>}• Pev. Addison K. Strong, 
1842. The following year about tuenty took his installation occurring January 14, 1850. 
letters of dismission for the purpose of organ- (!od converted many of the impenitent — a 
izing a new Presbyterian Church at La Salle. large part of whom were heads of families. As 
Mr. West vacated the field soon after this re- the fruits of this gracious manifestation of the 
vival. Before his departure God in his provi- divine favor to Zion, fifty jjersons were received 
(fence saw fit to bereave his people again by into its fellowship on pi-ofession of their faith, 
the removal of another of their valued and The first Sabbath of August following Daniel 
faithful memliers, their first elder, and an able S. Bacon, Thomas Clark and (teorge Landon, 
officer in the church. .Judge Lawrence died were ordained elders in this church. 'I'ho 
April 29, 1843. number of members in .luno, 1857, in full coin- 
After these events Pev. William Paige sup- munion was two hundred and eleven. During 
plied the pulpit the greater part of the time Dr. Strong's jiastorate Isaac Lewis was elected 
until the autumn of 1845, when Rev. Pobert and installed an elder of the church. 
Southgate accepted the call to the pastoral The Ptcv. Dr. A. K. Strong was succeeded by 
office. The installation of Mr. Southgate di<l the Pev. Charles N. Mattoon, D. D. His in- 
not take ])lace until the 15th of February, 1848, slallation occurred January 0,1864, followed 
(m the evening of the same daj' in which the by a very successful pastorate until 1809, when 
now house of worship was dedicated to the having attained the age o( over 70, and 
service of the Triune Jehovah. Mr. Southgate in declining healtli, temlered his resignation, 
accepted a call to Ipswich, Massachusetts, in He died at .Monroe, May 27, 1880. Pev. 
the spring of 1849 ; the church numbering at W. W. Newell was installed October 1,1809. 
the time of his departure two hundred and and supjilied the pulpit the two following 
three members. Soon after this event .several years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Douglas 
individuals were, at their own request, dis- P. Putnam, who was installed pastor April 4. 
missed to constitute the Congregational Church 1S71. and sustained that relation lor the ten 
of Eaisinville. succeeding years. In 1881 Re^. W. W. Mac- 
After the lapse of a few months Rev. Henry omiier supplied the pulpit for the two succeed- 
H. Northrup came to supply the pulpil. Dur- ing years as a sujiply, when Rev. Samuel S. 
ing his ministery the Sabbath School enjoyed a Pratt received a call from the church ; was in- 



500 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



stalled as pastor October 26, 18S8, and sustained 
that relation until October 1, 1889, when he 
tendered his resignation. The Rev. Erasmus 
Boyd, D. D., for over a quarter of a century 
principal of the Monroe Female Seminary, fre- 
([ueutly supplied the pulpit. Reference is here 
made to his biogra]))iy below. 

The Monroe Pi'csbyterj' was organized Feb- 
ruar3f 12,1834. The First Presbyterian Church 
was ei-ected on the corner of First and Cass 
streets, now dccupiod by Zions Lutheran 
Church for .school purposes. The lar^je and 
spacious brick church now occupied by said 
churcli and society was erected on the south 
side of the public square, Avest of Washington 
street (the site therefor having been donated 
by Colonel Oliver Johnson), was built and 
dedicated in 1846, and during the pastorate of 
Rev. D. P. Putnam was greatly improved and 
re- dedicated at an expense of $14,000. The 
chapel adjoining the church on the west was 
erected and dedicated in November, 1869, and 
the parsonage, located on the west side of 
Washington street, which will fiivorably com- 
pare with any one in the State, was erected in 
1880. August 1, 1886, Henry Austin and Tal- 
cott E. Wing were ordained elders. The pres- 
ent membership in full communion is two 
hundred and thirty six, and meraliership of 
Sabbath School one hundred and sixty. 



ERASMAS JAMES BOYD, 

Brother of the Hon. William H. Boyd, was 
born in central New York. He was graduated 
from Hamilton (college, and from the New 
York Theological Seminary. From the latter 
be immediately accepted a pastorate in Brook- 
lyn, Michigan, whei-o he won the hearts of his 
people, and is still remembered by the friends 
he drew about him. The citizens of Monroe, 
Michigan, offered Mr. Boyd great inducements 
to come to Monroe and found a young ladies' 
seminary. The buildings and grounds were 
purchased from Stolham Wing, and Mr. Boyd 
became principal. The serainarj- proved a 
great success under his management, and in a 
few years he was enabled to purchase the 
property and make additions reiiuired by the 
increasing number of scholars. He emjiloyed 
a tine corps of teachers in all branches, and the 
departments of music and art develo^jed un- 



usual talent. The annual concerts of instru- 
mental and vocal music, as well as those given 
at intervals during the year, were a rare treat 
to the people of Monroe. A course of lectures 
during the winter months was an interesting 
feature of the institution. And the citizens as 
well as the pupils listened to such men as 
President Tappan, Professors Heavens, Winch- 
ell and Uphani and President White, of Cor- 
nell, together with many others too numerous 
to mention. Mr. Boyd was unusually quick in 
detecting talent as well as the particular bent 
of minds under his instruction, and many a 
timid girl has been encouraged in the line 
when her success eventually showed the" rare 
decernment he j)ossessed. He was also an ex- 
cellent and discriminating judge of literature, 
poetry and the fine arts, and those under his 
care ever remember the pleasure and enthus- 
iasm he displayed with their best, but imma- 
ture efforts. Thus he endeared himself to 
evei-y member of the school by his sympathy, 
charity and kindness. To the struggling 
student he was unfailing in patience and atten- 
tion, and generous to many in a substantial 
degree With all his duties as principal of a 
flourishing seminary, and as a jniblic spirited 
man in the chui-ch and city, he ever sought out 
the neglected and needy. Mr. Boyd established 
a mission school in the third ward ; a brick 
building suitable for th-e undertaking was 
erecteil, and many of foreign deseerit were 
gathered into the Sunday School and evening 
meetings. Some of the young boys were 
incited to a better education, and a number of 
them grown to manhood are promising busi- 
ness men in this and other cities. Some en- 
tered the army during the rebellion and fought 
a good fight, from time to time writing to their 
benefactor, and amid the dangers of the camj) 
and battlefield, were sought out by kind and 
encouraging letters from Mr. Boyd, whose care 
for their welfare never ceased. Those who 
knew Mr. Boyd's kind and beautiful spirit can 
not wonder he is so devotedly embalmed in the 
hearts of his puj)ils, who ever sjieak of him in 
words of love and glistening ej^es. After the 
war the country passed through a financial 
crisis, which effected the seminary as well as 
most institutions of the kind throughout the 
West. Other schools of like nature were ojjened 
in neighboring cities and towns, and our Mon- 
roe Young Ladies' Seminai-y received a blow 




T^y 



THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY. 



501 



from wliicli it never entirely recovered. Kov. 
K. J. Boyd accepted a call to Laramie ("ity, 
Wyoming Territory', whore lie preached a 
j-ear, and died sudilenly, November 2}, 1881, 
regretted by the people to whom he had en- 
deared himself in an unusual <legree. 

Rev. Krasmas J. Boyd was married soon 
after leaving the theological seminary to Miss 
Sarah Clark, who was educated at Miss Wil- 
lard's famous seminary of Troy, New York. 
During their residence in Monroe three daugh- 
ters were born — KUa. who died at the age of 
fifteen ; Florence, who UKirriod Mr. 'V. K. 
Schwarz, of Boston, Massachusetts, now living 
in Colorado; Anna, who married Mr. F". Iv. 
Copeland, of Boston, Massachusetts, now of 
<'hicago. Illinois. A meeting of the resident 
Alumni was called in September, 1883, at which 
it was decided to erect a monument to the 
memory of Mr. Boyd ; former members of the 
seminary from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast 
were notified and responded heartily and grate- 
fullj^, and in a few months a Scotch granite 
monument was imjiorted and erected over his 
last resting place, with the following inscription : 

" Reverend Erasinas J. Boyd was born No- 
vember 1, 1814, died November 23, 1881. For 
twenty-nine years Principal of the Monroe 
Young Ladies' Seminary. He possessed in a 
high degree the affect ion and respect of his 
pupils, who, in loving remeiulirance, have 
erected this monument.' 

His character and the esteem in which he 
was held cannot be better portrayed than by 
quoting from the sermon by llev. J. Y. Cow 
trick. D. D., preached at the funeral services in 
Laianiie City on November 26, 188]. He said : 

'■ 1 shall never forget the first time I saw 
him in Presbytery at Denver, as he rose his 
tall form towering over those around him, he 
•<aid he had heard much of the West and had 
come to see the glory of its wonders and to cast 
in his lot with us. Not one word of comjilaint. 
not one word of seeking for health — only de- 
sirous of entering on the work that is so 
abundant in the wide and wild fields of the 
Wcut. He at once entered the conflict and like 
a mailed warrior died with his harness on in 
the midst of the battle, 'Let me die the death 
of the righteous and let my enil l>e like his.' 

" Who can say my friend E. J. Boyd was not 
a royal knight of a royal mastei-? He pi'iuiched 
to you, my friends, one year; his last sermon 



being on the anniversary of his firsl year, and 
bj' his bri'thi-cn in the ministry was requested 
to preach a union Thanksgiving sermon. He 
had just completed it and died with it in his 
hand. Yet he died with his harness on. went 
into the presence of the king of kings with 
thanksgiving, which, as he joined the hosts at 
once, was a peace of victory. He was truly, 
while here, a prophet, priest and king. He 
was a prophet because ho sjioke lor his Master 
always and everywhere wiien it was proper 
and possible to do so. He was a jiriest because 
ho was often found interceding for those at a 
throne of grace. He was a king because by 
])urity and gentleness manifested in a vigorous 
life, he ruled for good wherever he was present. 

"No man ever closed his earthly career in a 
grander way, working for the -Master until 
within fifteen minutes of his call. He could, 
with the Apostle, have well said : " I have 
fought a goo<l fight, I have finished my course, 
I have kept the faith,' and to this, people would 
respond, ' Verily, thou hast.' Henceforth there 
is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness." 

Prof. Boyd's body was sent to his old home, 
Monroe, Michigan, and laid to rest by the side 
of his first born and iicloved daiiichter. I'^lla. 



PKKSBYTKRIAN CHURCH OK ERIE. 

The formation of the l'resb\ lerian Church of 
Erie was the work of llev. William L. Buft'ott, 
who preached here at regular intervals while 
residing at Otter Creek, near La Salle. 

In June, 1849, a re(|uest from Christian 
people in Hrie was made to the Presbytery of 
Monroe to be organized into a (diurch, and Jlev. 
William L. Huffett and Rev. J. B. Taylor, of 
Bedford, were appointed a committee for this 
])urpose. 

On Saturday, September 8th, Mr. Buffett met 
with the people in the school house of Erie, 
Mr. Taylor being detained by illness, and 
preached a sermon, and took names of some 
who designed to be members of the church. 

On the next day, Sciitomber !Hh, the follow- 
ing persons were duly organized into the first 
church of Erie, to wit: John P. Rowe, Sarah 
Ann Rowe, (iilbert Hitchcock, Nanc}' Agnow, 
Sarah MulhoUcn, Francis Mulhollen, Eliza Cor- 
nell, Catherine Darrah, .Mary Slowell, Ann 
Elizabeth Trail, Angeline Sa.xlon, Marilla J. 



502 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Stump and Lucy Williams. Gilbert Hitchcock 
was made clerk, and John P. Eowe, treasurer, 
who were afterward ciiosen the tirst elders of 
the ehui'ch, and were orchiined February 22, 
1852. 

The first ehureli cditice, a |ilaiii frame struc- 
ture, was dedicated August 8, 1850, by Rev. Mr. 
Huffett, assisted by Rev. J. B. Taylor, of Bed- 
ford, and Eev. Henry H. Northrop, of Monroe. 
It liecame necessarj' after thirty-eight years to 
repair the house cxtensivelj- or build again. It 
was determined to rebuild of brick, under the 
management of John A. McDonald, George O. 
Perry, Charles M. Rowe, Cluirles R. Brighani 
and Alviii G. Kelley, as the building com- 
mittee. 

The corner stone of the new church was pre- 
sented by Mrs. Wihner J. Keeny's Bible Class, 
which took a lively interest in the new enter- 
prise, and contained a copj- of the Holy Bible, 
the constitution of the Pi-esbyterian Churcli, 
with its form of government and discipline, 
and the names of the subscribers to both 
churches, as well as the building committees of 
both, and the name of the teacher and mem- 
bers of tiie Bible Class, with their resolutions 
in connection tlierewith. The church officers 
and name of pastor were included. The mis- 
sionary publication called The Church at Home 
and Abroad, the New York Evangelist, and 
several other papers of this vicinity, the num- 
ber of ciiurch members who have been in its 
connection, in all one luindred and seventy- 
one, as well as the present number, which 
was fifty-eight. 

This stone was put in place on Wednesdaj', 
July 20, 1887, witli i-eligious exercises, Rev. 
S. W. Pratt, of Monroe, assisted by Rev. Dr. 
Duval and Bacon, of Toledo, and Rev. Mr. 
Brown of the same place. The church was 
dedicated February 8, 1888. 

The elders of this church who have pa.saed 
away are John P. Rowe, wiio died June, 1865; 
Gilbert Hitchcock, who died October 30, 1862 : 
and James Mulhollon, who died February 16, 
1871, the last of whom became a member April 
8, 1851. 

The present session are William H. Wells 
and Charles Dolim. The first was added to 
the church by letter from Monroe, April 2, 
1865 ; the other by profession of faith, Decem- 
ber 4, 1881. 

The ministei'S who have preached two jears 



and over, are Rev. William L. Buffett, Rev. 
Robert R. Salter, D. D., Rev. Samuel Fleming, 
Rev. Arthur W. Sanford, Rev. E. W. Willard 
and Rev. William S. Taylor. Rev. Noah M. 
Wells should be mentioned also, who resided 
several years with his .son, who sometimes 
preached in the absence of the minister, and 
assisted at the communion table, and was ready 
for every good woi'k. 

Rev. Noah M. Wells was a member of the 
Presbytery of Detroit, but died in Erie, Maj' 3, 
1880. He was born in Saratoga, New York; 
was educated in Union college, and privately 
with a minister, actively engaged as pastor of 
a church. His first preaching was at Galvvaj", 
New York, then at Brownsville in the same 
State. 

In 1824 he removed to Detroit and organ- 
ized the First Presbyterian Church in the city, 
and continued there till 1833, when his health 
failed and removed to Mishawaka, Indiana, 
where he was connected with an iron foundry- 
tor a few years, occasionally preaching as 
op|iortunity presented. Having received the 
appointment of a chaplain in the army, he 
removed to Galena, Illinois, and filled the posi- 
tion for a few years. After this he returned to 
Michigan and spent a year in the Bethel ser- 
vice at Detroit. Afterwards he came to Krie 
and spent the remainder of his days, which 
reached ninety eight years. He was eloquent 
and practical as a preacher. 

Rev. William L. Buffett left in 1852, and 
went, as supposed, further west. Rev. R. 
Rogers Salter, D. D., succeeded him, and came 
from Tiffin College, Ohio, for which he was 
agent for a time, and from which he received 
the degree of D. D. He began preaching in 
1852 in La Salle and Erie. He was invited in 
1856 to become theii- pastor, and became a 
member of the Presbytery by letter from the 
classes of St. Jo.seph, Micliigan, and was duly 
enrolled. Having accepted the call to become 
the pastor at La Salle and Erie, he was duly 
installed in 1856 b\- Rev. A. K. Strong and 
Rev, K, J. Boyd, chosen by the Presbytery for 
this service. His iiastorate continued till 1864. 

His successor was Rev. Samuel Fleming. He 
was born in Romulus, New York. He became 
a minister and removed to this State and be- 
came a member of the Presbytery of Marshall. 
He remained here two years, removed to 
Morenci, from Monroe to Burr Oak, where he 



THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY, 



503 



finished his work, as his life closed December 
5, 1885. 

Rev. Arthur AV. Sanford was next invited to 
be pastor of the church in Erie. He became a 
member of Presbytery by rccoinmendatioii of 
the Presbytery of Fort Wayne in September. 
18G7, and was installed pastor the 15th of Sep- 
tember b}^ Rev. C. N. Mattoon and Rev. E. J. 
l?oyd, of Monroe. He remained until 1870 and 
removed, but returned again in 1881 and re- 
mained two years. He preached in Erie, in 
all, five years. He removed to Detroit ami 
entered into rest in the year 1886. 

In 1874, Rev. E. P. Willard, of Cayuga, New 
Y(;rk. supplied the church and i-emaiiied until 
1S79. He is now preaching in Cayuga. 

Rev. William S. Taj-lor became pastor in 
1885, and still occupies the pulpit. 

John P. Rowe, one of the first elders of this 
church, came .from Vermont. 

Many families, prior to the War of 1812, left 
all hut clothes and nccessar}' food and took 
open boats and went southward coasting to- 
wards Ohio. Many again returned when the 
wai- was over. Daniel Mulhollen's family among 
them, with nine children. In three years after 
they left Michigan they returned to the Raisin, 
claimed their land and commenced making a 
farm, and in a few years built a house two 
miles south of the Raisin, where the Mul- 
hollen's still live. Mrs. John P. Rowe still re- 
sided in Erie. After her husband's death, in 
1865, she gave attention to her two children, 
and became interested in church affairs, doing 
whatever her hand found to do with her might. 
She died full of years and usefulness June 16. 
1887. Mrs. Sarah Kowe died at the residence 
iifhei- son, Charles M. Rowe, in Erie, in the 
eighty-first year of her age. One of the minis- 
ters of the churcii for five years, Rev. E. P. Wil- 
lard, and who knew her well, .says of her: 

Mrs. Rowe was born in Monroe, Michigan, 
January 2, 1807, and after her nurriage to Mr. 
John P. Rowe, she removed to Erie, Monroe 
county, where she has since resided. Her hus- 
band, an influential citizen of that localitj-, died 
in 1865. She was a woman of energy and ster- 
ling religious character, whose heart and life 
made a deep impress upon the community. 
She was distinguished for piety and usefulness. 
She was endued with a spirit of wisdom, and 
exhibited undaunted Christian zeal and a large 
benevolence. Her kindness, sympathy, and 



charity were proverbial. Her faith was .strong. 
In a feelile church she was a tower of strength. 
Her words of counsel were inspired with hope. 
Her radiance of example and life was not onl)- 
iliffused in her own ha])i)y home, but she was a 
burning and a shining light in the whole com- 
munity. For long years her devotion to the 
church, and her ceaseless prayers for its wel- 
fare, wei'e widel}' known. As a true mother in 
Israel, she is lamented. Her gifts to benevo- 
lence and to the Presbyterian Church, were 
constant and magnanimous. Upon her heart 
were the interests of unconverted souls, and 
she lived to see many brought to the Saviour 
through her instrumentality. The reward is 
hers of those " who turn many to righteous- 
ness." Under the infirmities of age, her 
])atieiice and Christian resignation evinced 
ripeness of character and the power of grace. 
All who knew her bestowed upon her genuine 
affection, and will long hold her memory in 
sacred trust Her burial took place at Wood- 
lawn cemeterv, Toledo, Ohio. 



REV. NOAH IM. WKLLS, 

TIIIC OI.DKST I'KF,s|!YTERIAX MINISTER IN THK U.NITEI) 
ST.\TIis. 

Rev. Mr. Wells was horn at Beinis Heights, 
vSaratoga county. New York, July 8. 1782, his 
father's name being Eleazer AVclls. and his 
niotiier's maiden name was Joanna Fellows. 
When the deceased was three 3-ears old his 
father moved with his family to New Lebanon, 
New York, where the boy was kept at school 
until thirteen j-ears of age, and from that time 
until he was twenty years old Mr. Wells worked 
alternately on the farm and in the shop, learn- 
ing his fiither's trade of harness making. 

In his fourteenth year he was baptised in 
the Episcopal Church ; from his seventeenth to 
his twenty-first year the young man became a 
believer in the Universalist doctrine, but on 
attaining his majority he experienced a change 
in his Itelief and became impressed that he 
must become a preacher of the Gospel. 
Through reverses his father became a poor 
man so that his son could not look to him for 
help; therefore boarding at home and walking 
three miles each day to his lessons, Mr, Wells 
boifan under the tuition of a young minister in 
a neighboring town. In eleven months he en- 



504 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tered the freshman class in Union College, 
Schenectady, being the oldest scholar in the 
class. Through aid from Mr. Van Rensselaer, 
the mayor of Albany, and the kindness of Dr. 
Nott, president of tlus college, together with 
some remuneration for teaching in the gram- 
mar school; the young man graduated, received 
his diploma, and was appointed tutor in the 
college. After teaching and while studying 
divinity under Div Nott, the j'oung man left 
the college free from debt and with three hun- 
dred dollars. 

His first charge was the Presbyterian Church 
and society at Gahvay, Saratoga county, where 
he was ordained, and it was at this time that he 
married Miss Nancy Hunter, of Stephentown, 
Kensseiaer county. New York. In three years 
she died, leaving one son. For five years Mr. 
Wells preached at Gahvay, writing and com- 
mitting to memory two sermons each week, 
lecturing each Wednesday evening, with 
prayer meeting Friday night and pastoral in- 
vitations. After being two years a widower Mr. 
Wells married Miss Jane Lett'erts, who after- 
ward died and was buried in Detroit. 

Mr. Wells' second charge was at Brownville, 
Jefferson county. New York, where he estab- 
lished the first church there, and performed 
the work under almost thrilling circumstances. 

Early in 1825 he received an urgent invita- 
tion to visit Detroit, and in June of that year 
arrived there. He found a comfortable wooden 
church, with about thirtj' members, as the 
first Protestant church in the city; but they 
had no organization according to law. As- 
sisted by such men as Mr. Hastings, Dr. Rice, 
Messrs. Bingham, Stewart and others, he 
formed a regular Presbyterian Church, with a 
strong band of elders and thirty-six members, 
all told. This was the first Presbyterian 
Church ever formed in Michigan. Mr. Wells 
continued as pastor of this church until 183C, 
when his health failed him, and he was suc- 
ceeded by Mr. Cleveland, whose successor was 
Dr. George Duftield. 

Mr. Wells then engaged in secular business, 
taking an interest in a blast furnace at Misha- 
waka, Indiana. In about a year he returned 
to Detroit to take charge of the Flat Rock and 
Gibralter Company, in which business he re- 
mained two years and then returned to Misha- 
waka. After living there about a year he re- 
moved to Niles, Michigan, having been ap- 



pointed by the Michigan University as a 
teacher in the branch of the university estab- 
lished at Niles. Eighteen months later he was 
appointed chaplain in the United States Army, 
to be stationed at Prairie du Chene When 
the troops were removed from there to take 
part in the Florida War, Mr. Wells went to 
Galena, Illinois, where he remained nearly 
three years, building up and conducting a 
Presbyterian Church. He then returned to 
Maumee City, where he remained a short time, 
and then came to Detroit to take charge of the 
Bethel cause there, and after six years of this 
work he retired from all service and went to 
Eric, Michigan, to reside with his son, William 
H. Wells. For his third wife Mr. Wells mar- 
ried Mrs. Nancy Trowbridge, of Hudson, New 
York, who died in Detroit and was buried at 
Elmwood. Up to the time of his death Mr. 
Wells resided with bis son ac Erie, Michigan, 
and besides being the founder of the first 
Presbyterian Church in Michigan, was at the 
time of his death the oldest Presbyterian min- 
ister in the United States. He died Maj' 3, 
1S80, aged ninety-eight. 



PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PETERSBURG. 

When in 1856 the Pi-esbytery of Monroe 
asked a missionary of the Home Missionary 
Society to work within its limits, the request 
was denied. The Presbytery then determined, 
as the necessity seemed great, to obtain one 
and pay him themselves. Rev. Austin Marsh, 
a veteran in the service, was employed, who 
preached at Petersburg, as well as at other 
points. 

The people asked the Presbytery for the 
formation of a Presbyterian Church in this 
place. Revs. E. J. Boyd, H. G. Bliun anil 
Daniel S. Bacon, older of the Monroe Church, 
were appointed as a committee to see to it, and 
form a church if they thought it best. 

Rev. E. J. Boyd, principal of the Ladies' 
Seminary, of Monroe, met Rev. .1. Marsh on 
Sabbath, November l(i, in Petersburg, where 
after service five persons presented letters 
from other churches, and two presented them- 
selves for examination as to their experience of 
Christian grace. They all gave their assent to 
Articles of Faith and covenanted to walk to- 
irether as a church of the Lord. 



THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY. 



505 



Oil Saturday, l>efcniber 13, tlu'y met at tho 
scliool houso of tlie villasfo, wlion some more 
wei-e ciirolleil, and l>r. Joseph Hrown and 
ilyron 15. Davis were chosen chlers of tho 
chun-h, wlio on the next da\- wore duly in- 
vested with this office. Tiie Lord's Sujiper 
was also administered, when eleven members 
were present, as follows: Dr. Jonas Brown 
and his wife, (ioorge R. Hrown, Mrs. O. T. 
Rose, Mrs. H. (J. Morse, Mrs. George Peters, 
Myron B. Davis and liis wife, Mrs. Alniira 
Giflford, Matlison Reynolds and James Rey- 
nolds. This church was reported to the Pres- 
bytery, and on application was received and 
enrolled April 8, 1857. Its earlj' growth was 
permanent. In ten years its membership was 
fifty-four, although some had tilled the measure 
of their daj's. 

In 1870 the additions were sixteen. Twenty- 
four were added in 187(5. 

The elders of the church have been: Dr. 
Jonas Brown, Mj-ron B. Davis, .Justus Tremain. 
Daniel McC'oUum. The present elders are 
Myron B. Davis, George R. Hrown, Havilah E. 
Davis and James H. Gage. 

The first jjlace of meeting was an Union 
llou.sc built for public worship by the people, 
and first occupied by tho M. E. Church. 

When it became necessar3- to meet sepa- 
rately, a lot was obtained of Eliakinor Cornell 
as a free gift. A committco was appointed, 
and when the brick were ready the people 
turned out with their teams and hauled tliern, 
as well as the stone, with gratuitous labor. 
Owing to the increase of the value of materials 
the building, which was commenced in 18(54, 
was not completed until 18(58, when it was 
dcilicatcd, witli a slight debt remaining; but 
in a few years it was enlireU' removed. 

One of tliis committee was Oliver T. Rose, 
who came from Rhode Island to this place 
when the country was new, and took hold of 
this enterprise with iiboralitj- and zeal and 
])usheil the work forward, when others faltered, 
and at the end put down a liberal donation to 
relieve the work from debt. 

Another one of the committee was Horace 
Hill, who came a pioneer from Vermont, and 
was ready always to do what he could to en- 
i-ourage the enterprise. 

.Mention maj- al.so be maile of the <-ldei's of 
the church who have pa.s.sed away : 



Dr. Jonas Hrown was burn in Heath, Frank- 
lin county, .Massachusetts, in 1705. He became 
a member of AVilliams College, and graduated 
at that institution in 1815, having as.sistcd 
liimself largely \>y teaching. He became a 
plij'sieian and lived in Peru twelve years. Ho 
came to this State in 183(5, and lived at first in 
Lenawee county, but finally purchased new 
land south of Petersburg and gave his atten- 
tion to farming. He was an original member 
of this church, lived an honorable Christian 
life, and died in 18(59. 

Colonel Justus Tremain was born in Hei-k- 
shire county, Ma.ssachusctts, in 171)8. In early 
life he removed to Oneida county, New York, 
and was a fai-mer. He came to this count}- in 
183H. Iviving in the vicinity of Petersburg 
when this church was formed, he soon became 
a member and was chosen an elder, and lived 
lure the remainder of his life, and died in 1872. 
lie was an upright man, and had the satisfac- 
tion of seeing his children walk in the 
( 'liristian way. 

Daniel McColluni was also an elder who was 
born in Herksliire county, Massachusi'tts, in 
1800, and spent his youth and early manhood 
ther.e. lie was a mechanic— a maker of hand- 
rakes. When he came westward he made a 
home in Adrian, and lived there several yeai's. 
Fi-om Adrian removed to Petersburg and 
joined this cliurch. He waschosen an elder in 
18(59. The clock, communion set and chairs 
were given by him, as well as the library in 
the vestibule of the church. The bell, costing 
near five hundred ilollars, received a generous 
contribution from him. 

He was an exemplary man, faithful in all 
duties, generous and true to the church, and 
(|uietly passed away .lune 1, 1878. 

The ministers who have preached l()r this 
church were: Rev. Justin Marsh, Rev. Moody 
Harrington, Rev. J. W. Hayncs, Rev. (J. M. 
Hoardman and liev. W. S. Taylor. 

Rev. .lustin Marsh was horn in Montague, 
Massachusetts, in 179(5. After graduating at 
.\niherst College and studying theology under 
the instruction ot Rev. Allen McLarron, of 
Simsburgh, Connecticut, he went to Wi'st- 
ei-n New Vork and preached at Sherman, 
Napoli, Amora an<l ( >rangevillc, and came to 
Michigan in 1S37. He was diligent in his 
calling, ])reaehed in many ])laees here, and died 



506 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



at the home of oue of his sous, in the full tri- 
umph of faith, leaving two sons earnest minis- 
ters of the gospel, January 9, 1872. 

Eev. Moody Harrington was in Petersburg 
but a short time, and little is known of him. 

Eev. John W. Baynes was born in Liver- 
pool, England, May 24, 1799, and was educated 
at Eotherham College. In 1838 he came to 
the United States and became an assistant to 
Eev. Dr. Stearns, of the Presbyterian Church, 
of Newburyport, Massachusetts. He after- 
wards preached for several years at St. Catha- 
rines, Ontario. In 1849 he came to Hudson, 
Michigan, where he jireached a few j^ears. He 
preached in Manchester, and in Blissfield, Pe- 
tersburg, and Deerfield, his family residing in 
Hud.9on. He died after many years of suc- 
cessful work, January 11, 1877. 

His successor at Petersburg was Eev. George 
Martin Boardman, who came from Western 
New York. He applied for admission to the 
Presbytery of Detroit. He was accepted as a 
candidate, and was soon licensed to j^reach. In 
1852 he was enrolled as a member of Presby- 
tery, and was preaching at White Lake. He 
was a member of Monroe Presbytery in 1861, 
and preached in Petersburg. In 1862 he 
enlisted in the military service of the State, 
and became captain of Comj^any I of tlie 
Fifteenth Infantry, in camp at Monroe. The 
regiment went to St. Louis, and moved for- 
ward immediately to Pittsburgh Landing, 
leaving Mr. Boardman at St. Louis, where, 
after a few days he died in the hospital, of the 
small-pox. Three of his sons, Charles, Frank- 
lin and Ira D., enlisted, and Charles died also 
in the army. 

Eev. William S. Taylor also preached in 
Petersburgh. He was born in Trumansburg, 
New York. His parents were Henry Taylor 
and Laura (Graves) Ta^-lor. William went to 
school until his fourteenth year; when seven- 
teen, his mind was more particularly inter- 
ested in religious things and he became a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian ('hurch, of which his 
parents were members, and his father an elder. 
He was inclined to prepare for the ministry, 
in which his parents cordially acquiesced. Soon 
afer he entered Geneva Lyceum, a classical 
school where young men were fitted for college-, 
and remained in the institution three years, and 
entered the junior class in Union College, 
Schenectady, New York, and graduated in 1838. 



Three years after, the college bestowed the 
degree of A. M. upon him. After teaching 
the classics in O.xford Academy, New York, 
for one year, he entered Auburn Theological 
Seminary and spent three years in studj-, 
graduating in 1842. He was licensed to preach 
by the Presbytery of Cajuya, and the next 
year— after preaching a short time in West 
Bloomtield, New York — found him in Michi- 
gan, preaching in Jonesville, and while there 
he was ordained by the Presbytery of Mar- 
shall, as it then was. He preached there for 
one year ; had an attack of malarial fever and 
rested for a few months. He next preached in 
Manchester, occupying the basement of an en- 
closed church. The effort made to complete it 
was crowned with success. In 1849 he was 
invited to Hillsdale, where he was installed, 
soon after, pastor of the church by the Pres- 
bytery of Marshall. In 1853 he had another 
attack of fever, when he felt constrained to 
ask for a dismissal, to accept the agency of the 
American Sunday School Union in Michigan, 
and removed to Detroit, as the centre 
of their operations in the State. After 
remaining in this service for seven years, 
and seeing much good done in this way, he 
concluded to return to the jJastorate, and in 1862 
entered into the service at Petersburg, and com- 
menced jyreaching in the Union House, serving 
also the church in Deerfield. 

The church in Petersburg grew ; the house of 
worship was commenced and carried forward to 
completion. Having been pastor here for over 
twenty years, he asked to be dismissed in 1885 
and went to Erie, and is pastor of the First Pres- 
byterian Church at the present time. 

METHODIST CHURCH. 

The Eev. William Mitchell was sent to this 
section of country in 1810 by the Western 
Conference, which embraced the valley of the 
Ohio and adjacent territory. He preached at 
Detroit, Elver Eouge and Monroe, and was 
followed the next year by the Eev. Mr. Holmes, 
who occupied the field and continued a year 
longer, ministering to a little band of twenty- 
three, but in consequence of the war most of 
the settlers were forced to flee, the little band 
was scattered, and for the five subsequent years 
there was a suspension of efforts by this denom- 
nation. 



THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY. 



507 



111 1817 tlie Rex. .To.sepli ^Vfitclicll c;uiic fro- 
(liiciitly to minister, and as there was no ])ublic 
liiiililing in wliich to hold services, the resi- 
dences of Daniel Mulholland, sr , and Samuel 
Kelt were occupied as the most commodious. 
He continued to preach from time to time until 
1812, when Rev. John P. Kent succeeded him. 
He formed the first .Methodist class, coiisistini^ 
of Samuel, Elizabeth, Scth, Ethel and Abigail 
Choal, Jacob B. and Marj- Parker, Lj-man. 
Sarah and Mary Harvej-. and Pheiiira West. 
The organization was effeeted on -the south side 
of the River Raisin about two miles west of tlie 
jireseiit city of Monroe, in the house of 
.Jacob B. Parker, on the farm now occupied b^- 
.\. H. I) wight. -Mr. Kent occupied the field 
but one j-ear. Tins venerable man died at 
].,iiua. New York, in 1S80, aged eighty-eight, 
after a long and useful mini-stiy. He was suc- 
ceeded in 1822 by Samuel Baker, and as the 
circuit embraced all the settled position of 
Michigan except Sault Ste. Marie, having but 
one assistant, his visits to Monroe were not 
frc(|uent. He married one of the original class, 
Sarah Harvey, who, after his death, married 
the Rev. John A. Baughman,who occupied the 
\ circuit in 1825, and was justh' regarded one of 
the best and ablest and most successful of the 
veteran itinerants. His ministrj^ continued in 
this State thirty-two j'ears, and some now liv- 
ing will recall his preaching with pleasure. 
His successors were George W. Walker, James 
W. Fiiilaj% H. Colclazer and Presiding Elder 
(ioddard, who assisted in 1S32 in forming a 
class within the village of Monroe in aildition 
to that whose headquarters were two miles up 
the river. Mr. Joseph C Garwood, for many 
years highly esteemed in this community-, 
allied himself at this time with the new class. 
The two following years, 183.3 and 1834, E. 
II. Richer and E. C. Gavitt preached eveiy 
alternate Sunday in Monroe, occupying the old 
j-ello\v court house for services. During 1835 
and 1836 Rev. Robert Triggs, sr., with W. 
Gage, ministered to the church. In 1837 the 
church building was erected on the lot where 
the parsonage now stands. Rev. J. W. David- 
son, through who.'^e energy and industry the 
church was erected, enjoj'cd the pleasure of 
occupying the pulpit but four Sundays after its 
dedication. Monroe was made a station in 
1837. The indebtedness of the cliurcli was 
82,5(1(1, and mortgaged to a citizen, J. (/. .Adams. 



The mortgage was transferred to the liank of 
Michigan, and as a large part of the subscrip- 
tion was jiayaiile in land, the mortgage was 
cancelled b^- a transfer of the lands to the hank. 
The church was dedicated in December, 1839. 
during the pastorate of A. M. Fitch. The Rev. 
Baughman again supplied the ])ul|iit for one 
year. Hevs A. M. Fitch, David Burns, Bisin 
.'^app. .1 allies .^liaw, II. Colcla/.er, R. R. Rich- 
iirds, lOli/.a ("raiie, T. ('. Gardner, Seth Reed, 
and Harrison Morgan followed in succession as 
pastors. 

The financial atVairs of the chui'cli were set- 
tled, and the society freed from debt during 
the pastorate of Rev. Bisin Sapp, brother-in- 
law of John Tull, Esq. During Mr. Reed's 
pastorate the interior of the church was im- 
proved, the piil])it changed from the west to 
the east end of the buildiuL', the galleries im- 
proved and a furnace su])plied. The city and 
churches met with sore reverses in 1853. The 
magnificent steamers and boats, which formed 
a link in the line of travel between the east 
and west, were taken off from the route be- 
tween Monroe and Buffalo, and the tide of 
travel and transportation found other outlets, 
the removal of business and many families en 
sued. Rev. Seth Reed gave church to more 
than forty persons in one 3'ear, this, with the 
ravages of cholera, decimated the ranks of 
the society. The following ministers came in 
the order of their names (ro:n 185() to 18(57: 
F. W. May, W. E Biglo v, F. W. Warren, J. H. 
Burnliam, I. C. York and William Fo.\. In 181)7 
Presiding Elder Shier, finding the old church 
needed repairs, and failing ti> find a disposi- 
tion on the part of the congregation to make 
them, undertook the task of securing sub- 
scriptions foi- a new brick church. A sub- 
scription of 820,000 was raised, and the Collow- 
ingyear the fimndation of a ne-v edifice was 
laid on the corner of Monroe and Second street, 
and the parsonage was removed to tlie "Wesley 
Chapel." Rev. J. W. Scott succeeded .Mr. Shier, 
but it was not until the pastorate of Rev. J. 
Venning, June 1 1, 1871, that the new church 
was dedicated with a comfortable seating 
capacity of si.x hundred, an excellent organ, 
heated b}' steam; it is doubtless one of the finest 
edifices in the conference. It was supposed, at 
the time of the dedication, the sum subscribed 
would cancel the indebtedness, but the amount 
was short some 811,000, which was reduced by 



>08 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tlu' onergotiu work of tlu' siiliscquoiit jiaslors 
— J. C. Worlloy, 1). Ciirltoii, Kovs. O. J. Pcr- 
rin and J. K. Jacklin. Mr. Jacklin was suc- 
cocdod by Eovs. C. M. Coburu, W. W. Wash- 
buni and T. G. Potter, the present resident 
pastor. The present number of eonimunicants 
one hundred and seventy, and the number of 
schohirs in the Sabbalh School, one hundred and 
sixty-one. 

TRINITY I'KOTKSTANT KPISCOrAL CIIUECH. 

'fhe Episcopal service was for the first time 
publielj^ read in this county b^' the Kev. ifich- 
ard Horry, in September, 1831. Ho came from 
Detroit on liorse-back, and preached in the old 
yellow court house. Two months thereafter 
the lion. Charles C. Trowbridge accompanied 
him, and ])ublic services were again held, at 
which time the first baptism occurred, that of 
Sidney D. Miller (now residing in Detroit) and 
a daughter of General Murray, of the British 
army. The church was tbrmally organized in 
the spring of 1832, and (ieneral Murray and 
Seneca Allen were elected wardens, and the 
Rev. John 0'i?rien became the rector. The 
first church huilding was commenced in 1833, 
upon the lot whore the rear portion of the 
Park Hotel now stands. On the 3d of Maj* 
iJishop Mcllvaine confirmed twenty-one per- 
sons. In September, 183(5, Bishop Samuel A. 
McCroskj' made his first official visit to the 
church. The Eev. John O'Brien continued 
rector of the courch until 1842. The sugges. 
tion of his name gives rise to mau}^ pleasant 
memories, confined hy no moans to the mem- 
bers of his church. IIo was a (iodly man, and 
highly esteemed by those who knew him, and 
was unquestionably one of the finest sciholars 
in the country. 

His successors were: llev. Joseph S. Largo, 
from 1843 to 184G; Rev. W. H. Hunter, from 
1840 until he resigned on account of ill-health ; 
Rev. C. F. Lewis, from 1849 to 1850; Rev. Wil- 
liam ('. Ijj-ster, from 1850 to 1855. (He was a 
singularly refined and accomplished gentle- 
man, and endeared himself to the citizens as 
well as the church); Rev. .lohn Bramwell, 
Irom 1855 to 1856; Rev. S. F. Carpenter, from 
185(5 to 18G0; Rev. Thomas Green, from 1860 
to 1864 ; Rev. Henry Safford, from 1864 to 1868 
— all of whose names call for more than the 
more raontiou, were space allowable. Great 



iniprovements had been made in 1868, and as 
all was in readiness for resuming services, the 
church caught on fire and the building with 
all its appointments was destroyed. The cor- 
ner stone of the present stone church was laid 
in June, 1868. In 1868 the Rev. (ieorge II. 
Hastman became rector, and in 1871 the church 
was completed and consecrated. Mr. East- 
man resigned On account of failing health, in 
April, 1878. Rev. Benjamin Hutchings ac- 
cepted a call from the church August 1, 1879, 
entered upon his pastorial charge, but resigned 
December 1, 1881. The Rev. William H. Os- 
born succeeded him April 3, 1882, resigned 
February 1, 1885, and was succeeded bj^ the 
Rev. R. D. Brooks, April 25, 1885, who is the 
])resent rector of the cluirch. The number of 
communicants is eighty-nine, and average 
luimher of Sabbath School scholars, forty. 

Having a pleasant parsonage on Scott street, 
11k' ehui'ch having accumulated the means, 
intend huilding. adjoining the church, on Mon- 
roe street, a Parish building of stone, to corres- 
pond with Trinity Church. 

HISTORY OF THE FIRST BAPTLST (^lURCll 
OF MONROK. 

Fifty-nine years ago, only one Baptist was 
known to reside in Monroe; Sister Fan- 
nie Stoddard. She had been trained under 
the ministry of such en'iinent men of (Jod as 
Bartholomew T Welch, D. D., and Dr. David 
Benedict, the venerable historian ol the Wnp- 
tists. Here, however, she was alone, and 
waited many 3'ear8 for the coming of others of 
her own faith and practice. At length Deacon 
Samuel Stone and his wife, of New York, set- 
tled at Waterloo. Hearing by some means 
that Mrs. Stoddard was a Baptist, on a stormy 
night in the winter of 1831, they came into 
the city to see if it was so. The three wore 
enough to claim the promised presence of Christ , 
and they at once decided regularly to gather 
together in his name. They praj^crfuUy re- 
solved, "In the name of ourfiod, we will lift 
up our banners." 

These meetings were held in iMrs. Stoddard's 
house. Jt was there, also, that the first ser- 
mon ever proaehod by a Baptist minister in 
Monroe, was delivered. This was in .lanuary, 
1832. During this year Rev. Kber Carpenter 
and Rev. Bradbury Clay preached as often as 
their home duties elsewhere would jjermit. 



THE CHURCIIKS OK MONROE COUNTY. 



i09 



Tlic text of Mr. Carpc-nUTH first Hcrmon was u 
very appropriate one, fonsidering the dcHtilutc 
conditi'jii of thiH worthy . trio of BaptitttH : 
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my jieople ; speatc ye 
comfortably to JeriisahTii." 

The first (•oti^;erts hapti8<'d were Mr. I), ('ur- 
tiH and Mrs. Cynthia Skellinj^er, February 10, 
!ind Mrw. .loel Skellinger and Mrs. I'auline 
Miller. March 16, 1834. They "cre baptised in 
the J{iver Raisin, by Rev. Bradbury Clay. 

Around the little nucleus thus formed a few 
others f;-dlUi:r(iii, until November fi, 1833, when 
a Baptist Church was organized in the old log 
court house, which then stood on the park in 
front of the Presbyterian Church. It was 
reorganized by a council of churches, the Hf-v- 
vices being conducted by Elders R. I'owell, 
rharles Randall, l>amb, and Swift. The fol- 
lowing were the coristitucnl members: I)eacon 
Samuel Stone, I). Whitcomb, Judson Wheeler, 
and their wives, and Sisters Stoddard and 
Gray, eight in number. 
I Rev. Bradbury Clay served the church as 

pastor, in connection with other churches, 
about six months. Afler a short interval he 
was followed in 1834 by Rev. M. Pearsall, 
foi- a similar period of lime. The church was 
then destitute of a pa.st^jr for 8ev(;ral years, 
during which time prayer and covenant meet- 
ings were regularly sustained. They were 
usually led by Brother M. V. Savage, a worthy 
layman, who possessed many of the elements 
of minist«rial culture and usefulness. There 
were occasional supplies by Elders Bradbury 
Clay, Eber Carpenter, Thomas Bodley, Anson 
Tucker, Robert i'owell and Marvin Allen. 
I In 1836 an efTort was made to build a hogse 

! of worship. A lot was purchased on the corner 
\ of First and Scott streets, and the frame 
erected. Nothing more was done to it, how- 
ver, for want of funds, and the house was 
•ver completed. Alter standing several years, 
until it became dangerous and threatened to 
fall, the city authorities had it indicted as a 
nuisance, and it was torn down in the summer 
of 1846. 

In the fall of 1843 Rev. Davi.l Barrett settled 
- pastor, and remained until April, 1846. He 
• :ts the first pastor whose residence was in 
Monroe. Dui-ing his pastorate the church en- 
joj-ed the first revival of any note. Many were 
added to the church, and more pro8]>erous days 
-eeroed to be dawning. They had leased for 



two years or more, the oM brick church then 
owned by the Presbyterians. 

After him came Elder J. Parks in 1817. 
I)uring his j)astorate tli<" church became weak- 
ened and discouraged, and after several vain 
attempts to maintain their organization, they 
finally decided to disband. A written state, 
mcnt to this effect was given to each memb<-r, 
many of whom, having no longer a home of 
their choice, united with churches of other de- 
nominations. 

For more than eight years there was no or- 
ganization among th<- few Baptists of Monroe 
and vicinity, and no meetings were held, ex- 
ceptas Rev. Marvin Allen, who was then publish- 
ing the Michigan Christian Herald, in Detroit, 
was al)le occasionally to visit them and preach 
for them. He had strongly opposed the disband- 
ing of the original organization, and was mainly 
instrumental in bringing about the formation 
of a new one. At length, through his faithful 
and untiring efforts, the present church was 
organized on the 8th of November, \H'>7, and 
recognized as a regular Baptist Church by the 
Ecclesiastical Council, which met on the 26th 
of February, 1858. The recognition services 
were as follows : Prayer Vjy Rev. I>, H. Bab- 
cock, of Dundee; sermon by Rev. J. A. Clark, 
of Adrian ; Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. M. 
Allen, of Detroit; Charge V) the Church, by 
Rev. E. F. Piatt of Toledo ; Closing Service by 
Rev. S. Cornelins, D. D., of Ann Ai-bor. The 
number of constituent members was nine. 
Their names are as follows: Titus Babcock, 
David St.John,.Jos<;ph Doty, Thomas W'heipley, 
T. .M. Babcock, Phebe Kinnie, Catharine Ben- 
son, I. Doty, Fanny Duncanson. 

Rev. Dr. Cornelius having supplied the 
church a few weeks, about the time of its or- 
ganization, was chosen its first pastor early in 
January, 18.'J8. He accepted the call, agree- 
ing to serve the church one-half of his time. 
He continued to labor here about seven months, 
when he was a|<pointed agent of the Michigan 
]{aptist State Convention, and entered upon 
that work. It was during this j-ear (March 
4th) that the first Baptist Sunday School was 
organized in Monroe. A church library was 
established in August. 

After Dr. Corncline left, the church was sup- 
plied during the balance of the year by Rev. 
D. I. Parker, of Ash. 

On the 2d of July, 1859, the church extended 



510 



HISTORY OK MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ii call lo licv. W. I!. Nortlirop. of Oliin, who 
accepted it, and settled here in September fol- 
lowing, and continued pastor for three years, 
or until October 1, 18C2. He also supplied a 
large number of out-stations, at some of which 
there were a number of conversions. During 
his pastorate the membership of the church 
was doubled, and at its close they were classi- 
fied as follows: Male members, fourteen ; 
female, thirty-two; total, forty-six. After 
several years of service elsewhere, he has re- 
turned again to his homo in the field of his 
former labors. 

For more than two years from (Jctober 1, 
1862, the church was destitute of a pastor, ex- 
cept for a few months in 1863, when they were 
supplied somewhat regularly by Elder Snyder. 

Owing to removals and various causes, the 
membership and zeal of the church were very 
greatly diminished. While the love of many 
waxed cold, however, there were a very few 
who had regularly maintained the covenant 
meetings of the church. It was " the day of 
small things" for the Baptist cause in Monroe. 
Many, therefore, stood entirely aloof from what 
seemed to be a sinking cause, while even the 
few faithful ones were anxiouslj' inquiring, 
" By whom shall Jacob arise ? for he is small." 

In the summer 1864 Mr. C. Ives and his 
family removed from Detroit to Monroe, and 
naturally preferring his own kindred to 
strangers, he endeavored to seek out his own 
people. Hearing one day, after various in- 
quiries, that a few Baptists were holding a 
meeting of some kind in the court house, he 
attempted, like Saul, "to join himself unto the 
disciples." Like the discijiles of old, this little 
band, seven in number, were fearful at first 
that his object was merely to spy out their 
weakness. Their fears, however, .soon gave 
place to joy on learning that he, too, was one 
of that sect " everywhere sjjoken against," and 
that he would be one with them, and stand by 
them under all circumstances. 

We have felt justified in referring to this 
simple event, and personal matters of this 
character, because here was the turning jioint, 
where the tide oi financial i^rosperity, at least, 
began, and has ever since continued to flow. 
Eeligioiis services were hereafter regularly 
sustained. An effort was at once made to 
secure a pastor, and the ([ucstion of building a 
house of worship began to be freely discussed. 



On the 1st of January, 1865, a call was ex- 
tended to Ilev. L. J. Huntley to become pastor, 
which was accepted. At the same time it was 
decided to purchase some lots in a desirable 
part of the city, and as soon as possible erect 
thereon a suitable house of worship. Elder 
Huntley continued as pastor one year and a 
half, and resigned July 1, 186ti. 

Rev. J. Buttei'field became pastor in Decem- 
ber of this year, and after a pastorate of only 
eight months, left Monroe in September, 1867, 
to take the pastoral care of one of the churches 
in Grand Rapids. His unexpected departure 
had a tendency to discourage the church, who 
had made some progress in starting the work of 
building a chapel and house of worship. 

His successor, Rev. J. S. Axtell, settled as 
pastor in December, 1867. An Ecclesiastical 
Council was convened for his ordination Janu- 
ary 31, 1868. The services were conducted as 
follows : Ordination sermon by Rev. A. Owen ; 
prayer by Rev. S. Chase; Hand of Fellowship 
by Rev. William Buxton ; Charge to the Can- 
didate by Rev. A. E. Mather; Charge to the 
Church \>y Rev. E. J. Fish. During his pas- 
torate the church occupied the chapel for pub- 
lic worship and Sunday School jjurjjoses, instead 
of the court house, which had been used for 
several jears. Elder Axtell resigned in May, 
1870, after serving as pastor for two years and 
a half 

Rev. T. M. Shanafcit accepted a call from the 
church in November, 1870, and commenced his 
labors here on the first of January of the 
following year. 

Since the organization of this cluirch Novem- 
ber 8, 1857, its pastors and other officers have 
been as follows: 

Pastors— S. Cornelius, D. D. ; W. R. North- 
rup, L. J. Huntley, J. Butterfield, J. S. Axtell, 
T. M. Shanafelt. 

Deacons — John Boyce, Joseph Doty, J. J. 
Smith, C. C. Myers, C. Ives. 

Clerks— Titus Babcock( who served six years), 
A. Marsh, J. J. Smith, C. C. Myers, T. N. Wells. 

Treasurers— T. Bahcoek, C. Ives, T. N. Wells. 

As nearly as we can ascertain there have 
been, in all, one hundred and forty ])erson8 
added to the church; by baptism, ninety; by 
letter and experience, forty. 

The Ladies' Benevolent Society was organ- 
ized May 5, 1865, for the purpose of raising- 
funds towards furnishing a new house of wor- 



THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY. 



511 



ship whenever it coulfl be built Tliej' have 
plodded on faithfullj- through manj- discour- 
ageinents, and as a result of their diligence and 
persoverence the}' have accumulated, by means 
of festivals, socials and membership fees, a fund 
of ?1,261.49. 

The erection of tliis house of worship was 
hejiun in the summerof 1867. The chapel was 
finished and occupied in January, 1868. The 
main edifice was enclosed and frescoed during 
the following year. It has been finished and 
furnished since the first of January, 1871. 

The pastors since Rev. T. M. Shanafelt have 
been F. N. Barlow, W. T. Burns; supply, Taj-- 
lor Crum, I. N. Lewis, 1). Moi-se, P. F. Ogden, 
F. W. Gokin, and I. A. Davis, settled in 1887. 

The present membership is fifty-seven. The 
Sabbath School, including officers, teachers and 
scholars, sixty. 

THE MONROE COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY. 

In the year 1820, in the upper room of the 
old yellow court house (which has given place 
to the First Presbj'terian Church), .seventeen 
of the first settlers, viz , Colonel John Ander- 
son, Harry Conarit, Oliver Johnson, Jeremiah 
Lawrence, Thomas Wilson, David Jacobs, Timo- 
thy E. Felt, Luther Smith, William Goodale, 
Henry Disbrow, Walcott Lawrence, Samuel 
Felt, Joseph Farrington, John Cook, Charles 
Noble, William A. Town and Luther Harvej-, 
assembled for the purpose of inquiring into the 
expediency of forming a Bible Society, and 
resolved in the strength of the God of the 
Bible to place the sacred truths, without note 
or comment, in the hands of every family 
within the county of Monroe. 

To appreciate in some degree the circum- 
stances under which this organization was 
ctfccted, we should be mindful of the moral 
ilarkness that then prevailed in this vicinity, 
of the very limited facilities for intercourse 
with, and far removed from commercial cen- 
ters ; limited in resources, with a very small 
amount of money; and that depreciated in 
value. They naturallj" contrasted the situa- 
tion with the established and well regulated 
society from which they had emigrated to seek 
their fortunes in the far west, and resolved 
upon laying well the foundations of society 
upon which their children and children's chil- 
dren could build. The difficulties and embar- 



rassments which attended the raising of means 
for the purchase of Bibles and Testaments may 
bo inferred from a resolution which I here 
coj)}' from the original record : 

" Resolved, As the sense of this society, that 
the initiation fee of fifty cents maybe paid into 
the depository of this society in cash, wheat or 
corn, as shall best suit the convenience of 
parties, the wheat and flour to be disposed of 
to the best advantage for the society by the 
board of directors." 

The directors' report in January, 1823, as 
the result of persevering effort, shows that a 
copy of the Sacred Scriptures had been placed 
in the hands of every family in the county 
that was willing to receive it. The county 
was, within nine years from its organization, 
very thorougly canvassed three times, and a 
Bible or Testament, without note or comment, 
placed in the hands of every family that was 
willing to receive it. In 1835 auxiliaries to the 
county society were organized in several of the 
towns of the county, and two thousand three 
hundred and two Bibles and Testaments were 
distributed through their agency. This society 
became auxiliary to the American Bible Society 
and was as old into four years. Its field of 
labor extended beyond the limits of Monroe 
into Wayne, Washtenaw and Lenawee counties. 
Through their agency over seven thousand 
Bibles and Testaments were distributed in this 
county. The county, through this agency, has 
been, from time to time canvassed, and nearly 
every family that is willing to receive a copy 
of the Bible or Testament has been supplied 
therewith. 

THE FIRST I'RKSBYTERI.\X CHllUni OF L.\ 
SALLE 

Was organized January 7, 1844, by Kev. 
Nathaniel West, who was appointed by the 
Presbytery of Monroe for that purpose. 

January 27. 1844, Lewis Darrah, David N. 
Hall and John T. Gilbert were elected elders, 
and John T. Gilbert w-as chosen clerk of session. 
Francis Chartei', Norman Barnes, John Brad- 
ford and William Dunlapwere elected trustees. 

February 16, 1844, the elders were ordained. 
Rev. William L. Buffett was the first ])astor, 
and was succeeded by the Rev. R. Rogers 
Salter and Rev. K. F. Tanner as pastors. 
The Rev. Mr. Keller supplied the pulpit from 
1879. In 1879 Cieorge W. Bradford and Jacob 



512 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNIY, MICHIGAN. 



A. Eauch wcro elected and ordained ciders of 
the church. 

The members have erected a jilcasant brick 
chiu'ch which is free from any encumbrance, 
and though it has not at this time a settled 
pastor, the Sunday School is maintained and 
well attended, Eldei' Jacob A. I!aacli being 
superintendent. 

THE FIRST CONtiREGATIONAL CHURCH 

Of Raisin villc, Monroe county, was organized 
June 13, 1S49, at the Paper Mill school house (so 
called), and services were held every altei-nate 
week at that point and Bruckner Bridge school 
house until the erection of the churcli building, 
which was dedicated December 19, 1855; ser. 
mon was jireached by the Rev. Mr. Salter, of 
La Salle ; dedicatory prayer by Rev. E. J. 
Boyd, of Monroe. The Revs. Mr. Strong, of 
the Presbyterian Church of Monroe, Mr. May 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Monroe, 
took part in the exercises. The church Imild- 
ing, at the time of its erection, was the only 
church between Moni-oe and Dundee. The 
society is feeble, though the puljiit is supplied 
every Sunday. 

THE PRESBYPERIAN GHl'RCH OF MILAN 

Was formed by a committee of the Presbytery 
of Monroe, October ]C, 1878, with a member- 
ship of eight, consisting of the following 
named persons : Henry M. Burt, Mrs. M. A. 
Burt, Dr. N. Alpheus, G. Messic, Dr. H. H. 
Palmer, Mrs. Lucy Palmer, Mrs. Alice (inunt- 
lett and Mrs. S. C. Allen. Messrs. Henry M. 
Burt and Alpheus G. Messic were elected 
elders. Up to the present time the church has 
been in charge of the following pastors, viz : 
Revs. W. H. Blair, D. C. Reid, iv. S. Withing- 
tOD, A. S. Wight, L. W. Fowler and I. W. 
McGregor. The latter entered upon his min- 
istry with this church in October, 1887, and is 
at present pastor thereof In July, 1882, the 
ground was first broken for a house of worship, 
which was dedicated Tuesday, August 13, 
1883. 

Up to this time the Sunday school bad been 
in union with the Methodist Episcopal School, 
but they organized by themselves, with Fitch 
Allen, superintendent, and there are at present 
eighty scholars in attendance. 



THE MILAN BAPTIST CHt^RCH 
Was organized October 5, 1881, with eleven 
communicants, viz: Durfce Simmons, Laura 
Simmons, Jennie Leonard, Deraxa Whitmai-sh, 
Thomas H. Fuller, Bmiline Fuller, Rev. W. 
Buxton, Cilvilla Calkins, Elice Dexter, Thomas 
Dexter, Catherine Medham and Melissa Dexter. 

October 15, 1881, I)urfee Simmons and 
Thomas S. Fuller were elected deacons, and 
William Buxton, clerk. 

Services were held by Elder Cochiane, Rev. 
Mr. Buxton, F. E. Button, until June, 1884, 
when William P. Thompson was called and 
continued until December, 1885. He was 
succeeded bj' Rev. O. F. A. Epinning. From 
July 1, 1887, Rev. J. Huntington accepted a 
call to this church, and has since been the pas- 
tor in charge. 

A lot was purchased in April, 1883, and in 
September following, a church edifice was 
commenced, and dedicated December 10, 1884. 

The present membership under Rev. J. 
Huntington is ninety-two. 

Tiie Sunday School connected with this 
church was organized in 1884, with A. D. 
Jackson superintendent, which now numbei'S 
one hundred and two scholars, with an aver- 
age attendance of seventy two. 

HISTORY OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA- 
TION OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 

The Evangelical Association began opera- 
tions in this county about fifty years ago, the 
first appointment being on Port Creek, some 
ten miles south of Flat Rock, where the first 
missionary in the State was taken sick and 
died. The people being few in number and 
poor, the first ministers were obliged to travel 
over a large scope of country and preach al- 
most daily. The circuit to which the work in 
this county formerly belonged extended origin- 
ally from Ann Arbor to the Maumee River, 
and from Monroe to Adrian. On account of 
these circumstances the society in the city of 
Monroe could not be properly supplied, and 
finally disbanded, some joining the Methodist 
Episcoj^al Church, and a few still belong to the 
Evangelical Church in other parts of the 
county, and still others, having finished their 
course, have entered into rest. 

ERIE. 

The Evangelical Church began work here in 
1856. The first members were Mr. M. Blouch, 



THE CIIUKCHF.S OK MONROIC COUNTY. 



513 



sr., and wife, Mr. M. Hloucli, Jr., and wife, .Miss 
Nancy Klliot, Thomas P^lliot, Mr. and Mrs. 
Xehemiah Fiight. Rev. 11. Spots and wife, Rev. 
.1. Borougii and wife soon moved into tiic 
neighborliood and visited witii tlie eliurcli, 
and others. 

In ISGG the soeiety purchased the Free Will 
Baptist Ciiurcli, whicii \s located one mile soutli 
of the north line of the township, and one half 
mile east of the west line. 

The society is in a healthy condition and 
maintains an interesting Sunday School, at the 
head of which stands Mr. Holser, as the able 
superintendent. The school has an attendance 
of about eighty; church members, fort3^.five. 

The ministers who served the churches in 
Monroe county, from the beginning up to the 
])rescnt time, are as follows: Hevs. Altmore, 
n. Spots, C. Munk, Shaler, I). Ro.senberg, .1. .1. 
Kopp, L. (ieorge, .). Borough, (J. Doll, II. B. 
McBridc, J. Paulin, S. Copley, J. II. Keelcr, D. 
W. Shafer, W. Ecmkie, A. A. Scheurcr, C. S. 
r>rown, S. Ililbert, J. A. Frye, I). PEumbcrger, 
F. E. Erdman, S. Heininger, H. Spitle, J. 
(iraniley, J. J. Bernhard, .1. W. Loose, B. F. 
Wade, F. Mueller, and the present pastor, P. 
Scheurer. The presiding elders who have had 
the general supervision of the work in the 
county, were C. Munk, D. Strawman, M. .[. 
Miller, A. Nicalai, F. Weiss, J. 11. Keeler, and 
S. Copley, the latter serving seven years in 
this capacit}-. 

SOITII IIAISINVILLE. 

The Evangelical Church was organized in 
1861, under the pastorate of Eev. J. Spots. 

The tirst members were John Swenk and 
wife, Mr. Mitchel, wife, son and daughter, Mr. 
Simon and wife, Geo. Bes.ser, wife and father. 
Will Schafer, wife and lather, John Schafer 
and wife, and Andrew Pen and wife. Othei-s 
were soon added, such as Peter Resse and 
family, John Sheid and family, etc. 

The .society owns a good brick church, and 
maintains an interesting Sunday School, num- 
bering about sixty. (Jeorge Bogen is the 
present superintendent. Peter Reese is the 
steward, and George Bcsscr the class leader. 
The membership is about forty. 

LA SAI.LE. 

The Evangelical Church (Association) was 
organized in 1863. The first members were 
D. Laudenslager and wife, C. Thomas and wife, 



Mr. Sci]i and wife. The ScheurcMs and Troubs 
and Millers soon followed. 

The society owns a good brick church and 
has a good Sunday School, numbering about 
seventy-five. Mr. Smith is the superintendent. 
The society numbei's about fifty members. 

EAST UAISI.NVILLE. 

The Fvangelical Church was organized in 
1868. Rev. Iv Loose and family, Darius 
Loose and family, .lacob Broastand wife, Lewis 
Klein and wife, C. H. Cring and wife, .la- 
cob Newcomer and wife, John Netcher and 
wife, .lacob ]?ri<;htbill and wife, were the first 
members, but others sooti folio weil, such as 
Charles Loose. William Stahl, John Keni- 
bcrling and Henry Moses. The .society 
is in a nourishing condition, owns a beau- 
tiful new church, located on the north side of 
the River Raisin, near the old paper mill. A 
hiirhly interesting Sunday School is main- 
tained under the superintendency of N. .1. 
Custer. The school numbers about one hun- 
dred. Number of church members, eight3-- 
three. The officers of the church arc J. Kem- 
berling, J. C. Smutz, (ieorge Doty, C. I), 
lioose, H. Moses. Ed. Overmoyer and Jacob 
Broast. Peter Scheurer is the present pastoi', 
and William King, assistant. 



The Evangelical Church was organized by 
S. Heininger, in 1883. The following were 
among the first members : Mr. and Mrs. S. 
McFetridgc, Mr. and Mrs. A. II. Fredenberg, 
Mi's. W. Klipple, Misses Hester and Stella 
Jones — tlaughtcrs of Dr. Jones, the Misses 
Martin, Miss Kmma .Mills, Mi.ss Louisa Ren, 
and others. 

S. McFelridge is superintendent and class 
leader, and A. II. Fredenberg, steward. The 
present membership is about thirty. 

STRASBURC. 

The Evangelical Church was organized in 
1871, the first members being John Albig and 
wife, Mr. Harry, Eli Hansberger and wife, the 
Misses Choats; and soon after, P]. Burket and 
wife, I). Hansberger and wi'b. and Thomas 
Ifan.sberger and wife united. The society 
built a fine chapel at Strasburg Station in 1888 
(rcc of debt. The orticers are John Albig, E. 
Burket, D. Hansberger and Thomas Hans- 



berger. 



514 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



WKITEFORP. 

Tho Kvangelieal Church was organized in 
1857, by Rev. C. Munlv. Among the first 
members were John Klump and wife, John 
Rittnor and wife, .lolin Wittmeier and wife. 
The society owns a good church edifice, and 
maintain.s a flourishing Sunday School, uTider 
tlie superintendency of Mr. Peters, school num- 
bering about .seventy five. Church members 
number aboul fifty, but just across the State 
line is an outgrouth of this societj-. Tlie offi- 
cers are .John P>ittner, Mr. Priedley and Mr. 
.b^iinson. !>. P. Pumberger is the present 
pastor. 

C.\RI.T0.N. 

The Kvangelical Churcli (the first in the vil- 
lage) was organized in 1873, by Rev. C. S. 
Brown. Mr. E. Switzer and wife, Joseph Dep- 
pin and wife. Father Deppin and wife, and 
others, were among the first members. The 
society owns a chui'ch and maintains a good 
Sunday School, numbering aboiit sixty, and 
the number of church members is about forty. 
The officers are C. Switzer, J. 1). Crane, John 
Pemberger. 

A. 11. Schcurer is the ]ire.sent jiastor. 

The outlook fm- the future is fair. 

PORT I'KEK.K. 

The Kvangelical Cliurch was organized in 
1871. Father Jjangs and wife, Enoch Langs 
and wife, Mother Walter, Will Chamberlain 
and wife, Murray Chamberlain and wile, were 
among the first members. A good Sunday 
School is maintained, the number of attend- 
ants being about fifty. The number of church 
members is about thirty. Enoch Langs, Wil- 
liam Langs, .lohn ( 'arler and W. Carter are the 
officers. 

HEHLIN. 

The Kvangelical Church was organized by 
J. W. Loose; is at present a small society num- 
bering about twenty members, among whom 
are ClarU McKenzic and wife, Mr. Wallace 
and wife, Mr. Reynolds and wife, Mr. Root, etc. 

SOUTH ROCKWOOD. 

In 1884 Hon. John Strong riiade a very gen- 
erous offer to ihe Kvangelical Church, donat- 
ing a good lot and giving a large amount of 
money for a church edifice, which was built in 
due course of time. At the present writing 
Pcv. A A. Scheurer is in tlie midst of a glori- 



ous revival. Man}- are turning unto the Lord. 
The prospects are that a society of forty to 
fifty members will be organized. 

A Sunda}^ School of number about one hun- 
dred is maintained. 

SI'Ml'TEll. 

Ill ISSli a society was organized by the 
Kvangelical Church, with some thirty mem- 
bers, Peter Scheurer being the pastor, with 
William King as assistant. 

THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF 
MONROE. 

In 1837, Mr. (ieorge Bruckner, a very enter- 
prising, courteous and intelligent gentleman, 
came from Bavaria with his family to Monroe, 
and upon his invitation, other Bavarian Lu- 
theran families emigrated thither. In the fall 
of 1844 seventeen families had made their per- 
maneiit homes in Monroe through his influence. 
For several years they remained united in one 
church, the religious services being conducted 
bj- Pev. Frederick Smith, who came every 
eight weeks ; later, every six weeks, from 
Ann Arbor. The congregation desiring a min- 
ister of their own, they sought and received aid 
from Prof. Winkler, of Columbus, Ohio, who 
sent them a temporar}- supply from the Lu- 
theran seminary in that city. Soon after sev- 
eral missionaries arrived from Bavaria, and 
among the number, after some deliberation, 
Rev. William Halsted was invited to become 
the pastor on condition of conforming with all 
the tenets of the Lutheran Church. In Sep- 
tember, 1844, he was duly ordained pastor of 
the church at Monroe. He visited immediately 
every fiimilj' of his congregation, and others; 
acquainted himself with their spiritual condi- 
tion, which was sadly needing discipline. He 
organized the congregation, dividing into three 
districts, all under one head, comprising all the 
German Lutherans in the count}-. 

In 1844 tho first election of church officers 
took place. G. A. Baumann, Andrew Hoff- 
man, William Brunner and G. Gussenbauer, 
were duly elected trustees. 

On the 10th of November, 1846, the three 
districts were reunited in one, under the name 
of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church 
of Monroe. 

Emigration during 1846 was very active, 
and membership rapidly increased. Soon after 



THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY. 



515 



ilio (irdiiiiition of Mr. William Uulstoil lu' 
iinitrd with tlio Lutheran Synod of Michigan ; 
i-cniaiiu(l a inomlter thereof until 1846, when, 
with several other ministers, severed their con- 
nection therewith, for the reason the Synod had 
i-cecived to its memhorship a minister who had 
openlj- refused to conform to all the rules and 
tenets of the Kvangelical Church. His subse- 
((ueiit union with the Synod of Missouri caused 
dissatisfaction in iiis congregation; he was 
requested to omit some of the ceremonies con- 
nected with communion service, and to return 
to the Michigan Sj'nod. Refusing to comply 
with their requests twenty families left his 
church ; charges were preferred which resulted 
in following the advice and suggestion of his 
board of trustees, and giving up the church 
building and grave jard, thereby putting an 
I'ud to their controversies. 

In 1847 another departure occurred. Seven 
families left the church, and they being strength- 
ened b}- a number of new arrivals, organized 
the Zion parish in ojiposition to the wi.shcs of 
Mr. llalsled. 

In 1846 two new congregations were organ- 
ized, one .south and the other north of Moni'oe, 
the three congregations embracing ninety 
families, of whom only sixteen were in the 
city. On the 26tli of August, 1847, the church 
south broke off all connection with the S^-nod 
and the minister and church here, leaving only 
some seventy or eighty fiunilies attached to the 
original church ; and this division led to two 
organizations in the city, the second congrega- 
tion occupied the brick church — lormerly 
Presbyterian — on Cass street. 

In 1849 the Trinity— Lutheran — Church 
was organized and a lot purchased for a build- 
ing, on .Scott street, where Trinit}' Church now 
stands, and which was dedicated August 10, 
1852, embracing at the time fifty-four families. 
The same year the Sandy Creek Church was 
full^- organized with a clergj-man of their ow'n, 
the Rev. H. Lewke as pastor. After the divi- 
sion in 1847 Trinity Church numbered, or was 
attended, b}- throe hundred and thirty souls ; 
from 1848 to 1849 there were three iiundred 
and ninety-five souls ; from 1849 to 1850 there 
were four hundred and twenty souls ; from 1850 
to 1851 there were four hundred and fifty souls ; 
fi'om 1851 to 1852 the number of souls were five 
hundred; from 1852 to 1853 there were four 
hundred and thirty souls. The falling off in 



the number of those attending the church at 
Ibis time was owing to the organization of the 
Sandy Creek Church. From 1853 to 1854 tliere 
were foui- hundred and fifty ; 1854 to 1855 the 
number of souls was five hundred. At the 
present time the numbei- of families attending 
the church is about one hundred and twenty, 
and the number of persons seven hundred. In 
1855 there were forty-six baptisms. Thus 
the Rev. Mr. Halstcd gathered a largo con- 
gregation, composed principally of Germans 
who were born in Europe. But at this time 
his church numl)ers many who have grown up 
in this country, and this number must rapidly 
increase, 

1 recognize among our Cerman population 
but few who were here i)rovioiis to 1844, at 
which time Mr. Halstod commenced his labors. 
Among those who arrived previous to that 
year I may mention the oldest resident (Ger- 
mans, Frederick Waldorf, Frederick Reiser and 
Mr. Leinly; there arc perhaps a few others 
whose names do not occur to me. In the fall 
of 1848 his congregation purchased land for a 
grave yard and commenced preparations for a 
church building; the corner stone was laid Maj- 
7, 1849; completed in August, 1852, situated on 
Scott street, receiving the name of the Holy 
Trinity Church. In 1853 the cemetery was 
enlarged. In 1S5I tiie church lost several 
members from the cliolera. In 1855 several 
members of the Catholic Church united with 
the church and it gradually increased in num- 
bers. In the same year the labors of Dr. Ual- 
sted wei-e decreased by the addition of a school 
teacher, Mr. Solomon Simon, who faitiifully 
performed his difficult work. In 1857 seven- 
teen families united with the church, and sev- 
ei'al were expelled for unrul}- conducl. and 
several for having joined secret societies, 
whicii was contrary' to the rides of the .synod. 
In 1860 the church was enlarged by a twenty- 
five feet addition on the east end, and a bell 
an<l new organ purchased. 

A lai-ge number of your)g men from this 
church responded to the call of their country 
in 1861 for the suppression of the rebellion, 
thirty of whom wei-e, numliered among the 
killed. 

Solomon Simon was, from 1SG5, for a num- 
ber of years associated with Rev. .Mr. Ilal- 
sted as a teacher, and the prosperity of the 
church and school was such as to require an 



nir, 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ailililioiial assistant to Mr. Simon. In 18(;0 
fuuils were raised to meet the demand for 
room, and a larijc two-story brick building 
was erected near tlic cluireh. On the twenty- 
tifih annivensary of Mr. Halsted's pastorate, a 
very substantial expression of the esteem in 
which he was held was given, in which the en- 
tire congregation and neighboring congrega- 
tions conimeniorated the daj' with a]ipro])riate 
festivities. 

The Rev. William Halsted, after a very 
successful pastorate of fortj- years, entered into 
his rest on the 22d day of March, 1884, From 
March, 1884, to August, of the same year, the 
Rev. Mr. Trautman, of Adrian, ministered to 
the chiu-cli, until August 3, 1884, when the 
Rev. Carl Frank's was installed pastor and 
still continues to act as such. Within the 
jiast year a very substantial brick building 
has been erected cast of the church building, 
at a cost of SI, 500, for a library and gym- 
nasium for the scholars of the school, number- 
ing now one hundi'ed and forty-six, and two 
teachers. The comiuiinicants now number 
four hundred and fiftj-five. 

THE ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN 
CIU'RCH 

Was organized in 1847 (colonized from the 
First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Monroe) 
by Rev. Mr. Duenser. It purchased the brick 
church, corner of First and Cass street, pre- 
viously built by the First Presbyterian Church 
of Monroe. The site of the brick church has 
given place to a parsonage and two-story brick 
parochial school, and in the year 1883 the con- 
gregation purchased the lot and erected a ver^' 
spacious and elegant brick church, on the 
corner of Cass and Second street, at a co.st of 
$7,000. The Rev. Ducnser was succeeded by 
Revs. Rudoljjh, Diehl, Mutchell, Kiengman, 
Lutz, Fontain, Raiple and the Rev. J. M. 
Eippcrle, last of whom was installed October 
27, 1889. The present number of communi- 
cants, five hundred; and the number of 
scholars in attendance u])0n the parochial 
school is ninety-eight. 

EMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 

Colonized from Zion's Kvangelical Lutheran 
Chui'ch of Monroe, nnd organized under the 
pastorate of Rev. Charles Diehl in 1856, who 
was succeeded by Revs. Augiist Herzberger, 



Charles Luberkert, K. I). Widniann, Louis 
Kribz, August Michaelis, Ludwig Dammasum, 
Charles Fred. Seitz. The present pastor. Rev. 
C. Hohls, commenced his pastorate September 
23, 1889. The church built in 1856 a frame 
churcii on the corner of Front and Scott streets, 
which is still occupied with an addition on the 
east side for school j)urposes. The members of 
the first council were: Henry Peters, Peter 
Matter, Courad Rapp, Philip Keiser and Con- 
rad Kas.selmann. The membership is ninety, 
scholars in attendance at parochial school, forty. 

THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ZION 
CHURCH OF OTTAWA LAKE 

Was organized October 16, 1861. The consti- 
tution was signed by Frederick Beckshoeft, 
John Pepper, John Falkenhagen, John Schuh- 
mann, Carl Jacobs, William Schroder, Ernst 
Ruwaldt, John Kading and Fritz Jacobs. 

A lot was purchased for twenty-five dollars, 
and church erected at a cost of $3,600, which 
was completed and dedicated July 17, 1887. 
The property no^v being worth, including the 
church with a seating capacity of fourteen 
hundred, a school building and pastor's resi- 
dence, the sum $5,000. 

The first minister was the Rev. William 
Kroenke, who ministered to this church from 
November 10, 1861, to November 16, 1868. He 
was followed December 16, 1868, by the Rev. 
Conrad Ide, who remained until May 3, 1874. 
Rev. G. A. Schieferdecker was called May 3d, 
and remained until October, 1875, when the 
present pastor. Rev. L. C. Schober, took charge, 
the membership during this time having in- 
creased from nine to ninety families, the 
annual expenses of the church being about 
$1,000. A parochial school was opened liy the 
Rev. Kroenke, which aftoj'ds instruction to 
about forty children. 

ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH AT WHITEFORD 
CENTER 

Was organized September 27, 1H67, with the 
following members : John Schroeder, George 
Denni, Leonhard Schmidt, Christian Beschoff, 
Carl Carrsichr, Christian Strigow, Caroline 
Beschoff, Claus Grotto. 

A lot was purchased for fifty dollars and a 
churcli, with a seating capacity of two hundred 
persons, and costing about $1,700, was built 
and dedicated September 16, 1888. 



THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY, 



5\1 



The pastors have been the same as at Otta- 
wa Lake, of which it was a mission. The 
present membership is thirt3--fivc, ami tlie an- 
nual expenses two hundred dollars. 

ROMAN' (WTIIOIJC CHURCHKS OF MONROK 
COUNTY. 

COI'V OF FIRST APPLICATIO.N FOR A PRIK.ST. 

First Assembly of Catholic Citizens at the. River Raisin. 
Registered in my office in the Book No. 1 , on pages 2SS 
and 28!t. Peter Audrain, Clerk. 

Before me, and in presence of Mr. Frichetto, 
priest and pastor of the Parish of St. Anne, at 
Detroit, the undersigned here to-day assembled 
to comply with the views of Monseigneur, the 
bishop, namely, that the inhabitants of the new 
settlement on the liiver Raisin should agree for 
chosing a convenient place for a parsonage, 
and to Imy of Mr. Montigny one acre and two 
rods of land, for the sum of four hundred 
francs, and also one-half acre as a free gift 
from Joseph Hivon ; said land to serve as a 
monument to the Lord. 

On these one acre and a half and two rods 
shall be built the church, the presbytery and 
enclosure, and the said laud shall belong to the 
pastor or his successors. Hoping that thus we 
will meet the views of Monseigneur we will 
Commence with the presbyter}^, which, with 
the help of the Lord, will also serve as a chapel. 
We hope and wish that meanwhile Parson 
Frichette will visit our settlement, the weather 
permitting, and honor us with the holy .sacra- 
ments, which we will beg to deserve, and wo 
promise to him the customary tithes. 

In the expectation that Monseigneur will 
approve of our undertaking, and that lie will 
have us participate of the grace and indul- 
gence, we sign our name or mark to-day, the 
15th of October, 1788. 



Jean X Duhrnil. 
Louis X Ledux. 
T.- Britier Benae. 
Gabriel X Godfroy. 
Ixjuis Gallaine. 
Joseph Bordean. 
— Degeine. 
Louis X Suzor. 
Baptiste X Couture. 
Antoine X CannKiu. 
Paple X Couture, tily. 
Charles X Cauline. 
Francis X Labau.v. 
Rosella X Dronor. 



Baptiste X Tailland. 
Louis X Devanx. 
— Cicott. 

Ceyamani X Navar. 
Baptiste X Dronillard. 
Charles D. Chabert. 
Jean Louis X Lazoiness. 
.lean lais X Soiirdilat. 
Pierre X AV. lA»e. 
.Io.se]ili X Menor. 
Jacjues X ( iagnier. 
Joseph X Dronillard, 
Francis X Jeandron. 
Margaret X De Baptiste. 



Bean X Jo Bean. 
Jaques X Prudone. 
Joseph X Biss< incite. 
Pierre X Jonceo. 
Bazil X Cousino. 
Joseph X Poiifret. 
Etienne X Jacob. 



Baptiste X Lapoint. 
Jean Baptiste X Bissonette. 
Crisopliorn X ."^t. Louis. 
Jean X I)u.saux. 
Gabriel X Bissonette. ' 
Alexis X Level. 



THK KOMAX CATHOLIC CHURCH OF .ST. 
ANTHONY. 

Now known as St. Mary's, was oi'gani/.ed Oc- 
tober 10, 1788, by Father Frichette. It was 
situated on the Momcni farm, two miles west 
of the present site, and on the north side of 
the river. It was then considered a central 
point in the .settlement, and four hundred francs 
was paid for the land ; the adjoining one-half 
acre was donated by Joseph Ilivon. The first 
church building was not well adapted to the 
needs of the society, and in a dilapidated con- 
dition in 1843 was taken down — its crumbling 
remains are still to be seen. Most of the Can- 
adian settlers were very poor, and for many 
years were visited by Jesuits and missionaries 
of other religious orders, who never received anj- 
compensation for their labors from them, and 
were sustained b}- voluntary contrilnitions 
from France. They were too often neglected 
b}' tartly aid from abroad, and b^' those unac- 
customed to give of their Hock, vvho neglected 
that divine ])reeept so flagrantly that the poor 
])riests were obliged to leave. 

Father Frichette was succeeded b\- Rev. 
Father Antoine Gouiletn, who remained from 
April t(j July, 1788, and then returned tt) 
Kentucky. He was succeeded by Rev. Ed- 
mund Burke, who remained but about two 
years. The members obligated themselves for 
the support of the church to give one-twentj'- 
fiflh part of all they hai-vested from their 
farms, and each individual member was to de- 
liver one cord of wood at the pastoral resi- 
dence. 

Father J>evadoux succeeded FatlKi- Ihirke. 
and continued pastor until 18(12. During his 
residence his jieople promised to pay the same 
amount of wood, and each individual, fiir his 
support, was to pay four per cent, of receipts. 
Father Dilhet succeedeil Rev. E. Burke, and 
during his pastorate the Bishojjs of i?altimore 
and (Quebec visited St. Mary's and confirmed 
one hundred and ninety persons. Father 
J)ilhet made many unsuccessful attempts to 
erect a (diurch, and left in the spring of 1805. 



518 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Ho waH .siifoocdiHl liy liov. (iubricl Richard in 
Octolier, 1805, who, until 1827, ministered to 
the fiiureh in an able and energetic manner, 
giving aid to, and obtaining aid from the Ciov- 
ernment for tiiose who had been rendei'cd poor 
by the desolations of the war, and though from 
time to time he received assistance from other 
priests, he had the supervision of the church 
for nearly thirtj'-two years. 

During the ministrj- of Father liichard it be- 
came liis duty, according to the rules of the 
church, to cxcoinmunicate one of his parish- 
ioners, who had been divorced from his wife. 
The man prosecuted bim for defamation of cliar- 
actei-. in Detroit, andobtained averdict of $1,000. 
This money the poor father could not pay, and 
he was couse(|uently imprisoned in the com- 
mon jail, but just before this event, in 1823, he 
had been elected a delegate from the Territorj^ 
of Michigan to Congress, and went directly 
from his prison to the floor of Congress. 

Father Richard was a man of great benevo- 
lence and executive ability, and a very accom- 
plished gentleman. He died in Detroit Sep- 
tember 13, 1832. From 1828 Father Vincent 
Badin presided over the congregation, and a 
church situated on the old fair grounds was 
built. It was subsequently used by the Irish 
Catholics, and ministered to by his brother, 
Eev. Stephen Theodore Badin, who was Vicar- 
General of the Diocese of Baltimore, then, how- 
even-, of Cincinnati. 

Father Samuel Smith became pastor in July, 
1829, and was followed in 1831 by Father 
Cumniings, who remained but a few years. 
Rev. Father Carabin came from the church of 
Erie to Monroe, and during his administration 
the large brick church was built — commenced 
in 1834, and entirely com])letod and conse- 
crated in the absence of the Bishop in 1839, bj' 
Father Kundig, who recently died in Milwau- 
kee, Wisconsin. From 1834 to 1836 Father 
McCosker had charge of the Irish church. 
Father Toussaint Santillis succeeded Father 
(Jarabin and remained until June, 1844, when 
Father Louis Gillot, of the Order of Redemjj- 
torists, under whom the now sanctuary and 
bouse, constituting the large addition to St. 
Mary's Church, was built in 1845. He was 
succeeded by Father Smoulders, of the same 
Order, in 1847, and Fathers Poirier and 
Francis were brother companions in the ser- 
vices, and remained until May, 1855. Rev. 



Father Van Gennipand Father Henry Rievers 
came in November, 1855. Father Smoulders 
came in 1847, and during the eight years 
following that he remained he was tireless, 
and his work is still seen in the direct fruits 
it bore. Fiithcr Van Gennip had charge in 
1856, and the following j'oar ho organized 
St. Michael's Parish for the German ]jopula- 
tion. In 1857 Father Joos, became pastor of 
the historic St. Mary's. Active, energetic, 
zealous, his field of labor extended into all the 
surrounding county. Mi-ssions sprang up under 
him and schools were established. His per- 
soiuil influence lent to his efforts and an im- 
petus was given which was felt in the whole 
community. In 1862 he started St. Mary's 
Academy, an educational institution which now 
ranks high as a ladies' school. Since its be- 
ginning he has been its director and has plan- 
ned and carried the re.sponsibility of the erec- 
tion of buildings, and has constantly made im- 
provements in its courses of studj^ and in its 
department work. As an assistant he after- 
wards had Father Camillus P. Macs, the pres- 
ent Bishop of Covington. 

In 1872 the multiplication of Catholic fami- 
lies demanded still anotber parish. Father Maes 
organized St. John's congregation and built 
the present St. John's Church, of which Rev. 
Father Camillus P. Maes became pastor. At 
St. Michael's Church has' officiated for the past 
twenty-five years, Father Schmittdiel, a De- 
troiter by birth. His work has been unremit- 
ting, his zeal undimmod and the results accom- 
plished have been manifold. Over St. Mary's 
Father Bernard Soffers, long pastor of old Stc. 
Anne's in Detroit, now officiates, as zealous and 
efficient as in his younger days. 

F'ather Soffers, the present pastor, who has 
done much to imi^rove the aiipearauce of the 
church and grounds, built a fine rectory in the 
rear of St. Mary's, and at the centennial cele- 
bration of the chureb, showed ma,rked executive 
ability and artistic talent. Father Joos, in 
1877, was ap2)ointed Vicar- General of the 
Diocese of Detroit, the duties of which he has 
performed with acknowledged credit and ac- 
ceptance. The esteem in which he is held 
throughout the State ma_y be inferred from the 
fact that his name was, at the time the succes- 
sor of the Eight Rev. Bishop Pelei Paul Lefevre 
was elected, one of the most promii\ont con- 
sidered. 



THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY. 



519 



On Sunilay, December 2, 1888, the recently 
elected Bishop, the Right Rev. Bishop Fole}-, 
made his first visit to Monroe, and tlie hearty 
giveting whici) he received surpassed any re- 
ception ever received here, thougii tamed as are 
the people of our beautiful Floral City for 
hospitality. 

On November 28, 1889. the one hundredth 
unniversity of the dedication of the tirst 
Catholic Church of Monroe was celebrated by 
the unvailing of a monument to commemorato 
the event. The monument consists of a mas- 
sive block of granite, suitably inscribed, upon 
which stands a white imported marble statue 
eight feet in height, representing the Record- 
ing Angel. 

A very large assembl}' was present to wit- 
ness ceremonies. Bishoj) Foley and nearly all 
the prominent Catholic clergy in Southern 
.Michigan participated. 

Bishop Fr)ley made an elegant address, con- 
trasting the tirst visit of a bishop of the church 
to dedicate the log chui-ch, two miles west of 
Monroe. At that time the county was a 
wildernes.", and the nearest bi.shop was at 
• ifuebee, and to dedicate the little log church 
he made the journey in a canoe propelled by 
two Indian guides. Contrasting it with the 
three large and flourishing parishes — St. 
Mary's, St. John's, St. Michael's, which, with 
the convent of the Sacred Heart, one of the 
]>rincipal Catholic institutions of the State, 
which are monuments of the untiring zeal and 
faithful labors and business management of 
Monseigneur Edward Joos. 



MOXSEIGNET'K KUWARD .lOOS, 

The son of I5erriard and Marv (De Weird) 
Joos, was b(jrn April '.), 1825, at the village of 
Somergen, East Flanders, Belgium. His early 
education was received in the parish schools of 
Somergen, in the Flemish and French langu- 
ages. Until at the age of thirteen he went to 
the College of Thielt in West Flanders, where 
he received a classical education, and in 1843 
entered the Ecclesiastical Seminary of Ghent, 
wtiere he studied philosophy and theology for 
five 3-ears, and on June 17, 1848, was ordained 
in the famous Cathedral of St. Bavo. He ex- 
ercised the ministry for two years in Wach- 
tebeke. East Flanders, and in the city of 



Eecloo for seven years. He came to America 
in 185G, and was at once assigned to Old St. 
.\nne"s Church in Detroit, where he remained 
until November, 18.")7, when Right Rev. P. J'. 
Lefever, Bishop of Detroit, .sent him to .Mon- 
roe to take the chai'ge of the French and Eng- 
lish congregation at St. Mary's Church, and 
also having charge of the numerous missions 
in the county, and in which capacity he served 
in the vineyard of the Lord for fifteen years. 
Father Maes, now Bishop of Covington, Ken- 
tuckj-, was sent to assist him in his arduous 
duties in 1870, when he gave his services as 
director of St. Mary's Convent, under the 
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of 
Mary. In 1873 Father Maes organized St. 
John's Church for the Hiiglish, and the Rev. 
B. G. Soffers (whose assistant Monseigneur Joos 
was in 1856), was appointed pastor of the 
French portion of St. Mary's congregation. 
Wlien the Right Rev. Bisiiop Borgess, of De- 
troit, went to Rome in April, 1877, Father 
Joos was appointed administrator of the dio- 
cese with the title of Vicar-General. Again, in 
April, 1887, on the resignation of Bishop Bor- 
gess, he was called to the same position, in 
which he served until November, 1888, when 
Bishop Folej' succeeded to the bishopric. 

In all the several positions with which he has 
been honored, his duties have been performed 
with acknowledged ability and acceptance to his 
superiors bj' whom he is hehl in esteem, and 
who have bestowed on him many tokens of their 
friendship and regard. Bishop Foley, on his 
accession to the See of Detroit, appointed him 
as Yicar-General of the Diocese. His faithful 
services have not been overlooked by the 
Papal authorities in Rome, as in Januar}-, 1889, 
the Pope raised him to the dignify of a Do- 
mestic Prelate to His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII, 
which last honor makes him one of the family 
of His Holiness the Pope. 



ST. MARY'S SEMINARY. 

In the history of St. Mary's Academy, dating 
back for nearly half a centiiry, we find a chap- 
ter full of interest. Looking at the commu- 
nity of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate 
Heart of Mary, such as it was in 1845, it would 
require a prophet to tell that there was for it 
any future. Then, two sisters only were en 



520 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



gaged in teaching the parochial sc-hool attached 
to St. Mary's Church, under the direction of 
the Ecdemptionist Fathers; to-day, tlic eom- 
ni unit}' numbers nearly two hundred incmbei's. 

The log house in which the sisters first 
dwelt was removed, and a largo frame building 
erected, which later was replaced by the beau- 
tiful building (part of which is to be seen in 
the sketch), that is now nearing its comple- 
tion. 

The academy is situated on the north side 
of the River Raisin in one of the most beautiful 
localities of the city. Jt is spacious, well-ven- 
tilated, and furnished with all modern improve- 
ments. The study halls, class rooms, dining 
rooms, sleeping aitartments and recreatiou halls, 
are commodious and callable of giving accom- 
modation to one hundred or one hundred and 
fifty resident pupiis. 

The grounds surrounding the acaiieniy are 
extensive and handsomely laid out in walks 
and groves. 

The island, a short distance west of the 
Academy, has been purchased and fitted u]) as 
a pleasure ground in which the pupils spend 
the greater part of their recreation hours. 

Wliile the institution has attained the well- 
earned reputation of a first class academy, and 
is pronounced by all who visit it as being one 
of the finest in our State, it cannot fail to be 
appreciated by parents who have at heart the 
education of their children ; for the discip- 
linary government is mild, j-et sufficiently 
energetic to preserve order and regularity. 

The morals and general deportment of the 
pupils are assidiously watched by the sisters, 
who, while forming their hearts to virtue and 
tlieir minds to the usages of refined society, 
give every attention to their advancement in 
the different sciences, and their comforts and 
personal habits receive tlie same attention as if 
they were in the bosom of their own fiimilies. 

Attached to the convent is an orjjhan asy- 
lum which the communitj' has maintained since 
IS")'.!. Jt is a private orphanage, and supports 
ordinarily about fifteen children, mostly from 
the city and its vicinity. Nor is the work of 
the sisters confined to the academ}' and schools 
of this cit}-. They are engaged in teaching in 
nearly all the leading cities in tlie State, having 
under their charge over six thousand [)upils. 

This academy being at the head of a chain 
of similar institutions, over which it has a 



supervisor, with Monsigncur Joos as Chief 
Superior, who with much ability has advanced 

the intei-i^sts of this institution and cuntributed 
to its success. 



REV1':REND FATHKIi BERNARD (ilODFREID 
SOFFERS 

Is a native of Ginneken, near Breda, in the 
Province of North Brabant, Holland, where he 
was born March 10, 1826, his parents being 
Peter and Adrianne (Balmakers) Soffers. His 
early education in his native tongue and the 
French language was received in the schools of 
his own native village, after which he jHu-sued 
a French course in the Preparaton}- Seminary 
at Hoostraeten, Belgium, his classics in Ouden- 
bosch, and his theological course in Hoeven, 
Province of North Brabant, Holland, where he 
was ordained to the priesthood May 25, 185(», 
and ap])oiuted assistant pastor in the Diocese 
of Breda, Holland. His first charge as jjriest 
was when he was sent to Halsteren, and from 
there to Rozendaal, in which places he ren^ained 
for about three years, until October, 1853, he 
came to America and was sent to the old St. 
Anne's Church, in Detroit (where for sometime 
Father Joos was his assistant). After a few 
months as assistant he had full charge as yias- 
lor, and in connection with that parish the mis- 
sion at Grosse Point, until Father F. J. De Bronx 
was appointed the first resident priest at that 
place. During his pastoratein St. Anne's beheld 
services in the Belgium and Hollandisch lan- 
guages, and had charge of the first colored 
Catholic congregation in Detroit, and was the 
.spiritual adviser of the St. Augustine School, 
on the corner of Larned and Antoine streets. 
His arduous duties in connection with these 
charges dui'ing the nineteen years of his pas- 
torate in St. Anne's, drew heavil}' on a nat- 
urally strong constitution, and in 1872 he was 
relieved by tlie bishop, and after passing a 
year in Europe for the benefit of his health, 
again reported for duty, and was assigned to 
St. Mary's Parish, in Monroe, in which field 
his labors began July 5, 1873, and ten years 
later Father DeBroux was sent to his assistance 
there, including the missions at New lioston 
and Roekwood, the congregations numbering 
about five hundred families. 




lb i 7 f^ 







V 



1'^ ~^/ f/^-^t^ 




'P^i' //////' <^ 



MUMSELLJ! !> NV 



THE CHURCIIKS OF MONROE COUNTY 



521 



ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH 

Was organized in 1855, by Rev. Fr. Ki-onon- 
berg, Eedemptorist. Soon after the organiza- 
tion it purchased the residence and premises in 
tlio First Ward, on Front Street, from George 
B. Ilarleston. 

The residence being quite spacious, was con- 
verted into a church (now used for school 
jiurposes), which gave place to the large brick 
church, 145x60 feet, in 1867. The two-story 
brick pastoral residence, 32x28 feet, was con- 
structed in 1873. 

Rev. Father Kronenberg was succeeded by 
Fathers Majesky, WehrJe and Stengel, until 
.Inly 24, 1863, when the present pastor. Rev. 
i'ather Benjamin D. Schmiltdiel assumed the 
charge, and is the present pastor. .Inly 24, 
1888, Father Schmittdiel celebrated the twenty- 
Hflh anniversarj- of his charge of St. Michaers 
Parish. The Parochial School connected with 
this church has an attendance of one hundred 
and sixty scholars, and the number of com- 
municants, seven hundred and fifty. 



REV. FATHER BENJAMIN D. SCHMITTDIEL 

Was born of German parents, in Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania, August 81, 1834. When but 
three years of age he went with his parents, 
ITcnry A. and Theresa Schmittdiel, to Detroit. 
When but eight years old he conceived the 
idea of entering the priesthood, but was uti- 
successful at several times, until between the 
ages of fourteen and seventeen years he 
learned the trade of a shoemaker, and when in 
his twentieth year he had a dream which 
awiikened the old desire in his heart. The 
dream was vividly impressed upon his mind, 
more especially as it was almost literally ful- 
filled the next day. His dream was, that while 
lu' was working at liis bench in the shoemaker's 
ihop, a carriage drove up, and a priest, alight- 
ing, entered the shop and asked, " Uo you 
want to be a priest?'' " Yes, if I can succeed. " 
• Come with me." Immediately he followed, 
and on awakening, the dream was so vivid be- 
fore his mind's eye that he could not get rid of 
the thought that if such a dream could come 
true, the height of his ambitions would 
be realized. That afternoon his dream was 
made reality, and he remained with the priest for 
about three months, when he entered the Sem- 



inary of St. Thomas, near Heardstown, Ken- 
tucky, where lie studied cla.ssics and philoso- 
phy, and after finishing his course there he 
was sent by Right Reverend P. P. Lefevre, 
Bishop of Detroit, to Milwaukee, for the studj- 
of theolog}-. Finishing his course July 19, 
18G3, he was ordained priest and appointed to 
Monroe in charge of St. Michael's, where he 
conimcnced his pastorate July 24, 1863. A 
sketch of the life of Father Schmittdiel would 
hardly be complete without a mention of St. 
Michael's. In 1843 there were only three Ger- 
man Catholic families in the city of Moni"oe. 
Their number gradually increased, so that in 
1845 Rev. Peter Kronenberg, of the congrega- 
tion of the Most Holy Redeemer, or Order of 
Redemptorists (C. S. S. R.), found fourteen 
families in the city, and undertook to unite 
them and form a Catholic congregation. A 
committee was chosen consisting of Joseph 
Schaub, George Steiner, Anthony Westerman, 
Andrew Kirschner, and Joseph Billman, who, 
within the year, purchased the grounds of the 
present St Michael's Church, with the excep- 
tion of the corner lot, for the sum of $2,000. 
On the grounds there was a private buililing, 
the present school house, although it has been 
some considerably changed from the original 
structure. They immediately paid five hundred 
dollars on the property, the balance paid in in- 
stallments during six years, and at once the 
house on the grounds was, at an expense of 
five. hundred dollars, converted into a church. 
On the Feast of St. Michael, Archangel, Sep- 
tember 29, 1845, the church was blessed by the 
Very Reverend Father Hernard, provincial of 
the C. S. S. R., and the Rev. Peter Kronen- 
berg aj)pointed the first pastor. But the Re- 
demptorist Fathers in 1850 totally abandoneil 
the Monroe missions, and the Rev. John Van- 
(iepnij) was sent liy the bishop to succeed the 
Rev. Peter Kronenberg in the care of St. Mi- 
chael's congregation, continuing about four 
years, and though being a Hollander he spoke 
German but imperfectly, still he was very 
much beloved by the people under his charge. 
The Right Reverend P. P. Lefevre transferred 
him to the mission of Dexter, Washtenaw 
county, Michigan, and in his place sent Rev. 
M. P. Wehrle to attend St. Michael's; he re- 
mained about a year and was succeeded by 
Rev. Julius Macjoski, but the latter was sickly 
and aliout a year after died at St. Marys Hos- 



522 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



pital, iu Detroit. In 1862 the bishop sent Eev. 
Peter Stenzel to Monroe. Tip to this time the 
material condition had remained unchanged 
for f*everal years with a debt of about three 
hundred dollars ; but Kev. Father Stenzel 
gave a new impulse to the congregation, and 
made a collection by which the debt was paid, 
lie, however, remained but a few years, and 
was succeeded July 24, 1863, by Rev. Benja- 
min T>. Schmittdiel. At that time the only 
building on the premises was the dwelling of 
George B. llarleston, which had been purchased 
at the organization of the parish and converted 
into a church, and used as church, school and 
pastoral residence since the coming of Rev, 
John VanGenipp, in 1850, until 1866. As soon 
as the Rev. Peter Kronenberg, C. S. S. li., be- 
came pastor he founded a German ( 'atholic 
School, which has always been in good running 
order with great benefit to the congregation, 
and under charge of the following teachers: 
In 1852, John Young; 1853, M. Schollliorn : 
1854, Jacob Bauer; 1858, Peter Grimm; 
1860, J. P. Jaminet: 1861, the sisters; 1863, 
F. X. Leib; 1860 to the present time the school 
has tieen in charge of two sisters and one lay 
teacher, and starting with about forty pupils 
now has an average of about one hundred and 
sixty ill attendance. In 1865 the lot on the 
adjoining corner was purchased for the sum of 
five hundred dollars, and the following year 
the erection of the present St. Michael's 
(!hurch on Front street, 60x145, was begun, 
and completed in 1867 at a cost, exclusive of 
the tower and bells, of about ?30,000 ; and tliv 
original church converted into and is now 
used for a school building. In 1883 the tower 
and steeple was added at a cost of $6,000. and 
the next year three bells were added itjt an ex- 
pense of about S4,000. In 1874 the present 
parochial residence, a two-story brick, 32x28, 
and in 1886 the school building was completely 
renovated and enlarged, and July 24, 1888, 
Father Schmittdiel celebrated the twenty-fifth 
anniversary of his charge of St, Michael's 
Parish. 

ST. .IOHN'8 CHURCH. 
The first effort to organize a separate Cath- 
olic Church for the English speaking people 
was in 1834, which proved ineffectual, and in 
1852 the effort to accomplish the same purpose 
resulted in the j)urchase of lots on the Navarre 



plat, in the third ward of the city, and laying a 
stone foundation therefor ; but further effort was 
abandoned until 1872, when Father Maes was 
appointed pastor. Through his exertions and 
instrumentality a more eligible lot was pur- 
chased on Monroe street. The corner stone 
to the church was laid in 1874, and a spacious 
and creditable brick church, 113x52, was com- 
pleted and blessed in 1877, Father Maes, now 
Bishop of Covington, Kentuckj', having been 
appointed (much to the regret of his congrega- 
tion) secretary to Bishop Borges, retired there- 
from in 1878, A bell was added in 1879, The 
cost of the church, independent of the parson 
age (a two-story frame building) on Washing- 
ton street, was $10,000, 

Rev. William A. Nevin succeeded Father 
Maes on the 15th of March, 1880, and re. 
raained in charge until July 21, 1881, when the 
Rev. P. Leavy succeeded him. 

The congregation under his charge numbered 
one hundred and twenty families, vrith an 
average of five to a family, making a congre- 
gation of six hundred. Father P. Leavy was 
highly esteemed, and in the discharge of his 
pastoral duties in 1880 was exposed in visiting 
a case of smallpox, contracted the disease and 
died. He was succeeded by Father Kelley, 
subsequently by Father Socklain. who is the 
present pastor. 

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, OF ROCK WOOD, 

Near the northern boundary line of the 
county, though not within Monroe county, is 
largely composed of members from the north- 
ern part of the county, and with its mission 
numbers four hundred and fifty families. 

ST. CHARLES BORROMRO CHURCH 

Was organized in July, 1853. The following 
priests have officiated in succession in this 
parish, viz. r Revs, J, V. Van Geunip, C. L, 
Lemagie, D. Callaert, R. Vanderheyden, G. V. 
Gerard, A. de Montanbrieg, Charles J. Mangin, 
M. H. Schaeken, F. Ilendriek, P. J. Desmedt. 
E, M, Dekiere, E, Maesfrancx, F. Gauthier, 
George Langel and L. J. Brancheau, the last 
mentioned being the present pastor in charge. 
The corner stone of the present new church 
was laid April 22, 1882, and completed in 1889; 
built of red brick, trimmed with white brick 
and artificial stone, one hundred and twenty by 
tiftj' feet, about fifty feet high, with steej)le one 



THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTV 



523 



hundred foot high, with stained ghiss windows. 
The church has seven hundred communicants 
and is in a prosperous condition. 

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, ERIE. 

Tho first church building, erected in 1819, 
was built of logs, roofed with bark of trees, in 
the vicinity of the railroad depot, which gave 
place in 1826 to a frame building, both built by 
the French from Canada. The third church 
building was erected in the j-ears 1851 and 
1852 in Vienna (now Erie) : brick walls, one 
hundred ami eleven feet long by forty-seven 
foot wide. The church is in a flourishing con- 
dition, containing two hundred French families, 
and free from debt. 

From the year 1819, when the society was 
organized, it was very irregularly visited by 
Father Richai'd, of Detroit, seldom by any 
other priest until 1825. From 1825 to 1833 the 
church was supplied by priests from Monroe ; 
from 1825 to 1828, by itev. Bellamy; from 
1S28 to 1831, Kev. Stephen Badin ; from 1831 
to 1833, Rev. T. Carabin ; from 1833 to 1835, 
Rev. J. Bruyn, who was the first resident 
pastor; from 1835 to 1836, Rev. J. F. Terrso- 
ren, second resident pastor ; from 1836 to 1852, 
Rev. T. Warlop, third resident pastor; from 
1852 to 1856, Rev. H. Rievers, fourth resident 
pastor; March, 1856, to May, 1856, Rev. L. 
Lionnet; from July, 1856, to the present time, 
the Rev. Father Charles Thomas has been the 
resident pastor, and occupies the two-story 
brick parsonage built on a part of the Francis 
( 'ousinofarm in the vicinity of the church. 

.<T. P.\TRICK'S CHURCH OF KXKTER. 

The first assembly in the town of Exeter of 
members of the Catholic Church was held at 
the log house of James Donohoe in 1834. At 
this time the township was covered by a dense 
forest, intersper.sed with swamps, marshes and 
creeks, with here and there a log cabin of the 
early settlers, shaded bj^ lofty trees, not con- 
nected by roads, but by paths and Indian 
trails, which often led the early missionaries 
astray and compelled them to seek their night's 
repose beneath the forests. The inhabitants 
were few in number and poor. The mission 
was from time to time visited by priests, mainly 
from .St. Mary's Church of Monroe. From 
1838 to 1843 Father Carabin attended the 
mission and had .stations, and said mass in tlic 



log cabins of Philip Flood, Peter Burns, 
Michael Fagan, John Murphy and l^uke Dunn. 
After a number of ineffectual efforts, finally 
succeeded in 1847 in constructing a log church, 
Father Simons officiating at first mass held 
therein. The log church in 1861 gave place to 
the large brick church, 40x80. The corner 
stone was laid in 1860, and completed in 1861 
by the contractor, Wm. Gilmore, and conse- 
crated July 2, 1861. It has now a fine 
parochial residence connected therewith. The 
present number of communicants is , and 

scholars in parochial school number 
Father James Ronayno, with residence at Stony 
Creek, officiates at tho tliroe mission stations — 
Maybee, Exeter and Stony Creek. The three 
missions consist of three hundred and twenty 
families. P. O. address, Athlone. Location of 
church, section 25, town 5 south, range 8 east. 

SOCIETIES CONNECTED WITH THE CATHOLIC 
CHURCHES. 

St. Joseph's Society, organized February 12, 
1851. Theofficers thereof in 1889 wore: Michael 
Doigert, president; Frank Schwingschlegl, 
secretary ; A. Egl, treasurer. Present mem- 
bership, sixtJ^ 

This society was organized for benevolent 
purposes, tho by-laws requiring a payment of 
one dollar and a half per week to members 
while sick, and an assessment of fifty cents 
upon every member when death occurs of one 
of the members. 

THE MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, 
Organized from the different Catholic parishes 
.\pril 17, 1881. Present membership, sixt}-- 
threo : charter members of branch, thirteen. 
John P. Jaminet. president; Frank Schwing- 
schlegl, vice president; C. Heck, second vice 
presidenl; Patrick Matthews, secretary ; J. L. 
Hoffman, assistant secretary ; Charles A. 
(iolden, financial secretarj^ ; Sebastian Lauer, 
:reasurer ; A. Westermaii, jr., marshal; J. 
Baier, guard ; F. R. Seib, M. Zeller and Joseph 
Golden, trustees ; Rvv. Monjamin Schmitldiel, 
s]Mritual adviser. 

Present officers: F. K. Soib. president ; J. 
Abraham, first vice-president ; Thomas Kee- 
gan, second vice-president ; ('harles Maurer, 
recording secretary ; James Garvey, assistant 
secretary; Frank Schwingschlegl, financial 
secretary; Sebastian Lauer, treasurer; J.Baier, 
marslial : IT. Maurer, guard. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 



OUK SCHOOLt* 



NO county in the State has better schools 
than Monroe count3^ Her name and 
fame in connection with her schools have be- 
come familiar to every resident of Southern 
Michigan, and the city has been the incentive 
of the county. The course of study has always 
been fully up to the requirements of the State 
University, and the high standing of its hun- 
dreds of graduates who have entered nearly 
every walk of life, speaks volumes for those who 
have had the educational interests of the city 
in their care. They are found in nearly everj- 
branch of mercantile business; some are occu- 
pying the pulpit and some the bench, while 
others have made their mark in mining, rail- 
roading, civil engineering, and in the practice 
of medicine and of law. One of the best text 
books in physics at pre.sent in use was written 
by a graduate of this school. The western 
traveler as he nears the summit of vast ranges, 
admires the boldness and originality of the 
railroad engineeringof Monroe boys and gradu- 
ates of our school. The miner's pick and shovel 
are directed in their safe and unfailing course 
bj' others, and among the best undei-ground 
engineers of the West are Monroe educated. 

The corner stone of the Monroe Union 
School was laid with Masonic ceremonies June 
24,1858. This structure, known as the "old 
building," is still standing. The edifice was 
three stories high, and formed at that time the 
most imposing architectural monument in the 
county. The accommodations furnished by 
this house were then among the best in the 
State. In 1888 the building took tire, the 
upper stor}' being burned off. The school 
board at once took measures for i-ebuilding. 
The house was made two stories higher, and all 
the modern improvements in heating ami ven- 
tilation were added. 

In 1884 the scdiool board thought to relieve 
the crowded c<)ndition of the school-room by 
hnililing a tine house in tlie Third ward. This 



answered the purpose for a year or two; but 
in 1887 it was found necessary to liave more 
room, and the board began the erection on the 
grounds near the older structure of the new 
high .school building. This is, without doubt, 
one of the finest houses in the State, being 
heated, ventilated and seated in the best modern 
style. 

Thus Monroe has met the growth of popula- 
tion by a corresponding increase of the means 
and opportunities of education. But not only 
has it been the policy adopted to provide the 
material conditions, but also it has been the 
constant aim of the school board to place over 
the scholars the very best teachers attainable. 
School was opened in the old (then new) 
school building, iii April, 1850, with Mr. George 
W. Perry as superintendent. Nearly all the 
subsequent superintendents have been gradu- 
ates of the University of Michigan, and have 
steadily pursued the policy of keeping our 
schools in the van of educational progress. 
Among the well known gentlemen who have 
been superintendents of these schools may be 
mentioned Lewis Mcljouth, at present presi- 
dent of the Agricultural ("ollege of North 
Dakota; Hon. Edwin Willitts, assistant Secre- 
tary of Agriculture; Ijester Goddard, a rail- 
road official in the Chicago, Burlington and 
Quincy Railroad at Chicago, Illinois ; Charles 
Harris, at present a successful merchant in 
Minnesota; Judge Rufus Finney, deceased ; and 
John A. Stewart, superintendent of schools in 
Tort Huron, this State. W. N. Honey, the 
present superintendent, is a gentleman of ad- 
vanced ideas, fine executive ability, and a 
thorough scholar, who has a sincere love for 
his chosen profession. He has made the course 
of study very thorough and complete. All 
grades of the .school can enter the State Uni- 
versity on diploma, on all the four courses pui'- 

. sued at Ann Arbor. Constant effort is being 
made to provide llie best fucilities. The hibor- 

24] 



OUR SCHOOLS. 



525 



atory lias ln'cn cxlonsivelj' iinprovoil (iuriii^ 
the ])ast two }-oars in the lines of chemistry and 
]ii)ysi<-s. The Englisli course has also been 
firealiy improved and strengthened, ami the 
aim of the school is to supply the necessary 
e<piipment, hoth for those who intend taking a 
further course, and for those who must enter 
upon the active duties of life at graduation or 
before. 

An organization of the graduates of the 
I'nioM School has recently been eti'ected. en- 
titled the Alumni of the Monroe Union School, 
and in addition to the catalogue usually issued, 
the society purpose giving sketches and bi- 
ographies of those who have attained promi- 
nence as business men, in mercantile life, in 
i-aili'oading, civil engineering, in educational 
institutions, in tiie pulpit and in the legal pro- 
fession. 



I infer from an examination of the old village 
records, that as early as the year 1828 the vil- 
lage library was under the supervision of the 
village council, who raised moneys from time to 
time to sustain a public library : that a small 
library- wasunder the charge of the village clerk, 
but the records thereof ai'e so meagre that 
nothing satisfactory can lie obtained. When the 
City of Monroe was incorporated in 1887, the 
remnants of the old library were transferred to 
the city, but a very limited number of volumes 
remained, hardly worthy of the name of a library, 
and was under the control of the common 
council and school insjiectors, the city clerk 
acting as librarian. In 186tj. the library room 
adjoining the common council room was en- 
larged and a catalogue made of the works on 
hand, and (juite an addition made thereto 
under an appropriation by the council of one 
hundred and si.xty dollars for new books. 

lu 1873, under an act of the legislature, the 
citj- library was transferred from the common 
louncil to the board of education, and continues 
\inder the charge and control of said board. 
There are two thousand four hundred and fifty 
nine volumes at this time in the liliraiy, and 
the annual circulation is over five thou.sand. 
AVhen it is taken into consideration that the 
library contains a large number of public docu- 
ments, the circulation is large. The last appro- 
priation in 1885, of four hundred dollars, 
c.\'[peiided with good judgment, has greatly in- 



ci-eased the interest of the puMir. Suitable 
I'ooms have been procured uudor a permanent 
lease of the .second story of the lirick building 
owned by the estate of the late l)r. Charles T. 
Southworth, adjoining the First National Bank 
on Washington street, that are comfortably 
warmed and lighted every afternoon and even- 
ing during the winter months, and one day in 
the week during the summer nionths, and 
l)rovc a pleasant resort for iHose who desire to 
peruse the books and po])ular magazines of the 
day. The apartments are presided over bj- 
Miss Anna Yardle}', an accomplished and well 
jiosted librarian, appointed by the board of 
education. 



llo.N. 1S.-\.\C' LEWIS, 



Was born in Derby, Connecticut, September 
25, 1804, and at the age of twenty -four was 
married to Miss Sophia Redtield,at Clyde, New 
York. In the spring of 1885 he came to Michi- 
gan with his famil}^ and settled in Monroe, 
where bo has had a continuous residence of 
more than fifty-four years. Being a moulder 
by trade, he started the first foundry, outside 
of Detroit, in Michigan. In 1839, when the 
Michigan Southern was being built by the 
State, ho cast all the car wheels used by it. He 
also manufactured and introduced to the 
farmers of Southern Michigan an improved 
plow which came into universal use, and holds 
its place as a favorite among the best of those 
in use at the present time. During the turbu- 
lent times of pioneer life and State boundaries 
he cast the cannon balls intended f(>r use in the 
Toledo war. At his foundr3- was cast most of 
the nuxhinery for the construction of the saw 
and grist mills of this section of the Stale, and 
when McCorniick, the inventor of the mowing 
machine, was in need of a first-class mechanic 
to build his first nuichine. the job was intrusted 
to Mr. Lewis, who built it and 8U])erintended 
a series of expei'iments with it upon the old 
('aldwell ftirm, just west of the city. 

.Vt the organization of Monroe Lodge, V.k 
.\ M.. July 5, 1848, Mr. Lewis was elected its 
master, and for three ^'cars lent his influence 
towards the upholding of the Ma.sonic frater- 
nity in this citj', and Monroe Lodge stands to- 
day as a mijnument to his zeal and ability. 

In 1858 he was appointed United States 
supervising ins])ector of steamboats by Presi- 



526 



niSTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



dent Pierce, holding the position through the 
terms of Pierce and Buchanan and pai't of Lin- 
coln's. During all these years and in traveling 
thousands of miles he never violated his puri- 
tanical conscience by breaking the Sabbath. 
Mr. Lewis's character is best illustrated in this 
respect by an incident that happened not long 
since. One of the State's superintendents of 
the poor called at Mr. Lewis's residence one 
Sunday morning, and after introducing him- 
self, informed him that his other duties were so 
many and arduous that he was compelled to 
perform those of inspecting the eleemosynary 
institutions of the State on the Sabbath. 
" Well," says Mr. Lewis, looking at him sternly, 
" if j-our duties are so numerous that you have 
to violate the Sabbath, you had better resign ; 
anyway, you cannot inspect our poorhouse on 
that day," and bidding him good morning, 
closed the door. 

After retiring from the foundry he engaged 
in the book and stationery business, and con- 
tinued in it for a number of years, when he 
laid aside the cares of business life. 

He was elected superintendent of the poor 
October 20, 1863, and has held the position 
ever since, and was one of the best known 
superintendents in the State. 

During Mr. Lewis's early life he was one of 
the tiist lock-tendei's on the Erie Canal, and 
opened the lock at Clyde, New York, when the 
tirst canal boat, bearing Governor Clinton and 
carrying a barrel of Lake Erie water to mingle 
with the Hudson, passed through. He also per- 



formed the same duty when (ieneral Lafayette 
passed through on one of the Erie Canal boats. 
For sixty-eight years Mr. Lewis has been an 
active and conscientious member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and for years was one of the 
elders of the church in this city, and was at the 
time of his death, which occurred November 
17, 1889, aged 85, leaving to survive him his 
widow and five daughters. He was a gentle- 
man of the old school and a Democrat. 



W. R. GIFFORD, M. ])., 

Son of Henry and Almira Cifford, was borti 
May 6, 1843, at Dundee, Monroe county, Mich- 
igan. Moved on farm near Petersburgh, 18.52 ; 
enlisted in the First Michigan Engineers and 
Mechanics Corps in 1861, and served in the 
army three years. He returned from the army 
.and went to (Jberlin College two years, and 
then went into the office of D. W. Loree, Ridge- 
way, Michigan, to study medicine and attend 
the Michigan State T^niversity of Medicine at 
Ann Arbor, and graduated in March, 18()9, and 
located in Erie, Michigan, in May ofsame year. 
Was a very successful practitioner in Erie for 
many years, and higiily esteemed as a ph3-sician 
and citizen. Married in Erie the daughter of 

Brigham. Dr. Gifford was by flattering 

inducements led, much to the regret of the 
citizens of Erie, to remove to Toledo in April, 
1886, where he is now engaged in a successful 
practice. Office and residence, 2005 Adams 
street, Toledo. 



CHAPTER XT.. 



IlK WAK OF THE REBELLION — P0BLIC MEETING AT MONKOK — SMITH GUARDS — LAIUKs 

SOCIETY — ROSTER OK VOLUNTEERS FURNISHED BY MONROE COUNTY INTERESTINiv 

TABULATED RECORDS MONROE REGIMENTS — (i. A. K. AND \V. R. C. 



■^pill-; long tliroatened blow of rebellion wa^ 
1 struck in tiie coniniencenient of cannon- 
ailing of Fort Sumter by the confederate 
guns at Foi't Moulti'ie. on the morning of Api'il 
12, ISdl, 

The time when the friends ot' constitutional 
government and civil liberty must take tiieir 
stand for or against the Government had 
arrived. 

The enemies of the Union and freedom had 
reached the point of open hostilities upon the 
Government thej' were bound by every consid- 
eration of loyalty and patriotism to support. 

All that forbearance and moderation on the 
part of order could do had been done to 
avert the shocking calamitJ^ 

The history of the world furnishes no par- 
allel to either the madness of the offenders or 
the forbearance of the Government. 

The first rebel gun from Sumter (April 12, 
1861), the tocsin of the gigantic and wicked 
rebellion, the key note of civil war, had been 
heard all over the land, the national banner 
had been insulted by the tire of treasons batter- 
ies and struck from its proud perch, when tlie 
loyal young men of Michigan sprang, as if by 
magic, to arms to defend and maintain the 
National Union and protect its flag, to sustain 
the honor of their State and maintain their 
own glorious birthright as freemen. They 
vowed to (iod and their native land, and 
]iledged their arms and their lives that the hf 
loved flag of their country should again tri- 
iitnphancly wave on the walls of Sumter and 
over every State and inch of ground in the 
l7nion, and that the H(!public should he saved 
and forever jirescrvod. When the surremlerof 
the South Carolina forces became known 
throughout the land, the entire State of Michi- 
gan was alive to the emergencies and duties of 
the hour, and the uprising of the jieople was 
universal and unfiai-alleled in history. Flags 
waved from every public building and private 

V 



dwelling, alike on the palace and on the cot, 
while the drum lieat to the music of the Union, 
from our southern border to the far off and 
craggj- shores of our gi-eal lakes. The call of 
.Vhraham Ijincolii, as it swept over the wires 
from land's end lo land's end, receiveil a patri- 
otic and ))rijmjit resjionse from the loyal hearts 
of the peo|de of Michigan. The ranks of her 
battalions were tilled on the tirst alarm. With 
i-emarkabU' promj)tness her first gallant regi- 
ment — armed, clothed, C(piipped and fully 
a]ipointed — left the State to meet the enemies of 
.Vmerican liberty, the first to reach the Na- 
tional Capital from west of the Allegheny 
Mountains, and was among the first troo])S 
which crossed Long Bridge into Virginia, and 
composed a part of the command that cap- 
tured Alexandria, the first city taken from the 
rebels. 

The .Michigan ■contingent ' in the war was 
largely made up of men who enlisted for three 
years, and were maiiil}' from the most respect- 
able and industrious of the conimunitj'. 

Leaving the peaceful avocations of civil life. 
these men were disciplined into soldiers and 
converted into heroes, sometimes even during 
the operations atid emergencies of a single 
campaign. I'aticnl and obedient under the 
most rigid discijdine. j)ersi8tenl and enduring 
on the long and tedious march, cheerful and 
untiring in the trenches, apt in experiment and 
most ingenious in construction, they added to 
all ipialifications and merits true courage in the 
tield. while almost every important action has 
illustrated their heroism, and almost every 
iiattle field is consecrated with their blood. 
T'heir sei'vice was eagerly .sought for by all the 
best generals, whether to construct a defense, 
lead a • forlorn hope, ' or cliar<je a balteiy. 

Michigan troops, prominent at the outset of 
the rebellion, were in at its death; they were 
among those who. under the command of the 
brave and lamented Richardson, tirst opened 



528 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



fire (111 the rebels in the vicinity of Bull lluu. 
at Blacivbiini'M Ford ; they were with General 
McClcllan in West Virginia in the first year of 
the war, and were in South Carolina and 
(feorgia in 18(i2, and during- the year nerved 
with the Army of tiie Potomac on tlie Penin- 
sula, and in Maryland ; with (General Banks in 
tiie Shenandoah Valley ; in Virginia under 
General Burnside ; in Louisiana under Genei-a! 
Butler; and in Missouri with Gcnei'al Pope and 
Colonel Mulligan. 

In 1863 tliey bore a consjiicuous and gallant 
part in the ever memoralile eam|iaigns under 
General Hooker in Virginia and (ieneral Meade 
in Pennsylvania, at the defense of Knoxville 
by General Burnside, at the capture of Vieks- 
burg by General Grant, and on the celebrated 
Kilpatrick raid against Richmond. They were 
silso engaged in the campaign of General Bose- 
crans against Chattanooga, and were actively 
employed in the field at various points in Ten- 
nesisee, Mississippi, Kentucky and Louisiana, 
under othei- generals. 

In 1864-5 they were with General (Jiant in 
liis great march against Richmond, and l)i-avely 
participated in most of the hai'd fought battles 
of that eventful campaign. 

They were also with General Sherman on his 
remarkable march from Chattanooga to the 
Sea, and were prominently engaged in most of 
his memorable and successful battles, and witli 
General Sheridan in his matchless encounters 
with the enemy in the Valley of the Shenan- 
doah, while their sabres flashed in avery battle. 

They took part in the gallant defense of 
Nashville by General Thomas, and were with 
Generals Stoneman and Wilson on their raids 
in North Carolina and Georgia. 

They were also at the ca])ture of Mobile and 
served in Texas and L'tah Territory' during a 
part of 1865-6. 

Michigan was well represented at the surren- 
der of Lee and Johnston, the termination and 
death of the rebellion — and a Michigan regi- 
ment captured the president of the so-called 
confederacy. 

Jefferson Davis, in his inglorious flight to 
escape, deserved |)unishment for liis infamous 
treason and rebellion. 

Michigan troops in all the campaigns and 
battles in which they participated were most 
reliable, conspicuously brave and gallant. In 
every position in which they were placed they 



were true, self-sacrificing, patient under hard- 
ship, murmuring not, meeting death by expo- 
sure, starvation and cruel treatment in rebel 
prisons, and many more by rebel bullets in 
sanguiiuiry strife. 

Aside fi'om theii- acknowledged bravery and 
etticiency in battle, they were, in a most re- 
markable manner, entrusted with posts of 
honor and great responsibilities, which could 
have scarcely been accredited but with a 
]iur]iose. 

Fi-om the beginning of the war until its end, 
Michigan soldiers evinced a most persistent 
determination to fight on, until all rebels in 
arms against the Government should be con- 
((uered and subdued, and, if needs be, utterly 
destroyed, so that their country might live. 
That determination thej' most successfully 
carried out; they met the enemy in his "last 
ditch" and he was theirs ; they compelled him 
to lay down his rebellious arms, to beg for 
quarter, peace, and even for bread, and sub- 
mit unconditionally to the terms of their dicta- 
tion. Having done that, the troops of Michi- 
gan returned to their homes, as the conquerors 
of the enemies of their country, the preservers 
of their nation, receiving the plaudits and 
gratitude of their fellow-countrymen, and of 
every friend of freedom and humanity tiirough- 
out the world. 

The armies of no other nation, even after 
many years of training which war brings with 
it, have evinced so marvelous a development of 
soldierly qualities as characterized the Ameri- 
can troops during the comparatively short 
term of service. The annals of the times will 
rear an imperishable monument to the' patri- 
otism of all the States, which, in a nation's 
peril, gave their sons in the conflict, and the 
honor of one will be among the precious pos- 
sessions of the other ; but it will be for Michi- 
gan to cherish with peculiar pride and tender- 
ness the remembrance and the fame of the gal- 
lant band of patriots, who, in the fiercest strug- 
gle of modern warfare, and among comrades 
of equal worth and bravery, while preserving 
the national life and integritv, have reflected 
undying luster upon her own escutcheon. 

The greater prominence of particular indi- 
viduals is by no means conclusive proof of 
superior service or merits. The obscure pri- 
vate, with nothing but the '-enlisting papers " 
to bear witness even of his presence in the 




CELEBRATION OF THE REPORTED CAPTURE OF RICHMOND. 



Tin-: WAR OK TIIK KKHEI.l.ION. 



5 'JO 



ai'inj', often is entitled to higher honors than he 
whose ])roniot ion was sounded throujjh the ranks 
and ))roclaimed bj' the public press, but proof 
of this fact is denied the world, and may never 
iiave lieen known be\ond the modest, unpre- 
tending consciousness of the obscure hero. It 
was the ]irivate soldiers as well as their com- 
manders who suppressed the rebellion. ami this 
fact cannot be too fully recognized. It is to 
the brave men who made the charges as well 
as to those who directed them, that the country 
is indebted chietly for the manj- sitcnal advant- 
ages and the final triuni])li over treason's 
cohorts, 

Krom the desire to be associated in the same 
companies and regiments with friends in other 
counties of the State and adjoining States, and 
the generous bounties ofl'crcd for enlistments 
therein, many of the soldiers enlisted in Mich- 
igan regiments are not credited to the county 
of Monroe. 

While each of the Michigan Regiments is 
entitled to great credit for the part taken in 
the numerous conflicts in which they were en- 
gaged, comparisons and contrasts by the author 
would be invidious, but it will be seen by the 
following statements that enlistments of sol- 
diers of Monroe county constituted a por- 
tion of every one of the Michigan Regi- 
ments, and to describe the parts taken by each 
would far exceed the limits of this work. 

It would afford the author great pleasure, if 
])racticable in a limited work of this kind, to re- 
cord the interesting letters that were received 
from the ofKcers and soldiers in the field during 
the progressof the Rebellion, describing the san- 
guinary conflicts in w^hich they were engaged, 
the numerous presentations to officers and sol- 
diers and sailors indicating the esteem in 
which the\' are held for their glorious achieve- 
ments. For a statement in detail of 
the i)art taken by the various regiments in 
which the Monroe county officers and soldiers 
■ nlisted therein, the reader is referred to 
• Michigan in the War." prepared ami compiled 
liy the late lamented Adjutant (ieneral John 
Robertson, of Michigan. 

THK W.\H 01" TIIK HKBKIJ.IOX. 

When the telegraiili wires announced the 
news at Monroe of the attack on Fort Sum- 
ter, immediate steps were taken by our citizens, 



without distinctiou of party, to give exjires- 
sion of i)ublic sentiment on the great question 
of the daj'. This movement contributed largely 
in concentrating ])opular feeling and encourag- 
ing our Slate and National authorities in the 
measures demanded by the exigencies of the 
times. 

An im]>rom|)tu nieeling of citizens was held 
at the Humphrey House, Tuesday afternoon 
of the loth of April. 18til, for the purpose of 
making some arrangement to hold a more gen- 
eral meeting to express the sentiments of the 
community upon the crisis which was upon us. 
Mayor Roderick O'Conner acted as chairman. 
Committees were appointed to make necessary 
arrangements, and it was decided to call a 
meeting at the court house on Wednesday even- 
ing. Accordingly at an early hour the court 
house was packed full to its utmost capacity 
with people anxious to hear something said in 
honor of and in favor of sustaining the stars 
and stripes of our country. The meeting was 
called to order and three cheei's were proposed 
for Major Anderson, which were given with a 
will. 

Ira R. (irosvenor. from the conimitteo on 
organization, then read a report recommending 
the following officers: 

President— Judge Warner Wing. 

Vice Presidents— Hon. li. O'Conner, Colonel .1. K. 
Smith, U. S. A., Christopher Bruckner. Conio- 
dore A. D. Perkins, Hon. F. Waldorf, Hon. L. Du- 
rocher, Rev. E. J. Boyd, Gonenil Levi S. Humphrey. 
Dr. E. Adams, Major <i. Buckley, Captain (i. W. 
Stronjr, H. B. Marvin, Major F. M. Winans. 

Secretaries— Stephen G. Clark, T. S. Clark an.l .1. 
R. Rauch. 

The officers took their seats, when the report 
of the committee on resolutions was called for. 
Hon. E. (i. Morton read the following as the 
report of the committee: 

Wheueas, Civil war and all its de|doral)le 
consequences have suddenly burst uj)on the 
nation, and the constitutional government of 
the country is attacked, its authority set at de- 
fiance, and its flag insulted in a portion of liie 
Union, for the avowed purpose of overthrow- 
ing the same ; and, 

WiiEKKAS, Those who have thus wantonly 
])rovoked hostilities have trampled upon the 
constitution, wliich guaranteed to all the high 
principles of a free government, and under 
which all real grievances may be redressed 



530 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and the liberties of Uio j>eoj<le perjietmiU-d ; 
therefore, 

Mesolved, Tliat we, citizens of Monroe county, 
of all political parties, cordially unite to uphold 
the Government of the country and pledge 
ourselves to stand by the constitution and tlie 
legal authorities under it, and to aid them in 
])roteeting and dcfeniling the same, in thesjtirit 
and with the determination nianifesteil bj' our 
fathers of the Revolution. 

Resolved, That we deeply deplore the steps 
hastily taken by a portion of the Southern 
people to destroy the best government on 
earth, and the confidence of the world in the 
ability of man for self control, and we cannot 
believe that this suicidal work meets the ap- 
))robation of thousands of our conservative and 
law-abiding brethren of the South, and borne 
down by a mob whose usurpations and lawless 
aims threaten the country' with anarchy and 
despotism ; and that we feel it to be our im- 
perative duty as the friends of liberty, law and 
stable government to resist with all our power 
their treasonable j)urpo8e, in order to maintain 
and perpetuate the liberties we enjoy as a 
people. 

The chairman of the meeting. Judge Wing, 
said he had never stood in the court house 
under circumstances so solemn as these. The 
question which presents itself is no less than 
whether we arc a free nation, whether we have 
a government, whether we are the American 
people. Few occasions have occurred when 
the flag of our country has been trailed ; but 
now it has been struck by a band of traitors 
among our own brethren. There have been 
parties, but now there should be no party. 
This country needed aid. This was the only 
consideration presented. Our flag has been 
respected in all nations, because we have estab- 
lished a free government and have invited the 
oppressed of all lands to come to our shores. 
But treason has reared its head, the President 
calls for help to sustain that flag, and shall it be 
sustained? (Applause.) For his part the reso- 
lutions met his hearty approval. 

Ira E. (lirosvenor was called. He said we 
are engaged in no common affair this evening. 
Civil war has commenced among us. Those 
who have forced the.se troubles upon us have 
construed our troubles into cowardice, but now 
that the North is aroused they will learn that 
a terrible retribution is at hand. There can 



be but one feeling among us. We know no 
party — no platform — no anything but our 
country. (Applause.) And it were glorious 
to die in defense of that country. This was no 
time for .set speeches. What we say must come 
gushing up from a warm heart. Michigan has 
been called upon for Init one regiment, but if 
it were nece.ssary Monroe alone could furnish 
tiiat. 

Judge Johnson was called upon. He re- 
viewed, to a certain extent, the action which 
the South has taken in the Fort Sumter affair 
from the first. He said we have waited long 
ex))ecting that reason would again take posses- 
sion of our brethren at the Soutfi. The door 
had been left wide open for them to return, but 
they said to the Government you must fight or 
ignobly surrender that fort. The unholy war 
had been forced upon us, and there was no 
other way but to pursue it to the bitter end. 
(Applause.) 

E. G. Morton. Esq., was next called upon. 
He said he had not expected to be called on 
to make a speech, but was never ashamed to 
speak for his country. (Applause.) Hitherto 
a sense of securitj' had pervaded the country-. 
To-day all the prosperity we have experienced 
is imperiled. This was no time for inflamma- 
tory remarks. The time had come to look 
danger boldly in the face, and be ready to live 
for and servo our country, if God spares our 
lives, and if not to die by that glorious flag 
bequeathed us by our fathers. (Loud applause.) 

William H. Boj'd w-as called upon. He said 
he would not apologize, as he felt it his duty 
when his country calls, to respond. He was 
no party man, but he had, he trusted, the feel- 
ings of a patriot. Look at our constitution. 
Will }-ou allow it to be rent in pieces? He 
believed there was a spirit waking in the North 
that would protect and preserve that constitu- 
tion. When a time comes like this, it becomes 
every man to lift up his voice, and if necessary, 
to lay down his life for his countiy. We are 
one and united for our country. Our country 
now and our countiy forever. (Applause.) 

Mr. Willets said his feelings had always been 
opposed to war. His ancestry were Quakers. 
But when he heard the news from Sumter, his 
peace principles abdicated. He was now in 
favorof fighting. He believed in putting down 
this rebellion at whatever co.st, and at what- 
ever sacrifice. 



THE WAR OF TIIK RKHKl.l.tON. 



h:\\ 



Mayor O'Counor siiid the spealvers wlio had 
|(recedcd him had called Ihc Southern rebels 
(lur iirethren. He disclaimed their right to be 
called so. Bj' their own traitorous acts they 
have severed the eonnectiori. No traitor to 
tills country should be called the brother of a 
true man. 

Stephen G. Clarke said we meet to-ninht on a 
common platform, and let us respond to the 
traitors in a manner that will send terror to 
every heart and convince them (hut we will 
spill every drop of Mood in defense of that 
tlag. (Applause.) He would not discuss the 
causes of this rebellion. He was for action. 
The enemy are approaching the capitoi. They 
shall not possess it. 

V. M. Winans said he came here with but 
one feeling. He had been led to the battle 
field under that flag, and he was ready to go 
again. He wished to know if others were 
ready to go also. [Yes, yes, was responded by 
more than a hundi-ed voices.] 

Colonel Smith, of the United States Army, 
said : 

" Forever tioat that standard sheet ! 
Wliere breathes the foe but falls bcfmv us, 

With Freedom's soil beneath our feet. 

And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us 1 " 

He had been in the habit of addressing as- 
semblies, Imt they were military- assemblies. 
And a railitarj- response is what we must make. 
The State of Michigan had been called on for 
one regiment, but if it were ten the response 
would be j)romptlj' made, and all would be 
found ready to respond with our lives, our 
fortunes and our sacred honors. 

B. Dansard said it was the first time he had 
ever been in such a position, but if he could 
say anything, the cause is glorious enough. 
God knows. He had lived under that flag — 
wished to die under it — and was ready to do 
anything that could be done to sustain it, with 
money or with life. (Loud applause.) 

Other remarks were made l>y Prof Kel- 
logg, Dr. Landon, Frank Releigh, T. S. Clark, 
L. Darrah, J. E. Kauch, X. N. Kendal, and 
others, man)' of whom expressed a willingness 
to take to the tented field. The remarks were 
received with cheers and applause through- 
out. 

^Ir. X. N. Kendal moved that a committee of 
five be a])pointed to take steps for the organi- 
zation of a military compan)- here. 



The chairman said the resolutions would be 
first in order. The motion for their adoption 
was put and a unanimous aye was heard from 
ever}' throat in the house. 

Mr. Kendal's motion was then i)ut ami car- 
ried, and the chair appointed as the committee, 
Mes.srs. N N. Kendal. T. S. Clark. Capt. 
Winans, Colonel Smith and Constant Luce. 

The meeting then adjourned with ihivo 
hearty cheers for the stars and stripes. 

The military committee as above appointed 
had a meeting the next morning and oi-gani/.ed 
by calling Colonel Smith to the chair, and T. S. 
Clark as secretar}-. 

It was decided to organize a iiiilitary com- 
pany agreeably to the requisition of the (iov- 
ei-nor, and on motion the instrument juf!- 
viously drawn up and numerously signed, was 
adopted as the liasis of organization. 

N. N. Kendal was appointed to wait upon 
the Governor, and ascertain if money sub- 
scribed in this city can be used for the benefit 
of the company raised here, and also what 
amount would be furnished by the State. 

On motion of C. Luce a committee consist- 
ing of J{. O'Connor, Wm. H. Boyd, J. I{. 
Hauch, A. K. Bates and Joseph Weier was 
appointed to solicit subscriptions for the ]iur- 
pose. 

On motion C. Luce and C. Paulding were 
appointed a committee to circulate the roll 
for sigiuitures. All persons who had signed 
the roll or intended doing so were requested to 
meet at the city hall the following morning at 
9 o'clock. 

The roll had already been signed by some 
twenty-five or thirty citizens. 

THE SMITH GUARI).'^. 

The organization of the military comiiany 
enrolled in this city, was perfected on Satur- 
day evening, April 20, 1861, by the election of 
the following officers: 

Captain, Constant Luce; tirst lieutenant, John M. 
Oliver; second lieutenant, A. M. Rose; third lieu- 
tenant, I. DifTenbaugh. 

A resolution was then passed that the com- 
pany be known as the "Smith Guards,' in 
honor of our fellow-townsman. Colonel Smith, 
of the United States Army. The company 
was feelingly addressed by Colonel Smith. 



i)[V2 



HISTORY OK MONKOE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



thiuikiiii; them for the lioiior conferred hy 
their action. 

Three hearty cheers were then given for 
the TTnion, and three more for Colonel Smith, 
and the meeting adjourned. 

The Smith Guard.s, having been ordered into 
camp at Adrian, left Wednesday, May 29, 1861. 
Tiiey were accompanied by the lire department 
and a large number of other citizens. The 
largest crowd assembled in a long time, was at 
the depot to see them off. The city seemed to 
be out en masse, together with many people 
from the country. There were some affecting 
scenes and moist eyes, as mothers bid good bye 
to Iheir sons, sisters to their brothers, etc. 
The comjjany were in good spirits, and went 
with the hearty good wishes of all, that health 
and success might attend them. 

We publish a full list of the officers and men 
composing the Smith Guards, the roll having 
been filled up to an hundred and one: 

Captain, C. Luce; first lieutenant, John M. Oliver; 
second lieutenant, A. M. Rose; third lieutenant, I. 
Diffenbaugh. 

First Sergeant, George Spaulding; second sergeant, 
George Bradford; third sergeant, John Adams; fourth 
sergeant, J. Redfield; fifth sergeant, Con. Paulding. 

First Corporal, W. Paulding; second corporal A. H. 
Bowen; third corporal, F. B. Gale; fourth corporal, 
R. R. Lassey. 

1'H1V.\TE.S. 



Frank Benderitter. 
J. Whii)ple. 

B. F. Nelson. 
A. Benson. 
H. Gravit. 

E. C. Stoddard. 
John Fonier. 
R. Sorter. 
G. W. Beeman. 
Wni, Watkins. 
Jolin Bisonette. 
G. W. Olney. 
Wm. Lassey. 
G. W. Owen. 
S. Bissonette. 
A. E. Bates. 
J. F. Hoflfnian. 
W. Knaggs. 
John Disher. 
S. S. Couture. 
Elroy Cicott. 
John White. 
E. M. Billings. 
J . Susor. 

C. Bisbee. 

W. C. Brown. 



Chas. H. Ladd. 
G. E. Choate. 
Geo. Grueneisen. 
W. C. Watson. 
H. L. Stoddard. 
J. Kittle. 
H. Robinsiin. 
J. Duffield. 
T. Nowlan. 
Wm. H. Gibson. 
John Walter. 
F. Godfrey. 
C. Thnrlack. 
S. S. Parker. 
('. Downing. 
S. M. Kidder. 
J. Charter. 
(t. Kempf. 
F. Spath. 
C. Brunner. 
S. R. Carney. 
W. t)lson. 
E. Ross. 
J. Dickinson. 
W. H. Eaton. 
X. Gagnier, 



J. Conlin, 
C. F. Austin. 
Harry Kendall. 
C. Techout. 
L. F. Ci-seo. 
J. Heald. 
Wm. Stewart. 
Isaac Navarre. 
E. M. Avery. 
A. Mosher, 
N. E. Baker. 
J. Robert. 
W. Prince. 
J. Chase. 
J. Hinsdale. 
J. Root. 
E. Woodward. 
J. Leonard. 



Wm, H. Dnffiel.l. 
S. D. Plues. 
L. Wagner. 
(;. D. Paul. 
A. Taylor. 
A. R. knobe. 

E. Bronson. 
A. Gnior, 
M. W. Hall. 
('.A. Wells. 
H. Ansel. 
Wm. Bookey. 
D. Henderson. 

F. Herman. 
S. IMosher. 
T. Leonard. 
Tlieo. Haberfeldcr. 
J. Turner. 



PRESENTATION OK COLOKS TO THE SMITH GUARDS. 

The stand of colors prepared for the Smith 
Guards by the ladies of the city, was pre- 
sented on Tuesday afternoon. May 21, 1861. 
The guards paraded on the Court House 
square, in their new uniform, making a very 
tine appearance. The uniform was of gray 
cassimero— frock coats, pants with a red stripe 
on the legs, and cap of the same gray material 
with gilt trimming. The uniform was neat 
and tnsteful, and gave the company a very sol- 
dierly appearance. 

A very large concourse of people, a large 
proportion of whom were ladies, assembled on 
the square, to witness the ceremony of the 
presentation. Mr. H. P. Vrooman acted as 
marshal of the da}', and at the appointed time 
announced that Professor Kellogg, of the 
Young Ladies Seminary, would make the pre- 
sentation speech. 

At the conclusion of the address by Prof. 
Kellogg, which was listened to with attention 
by all who were fortunate enough to get within 
hearing distance, the colors were presented to 
Captain Luce by the hand of Mrs. Paulding. 
Captain Luce, upon receiving them, made 
some appropriate remarks, thanking the ladies, 
in behalf of the company, for the colors, and 
for all the kindlj' interest they had taken in 
the company's welfare and comfort. 

Professor Chamberlin, with a number of 
young ladies from the seminary, then sang 
The Star Spangled Banner, with good effect. 

Judge Cbristiancy was then introduced, who 
addressed the company in some patriotic and 
feeling remarks, which met with a hearty re- 
sponse in the hearts of all his listeners. 



THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



r)33 



It was then announced tliiit a number of 
young ladies had prepared a supply- of neck- 
ties and housewives for the members of the 
company, and Mr. E. (J. Morton made some 
remarks on behalf of the young ladies pre- 
senting them. Five young ladies then ad- 
vanced to the ranks and presented each soldier 
with a neck-tie, and a hou.sewife well stored 
with thread, needles, pins, buttons, etc., which 
were found of great convenience and utility 
in camp life. 

At the close of the exercises, the blessing of 
the (xreat Bulor of the Universe was ask-oil 
upon the companj- by Rev. E. .1. Boyd. 

THK MONROE LADIES' SOLDIERS' AID SO- 
CIETY. 

A committee of ladies met at the residence 
of Mrs. .1. M. Oliver, Monday evening, Jul}- 2it, 
1861, and organized a society to be called the 
Monroe Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Societj-, having 
for its object the furnishing of such hospital 
supplies and other necessaries as arc known 
not to be pi-ovided by the general govern- 
ment. 

The following ladies were chosen officers of 
the society : 

President — Mrs. George Lundon. 
\ice President— Mrs. F. M. Winans. 
Treasurer — Miss Augusta Lewis. 
Corresponding Secretary — Mrs. L. S. Stevens. 

They also appointed an e.x'ccutive committee 
of sixteen. 

The Smith Guards were requested during 
drill to form in front of the Presbyterian 
Church, which they did, and each soldier was 
presented with a testament by the infant class 
of the Sabbath School. 

Another presentation was made to them at 
the seminary, being a Ifavelock cap-cover for 
each officer and soldier, by the young ladies 
of the seminary and some others of the city. 
This, wo itnagine, proved one of the most 
valuable articles that had been furnished them. 

Tlie Monroe Ladies' Soldiei's' Aid Society, 
from its organization to the close of the war, 
with untiring energy, perseverance and genu- 
ine patriotism, accomplished the grand purpose 
of their organization — stimulated the boys in 
blue to renewed exertions and heroic comluct 
by their constant contributions for their com- 
fort in the tented Held, reminded of the fact 



that they were remembered in greatkindnessby 
loving hearts at home, and while facing disease 
and danger and death, were comforted with 
the consciousness they were remembered in 
the prayers and kindness of those they had 
left behind them. 

No part of the gi'and and multiform work of 
the suppression of the Rebellion and the pres- 
ervation of the Union will stand oul in histor}- 
more noble and heroic, than will that borne by 
the loj'al, Christian women of the United 
States, in the moral and physical care of the 
soldiers of the Union, It is without a parallel 
in human experience in the magnitude and 
munificence of the provision. 

It is due as simple justice to the memor\- of 
Florence Nightingale, and the true women of 
England who co-operated in her heroic and un- 
precedented work during the Crimean war, to 
say here that their noble example operated 
largely in suggesting the more ample and ex- 
tended service of their worthy American sis- 
ters. 

It would not be possible to describe the aid 
and comfort given by that branch of the coun- 
try's patriotic army. Manj- have recognized 
with grateful hearts what was done in that di- 
rection by the loyal women of Monroe, city 
and county, which may be taken as but a .sam- 
ple of like devotion throughout the loyal 
States. 

LIST OF VOLUNTEERS FfRXISIIEU BY .MON- 
ROE COUNTY. 

The following list is made up from "Michi- 
gan in the War" and the reports of the Adju- 
tant General, and shows the name, com])an\- 
and regiment of men who enlisted in Michigan 
Regiments from Monroe i-ounty, and the casu- 
alties, etc., so far as reported, but does not show 
the enlistments from Monroe county in regi- 
ments raised in other States, and the author 
was unable to find any records from which he 
could obtain the enlistments last mentioned. 
The First Regiment of three-months men were 
mustered out of service, and no record was 
kept of their residence, and the Adjutant Gen- 
eral, in his report for 1862, says. ■' Tlie ordinary 
records of enlistments furnish no information 
of the residence of volunteers, and it became 
necessary to procure it as regards tho.se in ser- 
vice from the regiments in the field. The dif- 
ficulty and delay attending this labor, especially 



r.;u 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



in such a period of active service as existed 
during the summer months, will be readily un- 
derstood.'' ■' In the cases of old regiments, 
the casualties of months or a year of active 
service liad taken from the ranks hundreds of 
men whose names were on the rolls, and whose 
residence it was sought to determine.' From 
the foregoing explanation of the Adjutant 
(General it is apparent that there must necessa- 
rily be many omissions and mistakes in the 
list given below. Some of the German and 
French names are spelled so differently in the 
various reports made to the Adjutant General 
that the}' can hardly be recognized, and in the 
casualties the author found numerous cases 
where a soldier was reported in 1862, as having 
died in action; in 1868, as discharged for dis- 
ability ; as transferred in 1864, and discharged 
at e.\piration of service in 1865. In such cases 
only tiie reports that do not conflict are given, 
and in cases wliere they conflict the last report 
is given. In many cases the author was una- 
ble to find an explanation or remarks, and in 
others only " missing in action," which, on in- 
vestigation, he found so unreliable that he has 
omitted it. 

Abbrei'ialions —The following are the words abbreviated in 
ihe rosters: Adjt., Adjutant; asst., assistant; bat., battery 
cav., cavalry; cap., captured; col., colonel; eapt., captain ; 
Corp. corporal : CO., company; dis., discharged; disal?., dis- 
ability; c, enlisted; exp,, e.xpiration ; geu., general ; H. A., 
heavy artillery ; inf., infantry ; lieut., lieutenant; ni. o., mus- 
tered out; pro., promoted; res., resigned: sergt., sergeant; 
surg., surgeon; trans., transferred; U.S. V., United States Vol- 
unteers: vet., veteran or veleraned. 

Adams, James F., 2d lieut. 15th Inf.; e. Jan. 1, 18(12; 
pro. capt. Oct. 1, 1862; wounded inaction at Cor- 
inth, Miss.. Oct. 1, 1862; res. Mar. 4, 186:1 

Adams, John Q., 2d lieut. 1.5tli Inf.; e. Jan. 27, 1862; 
pro. capt. Oct. 1, 1862; res. June 18, 1864. 

Anderson, John C, Monroe; e. Oct. 21, 1861 ; sergt. 
CO. D, 7th Inf. ; pro. 2d lieut. Dee. 18, 1.S64; m. o. 
July .'S, 186.3. 

Antrian, Patrick, Monroe; e. March 10, 10(i:i ; sergt. 
CO. D, 9th Cav. ; pro. 2d lieut. Oct. 26, 1864; not 
mustered as an officer ; dis. July 21, 186.5. 

.\very, Amos I., LaSalle ; 1st lieut. 11th Cav., Aug. 
I, lS6:i; res. Oct. 11, 1864. 

Allen, Linten H., co. A, 4th Inl.; dis. for ilisal). 
Sept. 27, 1862. 

Austin, Charles F., co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Mal- 
vern Hill, Va., July 1, 1.S62. 

Ausel, Henry J., co. A, 4th Inf.; ilis. at exp. of ser- 
vii-e, June .'!(), l.S6i. 

Austin, Lorenzo D., co. G, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Oct. 27, 1862. 

Anlean, Patrick, co. D, 7th Inf. 

.Vrnolil, James H., co. I), 7tli Inf. 



-Arnold, Thomas, co. D, 7tli Inf.; dis. at e.\p. of ser- 
vice, Aug. 22, 1864. 

Anderson, John C, co. I), 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 
as vet. Dec. 18, 1,863. 

Ahernethy, .\lexander, co. D, 7th Inf. 

Arni.strong, Oscar E., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disali. 
Feb. 8, 1862. 

A<lee, William co. I, llth Inf.; died of disease May 
10, 1862. 

Aj)ell, Moses, co. K, llth Inf.; dis. at exi>. of ser- 
vice, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Arponteney, Thomas, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re- 
enlist as vet. Jan. 1, 1864; dis. by order, Sept. II, '65. 

Atquette, Alexander, co. B, 1.5th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease at (irand Junction, Miss., Jan. 16, 1863. 

Anklebrandt, John, co. E, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
March 6, 1863. 

Allen, James, co. F, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. June 
21, 1862. 

Amand, Louis, co. U, 15th Inf. 

Anderson, Williatu, co. K, 15th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease at Monroe, Mich., Oct. 1, 1862. 

Aselstein, Darius, co. G, 16th Inf.; dis. by order, 
Aug. 12, 1865. 

Alger, Abraham, co. I, 17th Inf.; died of disease. 

Arnold, Lewis, co. B, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. 
Inf. 

Arno, Lewis, co. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 

Antya, William, en. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 
Mich. Inf. 

Austin, Benjamin, co. I, 17th Inf. 

Armstrong, John S., co. K, istli Inf.; trans, to inh 
Mich. Inf. 

Allen, Charles, co. G, ISth Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1.865. 

Austin, Henry K., co. H, 18tb Inf.; dis. by order 
July 10, 1864. 

Austin, Otis, co. H, 18tb Inf.; died of disease at 
Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 22, 1864. 

Adams, James, co. D, 24th Inf.; m.n. June 30, 1865. 

."Anderson, James, ci>. I, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 
1865. 

Armstrong, William A., co. G, 24th Inf.; dis. for 
disab. Nov. 26, 1863. 

Alfred, George, co. D, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. Sept. 
30, 1865. 

Anderson, George, co. G, 102d V. S. C. T.; m. o. 
Sept. 30, 1865. 

Allen, Jerome, co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. at ex)!, of ser- 
vice, Aug. 22, 1864. 

Austin, Edwin I., co. A, 4th Cav.; dis. for disab. 
Aug. 13, 1863. 

Allison, Horatio N., ci>. B, 5th Cav. 

Allison, George S., co. B, 5th Cav.; killed at Win- 
chester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864. 

Adams, Lewis, co. I, .5111 Cav. 

Alexander, Thomas M., co. D, 9th Cav.; trans, to 
V. K. C, Jan. 15, 1864. 

.\yers, Silas, co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; 
trans, to V. R. C, April 10, 1804. 

Babcock, Albert II., Dundee; 1st lieut. 18th Inf., 
July 27, 1862; pro. caj)!., April .5, 1.864; m. <>. June 
26, 1865. 



THE WAR OF THIC REl!EI.I.ION'. 



••}.") 



Baldwin, G. Uomeyn, e. Monroe, Jan. 20, 1863; hosp. 
steward, IStli Int.; asst. surjr.. May 11, ISO:!; ra. n. 
June I'd, 1S(«. 

BaniiiUy, Charles W., e. Monroe, L'd. lieut. l.">tli Inf. 
Jan. 1. 1«()2; pro. capt. Oct. 1. IStL'; killed in action 
before Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 13, 18()4. 

Barnaby, -■MbertG., Bedford; e. Aug. !), 18(JL'; sergt. 
niaj. 20tli Inf.; pro. 1st lieut. May 12, 18r>4; not mus- 
tered as an officer; died at his home, July 29, 18('i4, 
of wounds received in action June 2, 18(54. 

Bell, John, Monroe; e. Nov. 14, KS(>1; sergt. co. K, 
15th Inf.; pro. 1st lieut. Oct. 1, 1S(12; capt. Aug. 13, 
1SG3; major, Jan. 21, 18(1.5; brev. lieut. -col. 1'. S. V. 
May 24, 1811.5, " for gallant anil meritorious services 
during the war;" m. o. Aug. 13, 18(1.5. 

Beisel, William H.,- Exeter; e. Aug. 14, 18(12; sergt. 
CO. K, ISth Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Jan. 24, 18(1.5; m. o. 
June 2(1, 18(1,5. 

Bigelow, Abram, Berlin; e. Aug. 15, 1862; sergt. co. 
G, 21st Inf.; pro. 1st lieut. Dec. 2, 1863; taken pris- 
oner, March 10, 186.5; paroled, April, 186.5; .lis. 
May 15, 1865. 

Bisbee, Charles E., Monroe; e. March 15, 1865; sergt. 
maj. 1.5th Inf.; pro. 1st lieut. March 30, 186.5; ni. o. 
Aug. 13, 1866. 

Boardman, (ieorge M., e. Petersburg; capt. lotli Inf., 
January 1, 1862; died at St. Louis, Mo., April (1, '64. 

Bowlsby, George W., e. Monroe; capt. 15tli Inf., .Ian. 

1, 1862; res. April IS, 1862. 

Bowen, .-^clna H., c. Monroe; 2d licut. loth Inf., Jan. 

31, 1862; pro. 1st lieut. Oct. I, 1862; res. March 30, 

1863; capt. llthCav. Aug. 1, 18(53; pro. and trans. 

as maj. (1th U. S. C. T. Oct. 21, 1864; no further 

record. 
Bowen, George W'., co. .\, 4th Int. 
Bradford, George W., Monroe; e. June 20, 1S61. as 

sergt. CO. A, 4th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut, Sejit. 13, 1862; 

m. o. June 30. 1864. 
Brighain, Mathie V., Newport; e. November 30, 1862; 

sergt. maj. 8th Cav.; pro. 2d lieut. Jan. 8, 1865; m. o. 

Sept. 22, 1S65. 
Brown, William C, Monroe; e. June 20, 1861, sergt. 

maj. 4tli Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Jan. 1, 1862; 1st lieut. 

Sept. 13, 1862; wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 

2, 1863; m. o. June 30, 1865. 

Bryant, Stephen ()., Bedford; e. Aug. 5, 1862, sergt; 

CO. C, 20th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. May 17, 1865; not 

nnistered as an officer; dis. May 30, 1865. 
Billings, Edgar M., co .\, 4th Ii\f.: dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 29, 1863. 
Beaman, George W., co. .\, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, June 30, 1864. 
Benderitter, Frank, co. .\, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, June :!0, 1864. 
Branner, Charles, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed in the 

Wilderness, Va., May 7, 1864. 
Brimingstall, H. J., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, June 30, 1864. 
Bisbee, Charles A., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Oct. 15, 1862. 
Baker, I., co. A. 4th Inf. 



Bronson, Edwin, co. A. 4tli Inf.; dis. for disab. 
May 14, 1,S64. 

Benson, .Vdelbert, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Gettys- 
burg, Pa., July 2, 1863. 

Baker, Perry, co. A, 4th Inf.; died at Riihm.ind, 
Va., July 15, 1862. of wounds. 

Baker, Newell E., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Oct. 22, 1861. 

Boyle, Charles, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Julv 
6, 1862. 

Bussires, John, co. A, 4tb Inf.; dis. to ri'-eidist a.s 
vet. Dec. 29, 1863. 

Besonette, Samuel, co. A, 4lli Inf.; kill(<l at Gettys- 
burg, Pa., July 2, 1863. 

Brown, Williams, co. A. 4tli Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Dec. 31, 1862. 

Brown, .Joseph, co. A. 4tli Inf.; <Iis. for di^ab. 
April, 1864. 

Baker, Cliarles, co. K, 4th Inf.; killed May 12, IStll. 

Baker, William R., co. E, 0th Inf.; died of disease 
at Fort Gaines, Ala., Oct. 15, 1864. 

Brainard, Charles T., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Oct. 22, 1861. 

Brimingsteel, George, co. I), 7th Inf. 

Beandry, Joseph, co. D, 7tli Inf.; dis. for disab. 
April 6, 1863. 

Bushron, John, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 
vet. Dec. 18, 1863. 

Beach, .lolin, co. D, 7th Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. Feb. 
1.5, 1864. 

Brown, William, co. D, 7tli Inf. 

Barry, John, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. April, '64. 

Barkley, William J., co. D, 7th Inf. 

Beandry, Louis, co. D, 7th Inf. 

Brown, George W., co. D. 7th Inf. 

Bell. William, co. I, 7th Inf. 

Bockstawz, Charles N., co. K, 7th Inf. 

Barber, Freeman .\., co. K, 7th Inf.; killed at Wil- 
derness, Va., May 6, 1864. 

Bengorr, Julius, co. K, 7th Inf.; killed at Dee]) 
Bottom. Va., Aug. 10, 1864. 

Barber, George .\., e. co. 1. 1 1th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
May 23, 1862. 

Baker, Edwin, co. 1. llth Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, Sept. 30, I.S(i4. 

,Baker, Marcus D., co. T, llth Inf.; dis. at exp. of 
service, Se])t. 30, 1864. 

Baker, Solomon M, co. I, llth Inf.; ilis. for disab. 
Aug. 5, 1862. 

Barnes, Linn, co. I, lltli Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, Sept. .30, 1864. 

Brown, Peter F., co. I, llth Inf.; dis. at ex]!. of ser- 
vi<-e, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Branshaw, Jose|)h, co. 1, llth Inf.; dis. at exp. of 
service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Btirdeaux, Alexander, co. I, lllli Inf.; trans, to \'. 
R. C. April 30, 1864. 

Boardman, Franklin, co. K, llth Inf. 

Boardman, Charles, co. K, llth Inf.: died of dis- 
ease April 8. 1S62. 

Brockway, Oliver, co. K. llth Inf. 



58C. 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Bragg, Nelson C, co. K, Ilth Inf.; Jicil of disease, 

at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 14, 1863. 
Bragg, Myron, co. K, lltli Inf.; (lis. at exj). of ser- 
vice, Sept. 30, 1864. 
Blood, Augustus W., ro. I, nth Inf.; dis. to enlist 

in regular service Nov. 28, 1862. 
Brogg, Clifford, co. K, lUh Inf.; died of disease, at 

Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 14, 1863. 
Bennett, Lawreni-e, co. E, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 6, 

1865. 
Barber, Dunham E., co. A, 13th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease, at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 29, 1862. 
Bowman, Kichard, co. B, 14th Inf ; died of disease, 

at Goldsboro, N. C, April 5, 1865. 
Brechtold, Michael, c<>. K, 14th Inf.; ni. o. July 18, 

1865. 
Bradley, Thomas M., 15th Inf. 

Barraclough, Joseph, co. A, loth Inf. ; dis. by or- 
der May 19, 1865. 
Brown, Godfrey, co. A, 15th Inf.; m. o. .\ug. 13, 

1865. 
Brown, William, co. G, loth Inf.; dis. by order 

May 30, 1865. 
Brockway, Charles, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. by order 

May 31, 1865. 
Brown, Charles, co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. by order May 

30, 1865. 
Bourboney, Eli, co. B, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Blair, Joseph, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Jan. 1, 1864. 
Briggs, Daniel, co. B, 15th Inf. 
Bitz, Bemart, co. E, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug. 

3, 1862. 
Branigan, Bernard, co. F, loth Inf. 
Boully, Peter, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Jan. 24, 1864; dis. for disab. Jan. 29, 1865. 
Boudy, F'rancis I., co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Jan. 24, 1864. 
Barcume, Edward, co. G, 1.5th Inf.; m. o. Aug 13, 

1865. 
Barron, Moses, co. G, 1,5th Inf.; dis. by order May 

8, 1865. 
Barron, Gilbert, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

July 11, 1862. 
Beaubien, John, co. G, 15th Inf. 
Boulley,Julius, co. G, 1.5th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Jan. 24, 1864; ra. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Brooks, Charles, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug. 

25, 1802. 
Boners, Frederick, co. H, 15th Inf.; died of disease 

June 3, 1862. 
Bowers, Edwin, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service. Mar. 22, 1865. 
Barritt, Eugene, co. I, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 

1865; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Feb. 14, 1864. 
Burnhani, Lyman, co. I, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

July 27, 1862. 
Butler, James, co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 

5, 1863. 
Baker, George R. L., 1st lient. co. K, 15th Inf.; 

res. July 12, 1802. 
Barnady, Charles W., co. K, 15th Inf. 



Baker, Newell, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Feb. 20, 1864; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Bell, Henry, co. K, 15th Inf. 

Bell, John," CO. K, 15th Inf. 

Be.sant, Joseph, co. F, 15th Inf.; died of disease, 
at Cheralla, Tenn., Sept. 7, 1862. 

Bondin, Clement, co. G, 15th Inf. 

Burk, John, co. A, 16th Inf.; m. o. July 8, 1865. 

Bartlett, Lawrence, co. A. 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 

IMich. Inf. 
Branchau, Henry, co. E. 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 
Mich. Inf. 

Bunno, .\bram, co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. 
Inf. 

Bunno, Robert, co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d" Mich. 
Inf. 

Bissetts, Erotus, co. B, 17th Inf.; dis. by order 
Aug. 14, 1865. 

Bellaire, Isadore, co. II, 17th Inf.; dis. by order 
June 10, 1865. 

Barnaby, Henry, co. C, 17tli Inf.; ni. o. June 3, 
1865. 

Berne, James, co. C, 17th Inf.; dis. for wounds 
Dec. 12, 1862. 

Belknap, Benjamin, co. I, 17th Inf.; killed at South 
IMountain, Sept. 14, 1862. 

Barnes, George, co. I, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Mar. 
2, 1865. 

Bassett, Henry, co. I. 17th Inf.; dis. fur disab. Jan. 
14, 1864. 

Best, John, co. A, 17th Inf.; killed in the Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 6, 1864. 

Benjamin, William, co. H, 17th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease, at Andersonville. Ga., Aug. 30, 18(i4. 

Burnham, Alexander, co. A, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
June 14, 1S64. 

Bateman, Christopher, co. II, bsth Inf.; dis. by or- 
der Aug. 8, 1864. 

Buckley, William, co. H, ISth Inf.; m. o. June 26, 
1.S65. 

Brickley, William W., en. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. 
June 10, 1865. 

Barnett, Henry, co. H, i8th Inf.; died of disease, 
at Lexington, Ky., Dec. 29, 1862. 

Bissell, George, co. H, 18th Inf.; dis. Dec. 25, 1862. 

Bordine, George W., e. co. H, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
May 28, 1 8(i3. 

Bristol, Edwin, co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Aug. 12, 1803. 

Baldwin, G. Romyne, co. K, 18th Inf. 

Belman, Charles N., co. K, isth Inf.; m. o. June 
26, 1865. 

Belman, Oscar H., co. K, Isth Inf.; m. o. June 26, 
1865. 

Bond, Lewis W., co. K. 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26. 
18()5. 

Belcher, John, co. K, IStli Inf.; m. o. June 10, 1805. 

Bradford, William B.. co. K, 18tli Inf.; died of 
disease, at Nashville, Tenn., Ai)ril 12, lS(i4. 

Brayden, (ieorge, co. K, 1.8th Inf. 

Bogardus, George D., co. H, 18th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease, at Decatur, Ala., Aug. 10, 1864. 



THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



531 



Butler, Li-ander.co. A.LStlilnf.; trans. toOtli Mich. Inf. 
Barren, Isiiac, co. A, LSth Inf.; tran.s. to 9lh Mich. Inf. 
Barren, Josepli B., co. A, ISth Inf.; trans, to i)th Mich. 

Inf. 
Benjamin, Smith S., co. C, LSth Inf.; trans, to 9th 

Midi. Inf. 
Babcock, Peter H, 18lh Inf.; trans, to 0th Mich. Inf. 
Breese, Calvin, 18th Inf.; trans. toOth Mich. Inf. 
Brechner, Jolin L.,co. C, ISth Inf.; m. o. May 29, imr,. 
BrenniinjKtool, Charles P., co. F, IStli Inf.; in. o. 

June 10, 1S(;.5. 
Bessell. James, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 7, 1865. 
Benster, Wendell, co. A, 24th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Dec. 20, 1803. 
Benster, Menzo M., co. A, 24th Inf.; dis. for dis. Feb. 

8, 1863. 
Baker, Harrison, co. A, 24th Inf. 
Blissinj:.', Phillii), co. A, 24th Inf.; died at LocustGrove, 

Va., May 9, 1864, of wounds. 
Balway, Peter, co. G, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865. 
Bale, Joseph McCoUoni, co. G, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 

1865. 
Broondiar, John, co. G, 24tli Int.; m. o. June .'>0, 1865. 
Baldwin, Charles 0., co. G, 24th Inf.; died of disease 

at Brook's Station, Va., Dec. 6, 18()2. 
Ilirstor, Solomon, co. A, 24th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Oct. 27, 1863. 
Blankertz, Jacob, co. A, 24th Inf.; ni. o. June 30, 1865. 
Brewster, Franklin, co. F, 26th Inf.; m. o. May 19, 

18(>5. 
Becker, Andrew W., co. F, 26th Inf.; m. o. June 4, 

1.S65. 
Brewer, Philarmon, co. F, 26th Inf. 
Briningstall, Abram, co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; 

m. o. at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. 
Brown, John G., co. F, 1st Enfis. and Mechs.; dis, at 

exp. of .service, Oct. 31, 1664. 
Babcock, Allison H., co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; dis. 

at exp. of service, Oct. 31, 1864. 
Brown, Thomas, co. F, 1st Engs. and Meclis.; dis. for 

disab. June 20, 1862. 
r.ailey, John, cO. F, 1st Eng=. and Mechs.; dis. for 

ilisab. March 9, 1862. 
Baker, Morgan, co. F, 1st Engs and Mechs.; died of 

disease at Louisville, Ky., April 4, 1862. 
Baker, Albert, co. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; died of 

disease at Bridgeport, Ala., April 2, 1864. 
Baker, Jasper, co. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; ni. o. at 

Nashville, Sept. 22, 1865. 
Brockway, Myron J., co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Aug. 22, 1864. 
Bidwer, Hiram R., co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. for disab. 
Broughton, George, co. C, 1st Cav.; dis. by order Juno 

12, 186.5. 
Brown, Philo, co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. by order Aug. 3, '65. 
Buck, William H., co. M. 1st Cav.; m.o. March 2.5, '66. 
Ben.son, Samuel, co. K, 3d Cav.; m. o. Feb. 12, 1865. 
Butterfield, John, co. K, 3d Cav.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. June 20, 1864, and m. o. Feb. 12, 1866. 
Berge, Christian, co. A, 2d Cav.; m. o. June 17, 1865. 
Bunce, Latham, co. A, 4th Cav.; dis. by order April 27, 

1863. 



Benschider, William, co. F, 4th Cav.; ni. o. July 1, '65. 

Buison, Edward B., co. B, oth Cav. 

Bruch, James P., co. B, 5th Cav. 

Burroughs, Amos S., co. B, .5th Cav. 

Briningstall, Abram, co. B, .5tli Cav.; trans, to V.R.C. 

Bisbce, Phillip, co. C, .5th Cav. 

Baldwin, David, co. C, 5th Cav. 

Boda, Lewis, co. C, 5th Cav. 

Besold, Frederick, 8th (DeGolyer's) Ijat. 

Burnett, Moses, 8th (DeGolyer's) bat. 

Beauchamp, Michael, co. D, Oth Cav.; dis. for disab. 

Bevier, Luther S., co. D, 9th Cav.; died of disease at 

Richmond, Va., Nov., 1863. 
Beidler, Fred, co. D, Oth Cav.; dis. for disab. April 25, 

1864. 
Buskus, John G, co. D, 1st Sharp Shooters; m. o. 

June 31, 1865. 
Butler, John, co. B, 102d U.S. C. T.; m. o. Sept. 30, '65. 
Binos, Daniel, co. B, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. .Sept. 30, '65. 
Bromley, Aaron, co. B, 102d U. S. C. T.; dis. for disab. 

May 11, 1865. 
Brown, Thomas, co. H, 102dU. S.C. T.; m. o. Sept. 30, 

1865. 
Carlton, Henry, Newport; capt. 22d Inf.; e. July 31, 

1862; killed by railroad accident, June 6, 1863. 
Chapman, Aaron P., Monroe; 1st lieut. and q. m. 17th 

Inf.; e. July 19, 1863; m. o. June 3, 1865. 
Chamberlin, Nelson, London; capt. 11th Inf.; e. Aug. 

21, 1861; resigned Feb. 19, 1863. 
Cliristiancy, Henry C, Monroe; e. May 1, 1861, as 

l)rivate co. F, 1st (3 months) Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. 1st 

Inf., Aug. 17, 1861; 1st lieut., April 28, 1862; m. o. 

Sept. 26, 1864; brev. capt.,maj. and lieut.-col. of U. 

S. Vol., March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious 

service during the war. 
Christianey, James J., Monroe; e. June 4, 1861, as 

scrgt.-maj. 17th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Dec. 28, 1862; 1st 

lieut. 9th Cav. Nov. 3, 1862; detached iis aid to Gen. 

Custer, Aug. 4, 1863; wounded in action at Harris' 

Shoj), Va., May 28, 1864; m. o. Aug. 22, 1865. 
Clark, Thomas S., Monroe; lieut.-col. 6th Inf.; e. Jan. 

19, 1861; pro. col. June 21, 1862; resigned Jan. 29, 

1864. 
Clark, John A., Monroe; e. Aug. 22, 1881, as sergt. co. 

D, 7tli Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. March 1, 1862; 1st lieut. 

April 22, 1861; killed in action at Antietam, Md., 

Sept. 17, 1862. 
Clarke, Samuel P., Monroe; 1st lieut. 15th Inf.; e. 

Jan. 1, 1862; res. July 13, 1.S62. 
Conant, John S., Monroe; e. Sept. 11, 1862, as com. 

sergt. 25th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. April 7, 1.S63; dis. for 

disab. Feb. 23, 1864. 
Cooper, Luke H.,Monroe;x<8t. sergt. 17th Inf.; e. Feb. 

27, 1864; resigned Oct. 21, 1.864. 
Creager, Marvin II., Berlin; e. Aug. 30, 1801, a.s sergt. 

CO. F, 2d Cav.; pro. 2d lieut. March 1, 1864; capt. 

Dec. 1-5, 1864; m. o. Aug. 17, 18(^5. 
Cr.rti.ss, Sylvanns W., Monroe; 1st lieut. 7th InL, 

June 19, 1861; pro. capt. March 1, 1862; maj. May 

26, 1863; m. o. Oct. 5, 1864. 
Cook, Van Rennselaer V., co. A, 1st Inf. 
Carll, John M.. co. II, 1st Inf. 



538 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Ouster, Thomas W., Monroe ; corp. 21st 0. Inf.; pro. 
2d lieut. 6th Cav.; e. July 11, ISfH; brevet 1st lieut., 
(■apt. and maj. U. S. Vol., March 13, 1865, ''for dis- 
tinguished and gallant conduct;" m.o. April 24,1860. 

Carll, George M., co. H, l.st Inf. 

Carney, Simon B., co. A, 4th Inf.; died of disease at 
Annapolis, Md., Nov. 17, 1863, from effects of starva- 
tion while a prisoner at Richmond, Va. 

Conlan, John, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, 
June 30, 1864. 

Couture, S. S., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, 
June 30, 1864. 

Coutchie, William, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at ex|.. of ser- 
vice, June 30, 1864. 

Chace, James, co. A. 4th Inf.: <lis. at exp. of service, 
June 30, 1864. 

Curtis, Benjamin T., co. A. 4tli Inf.; dis. at exji. nf 
service, June 30, 1864. 

Charter, Jackson, CO. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, June 30, 1864. 

Chapman, Jonathan, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 
vet. Dec. 29, 1863. 

Cisco, Lorenzo D., <■". A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. July, 
1861. 

Choates, George E., co. A. 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. .if ser- 
vice, June 30, 1864. 

Crawford, Quimby H., co. 1>, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 
service, June 30, 1864. 

Conklin, Wesley R., co. G, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Sept. 23, 1861. 

Cicott, Elor, CO. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. .-Vug. 1, '63. 

Cooley, Charles, co. H, 4th Inf. 

Clark, Asa J., co. F, ."ith Inf.; killed at Fair Oaks, 
May 31, 1862. 

Collum, Isaiah, co. B, (ith Inf.; died of disease at 
Vicksburg, Miss.; June 27, 18(i4. 

Colhim, Peter, co. B, 6th Inf.; ilieil of disease at 
Vicksburg, Miss. Sept. 13, 1S64. 

Clark, A. C, co. B, (ith Inf.; died of disease at Mobile 
Point, Oct. 14, 18li4. 

Campeau, Anthony, co. I>, 7th Inf ; killed at battle of 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

Case, George W., co. D. 7th Inf. 

Calkins, Russell, co. D, 7th Inf.; killed at Antietara, 
Sept. 17, 1862. 

Cassidy, John, co. 1>, 7th Inf.; dis. for wounds Dec. 12, 
1862. 

Cassada, James II., co. D, 7th Inf; dis. for disab. 
F'eb. 14, 1863. 

Carter, David, co. D, 7th Inf. 

Chilson, William G., co. D, 7th Inf.; died of disease at 
Camp Benton, Nov. 2, 1861. 

Crane, Delos S., co. D. 7th Inf.; dis. at exi>. of service, 
Aug. 28, 18(54. 

Cisco, James F., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. 
Dec. 18, 1863. 

Case, William B., co. D, 7th Inf.; died of disease at 
Baltimore, Md., Feb. 18, 1804. 

C'oinstock, John, co. C, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Dec. 7, 
1863. 

Carney, Robert B., co. 1. llth Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Feb. 22, 1803. 



Cavana, John, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb.9,'63. 
Clark, Watson, co. I, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug. 17, 

ISC2. 
Calhoun, Alvin, co. I, llth Inf.; died of disease' .Ian. tl, 

1862. 
Carney, John H., co. I, llth Iiii ; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, Sept. 30, 18(i4. 
Cauchie, James, co. I. llth Inf.: trans, to V. R. C. 

Jan. 3, 1864. 
Case, Daniel, co. I, llth Inf.; dis. at exp. of service 

Sept. 30, 1864. 
Chamberlain, Servis, CO. I, llth Inf.; died of disease 

Feb. 15, 1862. 
Cronerwit, ITriah. co. I, lltii Inf.; dis. for disab 

May 25, 1803. 
Crane, Joseph B., co. I, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Aug 14, 1862. 
Cowen, Damon, co. K, llth Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice Sept. 30, 1864. 
Cornwell, Anson, co. K, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

April 6, 1862. 
Combs, Eberill, co. D, llth Inf.; died of disease at 

Nashville, Tenn., June 5, 1863. 
Counture, William, co. A, llth Inf.; m. o. Se|)t. 16, 'O.t. 
Cory, Franklin, co. H, llth Inf.; m. o. Scjit. 16, '6."i. 
Caswell, John B., co. A, !3th Inf. 
Crowman, Thomas W., co.K, 14tli Inf.; m. o. J\dv IS, 

1865. 
Carr, George W,, co. B, 1.5tli Inf. 
Colley, Anthony, co. B, 1.5th Inf. 
Crilley, William, co. B,1.5th Inf.; dis. for ilisab. Oct. IS, 

18(i2. 
Cannon, George A., co. D, 15tli Inf.; dis. for disab 

June 12, 1S62. 
Champaign, Callick, co. G,15tli Inf. 
Cournia, Henrv,co. G,15th Inf.; ilis. for disab. June 21, 

1S02. 
Cournia, Peter, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. July 11, 

1862. 
Cyphens, Charles, co. (x, 15tli Inf. 
Cournia, Yesant, co. G, 15th Inf. 

Christ, Adam, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, April 7, 18(i5. 
Colary, Charles L., co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. for di.sab. 

Oct. 13. 1862. 
Cook, Van Ness, co. II, 15th Inf.; dis. by order, 

June 23, 1865. 
Canfield, Lemuel E., co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

July 8, 1862. 
Casey, George, co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 5, 

1802. 
Casey, Charles H., co. I, 15th Inf. 
Carney, Nelson, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Oct. 8, 1802. 
Carrick, William, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. by order, 

Oct. 10, 1863. 
Cooley, John C, co. K, 15th Inf. 
Coberly, Isaac, co. K, 15th Inf. 
Cooley, John C, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Jan. 3, 1864. 
Carmell, Daniel, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

July 11,1862. 



THE WAU OK THE REBELLION. 



539 



Canlielfl, Charles H., co. I, 15th Int.; dis. for dipab. 
July 8, 1801'. 

Chesper, John, CO. A, l-^th Inf.; ilis. to le enlist iis 
vet. Jan. 1, 1864; m. o. 1805. 

Casseiio, Alexander, co. B, IStli Inf.; in. o. May 30, '05. 

Carney, Andrew, co. I, loth Inf.; died of disease at 
Xa.shville, Tenn., Feb. 2, 1865. 

Callahan, Jerry, co. E, 15th Inf.; ni. o. .\ug. l.S, '05. 

Ci.sco, Sidney F., co. K, loth Inf.; dis. by order,Jiiiio 2:5, 
1805. 

C'arjnody, Thomas, Istlndp. co. 10th Inf.; mi. o. July 8, 
1805. 

Charlan, Richard, co. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. 
Inf. 

('harlan, Joseph, co. E,I7th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 

Coinpeau, .John B., co. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. 
Inf. 

Cooley, Henry, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mirli. Inf. 

Cooley, Moses, co. Ct, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 

Cooley, Charles, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. 
Inf." 

Cooley, Oliver, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 

Cossine, John B.,co. H,17th Inf.; trans, to 2dMich. Inf. 

Collins, Orval, co. C, 17th Inf.; ni. o. June 3, 1805. 

Campbell, Frank G., co. G,17th Inf.; ni. o. .June 3, '05 

Conia, Henry, co. G, 17th Inf.; dis. by order. May 22, 
1805. 

Collier, Orval, co. C, 17th Inf. 

Carter, J. R.,co. C,17th Inf.; trans, to V.R.C.,nec. 1,'03. 

Chapman, Aaron P., co. C, 17th Inf. 

Coif, James, co. C, 17th Inf.; in. o. June 3, 1805. 

Coif, Israel B., co. C, 17tli Inf.; killed at South Mt. 
Sept. 14, 1S02. 

Curtis, Norman G., co. I, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. 
Inf. 

Curtis, Alonzo, co. I, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1S05. 

Carney, Mason, co. I, 17th Inf.; killed at South Mt. 
Sept. 14, 1802. 

Calahan, John.co. G,17th Inf.; dis. by order,.\ug. 5, '04. 

Conlisk, Charles, co. A, 24th Inf. 

Codwise. George H., co. G, 24th Inf.; killed at Gettys- 
burtr, JnlyJ, 1863. 

Colborn, George, co. G, 24th Inf.; killed at Gettys- 
burg, Pa., July 1, 1803. 

CoUison, Robert H., co. B, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, '05. 

Caplin, August, co. G, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, '05. 

Carlton, George E., co. F, 26th Inf.; m. o. June 3, '65. 

Clark, Peter, co. K, 1st Cav. 

Clark, Mathew,co. K,l8t Cav.;dis. fordisab. Dec. 8,'62. 

Conture, Moses, co. C, 1st Cav.; dis. at exp. of service, 
Feb. 15, 1806. 

Christiancy, William P., 1st Cav.; m. o. Feb. 20, '66. 

Carroll, William, co. C, 5th Cav. 

Cauchie, Godfrey, co. C, 5th Cav. 

Carney, George, co. M, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; 
died of disease at Nashville, Nov. 30, 1803. 

Cornwell, Edward H.,co. F,lst Engineers and Mechan- 
ics; dis. at exp. of service, Oct. 31, 1864. 

Charter, Lafayette, co. F, 1st Engineers and Mechan- 
ics; dis. at exp. of service, Oct. 31, 1864. 
Crosier, Adam, co. F, Ist Engineers and Mechanics; 
dis. for disab. Nov. 9, 1802. 



Case, Robert, Willett's Sharp Shooters. 

Ca.<s, Isaac K, co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; 

m. o. at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1S(>5. 
Cooker, Franklin, co. E, i)th Cav.; died of disease at 

Knoxville, Tenn. 
Crilley, William, co. D, !ith Cav.; trans, to V. R. C. 

Jan. 15, 1864. 
Clark, Era,stus W., co. E, 11th Cav.; dis. fordisab. 

Aug. 21,1864. 
Critchett, George W.,co. H,18th Inf.; m. o. June26,'65. 
Countryman, George A., co. H,18tb Inf.;m. o.June22, 

18(i5. 
Clark, Edward ti., co. H, 18th Inf.; mj. o. June 5, 1865. 
Countryman, Joel, co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 20,'65. 
Countryman, Jacob H, co. H, 18th Inf., m. o. June 20, 

1805. 
Cauel, Lawrence, co. K,18th Inf.; m.o. June 20, 1865. 
Collins, Charles, co. K,18th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 25, 

1803. 
Carpenter Nathan, CO. K,18th Inf.; dis. for disab. June S, 

1863. 
Cook, George \\. V., co. K, 18th Inf. 
Call, .James, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 
Curtis, Andrew J., co. H, 18th Inf.; died of disease at 

Lexiegton, Kv., March IS, 1803. 
Collins, John C, co. K, 18th Inf.; died of disease at 

Lexington, Ky., Feb. 5, 1803. 
Collins, William,co. E,18th Inf.; trans, to 9lh Mich. Inf. 
Chapman, Daniel,co.K,I8lh Inf.; trans.to9thMich.Inf. 
C'ompeau, Peter, co. B, 18th Inf.; m.o. June 20, 1865. 
Custer, James, co. C, 18th Inf.; m.o. June 26, 1865. 
Cliai)man, Charles, co. G, 18th Inf.; m. o. May 20, "65. 
Cassada, William, co. I, IDth Inf.; tiled of disease at 

Nashville, April 20, 18()4. 
Cutting, Leander G., co. H, 24th Inf.; m.o. June 30,'65. 
Cummings, Morris, co. K, 24th Inf.; ni. o. June .30, '65. 
Christian, Richard,co. K,102d I'.S.C.T.; m.o. Sept. 30, 

1805. 
Darragh, James, Monroe; capt. 7th Inf.; e. Aug. 10, 

1861; died of disease April 17, 1802. 
Harragh, Archibald B., Monroe; e. March 12, 1863, as 

sergt. CO. 1), 9th Cav.; pro. 2d lieut. Oct. 15, 1803; 

1st lieut. Feb. 12, 1804; capt. June 9, 1865; m.o. 

July 21, 1805, as Isl lieut. 
Darragh, James C, Monroe; e. March 12, 1803, as 

sergt, CO. D, 9th Cav.; pro. 2d lieut. March 26, 1864; 

wounded and lost a leg near Atlanta, Ga., Oct. I, 

1864: pro. 1st lieut. and adjt. May 15, I860; m. o. as 

2d lieut. July 21, 1865. 
Donnelly, John L., Monroe; capt. 14th Inf.; e. Nov. 

18, 1801; m. o. Feb. 13, 1805. 
Doyle, John, Monroe; 1st lieut. and q. m. loth Inf.; 

e. May 29, 1862; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Doyle, Timothy, Monroe; e. Dec. 3, 1801, .is com. 

sergt. 15th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Oct. 1, 1862; m. o. 

Jan. 4, 1805. 
Duffield, William E , Monroe; 2d lieut. 17th Inf.; e. 

June 17, 1862; wounded inaction at .\ntietam, Md., 

Sept. 17, 1862; died at Frederick City, Md., Oct. 16. 

1802, of wounds received on Sept. 17, 1802. 
Dickinson, John R., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, June .30, 1864. 



540 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Dunlap, James A., Monroe; e. Aug. 18, 1862, as hosp. 

steward 2d cav.; pro. asst. surg. March 1, 18(i4; surg. 

July 31, 1805; m. o. as asst. surg. Aug. 17, 180.5. 
Ditfenbaugh, Isaac, co. A, 4th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 10, '02. 
Duffield, Johnson, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, June 30, 1802. 
Downing, Christopher T., co. A, 4tli Inf.; dis. for 

disab. Nov. 19, 1863. 
Duffield, William.co. A,4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 8, 

1802. 
Disher, John, en. A, 4tb Inf.; dis. U> re-enlist as vet. 

Dec. 29, ISGo. 
Dumphy, Addison, co. G, Itli Inf.; dis. at exp. of .ser- 
vice, .Fune 30, 18(i4. 
Davidson, Augustus, co. A, 4th Inf. 
Dissinhurth, .\ugust, co. G, 4th Inf.; dis. for disali. 

Oct. 0, 1803. 
Davis, DewittC, co. A, 7th Inf.; liilled at Antietani, 

Sept. 17, 1802. 
Daley, John M., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. Nov. 11, 1801. 
Deshetler, Francis,co. U.7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 8. 

1802. 
Dowd, Solomon C.,co. D,7th Inf.; dis. at Detroit.Mich., 

July 14, 1802. 
Deshetler, Basil J., co. D, 7th Inf.; died of wounds 

Oct. 9, 1802. 
Dutton, John C.,co. D,7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 4,'03. 
Button, Warren, dis. for disab. March 4,-1803. 
Dean, William, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. for disab. May 28, 

1862. 
Dever, Jacob I., co. I, llth Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 

service, Sept. 30, 1804. 
Doran, Edward, co. I, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 15, 

1803. 
Dingman, John S., co. I, llth Inf.. dis. at i^xp. of ser- 
vice, Sept. .30, 1804. 
Durocher, Isadore, co. D, llth Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16,'0o. 
Deshulter, Joseph, co. H, llth Inf.; ra. o. Sept. ]8,'G5. 
Davis, Nelson, co. H, 12th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 10, 

1805. 
Datle, Michael, co. H, loth Inf.; died of disease. 
Duseau, Oliver.co. H, loth Inf ; dis. for disab. Aug. 20, 

18()2. dis. to re-enli.st as vet. 1864. 
Duseau, Oliver, jr., co. H, 15th Inf. 
Darrah, John, co. H, 15th Int.; died of disease at 

Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 30, 18(i4. 
Dale, John, co. K, 15th Inf.; died of disease at Hick- 
ory Valley, April 11, 1803. 
Dubry, Moses, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for ilisab. July 30, 

1802. 
Dubue, Moses, co. K, 15th Inf. 
Dulac, Stephen, co. K, 15th Inf. 
Deline, Alonzo.co. K,15th Inf.; dis. fordi.sab. June 2.S, 

1862. 
Doyle, Timothy, co. K, 1.5th Inf. 
Donald, Thomas, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

March :U, 1863. 
Duclow, Frederick, co. B, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, '05. 
Dubrey, Antoine, co. D, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

July 29, 1802. 
Dely, Peter R., co. 1), 15tb Inf.; killc.l at Sbiloh, 

Tenn., April 0, 1S02. 



Dubrey, Oliver, co. G, ].5tli Inf.; dis. for disab. May 25, 

1802". 
Dither, Charles, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. May 25, 

1802. 
Downing, John, co. G, loth Inf.; m. o. .\ug. 13, 1865. 
Duchane, Peter, co. G, loth Inf.; m.o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Dailey, James, cf). H, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, Jan. 29, 1865. 
Dusseau, David, co. 11, 17th Inf.; died of disease, at 

Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 8, 1804. 
Dunbar, George, co. C, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 28, 

1865. 
Delong, George, co. C, I7tli Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Drew, Israel E., co. C, 17tli Inf. 
Dunbar, George, co. C, 17th Inf. 
Duval, Joseph, co. C, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 2, 

1863. 
Defour, Washington, co. I, 17th Inf.; dis. for dLsab. 

July 1, 1863. 
Dumphrey, Daniel, co. I, 17th Inf.; died of disease. 
Dumont, Amible, co. E, 17th Inf.; died of disease, at 

Andersonville, Ga. 
Dusseau, Oliver, co. H, 17th Inf.; died of disease, at 

Andersonville, Ga., July 12, 1864. 
Dusseau, David, jr., co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 

Mich. Inf. 
Davis, Asa S., co. H, I8th Inf.; m. o. June 20, 1805. 
Davis, Charles, co. H, 18th Inf. 
Davenport, Jerome B., co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 

1805. 
Davenport, John J., co. K, 18th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease, at Lexington, Ky., March 9, 1803. 
Dwyer, Dominick, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, '05. 
DeLand, Peter, co. K, ISth Inf. 
Doty, Charles, co. B, 18th Inf.; died of disease, at 

Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 24,. 1805. 
Daniel, Albert, co. A, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf. 
DeShalter, C, co. F, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 
DeLand, Charles G., co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 

1865. 
DeCant, Peter, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 8, 1865. 
Dingman, George W., co. A, 24tli Inf.; m. o. June 7, 

1865. 
Daniels, Chester V., co. F, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, '65. 
Davis, Charles, co. F, 24lh Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865. 
Dodge, Cyrus J., co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; dis. 

for disab. June 23, 1862. 
Dustin, John L., co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; trans, to 

Y. R. C, May 1, 1864. 
Drouillard, Leander, co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 20, 1863; m. o. March 10, 1806. 
Doddard, James, co. C, 2d Cav. 
Davis, Benjamin, co. A, 4th Cav.; dis. by order , Tan. 

28, 1803. 
Dowsitt, James S., co. B, 5th Cav. 
Dyke.Morris, co. C, 5th Cav.; dis. for di.sab. Oct. 13, '63. 
Daws, L., CO. E, 9th Cav. 
Eaton, Job C, Monroe ; 2<1 lieut. llth Inf., March 1, 

1865; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865. 
Edwards, Searles C, Milan; e. Dec. 25, 1801, as sergt. 

CO. I, ].5tli Inf.; pro. 2d lieut, April 10, 1802; dis. 

May 28, 1805. 



THE WAK OK Till'; KlilUil.I.IUN . 



541 



Klli.ilt, llciny v.. Moiiroo; iM lii-iit. IStli IiU", July 
27, IStil'; resignoil Nov. 7, lst)2. 

Eaton, W. H„ co. A, 4tli Inf.; killed at Malvern Hill, 
Va., July 1, !>«>-• 

Ebert. John, co. A, 4tli Inf.; died of di.sea.«c, at Tnil- 
eric-k, Md., Nov. :{0, 1862. 

East, Georgo, co. F, Otb Inf. 

East, William, co. F, lUli Inf. 

Kvans, Richard, co. K, 11th Inf.; din. at oxp. of ser- 
vice, Sept. 30, lS(i4. 

Extiene, I>orenzo,co. B,l")th Inf ; dis fur disalj. < 'ct. "Jo, 

isr>2. 
Eaton, Orrin D., co. 1), loth Inf.; killed at Sliiloh, 

Tenn., April, 0, KSGl'. 
Edwards, Searles C, co. I, l.jth Inf.; din. fur disalj. 

Nov. 5, 18(i2. 
Eastliek, William, co. I, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. July 

24, 18ti2. 
Evon, Peter, co. 1, loth Inf. 
Eggleston, Denni.-;. co. <i, ITtli Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. 

Inf. 
Elliott, John C, co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. fur disab. Jan. 

3, isr.4. 
Eddy, William N. II., co. K, ISth Inf.; died of dis- 
ease, at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. o, 18()4. 
Eigliney, Erastus,co. K,lstli Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 2, 

181)4. 
Eldridge, Alfred, co. II, l.Stli Inf.; died of disease, 

at Nashville, Tenn., June 24, 18114. 
English, Thomas, co. K, 18th Inf.; died of disease, 

at Nashville, Tenn., Ai.ril 20, 18G4. 
Epicr, Samuel K., co. C, otb Cav.; killed at Berry- 

ville, Va., Aug. Ill, 1864, Ijy guerrillas. 
Ellis, Thomas, 8th (I)e( iolyer) Battery. 
Fishburn, Joshua, Monroe; Dec. 8, 1362, as commis- 
sary sergt. 15th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Aug. 6, 1864; 

pro. 1st lieut. Nov. 1, 1864 ; m. o. Sept. 19, 1865. 
Frary, Edson S.. Petersburg ; 1st lieut. 1st Engs. and 

Mechs., Sept. 12, 1861 ; res, Jan 30, 1862. 
Fonier, Samuel, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Dec. 29, 18(j3. 
Fonier, John, co. A, 4th Inf.; killeil at Malvern Hill, 

Va., July 1, 1862. 
Fonier, Peter, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Spott.sylva- 

nia, Va., May 8. lsii4. 
Fler, John, 7th Inf. 

Fields, Hiram, co. U, 7th Inf.; dis. May 2, 1862. 
Fournia, Charles, co. I). 7th Inf. 
Ferguson, Jonathan, co. I, lllh Inf.: dis for disab. 

Oct. 30, 1862. 
Francisco, George W., co. I. Uth Inf.; dis. at e.X]!. uf 

service, Sept. 30, 18()4. 
Fields, Myron A. A., co. I, lllh Inf.; .lis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 30, 1.S64. 
Furrer, John, co. G, 14th Inf.; ni. o. July is, lS6.'j. 
Froth, James J., co. K, Uth Inf., m. o. July 18, 18(>5, 
Ferguson, Aaron, co. G, loth Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, March 13, 186."). 
Frankhousc, .\bram, co.G, l.')th Inf.;m.i). .\ug. lo,'65. 
Frost, George, co. I, loth Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Foley, Mathew, co. K, lotli Inf.; dis. by order May 30, 

1865. 



Fawthop, George, CO. I!, l.)th Inf.; dis. bv oidir .May 

30, lS6o. 
Fray, Jacob, co. F, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. July S,"62. 
Ford, Jacob, co. II, loth Inf.; dis. at ex]p. of service, 

April 7, 1865. 
French, Levi H., co. I, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. July 

26, 1862. 
Frencli, John, co. 1, loth Inf. 
French, William G., co. 1, 15th Inf. 
Fitch, James, co. K, loth Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Feb. 11, 1864; m. o. .\ug. 13, 186-5. 
Francisco, Sidney, co. K, loth Inf.; dis. by order 

June 23, 1865. 
Francisco, Harrison, co, K, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

March 31, ist;:!. 
Friday, Peter, co. K, loth Inf. 
Farnell, John B., co. K, 15th Inf. 
Kulyesson, Aaron, co. K, 15th Inf. 
Fisher, John, co. K, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. July 6,'62. 
Ferguson, Jonathan D., co. .\,15th Inf.; m.o. Aug. 13, 

lS6o. 
Fuller, Uriah, co. C, 17th Inf. 
Farwell, William, co. E, 17th Inf. 
Fountain, Phillip, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Inf. 
French, Joel W., co. H, ISth Inf.; m. o. June 26, '65- 
Francisco, Moses, co. 11, 18th Inf.; died of disease, 

at Decatur, Ala., Oct. 10, 1S(>4. 
Frink, Miles, S,, co. II, 18th Inf.; killed by explos- 
ion of steamer Sultana, April 28, 1865. 
Furray, Samuel, co. B, 24th Inf.; ra. o. June .".0, 1865. 
Falcber, John, co. K, 1st Cav. 
Fonstiel, William, co. E, 1st Cav.; dis. at exp. of .ser. 

vice, Aug. 22, 1864. 
Falmestock, .lacob, co. '.<., 5th Cav. 
Fleishman, Godfrey, 8lh (r)eG(dyer'.s) Bat.; dis. for 

disab. Sept. 10, 1862. 
Fleishman, George, 8th (DeGolyerV) Bat. 
Feld, Martin, Sth (DeGolyer'.s) Bat. 
Fishel, John, co. E, Isl Sharp Shooters ; m. o. July 28, 

1865. 
Fulcher, John, co. K, 1st Keg. Engs. and Mechs.; 

killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863. 
Frank, William, co. 1, 1st Reg. Engs. and Mechs.; 

m. o. at Na.shville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 18t)5. 
(iailoway, Jerome B., Monme; e. .^ug. 16, 1,S64, as 

sergt, CO. B, 4th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. 11th Inf. March 

1, 1865; 1st lieut. March 16. 1865; res. July 22, 1865. 
(ieismer, Henry, Newport; a.sst. surg. 22d Inf.; e. Oct. 

7, 1862; res. July 12, 1863; asst. surg, 29th Inf. Mar. 

19, 1865; m. o. Sept. 6, 1865. 
Green, Jacob L., Monroe; capt. 6th Cav.; e. July 14, 

I.S63; pro. a.sst. adjt. gen. U. S. Vol. .Sejit. 4, 1863; 

luaj.. brevet lieut. col. U. S. Vol. March 13, 1865, 

•fur distinguisheil gallantry at the battle of Tre- 

villian Station, Va., and meritorious service during 

the war;" m.o. March 20, 1866. 
Green, Thonias, Munrue; chap. 17th Inf.; e. .April 14, 

I.S64; m. o. June .'., 1865. 
firosvenur, Ira R., Munrue; col. 7th Inf, June 10. 

18(;i; res. Jidy 7, 1S62. 
Gale, Frank B., lo. A, 4tli Int.; killed at Malvern 

Hill, Va., July 1, 1862. 



542 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



(iravitte, Horace. co. A, 4th Inf.; ihf. fordiwab. July,"(>I. 

Gibson, William H., co. A, 4th Inf ; dis. at exp. of 
service, June 30, 1S04. 

Gonier, Xavier, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, June 30, 1SG4. 

Guion, Andrew, co. A, 4th Inf. 

Grannison, George, co. A, 4th Inf. 

Griswold, George, co. A, 4th Inf. 

Gregory, Thomas, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. fordisab. Nov. 20, 
18(il. 

Gee, Orrin.co. G,4th Inf.; trans, to V.R.C. Jan. l.i,l.'<(!4. 

Goodenough, Thomas W., co. D, 7th Inf.; clied at 
Washington of wounds Oct. 9, 1862. 

Glean, Augustus A., co. D, 7th Inf. 

Garrity, Peter,co. D,7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. l(i,'0.3. 

Green, Orison T., co. D, 7th Int.; killed at battle of 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

Gee, Edward, co. D, 7th Inf. 

Gee, Carrington, D, co. 7th Inf. 

Granis, Myron W., ro. D, 7th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 
service, Aug. 22, 1864. 

(Trisley, William, co. D, 7th Inf.; died of di.sease at 
Stevensburg, Va., Feb. 25, 1864. 

Green, Seneca, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Gardner, Abraham, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 
service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Golitz, Otto, CO. A, 12th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 1.3, 186.5. 

Goodrich, Schuyler E., co. D, 15th Inf.; died of 
wounds at St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 14, 1864. 

Gensler, Michael, co. B, 15th Inf.; died of disease 
at Big Black River, July 26, 1863. 

Graves, Allen, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 
vet. Jan. 3, 1864. 

Gonia, David, co. G, 15th Inf.; died of disease at 
Louisville, Ky., July 2, 1865. 

Grisley, John C, co. K, 1.5th Inf.; dis. Jan. 5, 1865. 

Glieson. Peter, co. G, 15th Inf.; died of disease 
June 9, 1862. 

Gee, Jason, CO. G, 15th Inf.; dis. fordisab. July 12,1862. 

Gregory, John, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, June 28, 1865. 

Gencrau, Joseph, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab 
June 21,1862. 

Grimes, William, co. H, 1.5th Inf.; killed at .Shiloh, 
April 6, 1862. 

Grimes, John, co. II, 15tli Inf.; dis. at exi>. of ser- 
vice, April 7. ]8(i5. 

Grumlich, Michael, co. K, I.5th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Oct. 20, 18(i2. 

Grumlich, Winterlin, co. K, 15tli Inf.; dis. at exp. 
of service, March 30, 1865. 

Gynne, Frank, co. K, 16th Inf. 

Gates, Avon, co. K, 1.5th Int. 

(Srisley, Christian. 

Grimes, Samuel, co. H, 15th Inf.; died of di.sease at 
Rome, Ga., Aug. 20, 1864. 

Guyer, Lewis, co. 11, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 

Graves, Reuben, co. C, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Dec. 15, 1862. 

Grant, John, co. C, 17th Inf.; died of disease at 
Falmouth, Va., Feb. 5, 1863. 



Guyon, Henry, co. C, 17th Inf.; died of di.sease at 

Detroit, Mich., Aug. 26, 1862. 
Geniac, Alexander, co. C, 17th Inf.; m. fi. June 3, '65. 
Gillet, Frederick, co. C, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865. 
Gaaf, Jacob, co. H, 17th Inf.; died ot disease at 

Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 14, 1864. 
(iuver, Lewis, jr., co. H, 17th Int.; trans, to 2d Mich. 

Int. 
Goodrich, AVilliam M., co. E, ISth Inf.; m. o. June 13, 

1865. 
Greenfield, Wilbur, co. E, 18th Inf. 
Green, Edward C, co. F, 18th Inf. 
Gee, Charies O., co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 
Guyor, Noah, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 28, 1865. 
Gorman, Patrick, co. A, 24th Inf. 
Gee, Ezekiel P., co. F, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865. 
Giflford, William R., co. F, 1st Engineers and Me- 

clianics; dis. at exp. of service, Oct. 31, 1864. 
(jrufT, .1 acob, co. L,lst Cav.; dis. by order, June 28,'i)5. 
Gale, Henry, co. C, 5th Cav. 
Gravelink, Mathew, co. C, .oth Cav. 
Gale, Eugene, co. C, 5th Cav. 
Graham, George, co. C, 5th Cav. 

Green, John. co. G, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. .Sept. 30,'65. 
Hawkes, Carlton H., Monroe; e. Aug. 18, 1872, as 

sergt. maj. 5th Cav.; pro. 2d lieut. April 13, 1865; 

1st lieut. April 14, 1865; m. o. June 22, 1865. 
Hawker, George W., Dundee; e. Aug. 24, 1861, as 

sergt. maj. co. I, 11th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Dec. 10, 

1862; res. Jan. 14, 1.8(i4. 
Hecock, Amos T., Monroe; 2d lieut. 7th Int.; e. Sept. 

2, 1861; pro. 1st lieut. March 1, 1862; capt. April 22, 

1862; dis. Juno 22, 1863. 
Hill, Theodore, J., Exeter; cajit. ISth Inf ; e. July 27, 

1862; res. .Ian. 21, 1863. 
Hall, Ephraim G., London;, e. Aug. 24, 1861, as sergt. 

CO. I, 11th Int.; pro. 2d lieut. April 1, 18(i2; 1st 

lieut. Aug. 18, 1862; wounded in action near Mur- 

freesboro, Tenn., Jan. 5, ls63; capt. Feb. 19, 1863; 

m. o. Sept. 30, 1864. 
Hamilton, William B., Beriin; e. Aug. 22, 1862, as 

sergt. CO. B, 22d Int.; pro. 2d lieut. June 5, 1863; 

taken prisoner at Chickamauga, Tenn., Sept. 20, 

1862; paroled March 1, 1865; pro. 1st lieut. Nov. 17, 

1863; m. o. June 26, 1865. 
Hart, John E., Raisin; e. Dec. 12, 1.S62, as sergt. co. 

B, 9th Cav.; pro. 2d lieut. Nov. 13, 1863; dis. for 

disab. Oct. 22, 1864. 
Hall, Mifiin W., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exji. of .service, 

June 28, 1864. 
Haberfeldner, Theodore, co. A, 4th Inf ; killed at 

Chaneellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 
Heald, James, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, June 30, 1864. 
Harman, Frederick, co. A, 4th Inf.; died of disease 

in hosp., Georgetown. 
Hoffman, Frederick, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Chan- 
eellorsville, Va., May 5, 1863. 
Hinsdale, James W., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 29, 1863. 
Henderson, David, co. E, 4th Inf.; dis. by order, 

Nov. 16, 1863. 



THE WAK OK THE REHEI.I.ION. 



543 



Hesenphiitli, A«g)i!-t, CO. (j, 4tli Inf. 

Hubbell, Jerome, co. I, 4th Inf. 

Hoy, Hugh. CO. I, 4th Inf.: dis. to re-enlist as vet. 

Deo. 2-1, lSt)3. 
Holcoml), .'<anuiel, co. F, tith Inf.: died of di.-^ease at 

t'arap Williams, Oct. 21, 18r,2. 
Hall, S(don W., m. K. r.th Inf.: dis. to n-enlist as 

vet. Feb. 1, 1SI14. 
Hale, Daniel, r... D, 7th Inf.: trans, to. V. R. C. 

March 1.".. IMU. 
Hanson, John, co. I), 7th Inf.: died at Philadeliihia 

of wounds, Nov. 4, 1802. 
Harris, Sidney G., co. D, 7tli Inf.: killed at Gettys- 

burfr. Pa.. July 2, ISO:?. 
Hindeliter, Jacob, co. D, 7th Inf. 
Ileisler, Edward, co D, 7th Inf.: dis. lor disab. Jan. -'<. 

180:!. 
Haight, George C, co. D, 7tli Inf.; dis. at cx)!. of 

service, Aug. :il, 1.SG4. 
Haight, Charles G., co. D, 7tli Inf.: dis. at exp. of 

service, .\u^. :)1, lSii4. 
Hei.sler, Edward, co. K, 7tli Inf.; killed at Wilder- 
ness, Va.. May !i, l.sii4. 
llarwick, Abrani, co. D, 7th Inf. 
Hamilton, John H., co. I, 11th Inf.; died of di.sea.se 

Feb 20, 1802. 
Hall, John, co. 1, llth Inf.; dis. at e-xp. of service, 

Se|)t. :10. 1804. 
Hall. Richard W., cu. I, llth Inf.: dis. by order, 

An-, n, 180:!. 
Hicks, Abner, co. C, llth Inf.; m. o. Sej.t. 10, 1S0.5. 
Hutchinson, Julius H., co. H, llth Inf.; m. o. Sept. 

10, 180.'). 
Hayes, Horace, lo. I, llth Inf.; dis. fur disab. July 1, 

1S62. 
Honj.'hton. Jerome, co. I, llth Inf.; died of ilisease 

at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. J, 180:1. 
Howe, Oliver P., co. I, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. Auj;. .">. 

1802. 
Harris, William, co. I, lllli Inf.; dis. at exj). of ser- 
vice, Sept. 30, 1804. 
Harwood, Edwin, co. I, llth Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. :«), 1804. 
Hallock, Walter F., co. I, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

An-, l:}, 1802. 
Hathaway, GeorjiC B., co. I, llth Inf.; dis. at Chat- 
tanooga, Tenn., .Xitril 10, ISO-i. 
HofTman. Daniel, co. I, 12th Inf.; dis. by order 

Sej.t. ;(l, 180.'). 
Haine, John, ci«. B.l-ilh Inf.: dis. to re-enlist as vet. 

Jan. 1, 1804; died of disease at Little River, Ala., 

Oct. 22, 18f>4. 
Morton, Martin, co. B, bjth Inf. 
Morton, George, lO. B, l-jth Inf. 
Hubble, Albert, co. B, loth Inf. 
Hope, Lewis, co. D, 15th Inf.: dis. to re-enlist a.s 

vet. Feb. 14, 1804. 
Meitzer, Albert, co. E, loth Inf. 
Mutchins, David, co. G, l'>lli Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Feb. 5, 1802. 
Hamlin, .\sahel, co. G, l.ith Inf.: dis. for disjdi. 

Nov. 20, 1.8(i2. 



Hunter. Henry, co. (i, 1.5th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist a.s 
vet. Jan. 24, 1804. 

Hughes, Brice.co. H,15th Inf.;dis. for di&ib. Jan. 7,'o:i. 

Hack, James, co. H, l-')tli Inf.; died of disease at 
Camp Miinroe, March 24, 1802. 

Harris, Henry, co. I,l.ith Inf.; dis. fordisab. July 20,'02. 

Holton, Joseph, co. K, l-ith Inf.; dis. at exp. of 
service, March :iO, l.s0.j. 

Hanmer. Jacob, co. K, 1.5th Inf.: dis. at exji. of ser- 
vice, Sept. 7, bsii.). 

Houseman, Martin, co. B, 1.5th Inf.: m. o. .\ng. l:!,'0.5. 

Hyatt. Jo.seph.co. E,l.')th Inf.; dis. by order May ,SI),'0.5. 

Hailing, Albert,eo. F,15th Inf.; dis. by order May .30,'0.5. 

Hall, Webster, co. (i, 1.5th Inf.: m. <i. Aug. I:!, 1,80.5. 

Hayott, Joseph, co. G, loth Inf.; dis. bv order .Mav :«! 
180.5. 

Heman, William, co. H, l-5th Inf.; m. o. Aug. V.i, 180.5. 

Hewitt, George M.. co. C, 17th Inf. 

Muff, Amos B.,co. I,17th Inf.: dis. fordi.sjib. Dec. 10, '02. 

Hatfield, David .S., co. I)., 17th Inf.; dis. for di.<aK 
Aug. 24, 1862. 

Hanchett, Charles, co. B. 17lh Inf.; dis. bv order 
July .5, 186.5. 

Ilurd, George W., co. E, l8th Inf. 

Hibbard, William R., co. H, I8tli Inf. 

Haight, George C, co. H, 18th Inf.; m.o. June 2;f, '0.5. 

House, (leorge .\., co. H, I8th Inf.; m. o. Juneo, 1805. 

Heath, Charles .\..co. M, l.sth Inf.: m. o. June 20, '(Jo. 

Hazen, Nelson T., co. II. Isth Inf.; dis. for disab 
Sept. 2, 1.802. 

Heath, Solomon M., c-o. H, Istli Inf.; m.o. .Iune20,'05. 

Hensdall, George, co. A. Isth Inf.; m. o. June 20, 1805. 

Hitchins, Frank S., co. H, 18th Inf.; died of disease 
at Lexington, Ky., Dec. 21, 1802. 

Hawkins, Alfred, co. H, 18th Inf.; diecl of disease 
at Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 16, KSli.'J. 

Holton, George S., co. H, 18th Inf.; m.o. June 20 1805. 

Ilaner, Perrv D., co. H. 18th Inf.: m. o. June 20, 1805. 

Holton, Reuben B., co. II, ISth Inf : died ofdisea.se 
at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 2, 18o:!. 

Haner, Alexander, co. H, isth Inf.; died of disease 
at Lexington, Ky., Dec. 22, 18ti2. 

Hopkins, .Vle.xander F., co. II, Isth Inf.; died in 
rebel prison, Cahaba. Ala., Nov. 10, 1804. 

Hilton, Joseph H.. co. K, ISth Inf.: m. o. May 2!i. 1,S05. 

Hindes, Thomas J., co. K, ISth Inf.; killed by ex- 
plosion of steamer Sultana April 2.S, 18()5. 

Hungeford. Elon G., co. H, Isth Inf.: trans, lii nth 
Mich. Inf. 

Harrison, Daniel, co. B. isth Inf.: nj.o. Junc20, l,S(i.5. 

Humphrey, Charles .\., CO. B,lSth Inf.;m.o. June20,'65. 

Hirkinur. Robert, co. K, isth Inf.; m. o. June 20, 1865. 

Hoy, Alexander, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 22, 1s<m. 

Hubble, Era.stus B., co. K. isth Inf.; m. o. June 20, '0.5. 

Hopkins, William J., co. K, 18tli Inf.: ilied of dis- 
ease, at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 7, Isc:;. 

Harmon. Daniel, co. K. isth Inf. 

Hilton, Edward W., co. K, isth Inf.; dis. for di.s;ib. 
June !'. Iso:!. 

Hill, Elijah. CO. K. isth Inf.; m. o. .lune 20, l.so.5. 

Hogle. Charles F., co. B, ISth Inf.; died of disease, 
at Decatur, Ala., Aug. 1, 1804. 



544 



HISTORY (JF MONUOI£ COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Hedsig, Samucl.co. A, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9tli Mich. Inf. 
Hall, John C, co. B, ISth Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf. 
Hosea, James P., oo. A, 24th Inf. 
Hine, E. W., co. F. 24th Inf. 
Hendricks, Benjamin A., co. G, 24th Inf. 
Herrick, Edward A., co. D, 24tb Inf.; m. o. June 30,'ti.5. 
Hobart, Luther, co. F, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 4, 18(55. 
Hadley, Marquis, co. F, 26th Inf.; m. o. June 4, 186.5. 
Hamilton, Palmer, co. F, 2Gth Inf.; m. o. June 3, 186.5. 
Hopkins, Johnson B., co. E, 1st Reg. Engs. and 

Mechs., Missouri Vol. 
Harris, Edwin T., co. F, 1st Reg. Engs. and Mechs.; 

died of disease March 1, 1862. 
House, George A., co. F, 1st Reg. Engs. and Mechs. 
Heath, Merrill, co. F, 1st Reg. Engs. and Mechs.; 

dis. for disab. April 24, 1862. 
Hutchin?, Stejihen B., co. F,lst Cav.; ra. o. July 17, '65. 
Hoskins, John R, co. F, 1st Cav.; m. o. June 20, 1865. 
Hunt, William W.. co. F, 1st Cav.; m.o. Aug. 26, 1865. 
Howland, Andrew A., co. F, 1st Cav.; m. o. Jan. 24, '66. 
Hawley, Francis R., co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 20, 1863. 
Holcomb, Horace, jr., eo. K, 1st Cav.; dis. to re- 
enlist as vet. Dec. 20, 1863, and m. o. May 11, 1865. 
Hurd, Andrew J., co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. to I'e-enlist 

in regular service, Nov. 3, 1862. 
Holcomb, Horace, co. F, 1st Cav.; m. o. May 11, 1865. 
Horey, Alton, 2d Cav.; m. o. Aug. 17, 1865. 
Howe, Daniel C, co. B, 5th Cav. 
Harmer, Henry, co. C, 5th Cav. 
Hawks. Carlton H., co. K, 5th Cav. 
Hawks, Erastus P., co. K, 5th Cav. 
Herkmier, Henry, co. K, 5th Cav. 
Hardingar, George, co. H, 4th Cav.; trans, to V. R. 

C.April .30, 186.5. 
Hetline, Michael, 8th (DeGolyer) Bat.; dis. for disab. 

Jan. 13, 1863. 
Hall, Henry M., co. D, 9th Cav.; dis. for disab. 
Haiget, Robert J., co. D, 9th Cav.; dis. for disab. 
Hamlin, Asahel, co. D, 9th Cav.; trans, to V. R. C. 

Jan. 1.5, 18(14. 
Henrick, John,ccj. E,llth Cav.; dis. for disab. Aug. 21, 

18(j4. 
Highwarden, Abraham, co. E, 102d U. S. C. T.; 

m. o. Sept. 30, 18(55. 
Hopkins, Johnson B., co. E, 1st Reg. Engs., Mis- 
souri Volunteers. 
Ingersoll, Richard P., Dundee; cajit. 18th Inf., July 

27, 1862 ; m. o. June 26, 1865. 
Isabelle, James, co. K, 11th Inf.; killed at Chicka- 

mauga, Sept. 20, 1 863. 
Innes, John M., co. D, 1.5th Inf. 
Isabelle, Myron, co. K, 1.5th Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug. 

16, 1862. 
Inman, Isaiah, co. I, 17th Inf.; died of disease Jan. 19, 

18(54. 
Inman, Elisha, co. I, I7tli Inf.; dis. at Washington, 

D. C. 
Irish, Sidney P., co. H, ISth Inf.; died of disease, at 

Lexington, Ky., Feb. 13, l.s(53. 
Irish, George, co. K, 3d Cav.; dis. to re-enljst as 

vet. Jan 20, 1864. 



Janny, EUvood, Bedford; e. Aug. 11, 1862, sergt. co. 

K, ISth Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. March 1, 1864; m.o. 

June 26, 1865. 
Johnson, Charles, Monroe; e. Dec. 8, 1862, com. sergt. 

ISth Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Aug. (5, 18(54; 1st. lieut. 

Nov. 1, 18(54; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Johnson, John, co. A, 74tli Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. 

April 10, 1864. 
Jones, John, 7th Inf.; dis. Dec. 1, 1861. 
Jandreaux, Paul, co. D, 7th Inf. 

Jones, C'harles.co. D,7th Inf.; dis. for disal). Dec. 24, '62. 
Jones, Thomas P., co. D, 7th Inf. 
Johnson, Miles B., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for <lisab. 

March 8, 1863. 
Johnson, Jasper, co. I, 11th Inf.; died of disease at 

Dechard, Tenn., Aug. 1, 1863. 
Jerenoy, Joseph, co. A, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865. 
Jackson, Francis, co. H, 12th Inf.; dis. by order, 

Sept. 30, 1865. 
Jarvis, Octave, co. B, loth Inf.; m. o. .\ug. 13, 18(55. 
Jacobs, Frederick, co. B, b5th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, '(io. 
Jacobs, FMwin, co. H, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 7, 1865. 
Jacobs, Hiram, CO. 1, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug,26,'62. 
Johnson, Justin D., co. K, 15th Inf.; trans, to V. 

R. C. May 1, 18(54. 
Jackson, Anton, co. K, 1.5th Inf. 
Johnson, Austin, co. B, 15th Inf.; died of disease 

at Camp Sherman, Aug. 22, 1863. 
Johnson, Robert, co. B, 1.5th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Aug. 30, 1863. 
Jackson, Charles H., co. A, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

July 15, 1863. 
Jackson, Samuel, co. C, 17th Inf.; ni. o. June 3, 1805. 
Jones, John, co. C, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 4, '65. 
Jackson, James J., co. I, 17th Inf. 
Jackson, Lewis C, co. I, 17th Inf.; died of disease 

at Falmouth, Va., Jan. 13, 1863. 
Johnson, Russell M., co. I, 17th Inf.; dis. by order 

June 17, 18(55. 
Johnson, Samuel, co. I, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865. 
Johnson, Jesse, co. I, 17th Inf.; died of disease in 

Michigan, Sept. 2,1862. 
Johnson, James, co. I, 17th Inf.; m.o. June 3, 1865. 
Jacobs, D., CO. H, 17th Inf.; died of disease in mili- 
tary prison, Florence, S. C. 
Johnson, Richard, co. G, 17th Inf.; dis. by order 

May 27, 1865. 
Jackson, Jackson, co. I, 171li Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Feb. 1, 1865. 
Johnson, William W,, co. G, 18tli Inf.; trans, to 9th 

Mich Inf. 
Janney, Elwood, co. H., 18th Inf. 
Johnson, Squire, co. H., 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, '65. 
Jackson, AVallace W., co. E, 18th Inf.; trans, to 9th 

Mich. Inf. 
Jacobs, Eli, co. D, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865. 
Jenks, Augustus, co. A, 24th Inf.; killed at Gettys- 
burg, Pa., July 1, 1863. 
Jamieson, William H, co. G, 24th Inf.; died in 

hosp. of wounds. May 25, 1863. 
Jewel, William, co. G, 24th Inf. 
Jones, Nathaniel, co. F, 26th Inf. 



Tllli WAK OK THE KKllIil.I.IUN. 



)4r. 



.lipson, Jolm S., co. K, 1st Cav.; di? . for disab. 
Jolinson, James C, co. L, 1st Cav.; ilis. by order, 

June 7, l.Slio. 
Jones, II. B., co. L, 1st Cav.; dis. by order, .Sept. r2,'(i.'). 
Johnson, Abraliam H., co. K, 3d Cav.; dis. to re- 
enlist as vet. Jan. 1!), 1S64. 
Jacobs, Tlieodore, I'o. K, 3d Cav.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Jan. 20, ISW; m. o. Feb. 12, IKIJ."). 
Jacobs, Harvey, co. K, 3d Cav.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Jan. 20, 1K(H; m. o. Sept. 2.5, 1S6.5. 
Jacobs, John, co. K, 3d Cav.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Jan. 20, lS(i4. 
Johnson, Charles M., co. H, lid Cav.; ni. o. Feb. 12, '((.5. 
Jones. Austin A., co. A, 4th Cav.; dis. for disab. 

Oct. 14, 18(i3. 
■b.hnson, George, co. C, otii Cav. 
J uckett, Ashley R., co. K, -"ith Cav.; died of disease 

at Convalescent Camp, Aug. :;, I8tJ:{. 
Johnson, Luther M., co. A, SIth Cav.; died of dis- 
ease at Camp Nelson, Ky.. 0(!t. 2."), isu:',. 
Kelley, James II., Exeter; e. Aug. l.s, l,St)2, as sergt. 

CO. K, bSth Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Nov. 24, !8(i2; 1st lieut- 

Nov. 0, 1.S03; taken prisoner in action at Athens, 

Ala., Sept. 24, l.sti4; exchanged Nov. 14, 1S(>4; m. o. 

.hine 20, 180.5. 
Kirby, Restconie R., Monroe; capt. 11th Cav., Aug. 

I. 1803; res. Jan. 10, 1805. 
Knaggs, Robert C, Monroe; e. Aug. 22, 18(il, sergt.- 

maj. 7th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Jan. 1, 1802; 1st lieut. 

.Sept. 1, 1802; taken prisoner at Gettysburg, Pa., 

July 1, 1803; released March 7, 1804; brevet capt. 

U. S. Vol. March 13, 1805, "for gallant .services dur- 
ing the war;" ni. o. July 5, 1805. 
Knaggs, Wesley J., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Nov. 11, 18(;2. 
Kittle, Jesse D., co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Malvern 

Hill, Va., July 1, 1802. 
Kcmpf, Godfroy, co. A, 4th Inf. 
Knabe, Augustus, co. A, 4th Inf.; kille<l at Malvern 

Hill, Va., July 1, 1802. 
Kronibach, Adam, co. A, 4th Inf.; <lis. at exp. of 

service, June 30, 1804. 
Kidder, Samuel P., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service. June .30, 1804. 
Kenilal, Harry, co. A, 4th Inf.; died of disease in 

hospital Oct. 22, 1801. 
Kane, William, co. C, 11th Inf.; m. o .Sept. 7, lS<i5. 
Kronhack, Mi<hael,co. D.llth Inf.; ui. o. .Sept. 10, 18(15. 
Kelley, John, CO. K, 1.5th Itif.;dis. by order .Vug. 28,'()5. 
King, William, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Jan. 1, 1804. 
Kulin, Frank, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Feb. 24, 1804; killed at Kene.saw Mt., Ga., 

June 27, 1804. 
Kries, Louis, co. K, l-5th Inf. 

Kiny, Robert,co. F,1.5th Inf.; dis. for disab. May 22,'62. 
Knapp, Charles, co. H, 1.5th Inf.; dis. by order 

.May 21, 1805. 
Kelley, Thomas, co. A,17tb Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Ken<lal, Nathan, co. C, 17th Inf.; m.o. June 3, 180.5. 
Kemp, Lewis, co. C. 17th Inf ; died of disease at 
Waterford, Nov. 14, 1802. 



Knowles, James, co. C, 17tli Inf.; m.o. .lunc :;, l.so.'i. 
Kent, William J., co. C, 17th Inf., killed at .'^outh 

Mountain, Md., Sept. 14, 1802. 
Kemp, James J., co. I, 17th Inf.; died of disease at 

Michigan, Sept. 2.8, 1862. 
Kinney, John H., co. H, 17th Inf.; ilied of disease 

at Andersonville. Ga., July ".I, 1,S04. 
Keifer, (ieorgcco. H,17th Inf.: trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Kenyon, John S., co. H, I8lh Inf.; di.s. for disab. 

Sept. 2, 1802. 
Kidder, Isaac D., co. H, 18th Inf.; dis. for di.sab. 

July 7, 1803. 
Kelly. James H., co. II, 18tli Inf. 
Kelly, John, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 20, 1,865. 
Ketchum, .-Varon, co. K, 18th Inf.; died of disease 

at Lebanon, Ky., April 28, 1803. 
Kelly. Thomas, co. K. 18th Inf.; died of di.sease at 

Nashville. Tenn., May 7, 1803. 
Kliver, Jacob, co. K, 1.8th Inf.; m. o. Juno 20, l.s05. 
Kellar. Edwards, co. K, l.'^th Inf. 

Kelley, Nathaniel, co. H, 18th Inf.; died of disease 
• at Decatur, Ala., Aug. 3, 1804. 
Kemp, George M., co. A, 24th Inf. 
Kavanaugh, Stephen, co. A, 24th Inf. 
Kennedy, Albert H., co. F, 20th Inf.; dis. for di.sab. 

March .')0, 1805. 
Kingsley, Ira D., co. M, 1st Cav.; m.o. July 24, 1805. 
Knowles, Thomas K., co. K, 3il Cav.; dis. to re- 
enlist as vet. Jan. 20, 1804; m. o. Feb. 12, 18(i(). 
Knoll, Boyd, co. H, 3d Cav.; m. o. Feb. 12, ISOG. 
Kinear, Eli IL. co. C, •5th Cav. 
Kirchmaier, AVilliara, co. C, .5th Cav. 
Kirchman, William, co. C, 5th Cav. 
King, Cyrus, co. G, 102d U. S. C. T.; m.o. Sept. .30, 1.8(i5. 
Lamb, John, Monroe: 2d lieut. 11th Inf., March 1, 

1805; pro. 1st lieut., Aug. 1, 1805: m. o. Sept. 10, '05. 
Lampman, Darrell, Peter.sl)urg; 2d lieut. Uth Inf., 

:March 1. 1.S05; m. o. Sept. 10, I,S05. 
Landon, Henry B., Monroe; 1st lieut. and ndjt. 7th 

Inf.. Aug. HI, 1.S01; res. Oct. 23, 1.S02; asst. surg., 

Oct. 2, 1863; res. April 20, 1.S04. 
Landon, George M., Monroe; 2d lieuf 4th Cav., Dec. 

20, 1.S02; pro. l.st lieut. Feb. 1.8, 1803; cajit., Dec. 11, 
1.804; m. o. July 1, 1.80.5. 

LaPointe, George, Monroe; e. Aug. 22, 1.80 1, 
Fcrgt. CO. D, 7th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut, Sept. IS, 
1.802; 1st lieut.. May 20, 1.863; cai)t., Sept. 21, 1,803; 
wounded in action. May 13, 1804; lieut. col.. Oct. 
12, 1,804; bievetcol., U.S. V., April 2, 1.S05, "for gal- 
lant and meritorious service in front of Petersburg, 
Va.;" col., Nov. 1.8, 1S04; m. o. as lieut-col., July 5, 
1 805. 

LaPointe, Moses A., Monroe; 1st. lieut. loth Inf., 
Jan. 1, 1.802; pro. capt. Oct. I, 1.8li2; lieut.-col., Jan. 

21, 1805; brevet col., V. S. V., May 24, 1805. "for gal- 
lant and meritorious services during the war;" m. o. 
Aug. 13, 1.S05. 

Leflford, Asa C, Petersburg; entered service. Jan. 14, 
1.805, sergt. co H, lllh Inf.; jiro. 2d lieuf. Aug. 12, 
1865; not mustered as an officer; dis. Sept. 10, 1.S05. 

Littletield, John J., Dundee; as.«ist. surg. 18th Inf., 
Oct. 2.5, 1N(;4: m. o. June 26, 1865. 



546 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Leiuerand, Alex., Monroe; entered service, Oct. 17, 
1861, sergt. co. D, 15th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Nov. 1, 
1864; 1st lieut, June 6, 1865; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 

Livingston, Samuel, Monroe; entered service, Aug. 
22, 1861, sergt. co. K, 7th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. April 
22, 1862; 1st lieut., Sept. 17, 1862; capt., May 20, 
1863; m. o. Oct. 5, 1864. 

Luce, Constant, Monroe; capt. 4th Inf. May 16, 1861; 
res. Nov. 23, 1861; lieut-col. 17th Inf. Aug. 8, 1862; 
pro. col. March 21, 1864; dis. Dec. 4, 1864. 

Lassey, Richard R., e. co. A, 4th Inf.: died at Belle 
Isle, Va., 1864. 

Lassey, William, e. co. A, 4th Inf.; dip. at exp. of 
service, June 30, 1864. 

Leonard, Freeman, co. A, 4th Inf.; died of disease 
in hospital at Harrison Bar, July 8, 1862. 

Leonard, John, co. A, 4th Inf.; died of disease, at 
Wind Mill Point, Va., Feb. 11, 1863. 

Ladd, Charles H, co. A, 4th Inf.; killed at Gettys- 
burg, Pa., July 2, 1863. 

Libby, George W., co. G, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

LaFountain, Paul, co. I, 4th Inf. 

Loss, Henry, co. F, 6th Inf. 

Lamkin, William, co. D., 7th Inf. 

Lewis, James, co. D. 7th Inf. 

Laftler, Warren, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. 
Dec. 18, 1863. 

Lanclause, Gustavus, co. D, 7th Inf.; died at Fred- 
ericksburg, Va., of wounds, Oct. 29, 1862. 

Libby, Luke, co D, 7th Inf. 

Lockwood, George W., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for 
wounds, June 30, 1863. 

Learaan, John, co. C, 7tli Inf.; killed at Wilderness, 
Va., May 6, 1864. 

Landon, Frederick, co. I, lltli Inf ; die. for disab. 

Lamkin, Elijah, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 
service, Sept. 30, 1X64. 

Lockwood, George, co. I, 12th Inf.; died at Chat- 
tanooga, of wounds, Aug. 23, 1864. 

Lear, Adam, co. K, 11th Inf. 

Lautenschlager, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at oxp. of 
service, Sept. 30, 1S64. 

Lefford, Asa C, co. H, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1.S65. 

Lesher, Samuel, co. H, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865. 

Lee, Charles H., co. H, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865. 

Lemery, Samuel, co. I, 1 1th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865. 

Little, Albert, co. B, 12th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, Sept. 9, 1865. 

Little, Riueliart, co. B, 12th Inf.; dis. by order 
Sept. 9, 1865. 

Link, John, co. A, 15th Inf. 

Loucks, John W., co. A, 15th Inf. 

Loranger, George, co. B, 15th Inf.: dis. for disab. 

LaBean, Francis, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
March 10, 1863. 

LaZette, Serille,co.B,15th Inf.; dis. fordiasb.Sept.9,'62. 

Libby, Luke, co. B, 15tli Inf.; died of disease, at 
Snyder's Bluff', Miss., July 24, 1863. 

Lafleur, Warren, co. B, 15th Inf.; ni. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 

Lemorand, Alexander, co. D, 15th Inf.; dis. to 
re-enlist as vet. Feb. 2, 1664; dis. by order, April 
24, ISGo. 



Lawrence, Henry, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Lavron, Eli, co. D, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Feb. 14, 1864. 
Laduke, Peter, co. D, 15th Inf.; killed at Corinth, 

Miss., Oct. 3, 1862. 
Lamb, Glanville W., co. E, 15th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease, at Camp Sherman, Miss., Aug. 4, 1863. 
Lecroix, Joseph, co. G, loth Inf.; m. o. Aug. 16, 

1865; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 24, 1864. 
Lee, Sanford, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Dec. 8. '62. 
Lapell, Edward, co. H, 15th Inf.; died of wounds, 

at Marietta, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864. 
Lariu, Antoine, co. H, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 

1865; dis. to re-enlist as vet. Jan. 24, 1864. 
Laplant, Francis, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, April 7, 1865. 
Larkin, Amos, co. K, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

March 31, 1865. 
Lavigne, Isadora, co. K, loth Inf.; died at Corinth, 

Miss., July 18, 1862. 
Larrain, Charles, co. K, 15th Inf.; died of disease, 

at Mound City, 111., Oct. 30, 1862. 
Long, William, co. K, 15th Inf. 
LaHee, Warren, co. K, 1.5th Inf. 
Lartau, Charles, co. K, 1.5th Inf 
Lavine, Fadu, co. K, 15th Inf.; died of disease 

July 11, 1862. 
Love, Enon, co. D,. 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. 

Feb. 23, 1864. 
Loranger, Augustus, co. B, loth Inf.; m. o. May 30, '65. 
Lapoint, John, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. April 

.30, 1865. 
Laziness, Gilbert, co. C, 15th Inf.; dis. by order 

June 30, 1865. 
Louckes, Henry, co. G, 15th Inf; m. o. .\ug. 13, 18()5. 
Louckes, Levi, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. by order Sept. 18, 

18(;5. 

Loran, Joseph, co. H, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Leonard, Moses, co. K, 1.5th Inf.; dis. by order 

Sept. 2, 1865. 
Layman, David, co. F. l.jtb Inf.; died of disease, at 

Evansville. Ind.. July 17, 1862. 
Lemerand, Jonas, co. E, 17th Inf.; died of wounds 

received at Spottsylvania C. H. May 12, 1864. 
Laurant, Joseph, co. E, 17th Inf.; died of disease at 

Fairfax Seminary Hospital. 
Laduke, James, co. E, 17th Inf.; died of disease at 

Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 7, 1864. 
Lezott, John B., co. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Lemory, Frederick, co. A, 17th Inf.; died of disease 

at Lexington, K}*., June. 1864. 
Lemerand, Thomas, co. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2il 

Mich. Inf. 
Lemerand, Daniel, co. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 

Mich. Inf. 
Lemerand, Eli, co. E,17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Labeau, Charles, co. E,17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Lezott, Eli, CO. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Loranger, Peter, co. E. 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Luce, William E.,co. F, 17th Inf.; trans.to2d Mich. Inf, 
Lear, John, co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Layness,Peter,co.E,17th Inf.; dis. by order, July[20,'65. 



Till; WAR OF tup: KKHKLLION, 



547 



Long, Uavid H.,<.o. G, 17th Inf.; in. o. June 3, 180.5. 

Lahr, Joseph, co. C, 1 7th Inf.; ni, o. Jnne rj, ISfi."). 

Liltby, Oliver.co. 1, 17tli Inf.; tlis. fordisab. Jan. 14,'i>4. 

Labue, Williao), co. I, 17th Inf. 

Laniphirc, Charles H., co. 1, 17th Inf.;dis. Jan. 1, 180:!. 

Layh-r, Andrew, co. C, 17th Inf.; killed at South Mt. 
Sept. 14. 1802. 

hindsey, Giles, co. H, 17th Inf.; died of disease at 
.Sandy Creek, N. Y. Jan., 1804. 

Lawrence, Henry C, co. H, 18th Inf.; <lied of dis- 
ease at Lexington, Ky., April 13, 1803. 

Laiukin, Benjaiuin, co. H, ISth Inf.; dii^. for disab. 
June 10, 1803. 

Lungdon, Martin, co. H, ISth Inf.; lu. o. June 26, 18G5. 

Lattin, Lemuel H., co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 8, IStw. 

Lanian, Jacob, co. K, 18th Inf.; died of disease at 
Decatur, Ala., Aug. 12, 1864. 

Landon, Frederick, co. K, 18th Inf.; died of dis 
ease at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 20, 1804. 

Larouche, Frank, co. K, 18th Inf.; trans, to Otli Mich. 
Inf. 

Lagness, t'anellto, co. A, 18th Inf.; ni. o. Jan. 2(), 1805. 

Legnuss, Phillip, co. A, 18th Inf.; m, o. Jan. 26, 1805. 

Lo.ss. Henry, co. B, 24th Inf.; ni. o. June 30, 18().5. 

Labadeaux, Joseph, co. D, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, '0.5. 

Littletield, John S., co. F, 24th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Feb. 23, 1803. 

Lautenslager, Samuel T., co G, 24th Inf.; dis. for 
disab. March 29, 18()4. 

Langs, Enoch F., co. G, 24th Inf. 

Langs, Charles W., co. G, 24th Inf.; trans, to V. 
R. C. July 1, 1S64. 

Laniphire, Charles H.,co. F, 20th Inf.; in. o. June 4,'6.5. 

I.anning, George, co. F, 26th Inf.; in.o. June 4, 180.5. 

Littlefield, Cyms E., co. K, Ist Cav., dis. to re- 
enlist as vet. Dec. 20, 1863. 

l.angs, Gustavus, co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. at exp. of 
service, Aug. 22, 1864. 

Lewis, Sidney, co. B, .5th Cav.; dis. for minority 
Dec. 3, 1802. 

Laflenr, Frederick, co. C, ■5tli Cav. 

Lutze, John, co. C, -ith Cav.; killed at Berryville, 
Va., .\ug. 19, 1804, by guerrillas. 

Laboe, Phillip, co. C, .5th Cav. 

Lamkin, C, co. K, 5th Cav. 

Leroy, Elliott, co. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; died of 
disease at Nashville, Tenn., March 29, 1804. 

Langless, James, co. L, Ist Engs. and Mechs.; m. o. 
at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 18G.5. 

Lamkin, A., co. E, 9tli Cav. 

Lewif. Washington, co. K, l()2d U. S. C. T.; m. o. 
Sept. 30, 1805. 

.Mason, John W., Dundee; asst. surg. (ith Inf.; e. July 
29, 1802; pro. surg. Dec. 23, 1804; m.o. Aug. 29, 1805. 

Maxwell, George R.. Monroe; e. .■Vug. 15, 1801, sergt. 
CO. K, 1st Cav.; pro. 1st lleut. July 30, 1802; wound- 
ed in action at Monterey, Md.; pro. capt. Aug. 22, 
1.8()3; wounded in action at Harris' Shop, Va., May 
28. 1804; pro. lieut. col. Oct. 25, 1.804; wounded in 
action at Five Forks, Va., April 1, 18ti5 (leg ampu- 
tated); brevet col. U. S. Vol. March 13, 1805, "for 
conspicuous gallantry in action;" dis. Aug. 4, 1805. 



Lumgate, John, e. co. F, 9th Cav. 

Maxwell, William B., Grafton; e. .Sept. 2(1, 1.S04, as 

private CO, B, 1st Cav.; pro. 2il lieut. March 7, 1805; 

died of disease at Pleasant Valley, Va., Mar. 4, 1805. 
McBride, James G., Monroe; 1st lieut. and adj. 15th 

Inf.; e. Jan. 1, 1862; pro. capt. 9th Cav.; Nov. 3, 

18t)2; maj. Oct. 17, 1805; m. o. as capt. July 21, 1805. 
McLachlin, William D., Petersburg; 1st lieut. Uth 

Inl ; e. :March 1, 1805; m. o. Sept. 10, 1805. 
Slizur, William, London; e. Aug. 0, 1861, sergt. co. F, 

16th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. May 8, 1.865; 1st lieut. July 

7, 1865; m. o. as 2d lieut. July 8, 1865. 
Munger, George, Dundee; e. Aug. 22, 1861, as sergt. 

CO. D, 7th Inf.; pro. 1st lieut. March 2, 1864; capt. 

Oct. 5, 1864; m. o. July .5, 1865. 
Markliam, Galen, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Dec. 10, 1862. 
Miller, Riley ,eo. B,4th Inf.; trans.V.R.C. Feb. 1.5, 1804. 
Mosier Aaron, co. A, 4th Inf.; died of wounds re- 
ceived July 1, 18()2. 
Mosier, Isaac, co. A, 4th Inf. 
Metty, Eli, co. E, 4th Inf. 
Morgan, Moses, co. G, 4th Inf. 
McKiver, Robert, co. H, 4tli Inf.; dis. lor difab. 

May 29, l.so2. 
McSherry, Pat.co. C,4th Inf.; dis. fordisab. Feb. 27,'t)3. 
McSherry, Peter, co. C, 5th Inf. 
Moulton, Charles, <'o. K, 6th Inf.; died of disease 

near Vicksbuig, Miss., May 17, 1862. 
McFetridge, Samuel, co. D, 7th Inf. 
Maurcr, John, co. D, 7tli Inf.; killed at Malvern 

Hill, June 30, 1862. 
Marshall, George, co. D, 7tli Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 18, 1863. 
Miles, Sylvester, co. D, 7th Inf. 
Morgan, Isaac, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Dec. 18, 1803; killed at Wilderness, Va., May 

6, 1.S64. 
Munger, Edward C, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 22, 1864. 
Munger, George D, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 18, 1863. 
Miles, Theodore H., co. D, 7tli Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 18, 18t>3. 
Munger, Jolm,co. D,7lh Inf.; <lis. fordisab. Oct. 21, '61. 
McCauley, James, co. 1>, 7tli Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Sept. 17, 1862. 
Miles, Wilson, co. D, 7th Inf. 
Milburn, Frank, co. 1), 7tli Inl.; trans, to V. U. C. 

March 15, 1864. 
McKinney, James E.,co. H,llth Inf.; ra. o. Aug. 17, '05. 
Mead, Joseph II., co. II, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 10. 1865. 
McMcckin, Samuel, co. E, 11th Inf.; ni.o.Sei>t. 10,I8().5. 
Mc(iuire,John,co. 1,11 til Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug. 17, '(i2. 
Moulton, John F., co. I. 11th Inf.; died of disea.se 

at Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 30, 1.S02. 
Minor, Moses, co. I, lltli Inf.; trans, to Isl V. S. 

Eng., Aug. 18, 18(i4. 
McLathlin, Nathan, co. K, 1 Itli Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 30, 1804. 
Mvrick, Albert, co. K, Uth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

June 1, 1803. 



548 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



McNeil, Alexandei-.co. A, 1 Itli Inf.; in. o. Sept. 10,18(15. 
McFarlane, John O. A., co. I, 11th Inf.; (lis. at exp. 

of sor vice, Nov. 9, 1S63. 
Morrison, Clark I., co. A, 13th Inf.; (lis. for disab. 

June 9, 18()2. 
Mossie, Henry, co. H, l.'ttli Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Jan. 1, 18(14; ni. o. Aug. l:i, lS(i5. 
Miller, Isaac, co. B, loth Inf.; died of disease at 

Cincinnati, 0., June 20, 1802. 
Murphy, James J., co. C, l-")th Inf.; killed at Shiloli, 

Tenn., April (!, 18(12. 
Murray, Martin, co. C, l.'ith Inf. 
Murray, Andrew, co. C, 15th Inf.; died of disease at 

Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., May 2, 18(i2. 
Mackel, Wolf. co. F, 15th Inf. 
Mountry, Louis, co. Ci, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Jan. 24, 1864; ni. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Mills, Williani,co. Ci,15th Inf.; dis. fordisab, Feb. 9,'(13. 
Marr, Nelson, co. G, 15th Inf.; died of disease. 
McMillen, George, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Nov. 20, 1863. 
Myrick, Ozroe E., co. II, 15th Inf.; dis. for disal). 

Sept. 20, 1862. 
MeEldowny, John, co. H, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

July 12, 1802. 
Millage, Richard, co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

July 1, 18(52. 
Miller, John L., co. K, 15th Inf. 
Mauire, Joseph, co. K, lotli Inf. 
Miller, Simpson, co. K, 15th Inf. 
Mills, William. 
Mains, Joseph, co. F. 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 

20, 1862. 
Mclnnes, John. co. 1), 15th Int.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Feb. 15, 1S(14. 
Moses, Henry, co. F, 15th Inf.; m. o. Jan. 25, 1864. 
McKlesky, Owen, co. I. 15th Inf.; died of disease 

at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 2, 1865. 
Miller, Luther D., co. E, 15th Inf.; dis. bv order May 

30, 1865. 
Moses, Edwin, co. F, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. June 

17, 1862. 
McDowell, Henry, co. G, 15th Inf.; m.o. Aug. 13, 18(55. 
McCord, Franklin, CO. G, 15th Int.; m.o Aug. 13, 1865. 
Martin, Solomon, co. G, 15th Inf.; m.o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Martin, William, co. (J, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Minor, Henry, co. I, loth Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Munger, Albert H., co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. by order 

May 19, 1865. 
Morton, Peter, co. H, 17th Inf.; died of disease at 

Andersonville, (ia., Sept. 5, 1864. 
Morass, Gustavus, co. H, 17th Int.; died of disease 

at Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 10, 1864. 
Moore, Peter, co. A, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Miller, Stacy, co. B, 17tli Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Miller, John F., co. B,17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Miller, Frank, co. B,17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Miller, Elias, co. B, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
McKay, John, co. B, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
McDonald, Thomas.co.G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. 

Inf. 

Murphy, Thomas,co. G,17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 



Mountrie, John, co. H,17th lnf.;trans. to 2d Mich.Inf 

McMannis, Owen, co. B, 17th Inf.; dis. from V. R. 
C. by order Sept. 4, 1865. 

Morgan, Richard, co. C, 17th Inf. 

Morse, Isaac, co. C, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Maury, Andrew, co. G, 17th Int.; died of disease in 
Military Prison, Andersonville, Ga., July 18, 186-1. 

Metzger, J., co. B, 17th Inf.; dis. for di.sab. Oct. 3, 1864. 

McLain, Eli W.. co. K, 18th Inf.; ni. o. June 2(1, 1865. 

Manwaring. Henry, co. K, 18th Inf. 

Mitty, Anthony K., co. K, 18th Int.; killed by ex- 
plosion of steamer Sultana, April 28, 1865. 

Mclntri, Thomas A.,co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26,'65. 

Mclntre, Benjamin F., co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. for 
disab. Sept. 26, 1863. 

Mclntre, George W., co. K, 18th Inf.; died of <lis- 
ease at Snow's Pound, Ky., Oct. 4, 1862. 

Mclntre, John A., co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, '65. 

Mener, (Gilbert, co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. Dec. 26, 1862. 

McKay, Martin, co. K, 18th Inf.; clied of disease at 
Lexington, Ky. Oct. 24, 1862. 

Mominee, John,co. C,18thlnf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf. 

Munger, James J., co. H, 18th Inf.; killed at 
Athens, Ala., Sept. 24, 18(54. 

.Aliller. Homer, co, II, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 

Moger, William, co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 

McCarty, Robert, co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 

Merritt, George, co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 

MeEldowny, Andrew J., co. K, ISth Inf.; killed by 
explosion of steamer Sultana, April 28, 1865. 

Miller, John, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 

MeEldowny, Stores, co. K, Isth Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Feb. 9, 1865. 

MeEldowny, Augustu8,co. K, 18th Inf.; m.o. June 26,'65. 

MuUer, John G., co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 18(55. 

Miller, William H., co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26,'65. 

Miller, Josiah,co. H, ISth Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf. 

Mominee, Joseph, co. C, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, '65. 

Mann, James, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 7, 1865. 

Martin, Basil, co. D, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865. 

Moore, George A., co. A, 24th Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. 
March 15, 1864. 

Murphy, James, co. A, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865. 

Menor, Joseph, co. D, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865. 

McGlenn, George W.,co. K,24th Inf.; m.o. June 30,'65. 

Morrow, Bela H., co. K, 24th Int.; m. o. June 30, 1865. 

Mally,Charles,co. A,24thlnf.; dis. fordisab. June8,'64. 

Malley, James, co. A, 24th Inf.; died at his home of 
wounds June 6, 1864. 

Morris, Lewis D., co. A, 24tli Inf.; died of disease 
at Culpepper, Va., April 12, 1864, 

MuUer, AVilliam R., co, B, 26th Int.; m. o. June 3, '(55. 

Merriman, Reuben, co. K, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. 
Sept. 30, 1865. 

Mixor, James M., co. L, 1st Engineers and Me- 
chanics; m. o. at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. 

Murphy, Harmon, co. L, 1st Engineers and Me- 
chanics; m. o. nt Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. 

Murphy, Nathan, co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechan- 
ics; m. o. at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. 

Mozser, Elisha, co. L, 1st Engineers and Mechan- 
ics; m. o, at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865, 



THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, 



549 



Munson, Thoiiiiis S., c-o. M, 1st Engineers and Me- 
flianios; m. o. at Nasliville, Tenn., Sept. 22, LSG5. 

Morris, Emory C, co. M, 1st Engineers anil Me- 
chanics; m. o. at Nasliville, Tenn., Sept. 22, ISii."). 

Mdorc, Klliiitt F., co. M, 1st Engineers ami Me- 
chanics; m. o. at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, l.S,s,o. 

JInrphy, Seha D., oo. F, 1st Engineers and Me- 
chanics; dis. for disah. 

McFall, Andrew J., co. F, 1st Engineers and Me- 
chanics; dis. for disah. 

McFall, Cornelius P., co. F; Ist Engineers and Me- 
chanics; dis. at exp. of service Oct. 'M, IWi-l. 

Miirgan, Elijah, co. L, Ist Enginoei't' and Mechan- 
ics; dis. for disab. Feb. 11, l.HtH. 

Mea<l, Chauncy A., co. E, 1st Engineers and Me- 
chanics; ni. 0. at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, l.S(i.5. 

McBride, Cyrus E., co. K, 1st Cav. 

.Mead, Theodore, co. K, 1st Cav.: dis. at cxp. of ser- 
vice Aug. 22, 1.>^S4. 

Marcott, Oliver, co. K, 1st Cav.; trans, to V. R. C. 
Feb. 15, 1.S64. 

Maxuni. Horace M.,co. M, 1st Cav.; ni. o. .Tune 12, ISiw. 

^[cD(l^vell, James, co. B, 4th Cav.; m. o. Aug. \b, l.SG-'i. 

Menor, Peter, co. C, 5th Cav.; died of disease at 
Detroit, Oct. 14, l.S(i2. 

Myers, AVarren \V., co. C, 5th Cav. 

Masten, Abraham, co. C, 5th Cav. 

Menor, Francis, co. C, 5th Cav. 

Murphy, Lnba D., co. D, 0th Cav.; trans, to V. R. C. 
Jan. 15, l.St)4. 

McAuley, James, co. E, !)th Cav. 

.McHerrill, J., co. E, 9th Cav. 

Navarre, Alex. T., Monroe.; Jan. 2(), l,st)4, q. m. 
sergt. 7th Inf.; pro. 1st lieut. and adjt. Nov. 4, 1SG4; 
m. i>. July .'>, 1865. 

Nims, Frederick A., Monroe; Aug. 22, 18(>2, as 
sergt. CO. C, oth Cav.; pro. 2d lieut. Jan. 12, 1,804; 
1st lieut., March 7, 1865; m. o. Aug. 22, 18(15. 

Navarre, Isaac, co. A, 4th Inf. 

Nolan, Thomas, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enli.st as 
vet. Dec. 2!l, 18G.3. 

Nelson, Benjamin F., co. A, 4th Inf. 

Navarre, Alexander, co. E, 4th Inf.; trans, to V. R. 
C. Nov. 15, 1864. 

Nelson, Frank B., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 
service, June 30, 1864. 

Navarre, David, co. D, 7th Inf. 

Navarre, Yessant, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
March 10, 1,S6:}. 

Nelson, David L., co. C, 7th Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. 
Feb. 15. 1864. 

Norton, James W., co. I, 12th Inf.; m. o. Feb. 15. '66. 

Navarre, Gilbert, CO. B,1.5th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 2;'., 
1.S62. 

Norton, Michael, co. C, 1.5th Inf. 

Nangle, Casper, co. G, loth Inf. 

Noble, Franklin, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Nov. 1, 1.S62. 

Neplieu, Joseph, co. I, 15tli Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 
vet. March :!, 1864. 

Nelson, Frank, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enh'st as 
vet. Feb. II, 1864; m. o. Aug. I.'., I8(;.5. 



Nichols, William, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 
as vet. Jan. 1, 1.S64. 

Navarre, Alexander, co. E, 17th Inf.; died of disea.se, 
at Andensonville, Ga. 

Nadeau, Jacob, co. E, 17tli Inf.; died of disease, at 
Andersonville, (ia. 

Nagle, Casper, co. G, 17tli Inf.; died of disease, at 
Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 7, 18G4. 

Nevarre, Frank,co. E,17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 

Nevarre, Julius,co. 1",, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 

Nichols, Conant, co. II, isth Inf.; killed by explo- 
sion of steamer Sultana, April 28, 18(i5. 

Nelson, N.West, co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 

Newcomb, Oscar, co. U, 18th Inf.; dis. Dec. 15, 1865. 

Nash, Riley C, co. A, 4th Cav.; trans, to V. R. C. 
April 10, 1864. 

NeflT, William, co. D, Oth Cav.; died of disease, at 
Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 15, 18t)3. 

Northrup, Robert W., co. B, 47th Ohio Inf. 

Oliver, John M., Monroe; 1st lieut. 4th Inf. May 6 
1861; pro. capt. Sept. 2.5, 1861; col. 1.5th Inf Jan. 15, 
1862; brig.gen., U. S. V., Jan. 12, 18()o; brevet 
maj.-gen. U. S. V., March 13, 1.SG5, for faithful and 
efficient services during the war; m.o Aug. 24, 1865. 

Olney, George W., co. A, 4th Inf.; died in prison 
at Andersonville, Ga.. June 21, 18G4. 

Olsean, Martin, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, June 30, 1864. 

Owen, (ieorge W., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 
as vet. Dec. 20, 1.863. 

Olney, George, co. A, 4th Inf.; di.s. at exp. of ser- 
vice, June 30, 1864. ! 

Osborn, George, co. K, 11th Inf.; dis. for di.sab 
Nov. 4, 18()4. 

O'Keep, John, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 
vet. Jan. 1, 1864. 

Ousterhout, Lewis B., co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for 
disab. May 28, 18()2; died of di.sease at St. Louis, 
Mo., May 30, 1862. 

Ostrander, George W., co. K, 15th Inf. 

Ostruni, Peter, co. K, 15th Inf.; killed at Shiloh, 
Tenn., April 6th, 1862. 

t)Ids, William 1)., co. I, 1.5th Inf.; died of disease, 
at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 25, 1865. 

O'Barr, Lewis, co. G, 1.5th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 1.3, 1865. 

Ostrum, Tobias,co. 1, 1.5th Inf.; dis. by order May 30,'65. 

Owen, JameSjCO. I, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. May 20,'63. 

Owen William C, co. K, 18th Inf.; died of disease, 
at Riga, Mich., Sept. 24, 1865. 

Oathout, Delos, co. B, 18th Inf.; died of disca.se in 
rebel prison, Andersonville, Jan. 1, 1865. 

Olnistead, Arden H., co. (J, 24th Inf.; dis. lor disab. 
Jan. 18, 1863. 

Ostrander, Harrison, co. B, 5th Cav. 

O'Neil, Elisha, e. oo. C, .5th Cav. 

O'Connor, James, co. E, 1st Cav.: dis. at exp. of 
service, Aug. 22, 1.S64. 

O'SuUivan, Timothy, co. E, 1st Cav.; dis. at exp. 
of service, Aug. 22, 1864. 

Parker, Sewell S., Monroe; 2d lieut. 26tli Inf.; Sept. 
1, 1862; pro. Isl lieut. March 13, 1.863; capt. Oct. 12, 
18(i;;; niaj. 4lli Inf. July 2(1, 1.S64: m.o. May 26. 1866. 



550 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Parker, Senior S., Monroe; 2d lioiit. 4tli Inf.; July 

20, 18G4; res. Jan. 31, 1865. 
Phelps, Aufinstus H., Monroe; 1st lient. 15th Inf.; 

Jan. 1, 1S('.2; n>s. June 20, 1862. 
Paukiinf;, Cornelius, eo. .\, -Ith Inf.; dieil of disease 

in hospital. 
Parker, Senter, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as vet. 
Paulding, Willes Gi., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Feb. 27, I8G2. 
Paid, George D., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, June 30, 1864. 
Parker, Sewall S., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. Sept. 11, 1862. 
Plues, Sherman !>., c-o. A, 4th Inf.: dis. fur disab. 

Nov. 15, 1862. 
Pence, William H.,' co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 29, 1863. 
Porceon, John, co. A, 4th Inf. 
Parker, .Samuel S., co. H, 4th Inf. 
Prinar, J.,co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. April 13, 1863. 
Payne, Horton, co. F, 6th Inf.; killed at Baton 

Rouge, Aug. 5, 18()2. 
Phelps, Isaac, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Plues, Thomas S., co. D, 7th Inf.; died in retreat 

from Harrison Landing June 29, 1862. 
Putnam, Simeon S., co. D. 7th Inf.: dis. for disab. 

Dec. 10, 1862. 
Plues, Joseph E., co. D, Tth Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 18, 1863. 
Palmer, Ansel, co. I, 11th Inf.; died at Stone River, 

Tenn., Jan. 2, 1863, of wounds. 
Pegler, George,co. 1,1 1th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 22,'63. 
Pence, Samuel D., co. K, 11th Inf. 
Penny, William, co. C, 11th Inf.; m.o. Sept. 16, 1865. 
Pilon, Charles, co. Ci, 15th Inf. 
Pindor, Charles, co. (i, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

March 5, 1862. 
Pool, John, CO. H, 15th Inf.; dis. to reenlist as 

vet. March 25, 1864; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Pete, Seriel, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. by order May 31, '65. 
Perry, Milon,co. H.loth Inf.; dis. for disab. June 15,'62. 
Potter, John.co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Sept. 30,'62. 
Purdy, Lewis, co. I, 15th Inf.; died of disease at 

St. Louis, Mo., June 2, 1862. 
Perkins, James L., co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

June 12, 1862. 
Peabody, Nathan, co. K, loth Inf.; died of disease 

April 2, 1862. 
Pemil, Andrew, co. K, 15th Inf. 

Pearce, George, co. D, loth Inf.; m. o. Aug. 16, 1865. 
Pennock, Harky, co. F, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 13, 1865. 
Phillips, Charles E., co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. 

of service, Jan. 30, 1865. 
Pcllan, Charles, co. G, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

July 14, 1862. 
Poupard, Anthony, co. G, loth Inf.; m.o. Aug. 13,'65. 
Perkins, Leonard W., co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 

Mich. Inf. 
Pete, James, CO. H, 17th Inf.; dis. by order Aug. 5, '65. 
Pulver, Charles, co. A, 17th Inf. 
Potter, James A., co. C, 17th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Aug. 12, 1865. 
Plumb, LewiB,co. C,17thTnf.;dis. for disab. Dec. 10/63. 



Plumb, David J., co. C, 17th Inf.; died of disease 
at Louisville, Ky., April 7, 1863. 

Piquette, Nazareth, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 
Mich. Inf. 

Parker, Samuel, co. H, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1863. 

Plank, John, co. H, ISth Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 

Palmer, P.yron B., co. H, 18th Inf.; died in rebel 
prison, Cahaba, Ala., Dec. 2, 1862. 

Plank, Harrison D., co. H, 18th Inf.; killed by ex- 
plosion of steamer Sultana, April 2.s, 1865. 

Pnuiiard, Alexander, CO. K,lSth Inf.; m. o. June 12, '65. 

Peltier, John, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 

Poupard, Samuel, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 12, '65. 

Pomeroy, Fernando C, co. K, 18th Inf ; m. o. June 
26, 1865. 

Pierce, Melvin, co. K. 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 

Pennock, Ira, co. K, 18th Inf.; died of <lisease at 
Decatur, Ala., Aug. 12, 1864. 

Povvlearland, Gieorge W., co. K, ISth Inf.; trans, to 
9th Mich. Inf. 

Perry, Lewis, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 186.5. 

Pulars, Alexander,co. K,18th Inf.; m. o. June 11, 1865. 

Parrish, Barnard, co. A, 24th Inf.;m. o. June .30, '65. 

Prairie, Stephen, co. A, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, '65. 

Perry, .Samuel, co. D, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 30, 1865. 

Petee, Francis, co. F, 26th Inf.; m. o. June 4, 1865. 

Payne, William A., co. M, 1st Engineers and Me- 
chanics; m. o. at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. 

Parker, Morgan, co. F, IstEngs. and Mechanics. 

Parker, Burton, co. F, 1st Engineers and Mechanics; 
dis. for di.sab. July 7, 1862. 

Parker, Morris, co. F, 1st Engineers and Mechan- 
ics; m. o. at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. 

Probert, William, co. L, 1st Engineers and Me- 
chanics; m. o. at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. 

Pierce, George W., co. K,ist Cav.; dis. tore-enlist 
as vet. Dec. 20, 1863; m. o. June 6, 1865. 

Putnam, Nathan, co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. for disab. 
July 18, 1864. 

Parker, Charles P., co. F, 1st Cav.; dis. at exp. of 
service, Aug. 22, 1864. 

Putnam, Nathan C, co. K, 1st Cav,; dis. to re-enlist 
as vet. Dec. 20, 1864. 

Palmiter, Noble B., co. M, 1st Cav.; m. o. July 17, 1865. 

Perry, Joshua I., co. B, 4th Cav.; ni. o. July 17, 1865. 

Plues, William, co. C, 5th Cav.; died at Anderson- 
ville, Ga., fall of 1864. 

Piatt, William, co. D, 9th Cav.; trans, to X, R. C. 
Jan. 1.5, 1864. 

Punry, James D., co. E, 9th Cav. 

Patterson, Eli T., 8th (DeGolyer's) Bat. 

Poll, Alexander, co. K, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. 
Sept. 30, 1865. 

Quirk, Michael, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 

Redfield, James, Monroe; e. June 20, 1861, sergt. co. 
A, 4th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Nov. 1, 1861; 1st lieut., 
Jan. 1, 1862; res. for disab. Sept. 13, 1862. 

Reisdorf, Benjamin, Monroe; 2d lieut. 11th Inf. Aug. 
24, 1861; pro. 1st lieut. March 12, 1862; res. Dec. 16, 
1862. 

Rudolph, Jacob, co. K, 1st Inf.; died of wounds 
Sept. 16, 1864. 



THE WAR OF THE REKELLION. 



.')51 



Roberts, James J., Monroe; e. Dec. 20, 18GI,sergt. co. 

G, loth Inf.; pro. 1st lieut. Nov. 1, 18(>4;capt., June 

(i, KStio; m. o. Aug. 13, 1S(». 
Rose, A. Morell, Monroe; 2(1 lieut. 4tli Inf. May It;, 

KS61; pro. 1st lieut. Sept. 2."), ISOl; capt. Jan. 1, l.S(i2; 

killeil in action, at Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, iJ^ii-'. 
Ross, AVilliam G., Exeter; e. Aug. 24, lS(;i, serj;!, 

CO. I, nth Inf.; pro. 1st lieut. July i:!, ISlU; not 

mustered as an otficer; m. o. Sept. 30, 1S()4. 
Robinson, Henry, co. A, 4tli Inf.; dis. at e.xp. of 

service, June 30, 1804. 
Root, Jason, co. A, 4tli Inf.; dis. at exp. of service. 

June 30, lS<i4. 
Roberts, John B., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-en- 
list as vet. Dec. 2'.t, 1S03. 
Rudolph, Jacob, co. K, 4th Inf.; di.s. to re-enlist as 

vet. Dee. 25, l.S(>3. 
Rankin, Simon, co. K, 4th Inf. 
Rankin, Erastus, co. E, 4th Inf. 
Raucli, Peter, co. H, 4th Inf. 
Regal, Isaiah, co. A, 4th Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. 

Jan. l.T, 18ii4. 
Russell, Richard P., co. G, tith Inf.; died of disiase, 

at Vicksburg, June 14, 18t)4. 
Ransom, John B., co. D, 7th Inf.; died of disease, 

at Caiui) Benton, Feb. 4, ]8()2. 
Rawson, Stephen, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for clisah. 

April s, l,sti3. 
Roach, Noyce, co. 1), 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Dec. 18, 18t)3. 
Rod, John, CO. D, 7th Inf. 
Roscoe, Frederick, co. D, 7th Inf.; killed at Cold 

Harl)or, Va., June 3, 18ii4. 
Robert, Thomas, co. D, 7th Inf.; killed at Antie- 

tam Sept. 17, 18fi2. 
Richardson, Addison I)., co. K, 7th Inf.; killed at 

Cold Harbor, Va., June 4, IStU. 
Ross, William G., co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 30, 18t)4. 
Reeves, Charles L.. co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Feb. 20, 18G3. 
Rich, Lyman, CO. I, 11th Inf.; dis. fordisab. Feb. 14,'62. 
Rose, John, co. I, Uth Inf.; dis. at exp. of service, 

Sept. 30, 1804. 
Roberts, Hillery, co. I. 1 1th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 30, 1804. 
Roberts, Anthony, co. I. 11th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 30, 1.804. 
Regah, Ibraham, co. K, Uth Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 30, 1804. 
Rapi), Daniel, CO. K,llth Inf.; died of disease Jan. 2G,'03. 
Reynolds. Corwin, co. K, lltli Inf.; dis. fordisab. 

April 0, 18()2. 
Reed, .lohn H., co. K, 11th Inf. 
Roberdoux, Joel, co. I), 11th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 21, 1803. 
Rodgers, James H., co. K, Uth Inf.; dis. fordisab. 

Sept. 24, 1802. 
Robert, Joseph, co. D, Uth Inf.; ni. o. June 3, 18<w. 
Richmond, Silas, co. F, Uth Inf.; m. o. Sept. 10, 1805. 
Raberdeau, Joel, co. D, 12th Inf. 
Reynolds, Henry, co. B, 1.5th Inf.; ni. o. Aug. 13, '05. 



Reed, Benjamin, co. G, 15th Inf.; m.o. .-Vug. 13, 1805. 

Raper, Charles J., co. A, 15th Inf. 

Rapp, Christian, co B. 1.5th Inf. 

Randall, Benjamin A., co. E, l.'ith Inf.; ilis. for 

disab. July 1, 1.S02. 
Roberts, James J., co. Ci, 15th Inf.; dis. to recidist 

as vet. March 25, 1804. 
Rider, Elias L., co. H, 15th Inf.; died of disease on 

steamer Lancaster June 20, 1,802. 
Rickley, Felix, co. H, l.")th Inf.; <lie(l of ilisease at 

Monterey, Tenn. 
Reinly, Anthony, co. II, 15th Inf.; killed at 

Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3, 1802. 
Roscoe, Marsell, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Feb. 19, 1804; ni. o. Aug. 13, 1805. 
Rickley, Peter, co. H, 15th Inf.; died of disease at 

Monterey, Tenn., June 20, 18()2. 
Roe, Julius, CO. H, 15th Inf,; dis. to re-cnlisl as 

vet. Feb. 12, 1804; lu.o. Aug. 13, 1,SG5. 
Roberts, Isadore, Co. H. 1.5th Inf ; trans, to \'. K. C. 

.March 4, 1.S04. 
Roberts, Eli J., co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, March 30, 1805. 
Reed, John H., co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. Sept. 8, 1862; 

died of disea.se at Corinth, Miss., Sept. 15, 1802. 
Raper, Charles J., co. K, l.">th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. March 17, 1804. 
Raftelle, Anthony, co. K, 15tli Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, March 30, 1.8(i5. 
Reeves, Mark, co. G, 15th Inf. 

Rippleman, Benjamin, co.F,15th Inf.; m.o. Aug. 13,'05. 
Rusher, Henry, co. 11, 17th Inf.; dis. by order Sept. 26, 

18(i4. 
Raymond, Edward, co. C, 17th Inf. 
Rowley, Le.ster, co. I, 17th Inf.; died of disease at 

Mempiiis, Tenn., June 17, 1.S03. 

Rothenburgh, Harraan, co. I, 17th Inf.; dis. March 
18, 1,HI15. 

Rusoe, Je8se,co. 1, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Nov. 20,'62. 
Relien, Antione, co. G, 17th Inf.; killed at Spott- 

sylvania, Va., May 12, 1,S04. 
Reinhard, Jacob, co. B, 17tb Inf.; killed in the 

Wilderness, Va., May (!, 18(i4. 
Rabideau, Gideon, co. H, 17th Inf.; died of wound.s 

May 17, 18()4. 
Relic, Antonio, co. G, 17th Inf.; died of disease at 

Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 10, l,t04. 
Rowley, Homer W., co. B, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 

Midi. Inf. 
Reynolds, Joseph A., co. A, 17th Inf.; dis. from V. 

R. C. by order, July 21, 1805. 
Rusher, Henry, co. B, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Roberts, Mel vin, CO. D,18tb Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf. 
Rogers, (leorge.co. K,l8th Inf.; trans, to 9th Mich. Inf. 
Rankin, John P., co. C, 18th Inf ; m. o. May 30, 1805. 
Rabedue, Joseph, co. C. 18th Inf.; m.o. June 20, 1,S05. 
Rose, Alexander, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June2t!, 1805. 
Reeves, William C, co. H, 18th Inf. 
Richardson, Addison. co. K,18th Inf.; m.o. June 21, '65. 
Rose, Eiiphratus, co. K, 18th Inf.; m.o. June 24, 1865. 
Robert, Oliver, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 
Rouse, Henry, co, K, I81I1 Inf.; ni. o. June 21, 1805. 



552 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Rankin, William J., co. E, IStli Inf.; dis. by order 
Any'. 7, l.S()4. 

Rayntir, Edward A, co. B, 24th Inf.; ni. o. from V. 
R. C. June S, 1805. 

Regal, Isaac, co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. for disab. 

Rowe, Pascall, co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. at e.xp. of ser- 
vice, Aug. 22, 1804. 

Reynolds, Reuben, co. K, 1st Cav. 

Kipley, Franklin, co. M, 1st Cav.; m.o. July 17, 1865. 

Redwood, Roberts, co. H, 2d Cav.; trans, to V. R. 
C. Feb. 15, 18(;,5. 

Roacli, Harvev T., co. K, 3d Cav.; dis. for disab. 
Sept. 2o, 1862. 

Rawson, John L., co. A, 4th Cav. 

Ronan, John, co. G, 5th Cav. 

Revard, Augustine, co. C, 5th Cav. 

Raid, Francis, co. C, 5th Cav. 

Ragan, Alexander, co. C, 5th Cav. 

Roberts, Alexander, co. D, 9th Cav.; died of dis- 
ease at Camp Nelson, Ky., May 3, 1864. 

Sigler, Isaac, Berlin; Aug. 30, 1862; sergt. co. D, 1st 
Engineers and Mechanics; pro. 2d lieut. Nov. 3, 
1864; m. o. Sept. 22, 1865. 

Simonds, James, Raisin; 1st lieut. 6th Inf. Jan. 
1864; not mustered. 

Soleau, Adrian C, Frenchtown; 2d lieut. 11th Cav. 
Aug. 1, 1863; pro. capt. Jan. 10, 1865; trans, to 8th 
Cav. on consolidation, July 20, 1865; died at Pulaski, 
Tenn., July 28, '865. 

Soleau, James J., Frenchtown; e. Sept. 1, 1803, sergt. 
CO. E, 11th Cav.; pro. 1st lieut. Oct. 11, 1864; trans, 
to 8th Cav. on consolidation, July 20, 1865; m. o. 
Sept. 22, 1865. 

Soleau, Francis X., Monroe; 2d lieut. 15th Inf. 
Jan. 1, 1862; pro. capt. Oct. 1, 1862; wounded in ac- 
tion July 28, 1804; maj. June 7, 1864; cis. for disab. 
as capt. Feb. 2, 1865. 

Southworth, Charles T., Monroe; surg. 18th Inf. Feb. 

26, 1803; res. June 11, 1864. 

Spalding, James W., Monroe; e. Dec. 15. 1862, sergt. 
maj. 18th Inf.; pro. 2d lieut. Sept. 28, 1863; capt. 
12th Tenn. Cav. April 30, 1864. 

Spalding, George, Frenchtown; e. June 20, 1861, as 
sergt. CO. A, 4th Inf.; pro. 1st lieut. Aug. 5, 1861; 
capt. Jan. 13, 1802; wounded in left shoulder at 
siege of Yorktown, Va., and was again wounded at 
Gaines' Mill, Va., July 1, 1862; lieut. col. 18th Inf. 
July, 1862; res. Feb. 24, 1864, to accept promotion; 
col. 12th Tenn. Cav. Feb. 24, 1864; brev. brig. gen. 
IJ. S. Vol. March 21, 18(35, "for valuable services in 
the battle of Nashville, Tenn., and was danger- 
ously wounded in that battle;" dis. Oct. 24, 1805. 

Spalding. Henry D., Monroe; 1st lieut. 18th Inf. July 

27, 1862; res. Dec. 27, 1862. 

Stevens, John J., Monroe; capt. !8th Inf. July 27, 

1862; m. o. June 26, 1865. 
Saunders, Charles H., Monroe; e. from Wayne co.; 2d 

lieut. CO. C, 9th Cav. 1862; 2d lieut. in command co. 

K, 1803; 1st lieut. co. K, 1863; capt. 1863; on Gen. 

Carter's stafT division ordnance officer, 1864; 3d div. 

Cav. corps, Army of the Ohio. 
Shasberger, Charles, co. C, 3d Inf. 



Strong, Addison K., Monroe; chaplain 17th Inf.; app. 

Sept. 2, 1861; res. July 7, 1802. 
Strong, George A., Monroe; capt. 15th Inf. Jan. 1, 

1862; died April 10, 1862, of wounds received in 

action at Shilob, Tenn., April 6, 1802. 
Stoddard, Herbert L.,co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. Sept. 1, 1801. 
Stoddard, Edgar C, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. Sept. 1, 1861. 
Spath, Frederick C, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. by order 

Sept. 1, 1803. 
Stewart, William, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Jidy, 1802. 
Suzor, Joseph, co. A, 4th Inf. 
Shaw. George, co. G, 4th Inf. 
Sandbar, Jo.seph, co. H, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Dec. 25, 1864. 
Scranto/ Alonzo, co. A, 4th Inf. 
Sanford, Don H., co. F, 6th Inf. 
Shirk, William, co. K, 6th Inf.; died of disease at 

New Orleans, Oct. 16, 1864. 
Sevens, Lennan S., 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. i 

Sailey, Augustus, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. ' 

Jan. 25, 1863. 
Salter, Solomon C, co. D, 7th Inf. 
Salter, William G., co. D, 7th Inf. 
Sloat, James S., co. D. 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. I 

14, 1862. ' 

Smith, Denine, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, Aug. 31, 1864. 
Sawyer, A., co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 14, '02. 
Shaw, Frank, co, D, 7th Inf.; died in liospital June 

14, 1862. 
Sturgis, John, co. D, 7th Inf. 
Spaulding, Phinias, co. E, 7th Inf. 
Sherck, Thomas, co. K, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 

0, 1863. 
Struss, John, co. D, 7tli Inf.; killc.l at battle of 

Malvern Hill, June 30, 1862. 
Sisco, James F, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Dec. 18, 1863. 
Southwick, Albert, co. D, !ith Inf.; died of disease, 

at Bowling Green, Ky., Oct. 7, 1802. 
Spaulding, Samuel, co. C, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. 
Shenavarre, Jule, co. I, lltli Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 30, 1804. 
Spaulding, Charles H., co. I, llth Inf.; dis. for 

disab. Dec. 9, 1862. 
Schock, Flavins J., co. I, llth Inf.; dis. at exj). of 

service, Sept. .30, 1864. 
Schock, Aaron A., co. I, llth Inf.; died of disease, 

at Danville, Va., January, 1864. 
Schock, William, co. I, llth Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 30, 1X64. 
Scott, Abraham, co. I, llth Inf.; dis. to enlist in 

regular service Nov. 28, 1862. 
Spencer, John, co. I, llth Inf.; died of disease, at 

Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 4, 1863. 
Stuart, Alonzo B., co. I, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Dec. 9, 1862. 
Smith, George W., co. I, llth Inf.; died of disease, 

at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 13, 1862. 
Smith, Oliver, co. K, llth Inf.; died of disease Jan. 

,30, 1802. 



THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



553 



.Sheets, John, co. C, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. It!, l.S(>5. 
Stacy, William J., co. H, llth Inf.; m.o. Sept. 10, lS(>r,. 
Shat^bergher, John C, co. B, 12th Inf.; (lis. at exp. 

of service, Sept. 9, 1S6.5. 
Smith, Homer B., co. K, 12th Inf.; m. o. Sept. :{0, 1865. 
Solon, Francis, co. C, 14th Inf.; m. o. Jnly IS, '(>5. 
Schneider, .lacob, co. K, 1.5tli Inf.; trans, to V. K. 

C. April :!(). 1854. 
Schneider, Fritz, co. K, 1.5th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Feb. 12, 1864; ui. o. Ang. IM, lS(;.i. 
Schneider, Addison, co. K, 1.5th Inf.; trans, to V. 

H. C. April HO, 1864; dis. at exp. of service, .March 

i:i, 1865. 
Seaman, Philip, co. K, 15th Inf.; killed before At- 
lanta, Ga., July 21, 1864. 
Silye, Hirani,co. K, 15th Inf.; died of disease 

April 21, 1862. 
Southwortli, Benjamin F., co. K, 15tli inf.; dis. for 

disab. June 17, 1862. 
Sunderland, James, co. K. loth Inf. 
Sheyour, Abrani, co. k, 1.5th Inf. 
Settlebar, John L., co. K, 15tli Inf.; dis. at ex|). of 

service, March 30, 18C5. 
Spalding, David P., co. K, lolh Inf.; dis. to re-en- 
list as vet. Jan. 24, 1864; m. o. Aug. 13, 1805. 
Stuart, Joseiih B., co. A, 1.5th Inf.; died of disea.«e, 

at Berlin, Tenn., Aug. 9, 18(i2. 
Slaughter, William P., co. B, 1.5th Inf. 
Shook, Ilenrv, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. bv order May 

30, 1865. 
Statolebarger, John. CO. B, 1.5th Inf. 
Stewart, Joseph T.. co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. by order 

June 30, 1865. 
Shenevaire, Ivlward, co. B, 15tli Inf.; dis. at exi>. of 

service, April 28, 1865. 
Saucrant, Charles, co. B, 15tli Inf.; dis. at e.vp. of 

service. Dec. 24, 1864. 
Suzor, Benjamin, co. B, 1.5th Inf.; m. o. Aug 13, 1865. 
Shovar, Eli, co. D, loth Inf.; dis. Sept. 3, 1862. 
Sancrant, John, co. G, 1.5th Inf.; died of disease, at 

TuUahoma, Tenn., Nov. 16, 1863. 
Schultz, Chris.,co. G,15th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb.2,'63. 
Smith, John, co. G, 18th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist jis 

vet. Jan. 24, 1864; m. o. Aug. 13, 1805. 
Sprague, Michael N., co. H, 15th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease, at St. Louis, May 27, 18()2. 
Slick, Henry M., co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

May 31, 1863. 
Stanbury, Byron, co. H, 15th Inf.; <lis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Feb. 12, 1804; m. o. Aug. 13, 1S65. 
Shaw Calvin M., co. II, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Dec. 15, 1863. 
Stebens, Christopher C, co. I, 15th Inf. 
Shenavarre, Joseph, co. I, 15th Inf. 
S<hneider, Philip, co. K, 1.5lh Inf.; ilis. for di.sab. 

Feb. 4, 1863. 
Shovare, Eli, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Feb. 2, 1864. 
Smith, John C, co. D, 1.5th Inf.; killeil near Ma- 
rietta, Ga , July 9, 18IM. 
Sbcnevere, Francis, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. by order 
May 30, 1865. 



Shenevere, Adolphus, co. B, 1.5th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 

13, 18<)5. 
Spaulding, Norton P., co. C, 15lh Inf.; dis. by or- 
der June 7, 1865. 
Shafer, William F., co. F, 1.5th Inf.; dis. by onler 

May 30, 1865. 
Smith, William, CO. F, 1.5th Inf.; m. o. Ang. 13, 1865. 
S(juires, Hiram (i. D., co. F, 15th Inf.; dis. by or- 
der, May :!0, 1865. 
Sheldon, Ste|)hen, eo. II, 15th Inf.; in. o. Aug. 1.!, 1865. 
Sorter, Andrew, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. bv order May 

;!0, 18(i5. 
Sergeant, Ezekiel, co. A, 17th Inf. 
Simmons. Allen F., co. B, 17th Inf.; died of iliseasc 

at Andersonvlle, Ga. 
Shock, Sylivester, co. E, 17th Inf.; died of disease 

while a prisoner. 
Spaulding. Hiram, co. E, 17th Inf.; died of disease 

at Fairfax Seminary Hospital. 
Strutton, Thomas W., co. E, 17th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease at Andersonville, Ga. 
Spotts. John, CO. H, 17tli Inf.; died of disease at 

Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 30, 1864. 
Smith, William, co. H, 17th Inf.; died of ilisea-e at 

Andersonville. Ga., Aug. 6, 1864. 
.Suzor, Moses, co. H, 17th Inf.; die<l of disease at 

Annapolis, Md., Feb. 9, 1865. 
Scott, Henry >L, co. A, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 

Mich. Inf.; dis. by order June 17. 1S65. 
Smith. Edward C, co. A, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 

Mich. Inf. 
Sancoraint, Columbus, co. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d 

Mich. Inf. 
Smith, Enos, co. E, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Jlich. Inf. 
Sancoraint. Eli.co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Sprague, William. co.ti. 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d .Mich. Inf. 
Siinmonds, Thomas, co. G, 17tli Inf.; trans, to 2d 

Mich. Inf. 
Spotts, Kufus, CO. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mieli. Inf. 
Shorah, Eli, co. H, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Spaidding, George, co. B, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Dec. 13, 1864. 
Shutleros, Eli, co. G, 17lh Inf.; died of disea,«t> at 

Alexandria, Va. 
Sorter, Richard, co. C, 17th Inf. 

Segar, Garnet, co.C, 17tli Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 5, '6:;. 
Salver, Andrew, co. C, 17th Inf. 
Smith, Cornelius, co. I, 17lh Inf.; dis. f.ir disab. 

April 28. 186,5. 
Smith, Daniel, co. 1, 17th Inf ;dis. furdi.sab. Nov. 5, '62. 
Slurks, Eugene, co. I, 17tli Inf. 
Slaughter, William, co. 1. I7tli Inf.; ilis. by or.ler 

May 18, 1805. 
Sullivan, Cornelius, CO. I, 17tli Inf. 
Scott, Cornelius, CO. A, 17tb Inf; killed at S|.ott- 

sylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. 
Sutton. John R., co. A. 17tli Inf.; died of di.seasc 

at Washington. 
S|.icer, George L., co. K, IMh Inf.; dis. for disab. 

May 25, 1.S63. 
Suttiii. Kubiii. CO. K, Isib Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 
20, 1865. 



554 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Stoildard, Iliriim C, ro. K, IStli Inf.; ni.o. June20,'G5. 
Smith, Francisco C. (i.. co. K, llSth Inf.; dif. for 

disab. Dec. 27, 1862. 
Shetelroe, John, co. K, isth Inf.; in. o. June S, 1S6.5. 
Sheteh'oe, Isadore,co. K, 18th Inf.; ni. o. Jnne 8, 18G5. 
Stump, George, co. K, ISth Inf.; m. o. June 8, 1855. 
Smith, Jasper, co. K, ISth Inf.; m. o. June 26. 1865. 
Snyder, James, co. H, 18th Inf.; died of disease at 

Di catur, Ala , July 22, 1864. 
Sutton, James A., CO. D, 18th Inf.; trans.to'.Hh Mich.Inf. 
Shatero, Moses, co. F, 18th Inf.; died of disease at 

Stevenson. Ala., Dec. 21, 1864. 
Spriggs,William,co.G,18th Inf.; trans, to 0th Midi. Inf. 
Sulier, Vincent, CO. K, ISth Inf.; trans, to 0th Mich. Inf. 
Stoddard, George, co. K, 18tli Inf.; tians. to 9th 

Mich. Inf. 
Stoddard, Freeman, co. K, 18th Int.; trans, to 9tli 

Mich. Inf. 
Slick, Jacobs., co. B, istli Inf.; ni. o. June 17, 1865. 
Sncll, Sylvester M., co. B, LStli Inf.; dis. for ]iro- 

motion Feb. 22, 1865. 
Shateroe, Dominick,co. F. 18tli Inf.; m. o. June 26, '65. 
Sullier, John, co. H, ISth Inf.; m. o. June 2(), 18(i.5. 
SuHer, Leon, co. K, 18th Inf.; ni. o. June 13, 1805. 
Stevens, David S., 18th Inf. 
Scranton, Ennro, co. H, 18th Inf.; died of disease 

at Lexington, Ky., Dec. 22, 1862. 
Slayton, James J., co. H, 18th Inf. 
Squires. Asa, co. K, ISth Inf. 

Snyder, David S., co. H, 18th Inf.; killed liy explo- 
sion of steamer Sultana, April 28, 1865. 
Smith, Henry 0., co. H, 18th Inf. 
Sandford, Reuben, co. II, 18th Inf. 
Shell, Henry, co. H, 18th Inf. 
Springer, Samuel C co. H, 18th Inf. 
Scranton, John, co. H, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Sept. 2, 1862. 
Snedicor, Witemas D., co. H, 18th Inf. 
Salisbury, Ambrose, co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. by Older 

July 10, 1864. 
Snell, Sylvester M., co. K, IStli Inf. 
Spalding. Julius II., co. K, Isth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

May 2, 1863. 
Spalding, Rush R., co. K, Isth Inf.; dis. by order, 

Oct. 21, 1864. 
Spalding, Edwin, co. A, 18th Inf.; died of disease at 

Decatur, Ala., Oct. 7, 1864. 
Smith, Charles N., co. D, 24th Inf.; m.o. June :',0, 1865. 
Smith, WiUiam W., co. A, 24th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Aug. 28, 1863. 
Southworth, William, co. G, 24th Inf.; dis. for 

disab. Nov. 2, 18G3. 
Smith, Henry, CO. C, 24th Inf.; dis. fordi.«ab. June 3,'6.5. 
Sherwood, Harlem S.,co. H,24th Inf.; m.o. June30,'()5. 
Simmons, Lewis, co. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; m. o. 

at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. 
Southard, Robert M., co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; 

dis. at cxp. of service, Oct. 31, 1864. 
Shed, Charles, co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; dis. fur 

disab. Ajiril 24, 1862, 
Spaulding, Norton P., co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; 

dis. for disab. May 22, 1862. 



Scofield, Rufus W., co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; 

dis. at exp. of service, Oct. 31, 1864. 
Smith, Bartholomew, co. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; 

dis. for disab. Dec. 1, 1863. 
Steel, Jacob, co. E, 1st Cav,; dis. at exp. of service, 

Aug. 22, 1864. 
Sweeney, William H., co. E, 1st Cav.; dis. at exp. 

of service, Aug. 22, 1864. 
Spencer, Richard, co. K, 1st Cav.; m.o. Nov. 16, 1865. 
Smith, William, co. M, 1st Cav.; m. o. July 27, 1865. 
Snover, James, co. M, 1st Cav.; m. o. June 29, 1865. 
Sweet, Earl E., co. M, 1st Cav.; m. o. May, IS65. 
Scranton, Abraliaui, co. L, 2d Cav.; trans, to V. R. 

C. Feb. 15, 1865. 
Stewart, Henry A., co. L, 2d Cav.; m. o. Aug. 30, 1865. 
Sprague, Wells, co. A, 4th Cav.; ni. o. July 1, 1865. 
Stebbins, Svlvester, co. A, 4th Cav.; dis. for disab. 

Jan. 28, 1863. 
Stoddard, William, co. C, 5th Cav. 
Snowball, Henry, co. C, 5th Cav. 
Swan, Peno P.,co. C,5th Cav.; dis. for disab. Se])t.2,'62. 
Sainerton, A., co. E, 9th Cav. 
Smith, Edward P., 8th (DeGolyer's) Battery. 
Spaulding, Charles O., Stli (DeGolyer's) Battery. 
Shebish, George, 8th (DeGolyer's) Battery; dis. for 

disab. Oct. 5, 1862. 
Schall, Peter, co. D, 1st Sharp Shooters; m.o. June 3, '65. 
Sofer, Joseph, co. E, 1st Regt. Engs. Mo. Vol 
Sloan, Myron E., Willits' Sharp Shooters. 
Taylor, Lorrison J., Monroe; capt. lltli Inf.; Mar. 

1, 1865; ni. o. Sept. 16, 1865. 
Tracy, David B., Petersburg; chaplain 1st Engineers 

and Mechanics; e. Sept. 12, 1861; res. June 22, 1863. 
Twooniey, Michael, Monroe; 1st lieut. ami ij. m. 15tb 

Inf.; e. Jan. 1, 1862; r.s. Sept. 3, 1862. 
Teachart, Charles, co. A, 4tli Inf. 
Taylor, A. A., co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exji. of service 

iune 30, 1864. 
Thurlack, Charles, co. A. 4th Inf.; killed at Gettys- 
burg, Pa., July 2, 1863. 
Turner, James A., co. A, 4th Inf.: dis, at exp. of 

service, June 30, 1864. 
Totton, Joseph, co. G, 4th Inf. 
Taylor, Nelson, co. F, 6th Inf. 

Tracy,William,co. D,7th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 21, '61. 
Thompson, Henry C, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Jan. 25, 1863. 
Thompson, William W., co. D, 7th Inf. 
Thompson, Henry, co. D, 7th Inf. 
Thomas, Charles W., co. D, 7th Inf.; killed at An- 

tietam, Sept. 17, 1862. 
Teall, Noah W., co. K, 7th Inf. 
Thirds, William, co. K, 7th Inf. 
Thompson, Simon 0., co. I, Hth Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 30, 1864. 
Taft, Thomas, CO. 1, 11th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 14,'62. 
Teal, George, co. K, 11th Inf. 
Teal, Stephen P., co. K, iUh Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. :!0, 1864. 
Teal, Charles, co. K, Hth Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, Sept. 30, 18(>4. 
Treet, Jacob, co. K, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865. 



THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



555 



Thaypr, Samuel, co. I, 11th Inf.; kilknl at Cliitka- 

iiiauj.'a, Tonn., Sept. 20, l.S(i3. 
Tiiney. Hobort, co. B. 15th Inf. 
Thoniey, Martin, co. B, l.Mli Inf.; killnl at Sliiloli, 

Tenn., May 10, l.S(>2. 
Tinker, J. W., co. G, l.")th Inf.; ilicil of di.setise at 

i;th .liv. \u>^^., May 24, lsii2. 
Titohworlli, Ale.vanili'r, co. I, l.^th Inf.; cis. for. 

(lisab. June 12, 1SG2. 
Taft, Thomas, co. I, l.'itli Inf.; ilis. at e.xp. of ser- 
vice -March 25. 18C5. 
Teiinant. Nathan, co.K, 15th Inf.; ilis. April 8, 18(12. 
Thompson, Tlioma.s, co. K, 15th Inf.; m. o. Aug. 1(;,'(15. 
Teal, Michael A.,co.F,15th Inf.; tlis.hyorderM.ty :!0,'(1.5. 
Tedwell, Kran.is M.. co. G, llith Inf.; m. o. .Inly 8, '(1.5. 
Tahor, William, co. C, ITtli Inf. 
Thompson, Edmund L., co. C, ITtli Inf.; dis. for 

disab. March !i. ISd,'?. 
Theviny, Frank, co. D. 17th Inf.; dis. Oct. 28, 18(12. 
Tolo. Thomas, co. G. 17th Inf.; died of disease at 

Andersonville, Ga., .Inly 111, IStio. 
Trombly, John, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Taylor, John, co. H, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3. 18(15. 
Tibballs James, co. H, IStli Inf ; dis. lor disab. 

June 3, 1803. 
Troop. Orange, co. K, 1,'^tli Inf.; m. o. June 2(1. 18(1.5. 
Teall, Timothy I., co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 20, 18(15. 
Teall, William, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 2(i, 18G5. 
Teall, James, co. K, KSth Inf.; ra. o. June 15, 18()5. 
Teall, Lemuel, 18th Inf.; ni. o. June 2(3, 18(J5. 
Trombly, Eli co. K, 18th Inf.; dis. for disab. June9,'(13. 
Taylor, Lucius, co. K. 18th Inf.; dii-d of disease at 

Decatur, Ala., Aug. 9, 1804. 
Tucker, Alfred W., co. A, isih Inf.: trans, to 9th 

Mich. Inf. 
Thomason, Israel, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 10, 18(15. 
Thomp.son, Jacob, co. V, 24lli Inf.; m. o. June 30. 18(15. 
Thayer, Benjamin II., co. F, 1st Engineers and 

Mechanics; dis. at cxp. of service, Oct. 31, 18(J4. 
Townsend, Chester, co. K, 1st Cav. 
Townsend, Mezckiah, co. K, 1st Cav. 
Temperance, H., co. D. 9th Cav.; die<l of di.scase 

Oct. 4, 18(14. 
Turner, James, co. I), 9lh Cav.; trans, to V. K. C. 

Jan. 15, 18(14. 
Tyler, Kind)all, co. E. 9th Cav.; dis. for disab. 
Toliin, David, 8th (DeGolyer'.s) BaL; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. March 10, 18(14. 
Taylor, Frank, co. D, 102d U.S.C.T.; m. o. Sept. 30, '(15. 
Twist, Oliver, co. G, 102d U.S.C. T.; m. o. Sept. .30, '(15. 
I'kle, Frederick, co. D, 7th Inf.; died of disease at 

Camp Denton, Md., April, ls(i2. 
Upsell, Moses, co. K, 11th Inf. 
Unar, Alexaruler, co. K, llth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Jan. 22, 18(13. 
Underbill, Joseph, co. G, 12 Inf.; m.o. Feb. 15, 1800. 
Ublackcr, Michael, co. B, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Jan. 1, 18(>4; m. o. Aug. 13, 1,8(1.5. 
I'ckell, Martin, CO. K, 18th Inf. 
Villette. Charles, co. A, 4th Inf.; .lis. for .lisab. 

March 21, 1.8(i:i. 
Vandewcnter, William, co. D, 7tli Inf. 



Verdeu, George F, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. for .lisab. 

March 19, 1802. 
Van Wormer, Oscar, co. 0, 7th Inf.; mi.ssing in 

action at Ream's Station, Va., .Vug. 25, 1804. 
Valade, Peter, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist Vs 

vet. Dec. 18, 1803. 
Valade, William, co. D, 7th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Dec. 20, 1803; killed at Wil.lernc.s.s, Va., .May 

0, 1804. 

Vanncss, Sybrant, co. I), 7th Inf.; ilis. for .lisab. 

Dec. 7, 1802. 
Van Schoick, Abram, co. 1, llth Inf. 
Van Miller, Leeman, co. K, lltli Inf.; .lii.l of .lis- 

ease Feb. 15, 1802. 
Van Liew, Henry J., co. K, llth Inf.; .lie.l of ilis- 

ease June 14, 1802. 
Vidder, Charles, co. B, 15th Inf. 
Vann.icker, Sylvester, co. H, l-'itb Inf.; m. o. .Vug. 

13, 1805. 
Vandete, James, co. D, 17th Inf. 
Vanest, James, co. I, 17th Inf.; .lis. for .lisab. Fib. 

1, 180.5. 

Vessance, Hugh, co. G, 17th Inf.; di.il at .'^pott- 

sylvania of wounds. May, 1804. 
Vincent, .lohn, co. G, 17th Inf.; kille.! at Cil.l 

Harbor, Va., June 13, 1804. 
Ve.lder, Alvah, co. H, ISth Inf.; die.l of .lisease at 

Lexington, Ky., Jan. 13, 1803. 
VanxVntwerp, C. W., co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 

20, 1805. 
Vickery, Gilbert, co. K, 18tb Inf.; m.o. .lune 20, 1805. 
Van Gieson, Richard, co. K, 18th Inf.; m.o. June 

20, 1805. 
Van N'ess, Filming, co. 11, 1.8ih Inf.; trans, to 9lh 

Mich. Inf. 
Vreland, Wilcr, co. 11, 18th Inf.; in o. June 20, 1S05. 
Van Schoick. Franklin, co. F, 24tli Inf.; m. o. .Iiinc 

30, 1805. 
Vcaley, I'hilip F., co. F, 2Gtb Inf.; .li.s. f..r disab. 

Dec. 24, 1804. 
Victs, George W., co. F, l.st Engs. ami M. chs.; .lis. 

at exp. of service, Oct. 31, 1.H04. 
Vanzandt. Tunis, co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; .lis. 

for disab. May 0, 1802. 
Vietts, Harrison, co. L. 1st Engs. and Mechs.; m.o. 

at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1.S0.5. 
Vanortwick, Cyrus, co. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; 

dis. by order July 12, 1805. 
Vincent, N. l'.,co. D,9th Cav.; died of disease Sept. ,'04. 
Vennelte, John, co. E, 9th Cav. 
Webb, RoUin S., Monroe; e. Aug. 21. 1802. as sergt. 

CO. C, 5th Cav.; pro. 2d lieut. April 14. l.S(15; m. o. 

June 22. 1805. 
Whipple, John C, Monroe; l.st lieut. l-sth Inf.; e. 

Aug. 13, 1802; pro. adjt. Oct. 0. 1802: .apt. A|)ril 17, 

1801; ni. o. June 20, 1805. 
Winans, Frazey M., Monroe; lieut. col. 7th Inf.; e. 

June 19, 1801; res. May 21, l.stl2. 
Wells, Charles, co. A, 4tli Inf.; .lii-.I at New V..rk 

of wounds, .Vug. 27, 1.S02. 
Watkins. William H., co. A. 4lh Inf. ; killi.l at 

Fre.lericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1802. 



55fi 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



White, John, i-o. A, 4th Inf.: m. o. Aug. 10, 1802. 
Watson. Clark, I'o. A, 4tli Inf.; killed at Malvern 

Hill, Va., July 1. 18(12. 
Walters, John, co. A, 4tli Inf.; killed at Malvern 

•Hill, Va., July 1, 1SG2. 
Wagner, Levi, eo. A, 4th Inf.; dis. for disab. Oct. 22,'()1. 
Woodward, Edwin, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

Jan. 20, 18(14. 
Whipple, Georfie G., co. 4th Inf.; di.s. at exp. of 

service, June 30, 1SG4. 
Whipple, George M., co. A, 4th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease at Alexandria, June 27, 18(1:5. 
Webster, Lorain, co. G, 4th Inf.; killed at Si)ott- 

sylvauia, Va., May 11. 18(14. 
Webster, Edwin, co. (t, 4th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist as 

vet. Dec. 29, 1803. 
Watson, William C, co. A, 4th Inf.; dis. at exp. of 

service, June .30, 1864. 
Waters. William, co. D, 7th Inf. 
AVidman, William, co. D,7th Inf. 
Wourrell, John P., co. D, 7th Inf.; killed at battle 

of Malvern Hill, Va., June 30, 1862. 
Weatherby, George, co. K, 7th Inf.; killeil near 

Petersburg, Va.. Oct. 13, 1864. 
Wagner, George A.,co. D, 11th Int.; m. o. Sept. 16,'65. 
Wagner, John, co D, 11th Inf.; m. o. Sept. 16, 1865. 
Wait. James W., co. I, 11th Inf.; killed at Stone 

River, Dec. 31, 1862. 
White, Levi, co. I, 11th Inf.; dis. for dLsab. Dec. 13,'(12. 
Wilson, William W., co. I, 11th Inf.; died of disease 

in mil'y prison, Andersonville, Ga., June 17, 1864. 
Winters, Lewis, co. I, llth Inf.; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, Sept. 30, 1864. 
Waters, Henry, co. I, llth Inf ; dis. at exp. of ser- 
vice, Sept. 30, 1864. 
Whipple, Ezra S., co. I, llth Inf.; trans, to V. R. C. 

Jan. 1.5, 1864. 
Werman, Hanibal A., co. I, llth Inf.; m.o. Sept.l9,'(35. 
Wade, Nathan, CO. B,1.5th Inf.; dis. for disab. Aug. 25, '62. 
Wagner, Christopher, co. B, 1.5th Inf.; dis. for 

disab. June 15, 1862. 
Wagner, Charles, co. B, 15th Inf.; died of disease 

Oct. 5, 18(32. 
Wagner, Charles, co. G, loth Inf. 
Whither, Charles, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Aug. 25, 18(35. 
Woodberry, Eli, co. H, 15th Inf.; dis. at exii. of 

service, April 7, 1865. 
Woodberry, David, co. H, 1.5th Inf.; dis. for di.sab. 

Oct. 13, 18(32. 
Wells, Ray, CO. 11,1 5th Inf ; died of disease April 26,"62. 
Wyraan, Robert, co. I, 1.5th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Feb. 14, 18G4. 
Welch, Joseph, co. I, 15tli Inf. 
Warner, Edward, co. K, 15th Inf.; died of disease 

May 4, 1862. 
Wrigiit, Terrall, co. K, 1.5th Inf. 
Willard, Justin, co. K, 15th Inf.; dis. for dis.ib. July 

11, 1862. 
Wriubt, Elias, co. I, 15th Inf.; dis. to re-enlist Feb. 

14'; 1864. 
Wing. Elijah, co. G, 17th Inf.; trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 



Wraight, Daniel, co. I, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. 

Sept. 26, 1862. 
Weeman, George, co. C, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865. 
Walter, Joseph, co. C, 17th Inf. 

Wilson, Henry T.. co. C, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865. 
AVelle, John, co. C, 17th Inf.; m. o. June 3, 1865. 
Wallis. Joseph, co. C, 17th Inf.; dis. for disab. Feb. 

21, 1863. 
Wing, Albert, co. G, 17th Inf.; died of disease, at 

Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 17, 1864. 
Whitney, Dewitt C, co. H, 18th Inf. 
Wadsworth, Elihu, co. H, 18th Inf. 
Warner, Daniel, co. II, 18th Inf. 
Woodward, William, co. H, 18th Inf. 
Vv'alter, Israel, co. K,18th Inf.; dis. for disab. Jan. 2,'63. 
Wagner, Levi, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 
Wood, Simon M., co. B, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, 1865. 
Wright, Nelson D., co. K, 18tb Inf.; kille<l at De- 
catur, Ala., June 24, 1864. 
Walker, Joseph, co. K, 18th Inf. 
Walker, Adam, co. K, 18th Inf. 

Wickart, Abram B., co. K, 18th Inf.; m.o. Aug. 9, 1865. 
Woodward, Robert, co. K, 18th Inf.; m. o. June 26, '65. 
Woods, David, co. D, 18th Inf.; died of disease, at 

Stevenson, Ala., Dec. 16, 1864. 
Wheeler, Curtis J., co. H, 18th Inf.; died of dis- 
ease, at Dundee, Mich., Oct. 26, 1865. 
Woodbury, Lyman, eo. K, 18tli Inf.; ni. o. June 28, '65. 
White, Luther, co. K, 24th Inf.; m. o. June 28, 1865. 
Ward, Jared, co. F, 26th Inf.; m. o. June 4, 1865. 
White, Major L , co. L, Ist Engs. and Mecbs.; m. 

o. at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. 
Walker, Archibald, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; m. o. at 

Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. 
Walker, William W., co. B, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; 

dis. Dec. 16, 1862. 
Wilson, Ira M., co. F, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; died 

of disease, April 5, 1862. 
Wilson, William, co. L, 1st Engs. and Mechs.; dis. 

by order July 3, 1865. 
Walsh, Julius M., co. M, 1st Cav.; m. o. July 17, 1805. 
Webb, James E., co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 16, 1864. 
Wheaton, John N., co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. at exp. of 

service, Sept. 10, 1804. 
Wait, Charles, co. K, 1st Cav. 
Wilcox, Gef)rge, co. K, 1st Cav.; dis. to re-enlist 

as vet. Dec. 20, 18(33. 
Whaley, William, co. B, 1st Cav.; m. o. Aug. 3, 1805. 
Webber, Jacob S., co. M, 1st Cav.; m.o. June 20, 1865. 
Wells, William H., co. M, 1st Cav.; m. o. June 12, 1865. 
Weils, Alvin E., co. M, 1st Cav.; ra. o. June 12, 1865. 
Winters, Myron L., co. A, 4th Cav.; dis. for disab. 

May 20, 1864. 
Warner, Marshall, co. B, 5th Cav. 
Webb, Egbert, co. C, 5th Cav. 
Webb, Rollin S., co. C, 5th Cav. 
White, Wilson, co. B. 9th Cav.; dis. for disab. June 

26, 1863. 
Williams, John, co. A, 102<1 U.S.C.T.; m.o. Sept. 30, '65. 
Wallace, Zachariah, co. H, 102d U. S. C. T.; m. o. 

Sept. 30, 1805. 



THE WAR OF THIi REIiELLION. 



r)57 



Wickh.ini, W. H.. co. D, 9th Cav.; tlis. for disal). 
Yesant, Courrnaia, co. G, loth Inf.; killed at Shi- 

loh, Tenn., April 9, l.S()2. 
Viirk, John, co. B, loth Inf.; dis. for disab. July 

27, 'fi2. 
Venoir, Nicholas, co. G, 17th Inf.; diecl di disease 

at Charleston. S. C., Aug. 1,S(;-1. 
Young. Spencer, co. K. ISth Inf.; in. o. June 21, lS(i.i. 
Zacharias, Allen H., Monroe. 1st lieut. 7tli Inf.; 

June 19, l,><(il; pro. capt. March 10, l,S(i2; died Jan. 

1. ISiiH. of wounds received in action at Antietatu, 

Md., .«:ept. 17, 1S()2. 
Zacharias, Alexander, co. K, 7tli Inf. 
Zininiernian, Joseph, co. K, l-5th Inf.; dis. March 

2(1, '0:5. 
Ziunnerman. Baptiste, co. G, 15th Inf.; dic<l of dis- 
ease April 22, lcS(>2. 

KXLl.'i^TMKNTS IX MONROE COUNTY. 

Aggregate number in detail of the credit 
allowed to Moiifoe coiiiily during the opera- 
tion of the enrollment system, together with 
the number of men enlisting previously to the 
adoption of that system and reported to the 
Adjutant General's office as residents of Monroe 
county, and the total approximately of the 
number of troops furnished by Monroe county 
t'roMi till' beginning to the close of the war: 

Knlisted in army under enrollmentsysteni G91 

Veterans re-enlisted in the field 115 

Knlisted in navy 1 

Drafted men commuting 37 

Product of draft in men 235 

Term of service credited 1 year 344 

Term of service credited 2 years 2 

Term of service credited 3 years 733 

Total credited in numbers under enroll- 
ment system 1,079 

Eidistment previous to .Sejjtenibcr li>, 

18G3 1,191 

.\ppro.xiniiitc totals liuring the war 2.270 

Table showing the number of men raised by 
enlistment and draft in the towns of Monroe 
county and wards lA' .Monroe City between 
November 1, 1864, and the suspension of re- 
cruiting, April 14, 1SG5, together with the 
number previously raised therein under tho 
enrollment system, and the total number 
credited to each sub-district during tho period 
in which that system was in operation, fi-om 
September 19, 1SG3, to the close of the war; 



SUB DISTRICTS 


S 

S 

h 


r 


Tkbm op 

Sebvice 

Credited. 


i! 

1 




il 




i 1 


If 
■>;■" 


.\sh . .. 


1? 




14 5 19 


102 


121 


Kxeter 


f, 


1 




7 


29 


3(; 




\ 


2 


1 3 


4 


29 
37 


33 


Milan 


1 1 


38 


Dundee 


5 


6 


10 1 11 


(io 


76 


Kaisinville 


11 


18 


13 Hi 


29 


62 


91 


Frenchtown 


<) 


/ 


11, 5 


16 


73 


89 


Monroe— 1st ward 


15 


7 


15 7 


22 


75 


97 


" —2d ward 


20 




16 4 


20 


50 


70 


" —3d ward 


2 




2.... 


2 


IS 


20 


Monroe town 


1 




1>.... 


1 


,<52 


33 


La Salle . 


6 
4 




6 


4! 7 
9 1 


11 
10 


43 
.30 


54 


Ida 


40 


Summerfield 


7 


13 


19 1 


20 


42 


(i2 


Whiteford 


10 





16 


16 


50 


66 


Bedford 


IS 




6l 12 


IS 


52 


70 


Erie 


25 
154 


78 


14| 11 

158j 74 


25 
232 


5S 


83 


Totals 


847 


1079 



FEDERAL SOLDIERS NOW RE.SIDENTS OF 
MONROE COLNTY'. 

.Vlphabetical list of names of Federal sol- 
diers of the War of tho Rebellion residing in 
tiie county of Monroe in April, 1888, giving 
rank last held, comjiany or battery, regiment 
or ship, and residence — as shown by tho re- 
turns of the supervisors of the several towns, 
and wards of city of Monroe, made in pursu- 
ance of Act 282 of the Session Laws of 1887, 
of the State of Michigan. According to the 
returns there were seven hundred and cight}-- 
two (782) soldiers residing in Monroe county 
in April, 1888. Where the rank is not given, 
the returns show that the veteran was a 
private : 

.Vlhright, Marvin, co. E, 5tli Mich. Art., Monroe City. 
Avery, Amos, Ist lieut., co. E, lUh Midi. Cav., 

Monroe City. 
Andercgg, John, co. D, 11th Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 
Arpontenier, Thomas, co. B, l-'ith Mich. Inf., Monroe 

City. 
Arpontenier, Louis, co. I>, 9tli .Mich. Cav., .Monroe 

City. 
Albright, Charles, co. D. 7tli Mich. Inf., I. la. 
Anspach, Martin, sergt., co. D, 62d Ohio Inf., Ida. 
Algeruiissen, Christian, co. G, oth 111. Cav., Ida. 
Anteau, Joseph, co. D, 9th Mich. Cav., Frenciitown. 
Arnold, Thomas, co. G, 7th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
Austin, Nathan, co. I, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 

.Milan. 
.\u8tin, Samuel C, co. D, 1st .Mich. Inf., Milan. 



558 



HISTORY OF MONKOE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Austin, Alunzo A., co. B, 6tli Mich. H. Art, Milan. 
Allen, .JeroMK', corji., co. G, 1st. Mich. Cav., Mihin. 
Allen, Carlos, co. G, 18th Mich. Inf., Milan. 
Auten, T. J,, co. F, 2t5th Mich. Inf., Milan. 
Auten, Norman, co. G, 23cl Mich. Inf., Milan. 
Austin, Jonas, co. I, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 

Milan. 
Austin, George, co. I, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 

Milan. 
Albig, John, co. — , 103d Pa. Inf., Raisinville. 
Aselstine, Darius, co. G, loth Mich. Inf., Ash. 
Armstrong, Eugene, Corp., co. B, 5th Mich. Cav., Ash. 
Austin, Enos, co. C, 1st Mich. Sharp Shooters, 

Dundee. 
Austin, Henry R., capt., 102d U. S. C. T., Monroe City. 
Aldridge. Elmer, co. D, 23d 111. Inf., Bedford. 
Beitel, Andrew J., co. F, 8th Ohio Inf., Monroe City. 
Brumely, Aaron, co. 0, 102d U. S. Inf., Monroe City. 
Bicking, Jolm, co. D, 11th Mich Inf., Monroe City. 
Bovvlsby, George W., capt., co. K, 15th Mich. Inf., 

Monroe City. 
Beck, John F., co. F, 4th Mich. Cav., Monroe City. 
Brown, William C, 1st lieut., co. A, 4th Mich. Inf., 

Monroe City. 
Beisel, William H., 1st lieut., co. K, ISth Mich Inf., 

Monroe City. 
Benderitter, F., corp., co. A, 4th Mich. Inf., Jlonroe 

City. 
Brand, Frank, co. H, 14th Ohio Inf., Ida. 
Berg, Charles, co. C, 16th Mich. Inf., Ida. 
Bates, Alfred G., co. A, 3d Mich. Inf., Ida. 
Bralim, Jacob, co. G, 1.5th Mich. Inf., Frenchtown. 
Benton, Nathaniel, co. E, Gth Mich. H. Art., Bedford. 
Bristol, Edwin, 3d sergt., co. K, 18th Mich. Inf., 

Bedford. 
Boise, Henry, co. G, 145th (N. G.) Ohio Vol. Inf., 

Bedford. 
Bookey, Clevis, co. B, 67th Ohio Inf., Bedford. 
Barriuger, Michael, co. F, 61st N. Y. Inf., Bedford. 
Binnie, Archibald, 2d sergt., co. D, 52d N. Y'. Inf., 

Bedford. 
Burbric, John, co. D, 147th N. Y. Inf., Bedford. 
Blair, Joseph, corp., co. B, 15th Mich. Inf., Bedford. 
Butler, John A., co. M, Sth Mich. Cav., Bedford. 
Bragg, Myron, co. K, 11th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Brightbili, William H., co. E, 6th Mich. Art., LaSalle. 
Bodine, Charles, co. A, 28th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
Ballen, Frederick, co. B, 47th Ohio Inf., Exeter. 
Batway, Peter, co. G. 24th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
Bransheau, Peter, sergt., co. E, 11th Mich. Cav., 

E.teter. 
Benard, Frederick, co. B, 17th Mich. Inf., Bedford. 
Brenningstall, Horace J., corp., co. A, 4th Mich. Inf , 

Summerfield. 
Brenningi5tall, Therber, co. H, 1.5th Mich. Inf., 

Summerfield. 
Brenningstall, Abram, sergt., co. H, 1st Mechs. and 

Engs., Summerfield. 
Brockway, Martin, co. B, 4th Mich. Inf., Summerfield. 
Bolster, Justas A., co. K, 2d Ohio Inf., Summerfield. 
Burton, Mortimer H., co. B, 6th Mich. H. Art., Sum- 
merfield. 
Bennett, George, co. F, 43d Ohio Inf., Summerfield. 



Brenningstall, M., co. H, 15th Mich. Inf., Summer- 
field. 

Barth, John, co. G, 140th N. Y. Inf., Summerfield. 

Brackett, William, co. C, 10th Vt. Inf., Summerfield. 

Butts, Deveer, co. G, 12th Mich. Inf., London. 

Blackmail, James A., co. C, 7th R. I. Inf., London. 

Barnes, Linn, co. I, 11th Mich. Inf., London. 

Beaverly, John, co. D., 7th Mich. Cav., London. 

Bates, Franklin, co. A, 5tfi Mich. Inf., London 

Beaverly, Lewis G., co. H, 18th Mich. Inf., London. 

Bruckner, John, co. C, ISth Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Baley, Edward, co. D, 20th Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Brinningstool, Abraham, co. D, Sth Mich. Cav., Milan. 

Bliss, Joseph, co. A, 1st Mich. Sharpshooters, Milan. 

Becker, Andrew, corp., co. F, 26th Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Baird. Nelson D., co. E, 1st Bat. Mich. L. Art., Milan. 

Brown, William, co. D, 7th Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Black, William, sergt., co. F, SUth Oiiio Inf., Berlin. 

Brancheau, Henry, co. E, 17th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 

Buhl, George, jr., co. E, 50th Mo. Cav., Berlin. 

Bachman, Reuben, co. A, 9th N. Y. Art., Berlin. 

Bulger, Benjamin, co. M, 3d Ohio Cav., Berlin. 

Bodenmiller, Joseph, co. E, lUtli Ohio Inf., Berlin. 

Bulley, Julius, co. G. 15th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 

Barron, Joseph, co. A, 'Ah Mich. Inf., Berlin. 

Bammell, Frederick, co. F, 130th Ohio Inf., While- 
ford. 

Beck, Samuel, co. B, 130th Ohio Inf.. Whiteford. 

Burnhara, Franklin, co. B,67th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Byre, Jacob M.,co. G, 82d Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Bemis, Charles S., co. H, 3d Ohio Cav., Whiteford. 

Block, Henry, co. B, Sth Mich Cav., Whiteford. 

Barker, Irwin E., co. D, 55th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Bordeaux, Asa, co. F, 14th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Bell, Clarence, sergt , steward in charge Gunboat 
Cricket, Miss. Sq., Whiteford. 

Bridling, Peter, corp., co. I, 14th Ohio Inf., White- 
ford. 

Barron, Ezekiel, co. A, ISth Mich. Inf., transferred 
to !ith Mich. Inf., Erie. 

Boneau, Abraham, co. H, 17th Mich. Inf., Erie. 

Belair, Isadore, co. G, 17tli Mich. Inf., Erie. 

Burdeanx, Alexander, co. I, Uth Mich. Inf., Raisin- 
ville. 

Bond, Lewis \V., sergt., co. K, ISth Mich. Inf., 
Raisinville. 

Brown, Jonathan, co. A, 14th Mich. Inf., Monroe 
Town. 

Bale, John M., musician, co. C, 24th Mich. Inf., Ash. 

Barnum, Warren W., co. A, 44th Ohio Inf., Ash. 

Baker, Harrison, co. A, 24th Mich. Inf., Ash. 

Baker, Marquis L., co. E, 6th Mich. H. Art., Ash. . 

Baker, John F., co. A, 4th Mich. Inf., Ash. 

Baker, Solomon, co. B, lllh Mich. Inf., Ash. 

Branshaw, Joseph, co, I, 11th Mich. Inf.. Ash. 

Brandes, Gustavus, co. C, 13th U. S. Inf., Ash. 

Boardman, Ira D.,co. M,8th Mich. Cav., Summerfield. 

Brooks, Charles, co. H, 15th Mich. Inf., Summerfield. 

Barr, William T., corp., co. B, 111th Ohio Inf., 
Dundee. 

Bozoman, Levi T., co. B, 42d Ohio Inf., Dundee. 

Babcock, Peter H., co. H, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 



THE WAR OF THE REIIELLION. 



r)5!» 



Bycr, Christian, co. E, 128th Ohio Inf., nnnik-e. 
Ball, Henry, curp , co. F, L'lith Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Brcnningstall, Charles G., co. F, ISth Midi. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Hassett, Henry, co. I, 17th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Baker, George R. L., capt., co. K, 15th Midi. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Brewer, Philarnion, co. F, 26th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Bunkehnan, Charles, co. B, 0th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Bragir, Kzra F., co. G, 1st Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Brcnningstall, Alirahani, co. B, .5th Mich. Cav., 

Dundee. 
Caux. Frank, co. M, 3d Ind. Cav., Monroe City. 
Clark, Burr, co. C, 17th Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 
Cooley, Moses, co. G, 17th Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 
Curtis, S. W.. raaj. 7th Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 
Cornell, Charles, bat. K, 1st O. L. A., Ida. 
Coleman, Isaac, co. G, iHli Mich. Inf., Frenchtown. 
Charter, Jackson, co. D, 4th Mich. Inf., Bedford. 
Crum. Wilson, CO. G, 72d Ohio Inf., Bedford. 
Cone, Abijah, co. M, 8th Mich. Cav., Bedford. 
Clary, Charles L.,corp. co. M,Sth Mich. Cav.,Bc Iford. 
Cowell, Wm., co. H, 11th Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Chapin, Alexander, co. A, 192d Ohio Inf., La .Salle. 
Couture, Moses, co. — , 1st Mich. Cav.. La Salle. 
Coif, James, co. C, 17th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
Cronawait, Daniel, co. D, 11th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
Conlisk, Michael, corp. co. F, 19th U. S Inf., Exeter. 
Cook. Frederick, 1st sergl. co. B, 2d Mich. Inf., Sum- 

merlield. 
Christ, Adam H., co. H, l-)th Mich. Inf., Summer- 
field. 
Careck, William, ssrgt. co. K, 1.5th Mich. Inf., .Sum- 

mertield. 
Critcliett, James C, co. II, 18th Mich. Inf., London. 
Cavanaugli,.fohn, corj). co. D,7th Mich. Inf., London. 
Collins, William, co. A, Oth Mich. Inf., Milan. 
Caswell, Thonia.«, co. K, iHh Mich. Cav., Milan. 
Caswell, Benjamin, co. C, 1st Mich. .Sharp .Shooters. 

Milan. 
Case, Daniel, corp co. I, 11th Mich. Inf., Milan. 
Critchett, George W., sergt. co. II. 18th .Alich. Inf., 

Milan. 
Creeilon, Timothy, .sergt. co. G, loth Mich. Inf., 

Berlin. 
Crook, Edwin M., sergt. co. B, 1st Mo. Inf., Berlin. 
Charter, Warren C, co. A. 4th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 
Cummins, Morris, co. K, 24th Mich. Inf., Whiteford. 
Carpenter, N. H., co. K, ISth Mich. Inf.. Whiteford. 
Crage, Charles, co. E, 0th II. S. Cav., Whiteford. 
Clark, Elmer, sergt. co. D,27tliMich. Inf., Whiteford. 
Curson, George, 2d lieut. co. I, K'.Oth Ohio Inf., Erie. 
Cousino, Alexander, co. B, I.ith Mich. Inf., Erie. 
Caiichie, William, co. A, 4lh Mich. Inf., Haisinville. 
Cauchie, James, co. I, 11th Midi. Inf., Haisinville. 
CuUey, James, co. A, 13th U. S. Inf., Monroe Town. 
Clark, Wat.son J., corp. co. D, 4tli ilidi. Inf., .Ash. 
Closser, Frederick, co. I), 11th Mich. Inf., Ash. 
Clark, Chester, co. C, -ith U. «. Inf., Ash. 
( rane, Joseph B., co. 1, lltli Mich. Inf., Ash. 
Cutcher, Peter, co. H, 111th Ohio Inf., Ash. 
Chapman, William, co. A, Uth Mich. Inf., Ash. 



Chapman, Ward, 7th bat. 2:'.d N Y. A., Dundee. 
Cha.se, James L., co. A,4tli Mich. Inf., Iiundee. 
Collins, Jedediah, co. F, 97th Ohio Inf., Dundee. 
Carey, Henry W.,corp. co. G, 1st Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Clark, Peter, corp. co. K, Ist Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Casey, Chester, co. C, 20tli .Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Curtis, Nelson D., 1st lieut. co. I, 17th .Mich. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Ca.ssady, James H., sergt. co. D, (1th .Mich. II. A., 

Dundee. 
Crane. Henry P., co. E, ISth Midi. Inf., Dundee. 
Cornwell, Edward H., .sergt. co. F, 1st Mich. Eiigs. 

anil Medis., Dundee. 
Collins, John B., co. K, 197lh Ohio Inf., Dundee. 
Cassady, Albert M., co A, 1.52d Ind. Inf., Dundee. 
Carney, Nelson J., 1st duly sergt. co. D, 9tli Mich. 

Cav., Dundee. 
Cosey, Grover, co. E, 8th Midi. Inf., Dundee. 
Charland, Peter, co. B, 15th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Cronn, Solomon S., co. D, l.st Wis. H. Art., Dundee. 
Chapman, Reuben E., co, E, 130th Ohio Inf., Dundee. 
Carrick, Chas. W., capt. co. G, 1st Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
DeLong, George B., sergt. co. C, 17th Mich. Inf., 

Monroe City. 
Duval, Joseph, co. C, i'th Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 
Durocher, St. Clair, co. K, l()7th Ohio Inf., Monroe 

City. 
Duval, James, co. D, Uth Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 
Darrow, Lorenzo D., co. G, Otii Ohio Cav., Ida. 
Darrow, Milton, co. G, 6th Oliio Cav., Ida. 
Deighen, Edward, bat. C, 1st X. Y. Art., Ida. 
Davis, Nelson, co. H, V2th Mich. Inf., Ida. 
Duval, Alexander, co. D, !)tli Mich. Cav.. Ida. 
Durocher, Isadore, co. D, 11th Mich. Iiif.,Frenchtown. 
Duseau, David, co. H, 7th Mich. Inf., Bodfor.l. 
Deshetler. Raiiiond, co. B, ISiHIi Ohio Inf.. B-ilford. 
Deshetler, Joseph, co. II, Uth Mich. Inf., Bedford. 
Densmore, Jacob E., co. D, Oiith Ills. Inf., Dundee. 
Drouillard, Leander, co. K, 1st Mich. Cav., La Salle. 
Dunn, Nicholas, co. D, 16Gth Ohio Art., La Salle. 
Dernier, Charles, corp. co. E, 1st Ohio L. .Vrt., .Sum- 

merfield. 
Devee, .lacob, co. I, Uth Mich. Inf., London. 
Daniels, Chester D., co. H. 18th Midi. Inf., London. 
Draper, Alonzo, co. G, 6th Mich. H. .Vrt., London. 
Davis, Charles, co. H, ISth Mich. Inf., Milan. 
Draper, Walter, co. F, 0th Mich. II. Art., Milan. 
Deney, Elbert, co. I, 55th Ohio Inf.. Milan. 
Daniels, Ezra, co. B, 8th .Mich. Cav., Wliitoford. 
Dolby, Davi<l, co. C, 3d Ohio Cav., Wliiteford. 
Drouillard, Dominic, co. K, 18th Mich. Inf., Erie. 
Drewior, Noah, co. B, 14tli O. B. I., Erie. 
Darr, Charles, co. F, 16th Ind. Inf., Erie. 
Dovie, John, 1st lieut. co. — , 15th Midi. Inf., liiiisiii- 

ville. 
Dusing, John, lieut. co. L, 3d Ohio Cav., Raisinville. 
Dickinson, John, corp. co. A, 4th .Mich. Inf., Raisin- 
ville. 
Duby, Isaac, co. I, 8tli N. Y. Cav., Monroe Town. 
Discher, John, co. .\, 4th Mich. Inf., Ash. 
Dingmoii, William, co. D, 4tli Mich. Inf.. Ash. 
Dubry, Moses, co. B, 15th Mich. Inf., Ash. 



560 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



T)e Wolf, Charles, co. F, llUh Pa. Inf., Dundee. 
Drewyour, William, co. G, 9th Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Duncan, Peter, corp. co. F, 67th Ohio. Inf., Dundee. 
Davis, Ramus B., sergt. co. G, 122d N. Y. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Dutton, Joseph S., co. F, 1st Mich. Engs. an<lMechs., 

Dundee. 
Dickerson, Joseph S., co. D, 56th Ills. Inf., Dundee. 
Dutton, Warren L., co. D, 7th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Davis, Cyrus A., sergl. co M, 1st Mich. Engs. and 

Mechs., Dundee. 
Drew, Israel C, sergt. co. C, 17th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Dumphy, Thomas, co. C, IStli Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Dustin, Charles M., sergt. co. F, 29th Ohio Inf., 

Dundee. 
Eshenroder, Philip, co. G, 72d Ohio Inf., Ida. 
Eahy, Joseph, co. C, I4th Mich. Inf., E.xeter. 
Ellis, Benjamin W., co. D, 1st Mich. Inf., Milan. 
Ellis, Willett, CO. K, S6tli N. Y. Inf., Milan. 
Engle, Norman, 1st sergt. co. B, 1st Mich. Sharji 

Shooter.s, Milan. 
Eckles, George H., co. C, 23d Mich. Inf., Berlin. 
Egan, John, co. G, 5th V. R. Inf., Berlin. 
Emerson, Arthur, 1st sergt. co. D, 41st Ohio Inf., 

Whiteford. 
Elk, Matthew, co. C, 107th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 
Eaton, Albert, wagoner co. I, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Eighmey, Erastus, co. K, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Elder, Josiah M., co. E, 179th Ohio Inf., Dundee. 
Fleischman, Godfried, co. H, 1st Mich. Art., Monroe 

City. 
Fountain, Philip, co. G, 17th Mich. Inf., MonroeCity. 
Farwell, John, co. K, 15th Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 
Frost, Benjamin, co. K. 3.1 Ohio Cav., Bedford. 
Feaderman, Christopher, co. K, 2.5th Ohio Inf., 

Bedford. 
Farrell, Edward, co. H, 24th Mich. Inf., Bedford. 
Forbes, Daniel, co. F, 11th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Fisk, Nelson, co, B, 4th Mich. Inf., La Salle. 
Fulcher, William, co. G, 18th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
French. James E., co. F,.55th Ohio Inf., Summerfield. 
Faunce, Isaac, co. I, 6th Ohio Cav., Summerfield. 
Freidt, Jacob, co. K 11th Mich. Inf., Summerfield. 
Fillmore, John, co. D, 20th Mich. Inf., Summerfield. 
Farrington, Charles, co. F, 2d Mich. Inf., London. 
Fulcher, T. B., blacksmith co. M, Uth Mich. Cav., 

Milan. 
Furnia, Charles, co. D. 6th Mich. H. Art., Milan. 
Frankhouse. Abraham, co. G, 15th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 
Fox, Charles B , co. — , Uth Mich. Inf., Whiteford. 
Foulhaver. John, co. K, 12th 111. Inf., Raisinville. 
Fahnestock, Jacob, sergt. co. K, 5th Mich. Cav., Ash. 
Fisher, Daniel, co. M, 2d Reg. U. S. H. Art, Sum- 
merfield. 
Francisco, Harrison, co. K, 15tli Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Francisco, George, co. I, 11th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Flint, Lewis L., co. C, 4th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Frost, Howard, co. B, 189th Ohio Inf., Dundee. 
Fo.\', Madison V., sergt. 19th bat., 19th Ind. Art., 

Dundee. 
Foster, Vernon D., co. K, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Fox, Frank, sergt., co. E, 33d N. Y. Inf., Dundee. 



Frayer, Royal F., co. M, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 
Dundee. 

Fuller, Asa F., co. H, 19th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Fleming, John H., co. G, 18th Midi. Inf., Dundee. 

Fleming, Wallace W., co. F, 1st Mich. Engs. and 
Mechs., Dundee. 

Groth, Frederick, co, H, 1st Mich. Art., Monroe City. 

Godfroy, Philip, co. D, 9th Mich. Cav., Monroe City. 

Grunner, Charles F., 1st lieut. co. C, 4th Mich. Inf., 
Monroe City. 

Guyor, Andrew, co. A, 4th Mich. Int., Monroe City. 

Guion, Eli, co. C, 3d Ohio Cav., Monroe City. 

Godfroy, Fred., co. H, Iltli Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 

Grosvenor, Ira R., col. 7th Mich. Inf., Frenchtown. 

Griner, John, co. C, .3d Ohio Cav., Bedford. 

Gee, Jason, co. K, 15th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Gillett, Chas. F., co. A, 9th Mich. Cav., Dundee. 

Gee, Ezekiel P., co. F, 24th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Greenfield, Wilber, co. E, 18th Mich. Inf., Summer- 
field. 

Gramlic, Michael, co. K, loth Mich. Inf., London. 

Gramlic, Wendil, co. K, 15tli Mich. Inf.. Loudon. 

Green, Edward C, sergt., co. H, 1.8th Mich. Inf., 
London. 

Gallaway, James H., corp., co. 1, 1st Mich. Sharp 
Shooters, Milan. 

Guire, Benjamin, co. E, 193d Ohio Inf., Berlin. 

Griffy Daniel, co. L, 9tli Mich. Cav., Berlin. 

Grove, George I., co. K, 130th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Godfried, Lewis, co. D, 34th Ohio Inf., Raisinville. 

Gibson, William H., co. A, 4th Mich. Inf., Raisin- 
ville. 

Gates, John C. G., co. D, 9th Mich. Inf., Raisinville. 

Gesley, Eugene, co. K, 24lh Mich. Inf., Ash. 

Graves, Horace N , co. A, 76th N. Y'. Inf., Ash. 

Glean, Augustus, co. D, 7th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Gardner, Lewis, co. B, .5th Mich. Cav., Dundee. 

Galloway, Jerome B., 1st lieut. co. A, 11th Mich. Inf., 
Dundee. 

Gee, Truman co. C, 1st Mich. Sharp Shooters, Dun- 
dee. 

Hayes, Thomas E., com. sergt., co. A, 2Sth Ind. Inf., 
Monroe City. 

Haight, William F., capt., 2d Ohio Bat., 2d Ohio L. 
Art., Monroe City. 

Haag. George, co. G, 5th Mo. Inf., Monroe City. 

Hagan, William, co. G, 120th Ohio Inf., Monroe City. 

Heminover, Peter, corp., 4th Bat., N. J. Art., Ida. 

Heu, Daniel, co. A, 124th Ohio Inf., Frenchtown. 

Holt, William S., co. G, 14th Ohio Inf., Bedford. 

Hadley, Marquis, co. F. 26th Mich. Inf., Bedford. 

Hartsel, James VI., co. G, 42<1 Ind. Inf., Bedfonl. 

Hartz, Jacob H., co. D, 80th Ohio Inf., Bedford. 

Hubble, Wheeler, co. B, 4th Mich. Cav., Bedfonl. 

Hitchcock, Elisha B., 1st sergt., co. E, 19th Iowa 
Inf., Bedford. 

Harrington, B. P., co. L, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 
Bedford. 

Hendricks, Benjamin W., capt., co. G, 24th Mich. 
Inf., Dundee. 

Hilton, Joseph S., sergt., co. K, ISth Mich. Inf., 
Dundee. 



THE WAK or THE REHELLION. 



fiOl 



Hunperford, Elon G., co. H, i'tli Midi. Inf., Itedford. 
Hough, George W., sergt., co. E, 17tli Mifli. Inf., 

Diinilee. 
Hart.shorn, Sumner F., drummer, co. C, 12th Iowa 

Inf., Dundee. 
Ilarwood, Edwin, co. K, lltli Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Hunt, Alfred G., co. E, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Huj.'gett, Charles C, co. A, (1th Mich. H. A., Dundee. 
Hinsdale, George, corp., co. H, ISth Mich. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Uurd, George W., 2d lieut., co. B, KSth Mich. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Hamlin, Asaliel, co. D, 0th Mich. Cav., La Salle. 
Iluran, James, Corp., co. A,24tli Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
Herkimer, R. C, co. K, 18th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
HufiTman, Daniel, co. I, 12th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
Hammer, Jacob, co. — , 1.5th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
Hoffman, John, co. K, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 

Exeter. 
Hunter, Silas, co. E, 52d Ma.ss. Inf., Sumraerfield. 
Hilldebrant, Albert, co. E, 115th N. Y. Inf., Summer- 
field. 
Ilolton, George S., co. H, ISth Mich. Inf., London. 
Herkimer, Henry H., co. K, olh Midi. Cav., London. 
Haight, George D., musician, co. H, ISth Mich. Inf., 

London. 
Hope, William, co. C, 29th Iowa Inf., London. 
Howard, Reuben S., sergt., co. D, 14th N. Y. II. Art.. 

Milan. 
Hatford, Jacob I., co. C, 186th N. Y. Inf., :\Iilaii. 
Howe, Daniel C, 1st sergt., V. R. C, Milan. 
Ilazen, Nelson T., co. G, 4th Mich. Inf., Milan. 
Hitchcock, Alonzo, co. E, 7th Mich. Cav., Milan. 
Holmes, E. N., co. I, 130th Ohio Inf., Berlin. 
Ilob.irt, Luther, co. F, 2tith Mich. Inf., Whitcford. 
Hotchkiss, Arthur, co. K. 2.")ih Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 
Hayward, William, co. K, 24th Mich. Inf., Whiteford. 
Holsen, Christian, co. — , KH! Ohio Inf., Erie. 
Hilton, Edward, sergt , co. M, 8th Mich. Cav , Erie. 
Hood, George W., co. B, 5th Mich. Cav., Ash. 
Hollenberg, George, co. K, 23d Ohio Inf., Dundee. 
IngersoU, Richard P., capt., co. H, 18th Mich. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Irish, George, co. K, .3d Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Ikle, Frederick, co. A, lS9th Ohio Inf., Suramertielil. 
Ingraham, Richard, ord. sergt., co. B, 144th Ohio 

Vol. Guards, London. 
Jacobs, Eli, co. D, 24th Mich. Inf., Ida. 
Johnson, Baxter, co. F, 7th Midi. Inf., Frenchtown. 
Janney, Elwood, 2d lieut., co. A, 18th Mich. Inf., 

Bedford. 
Johnson, Miles B., co. D, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Johnson, Charles M., co. H, 3d Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Jackson, Geo. W., asst. surg., co. E, 18lh Mich. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Jackson, James J., sergt., co. I, 17th Mich. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Juditt, John, lO. K, !»th Mich. Inf.. Dundee. 
Johnston, Hiram, co. B, 47th Ohio Inf., E.xoter. 
Johnson, Wallis, co. L, 1st Mich. Engs., Summerfield. 
Johnson, Albert C, sergt. co. E, 14th Mich. Inf., 

Summerfield. 



Jones, Samuel D., asst. surg., 15th Mich. Inf., Sum- 
merfield. 

Johnson, James E., co. I, 17th Mich. Inf., Lon<lon. 

Jacob, Hiraui, co. I, 15lh Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Jacob, Theodore, sergt., co. K, :5d Mich. Cav., Milan. 

Johnston, George, co. C, 5th Mich. Cav., Milan. 

Johnson, George, co. I, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 
Milan. 

Jackson, John,co. H, Slh N. Y. Cav., Berlin. 

Jefls, John, co. I, 130th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Jacobs, Frederick, co. B, 15th Mich. Inf., Whiteford. 

Jones, Franklin, co. B, — th Ohio Inf., Whit(^ford. 

Johnson, Abraham H., corp., co. K, 3d Midi. Cav., 
Dundee. 

Kirchner, George, corp., co. G, Kith Midi. Inf., 
Monroe City. 

Kehn, Benedict, co. G, 82d III. Inf., Monroe City. 

Kirschmaier, Theodore, co. C, 130th Ohio Inf., Mon- 
roe City. 

Kreiidiauf, Conrad, co. G, 5tli Mo. Inf., Monroe City. 

Kronliach, Adam, co. A, 4tli Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 

Keifer, Joseph, co. E, 9th Mich. Inf., Ida. 

Keller, Edward, co. K, ISth Mich. Inf., Bedford. 

Karr, Philander, co. I, Stii Midi. Inf., Bedford. 

Kent, Allen A., co. D, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Kelley, Robert, co. A, 17th Mich. Inf., LaSalle. 

Knaggs, Daniel, co. B. 18th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 

Kenier, Eli H., co. C, 5th Mich. Cav., Milan. 

Knowles, James, co. C, 17tli Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Kline, John, sergt., co. B, 14th Ohio Inf., Erie. 

Kiiiierling, John, corp., co. I, 72d Ohio Inf., Raisin- 
ville. 

Knajip, Frederick, co. E, (ith U. S. Cav.. Raisinville. 

Keplinger. George, co. I, S7tli Pa. Inf., Monroe Town. 

Kentz, Charles P., co. — , 12(;tli N. Y. Inf., Ash. 

Kirby, R. R., M. D., surg., 11th Midi. Cav., Sum- 
merfield. 

Lehr, Adam, co. K, 11th Mich. Inf.. Monroe City. 

Luce, Constant, col., 17th Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 

Landenslager, William, co. D, 159tli Ohio Inf., Mon- 
roe City. 

Lazette, Cyrille, co. B, 15th Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 

Labeen, Frank, co. B, 21st Reg. U. S. Regulars, Mon- 
roe City. 

Laiidon, George M., cai>t., co. B, 4tli Midi. Cav., 
Monroe City. 

Labeau, Philip, co.C,5tli Midi. Cav., Frederick town. 

Langton, Martin, sergt., co. H isih Mich. Inf., 
Frenchtown. 

Lockwood, Elmyer, co. D, 4th Mich. Inf., Dumlee. 

Leil), Michael, co. G, 9tli Mich. Inf., Dnn.iee. 

LaYoiinge. Clement, co. K, loth Midi. Inf., Dundee. 

LeibstofT, Frederick, co. E, 9th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Lloyil, Isaac, co. A, listb Ohio Inf., Dundee. 

Lofter, Warren B., co. D, 7tli Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

I>ofter, William F., co. G, iith Mich. H. Art., Dumlee. 

Libby, Oliver, co. I, 17tli Mich. Inf.. Dundee. 

Laisey, John G., co. \, 4tli Jlicli. Inf.. LaSalle. 

Lagincss, Paul, co. X. ISth Midi. Inf., LaSalle. 

Luckey, Bernard, co. H, 24th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 

Liverman, William, co. 11, 14tli Ohio Inf., London. 

Leidle, Rhinehart, co. B, 12th Mich. Inf., London. 



5(52 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Li'idle, Albert, co. B, 12th Mich. Inf., London. 

Lamkins, Elijah M., co. I, 11th Mich. Inf., London. 

Lamkin, Oliver C, co. K, 5th Mich. C<av., London. 

Loyd, Myron, co. C, 101st N. Y. Inf., Milan. 

Lampson, William, co. G, ;!Oth Ind. Inf., Milan. 

Lprt, Silas W., co. E, 1st Mich. Cav., Milan. 

Lamkin, .Vnios W.. corp., co. K, 15th iNIicli. Inf., 
Milan. 

Libby, Hiram, co. G, ilth Mich. Cav., Milan. 

Lemerand, Eli, co. E, 7th Mich, luf., Berlin. 

Lenierand, Thomas, co. E, 7th Mich. Inf.. Berlin. 

Larabclle, David, co. H, 11th re-organized Mich. 
Inf., Berlin. 

Lezette, John B,, corp , co. E, 7th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 

Lemerand, Daniel, co. E, 7th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 

Lafieur, Frederick, co. C, 5th Mich. Cav., Berlin. 

Little, Francis, co. B, r2.3d Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

LaPoint, Mo,ses, col. B. V. T., 15th Mich. Inf., Erie. 

Lewis, Joseph, co. I), 19th Mich. Inf., Erie. 

Laginess, Paul, co. A, 18th Mich. Inf., Erie. 

Lamkins, William, sergt., co. D, 7th Mich. Inf., Rais- 
inville. 

Langs, Enoch F., co. G, 24th Mich. Int., Ash. 

Lautcnschlager, Sanuiol L., co. A, 24th Mich. Inf., 
Ash. 

Laura, William, co. K, 24th Midi. Inf , Ash. 

Lutz, Henry, co. M, 2d Reg. U. S. IL A., Summcrfield. 

Lai<l, James, co. B, 21st Ohio Inf., Sunimerfield. 

Mitchell, Leonard, <'orp., co. I, 2(.ith Wis. Inf., Mon- 
roe City. 

Mitcliell, Andrew, co. E, 51st Wis. Inf.. Monroe City. 

Mei-ser, Herman, co. G, !t7th Pa. Vols., Monroe City. 

McOiuber, George W., landsman Steamer Michigan, 
U. S. navy, Monroe City. 

Manard, Gilbert, co. I), 9th Mich. Cav., Monroe City. 

Mose.s, E Iwin, sergt., co. F, 15th Mich. Inf., bla. 

Miller, William, co. G, 9th Mich. Inf., Ida. 

McFetridge, Samuel, com.-sergt , 7th Mich. Inf., Ida. 

McKay, James, co. C, 14th Ohio Inf., Ida. 

Metty, Isaac, co. G, 9th Mich. Cav., Frenchtown. 

Manard, James N., co. A, 1st Mich. Cav., Frenchtown. 

Murphy, Levi, 2d corp., co. B, 189th Ohio Inf., Bed- 
ford. 

Morgan, Josiah G., sergt., co. G, 8th Mich. Cav., 
Dundee. 

Miller. L. Dudley, co. E, 15th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

McBride, Cyrus H., co. K, 1st Mich. Cav., Dundee. 

Merritt, Cieorge, corp., co. H, 18th Mich. Inf., 
Dundee. 

Morse, Henry P., co. G, 15th N. Y. Engs., Dundee. 

Miller. Homer, corp., co. H, ISth Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Miller, Frank H., co. I, 15th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Mason, Walter, 2d surg., co. E, 2d. IT. S. Reg. Cav., 
Dundee. 

Mitchell, Alonzo, co. I, Kilst N. Y. Inf., Dundee. 

Munger, E. 0., co. D, 7th Midi. Inf , Dundee. 

Miller, Josiah, co. K, 9th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Mugg, George II., sergt., co. B, l(39th Ohio Inf., 
Dundee. 

Morse, Isaac, co. C, 17th Micii. Inf. .Dundee. 

Mosnberger, Andrew, co. B, 15th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 

Mcll honey, James, co. B, 24th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 



Moses, Henry, co. F, ]5tli Mich. Inf., E^xeter. 

Mettler, Bennett, co. I, 14th Mich. Cav. 

McManes, Owen, co. B, 17th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
. Miller, John G., co. K, 18th Mich. Inf., Summerfield. 

Moore, Truborn, co. I, 144th Ohio Inf., Summerfield. 

:\Iiller, John, co. K, bsth Mich. Inf., .Summerfield. 

Mears, Isaac, co. I, 145th Ohio Art., Summerfield. 

Millage, Abraham, Steamer Lafayette, London. 

Moyrer, Willliam, sergt., co. H, 18tli Mich. Inf., 
London. 

Miller. James S., co. F, 22d ^Nlich Inf., London. 

Marshall, Paden, co. A, 5th Mich. Cav., Milan. 

iNIillor, Nicholas, co. E, 1st. Mich. II. Art., Milan. 

Miliiiger, Lewis, co. A, loth Ind. Cav., Milan. 

McFall, Daniel, sergt., co. E, 17th Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Mettler, Marshall H., 2d corp., co. F, Inf., 

Berlin. 

Montri, John, co. H, 17th Mich. Inf., Whiteford. 

McMeekin, Samuel, co. K, Uth Mich. Inf., White- 
ford. 

Murjihy, Natlianiel, Corp., co. L, 1st Mich. Engs. and 
Mechs., Whiteford. 

Murphy, Harmon, co. L, Ist Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 
Whiteford. 

Miller, B. C, co. A, 189th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Morse, George IL, sergt., co. E, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav., 
Whiteford. 

McDowell, Fowler, CO. A. 189th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Montgomery, Edward L., co. K, 25tb Ohio Inf., 
Wbitef.ird. 

Manore, Samuel, co. M, sth .Mich. Inf., Erie. 

Morris. Joseph W., artificer, bat. C, 1st Reg. L. Art.; 
Raisinville. 

Michael, Adam, corp., co. M, 10th N. Y. Cav., Rais- 
inville. 

Mclntire, John A., co. K, ISth Mich. Inf., Raisinville. 

Moses, Henry W., co. H, 3d Ohio Cav., Raisinville. 

Marsh, Philip, co. D, ]82d Ohio Inf., Monroe Town. 

McKay, Alexander, corp., co. B, (i7th Ohio Inf., 
Monroe Town. 

INIcNabb, John, co. K, 2!st Mich. Inf., Ash. 

Moore, (Jeorge A., co. A, 24th Mich. Inf., Ash. 

McCoUum, Alfred, co. H, 9tli Mich. Inf., Ash. 

McKenzie, Robert, co. H, — N. Y. Cav., Ash. 

Mclntyre, Josepli, co. C, litli Mich. H. Art., Ash. 

McCartv, Jacob, co. K, 6th Mich. H. Art., Summer- 
field.' 

MouKon, Joseph, corp., co. C, 15th Ohio Inf., Dundee. 

Miller, William R., Corp., co. B, 2(ith Mich. Inf., 
Dundee. 

Morgan, Richard W., co. C, 17tli Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Mills, Sylvester, co. M, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 
Dundee. 

Nelson, Frank B., co. A, 4th Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 

Ninis, Frederick A., 1st lieut., co. A, 5th Mich. Cav., 
Monroe City. 

Navarre, Jnlius, CO. F, 17th .Midi. Inf., Frenchtown. 

Naileau, Joseph, co. I), 9th .Mich. Cav., Frenchtown. 

Nixon, John. co. A, 1st Mich. Inf , Dundee. 

Noble, Simon, corp., co. M, ]98lh Pa. Inf., Dundee. 

Newberry, W. J., co. D, 198th Ohio Inf., Dundee. 

Newell, Nathaniel, co. B, 11th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 



THE WAR OF THE REHELLION. 



r»o:i 



Nestle, Williiiin 11., serjrf. eo. I), 2d N. Y. Art., 
J ji Salle. 

Netclier, Peter, co. L, 3d Ohio Cav., Raisinville. 

Navarre, Alexamler T., adjt., 7th Mich. Inf., .Monroe 
Town. 

Olmsted, James, M lieut., eo. F, lllh Ivy. Cav., Mon- 
roe City. 

( iverineyer, Kdward, eo. G, KSitth Ohio Inf., French- 
town. 

Owen, John H., co. E, 1st Mich. Cav., Dundee. 

( )sterhout, James, co. E, 1st Mich. Cav., Dundee. 

Owen, James, eo. I, 17th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

o'Connel, Moses, co. H. 103d Ohio Inf., E.xeter. 

o'Donnal, Thomas, co. E lltli Mich. Cav., Kxetor. 

Ordway, Isaac, co. A, I7th Mich. Inf., Vv'hiteford. 

Ostrandcr, Ixjuis, co. F, 14th Oliio Inf., Whiteford. 

Peck, Charles L., capt., co. D, laitli N. Y. Inf., .Mon- 
roe City. 

Pousha, Lambert, co. C, 14th Ohio Inf., Monroe City. 

Paul, George D., sergt., co. A, 4th Mich. Inf., Monroe 
City. 

Peyton, Hamilton, co. C, 6th Ohio Cav., Ida. 

Pratorious, George, co. D, 14th Ohio Inf., Ida. 

Peltier, John, co. K, 18th Mich. Inf., Frenchtown. 

I'ettit, Berton J., co. I, l-'th Ohio Cav., Bedf.jrd. 

Pratt, Edson M., capt., co. G, iL'th Ills. Cav., Bed- 
ford. 

Petee, Cyrel, corp., co. H, 1.5th Mieh. Inf., Bedford. 

Phurdun, Phila.ster, eo. II, l.Sth Mieh. Inf., Dundee. 

Pulver, Wni. H., co. B, (Ith Wis. Inf., Dundee. 

Putnam, Simon S., co. D, 7th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Packard, Geo. M., co. D, 23d Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Parmester, Wm. H., eo. E, .5th Iowa Cav., Dundee. 

Pocklington, John A., bat. H, 2d Ills. L. A., Dundee. 

Pulver, Horace, co. A, 13th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Pomeroy, Norman G., co. K, 3d Mieh. Cav., Dundee. 

Petfer, Jacob, co. F, 9th Pa. Cav., La Salle. 

Preston, Frederick M., co. G, S7th Ohio Inf., La Salle. 

Pearce, Louis, co. G, l(53d Ohio Inf., La Salle. 

Poast, George H., sergt., co. E,12th Ohio Cav. ,h;xeter. 

Pruden, George W., i-o. I, 1st Mieh. Sharp Sliooters, 
Exeter. 

Peck, Warren B., saddler, co. B, 7th Mieh. Cav., 
Summerlield. 

Pattee, Hiram, co. M, Sth Mieh. Cav., Summerlield. 

I'ettie, Thomas J.,co. I), 178th Ohio Inf., Summerlield. 

Parmer, Calvin, co. D, '.»7th N. Y. Inf., Summerfield. 

Payne, Jacob, co. M, 7th Mich. Cav., London. 

Pool, John, CO. H, l.Stli Mich. Inf., London. 

Pullen, Charles W., co. D, 9th Mich. Cav., Milan. 

Poupard, Samuel, co. K, 8th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 

Peters, Robert R., co. K. 24th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 

Pomeroy, Finnando E., eo. K, ISth Mich. Inf., 
Whiteford. 

Perry, I^uis, co. K, 18th Mieh. Inf., Whiteford. 

Powlesland, George W., co. K, Lsth .Mieh. Inf., 
Whiteford. 

Potter, James C, sergt., co. C, 145th Ohio Inf., Erie. 

Peat, Augustus, co. C, Ist Ohio Cav., Erie. 

Pou|>ard, Antoine, corp., co. (i, loth Mieh. Inf., 
Monroe Town. 

Parish, Barnard, sergt., co. A, 24th Mich. Inf., Ash. 



Pattee, James, eo. B, 3l.st Iowa Inf., Ash. 

l'a<iuette, Nazareth, Dr., eo. C, 17th Mi('h. Inf., Sum- 
merfield. 

(iuayle, Jrdin, co. B, 14')th Ohio Inf., Dundee. 

Hoot, Jason, co. A, 41h Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 

Kapp, George, co. A, Sth N. Y. Inf., Monroe City. 

Kupp, .\dolphus, musician,14th01iiolnf. Regimental 
Band, Monroe City. 

Richardson. Malachi II., 2d m. sergt., 4th Ohio Cav., 
Monroe City. 

Robert, John B., eo. .V, 4th Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 

Robert, J. L, capt., co. G, 1.5lh Mich. Inf., Monroe 
City. 

Richardson, William B., corp., eo. K, 7tli Mich. Inf., 
Ida. 

Ruff, Zeperbin, co. II, 9tli Mieh. Inf., Frenchtown. 

Reynolds, Ornion, co. E, 1st Mieh. Cav.. Frenchtown. 

Rice, .\lden, co. A, 11th Alich. Cav., Frenchtown. 

Rose, Jacob, co. K, 32d Ohio Inf., Bedford. 

Rabadeau, Stephen, co. E, llth Mieh. Cav., Bedford. 

Ranch, Ephraim, co. II, 5Gth Pa. Inf., Bedford. 

Ranch, Peter, eo. II, 4th Mich. Inf., La Salle. 

Rotterdam, John G., corp., co. H, I2')th Ohio Inf., 
La Salle. 

Robert, Eli, co. .<., 1.5th Mich. Inf., La Salle. 

Reed, George W., cc C, 1st Mich. Art., La Salle. 

Reinhardt, Ferdinand, CO. K, 12sth Ohio Inf., Sum- 
merfield. 

Royal, Robert, co. D, 1st Mich. Cav., London. 

Reeves, William C, co. H, ISth Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Riclianl.son, .\ddison, eo. K, 18th Mich. Inf., White- 
ford. 

Ragar, Aloise, eo. (i, :'.7th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Rouse, Henry, c)ri>., co. K, IStb Mieh. Inf., White- 
ford. 

Romele, Joseph, co. II, 1.5th Mich. Inf., Krie. 

Rean, Francis B., co. I), 19.5tli Ohio Inf., Erie. 

Riibideau, Edward, co. II, 17th Mich. Inf., Erie. 

Rabideau, Isadore, co. C, 18th Mich. Inf., Erie. 

Reeves, James C, co. D, ISth Mich. Inf., Raisinville. 

liajips, Christopher, Corp., co. K, loth .Mich. Inf., 
Raisinville. 

Ring, John, co. B, ()7th Ohio Inf., Raisinville. 

Roberts, Lyman co. I, ICOth Pa. Inf , Ash. 

Reynolds, Creydon F., co. K, (ilh Mich. 11. Art., Sum- 
merfield. 

Rankin, Orrin, nna.ssignc<l, 10th .Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Roach, Harvey F., co. K. 3il Mich, ('av., Dundee. 

Rodd, John, CO. D, 7th Mieh. Inf., Dundee. 

Rankin, Wm. II., co. C, ISih Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Rankin, John P., co. C, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Rankin, Josiah, co. G, 23d Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

Rowson, Stephen, CO. D, 7th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

.Sherman, Wilber, co. A, 1st Ohio Art., Monroe City. 

Sedelbaner, John, sergt., co. K, 1.5th Mich. Inf., 
Monroe ("ity. 

Saunders, Charles H., 1st lieut., co.C, 9lh Mich. Cav., 
Monroe City. 

Spalding, Henry, 1st lieut., eo. K, ISth .Mieh. Inf.. 
Monroe City. 

Spalding, George, brev. brig, gen., Cav. (.4tli) Div., 
Army Cumberland, Monroe City. 



564 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Sc-hafler, Leonard, co. G, 5th Mo. Inf., Monroe City. 

iShenevert, Frank, co. B.lSth Mich. Inf., Monroe City. 

Stum, Bernhart, co. C, 14th Ohio Inf., Monroe City. 

Shenevert, Adolplius, co. B, 15tli Midi. Inf., Monroe 
City. 

Soleau, F. X., major, co. G, l-'itli Mich. Inf., Monroe 
City. 

Spitaller, Peter, co. M, Sth Mich. Cav., Monroe City. 

Sodover, Aaron, co. K, 37tli Ohio Inf., Ida. 

Sizer, George W., co. A, :!d Oliio Cav., Ida. 

.Sclilunii), IMicliael, co. I, i)tli Mich. Inf., Ida. 

Strcetcr, diaries F., co. -, !)tli Midi. Cav., Ida. 

Spunn, Cliarles, co. K, lotli Mich. Inf., Frenchtown. 

Saucrante, Colunihns, co. K, 17th Midi. Inf., French- 
town. 

Swartz, John, co. I, 102d Ohici Inf., Frenclitown. 

Slick, Henry M., co. H, 1.5th Midi. Inf., Bedford. 

Slieppcrd, Andrew J., corp.. co. 1), 10th C)liio Cav., 
Bedford. 

Sulier, Jcihn B., 4tli corp., co. I, i:30tli Ohio Inf., 
Bedfonl. 

Spaldwin, George, co. B, 17tli Mich. Inf., Bedford. 

Stump, John, cO. — , 17tli Mich. Inf., Bedford. 

Salters, Nelson, co. M. Sth N. Y. Cav., Bedford. 

Slietleroe, John, co. K, l.stli Mich. Inf., Bedford. 

Spots, Rufus CO. H, 17th Mich. Inf., Bedford. 

Smith, Jasper N., co. K, 18th Midi. Inf., Bedford. 

Smith, Obid, sergt., co. I, 130th Ohio Inf., Bedford. 

Sparks, James, corp., co. H, 101st Ohio Inf., Dunf^ee. 

Shock, Flavius J., co. I, 11th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 

Shock, Henry, co. D, 18th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 

Shceftter, Lee, sergt., co. E, 1.5th Pa. Cav., Exeter. 

Scovy, James, co.C, 1st Mich. Sharpshooters, Exeter. 

Stuart, William, co. A, 4th Mich. luf., Exeter. 

Saxon, John, co. I, 2d Ohio Cav., Summertield. 

Sayers, (ieorge C, co. K, .50th N. Y. Engs., Summer- 
tield. 

Sanfurd, Reuben, co. H, ISth Mich Inf., London. 

Suell, Burton H., co. I, 37th Ills. Inf., London. 

Shipman, Daniel B., sergt., co. I, Uth Mich. Cav., 
London. 

Strickland, Arthur, sergt., co. I, Gth Mich. H. Art., 
London. 

Smith, Hor,itio H., sergt., co. I), 7th Mich. Inf., 
London. 

Snell, Milton W., co. I, 37th Ills. Inf., London. 

Sherwood, Homer, co. I, uth Mich. Cav,, ^lilan. 

Stoddard, John M., co. H, ISth Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Shaler, Andrew, co. B, 18th Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Smith, Dennis, corp., co. D, 7th Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Sampel, Samuel, co. D, 1st Vet. N. Y. Cav., Milan. 

Spear.s, David C, co. B, 104th N. Y. Inf., Milan. 

Stebbins, Sylvester, co. A, 4th Midi. Cav., Milan. 

Sloan, A. M., co. F, Gth Mich Art., Milan. 

Sherman, John G., co. G, 23d Mich. Inf.. Milan. 

Smith, Henry, co. C, 18th Mich. Inf., Milan. 

Sliippie, George W., CO. D, 11th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 

Schenavare, Julius L., co. I, 11th Midi. Inf., Berlin. 

Saucrainte, Moses, co. A, ISDth Ohio Inf., Berlin. 

Sigler, John L., co. D, 4th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 

Slick, Jacob L., co. A, 18th Mich. Inf., Whiteford. 

Sulier, John, co. H, ISth Mich. Inf., Whiteford. 



Smitli, Samuel S., co. A, 177th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 
Shosberger, John, co. B, 12th Mich. Inf., Raisinville. 
Schafer, George, co. I, 9th Mich. Inf., Riiisinville. 
Sorter, Justus, co. I, 0th Mich. Inf., Raisinville. 
Sype, John, en. B, 49th Ohio Inf., Monroe Town. 
Stilhvdl, Jonathan, co. A, 7tli Mich. Inf., Monroe 

Town. 
Steiner, Martin, co. A, 17th .Mich. Inf., Ash. 
Southworth, William, co. G, 24th Mich. Inf., Ash. 
Swinerton, Andrew, co. E, llth Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Swinerton, Charles, co. E, llth Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Saunders, Aaron, co. B, 18th Ohio Inf., Dundee. 
Snyder, Addison, co. K, loth Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Spalding, Norton P., co. F, 1st Mich. Engs. and 

Mechs., Dundee. 
Stockman, Charles A., co. B, 20th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Smith, Benjamin, co. K, 100th Ohio Inf., Dundee. 
Soles, Thomas B., co. B, new 4th Midi. Inf., Dundee. 
Smith, H. W., co. H, 30th Mich. Inf., Dundee 
Smith, Lucian B., co. F, 4th Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Stewart, Henry A., co. L, 2d Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Soules, Sylvanus, co. B, 4th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Southard, Robert M., co. F, 1st Mich. Engs. and 

Mechs., Dundee. 
Scliultz, Christian, Corp., co. K, 15tli Mich. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Slayton. James J., co. H, 18th Midi. Inf., Dundee. 
Slayton, Ebenezer, co. A, 1st Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Spalding. Henry C, 1st sergt., co. E, llth Mich. Cav., 

I>undee. 
Spalding, Julius H., .3d sergt., co. K. 18th Mich. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Spalding, John Q., co. E. 1st Mich. Inf.. Dundee. 
Smith, John E , corp., co. I.20lh Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Smith, Columbus, co. I, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Smith, Daniel, co. G, 9th Mich. Cav., Dundee. 
Squires, Asa, co. H, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Squires, Jerome B., co. H, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Smith, John H., co. K, 18th Mass. Inf., Dundee. 
Townsend, Louis J., co. I,8tli Vt. Inf., Monroe City. 
Thayer, William, co. F, llth Mich. Cav., Ida. 
Thorn, Daniel W., co. B, Uth Ohio Inf., Bedford. 
Trombley, Frank, co. G, 15th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 
Tyler, Michael G., co. H, 1st Ohio L. Art., Sum- 
mertield. 
Trombley, Lew^is, co. M, .sth Mich Cav., Snmmerfield. 
Teal, Charles W., co. C, tith Midi. H. Art., London. 
Taylor, Nelson, corp., co. F, Gth Mich. H. Art., Milan. 
Tierney, James, co. K, 1st Mich. Cav., Milan. 
Tucker, Alfred, co. A, 9th Mich. Inf., Whiteford. 
Trombley, Eli, co. K, 18tli Mich. Inf., Whiteford. 
Tabbot, Charles, co. B, 176th Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 
Tabbot, August, co. B, lOOtli Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 
Tubbs, Orris F, co E, 1st. Mo. Engs., Whiteford. 
Teil, Timothy, co. K, ISth Mich. Inf., Erie. 
Tyler, Daniel E., co. B, 5th Mich. Inf., Ash. 
Taylor, David E.. sergt, co. D, 9tli Mich. Cav., A.sh. 
Thayer. Benjamin, co. H, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs. 

Summertield. 
Totten, Joseph IL, sergt., co. D, 30th Mich. Inf., 

Dundee. 
Tappan, Richard, co. F, 2Gth Mich. Inf., Dundee. 



THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



505 



TaiJpan, Martin, unassigned, Dundee. 

l'p.ll, Moses, CO. K, nth Mich. Inf., Kxeler. 

Van.\kin, Simeon, co. C, 1st U. S. Sharp Shooters, I<hi. 

VanWormer, .\aron .J., co. I, ISOtli Oliio Inf., Bedford. 

VanXest, P.. co. E, !)th Mi.'h Inf., Dundee. 

Villette, Cliarles, co. K, 14th U. S. Inf., Milan. 

\'ans<hoick, Franklin, co. F, 2M\ Mich Inf., .Milan. 

Valerance, David, co. G, 24th Mich. Inf., Berlin. 

VanTas.-^el, Samuel, co. K, lUth Ind. Inf., Whiteford. 

Vesey, Edwin, co. K, 24tli Mich. Inf., Whiteford. 

Vanhouten, James, corp.. co. K,24th Mich. Inf., .\sli. 

Van.schoick, J., co. B, 1st Mich. Cav., Dundee. 

X'anZant, Tunis, co. F, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 
Dundee. 

Vandercook, Henry, co. D, 18th Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

VanPelt, Ferdinand, co. E, 1st Mich. Cav., Dundee. 

VanXest, James, co. I, 17th Mich. Inf., Dunilee. 

Vreeland, Wilts, co. H, 18th Midi. Inf., Summerfield. 

Wajrner, Joseph F, co. F., 4tli Mich. Cav., Monroe 
City. 

Wonde, Ricliard, bugler, co. B, .ith l'. S. Cav., Mon- 
roe City. 

Wagner, Levi, co. K, isth Midi. Inf., Monroe City. 

Whipple, John, co. A, 4th Midi. Inf., Monroe City. 

Webb, Egbert, sergt., co. C, .5th Mich. Cav., Monroe 
City. 

Warthen, Perry, co. H, 31st Ohio Inf., Monroe City. 

Webl), Rollin F., lieut., co. C, otli Mich. Cav.. French- 
town. 

Whetmill, George, co. M, 8th Mich. Cav., Bedford. 

Wright, William, co. D, 1st Ohio L. Art., Dundee. 

Wheeler Charles B., co. D, 1st Bat., IGtli U. S. Inf., 
Dundee. 

Winnis, George, co. E, l.Sdth Ohio Inf., LaSalle. 

Wenzel, George, co. K, 25th Ohio Inf., Exeter. 

Walters, Joseph, co. C, 17th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 

Wright, Andrew, co. A, 24th Mich. Inf., Exeter. 

Wadsworth, Elihu H., capt., co. D, Kilst U. S. C. 
Inf., Summerfield. 

Woodbury, Lyman, co, K, istli Mich. Inf., Sum- 
merfield. 

Weathers, Charles, co. K, l-")tli Midi. Inf., Summer- 
field. 

Wilson, Isaac, G Bat., (itli Mich. II. Art., London. 

White, Levi E., co. I, 11th .Mich. Inf., London. 

Wescott, Winant, co. K, Sd N. Y. Art., Milan. 

Woocard, William, co. H, hsth Midi. Inf., Milan. 

Wenderhousen, Frederick, co. C, 1st Mich. Sharp 
Shooters, Milan. 

Wilcox, William H., orderly sergt., co. F, 4tli Mich. 
Inf., Milan. 

Winters, M. L., co. A, 4th Midi. Cav., Milan. 

Warner, Daniel, co. H, Isth Midi. Inf., Milan. 

Wheeler, Albert, co. K, .52d Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Ward, Jared, orderly, co. F, 2ilth Miili. Inf., White- 
ford. 

Whiting, Dayton P., co. G, 12th 111. Cav., Whiteford. 

WorKlbury, Albert, co. E, li7tli Ohio Inf., Whiteford. 

Whajiker, Harmon, co. I, lil7th Ohio Inf.. Whiteford. 

Wo..llen, Samuel, co. G,9tli Midi. Inf., Erie. 

Wagner, Jacob, co. E, 1st Ohio Inf., Erie. 

Wilson, Isaiah, co. B, I'Otli Ohio Inf., Raisinville. 



Watson, William C, co. A, 4tli Mich. Inf., Ash. 
Wallace, John P., co. G, 7lh Ohio V. C. Cav., Ash. 
Warner, Edward J., co. E, l-itli .Mich. Cav., Ash 
Woodard, Robert R., co. B, ISth Mich. Inf., Ash. 
Wright, John W., co. C. 23d Iowa Inf., Dundee. 
Witherson, Justus S., corp., co. A, iUli Mich. Cav., 

Dundee. 
Wheeler, Samuel, co. II, 7tli Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Wilcox. Jacob, co. E, 1st Mich. Cav.. Dundee. 
Warner, Marshall, co. B, .5tli Midi. Cav., Dundee. 
Wilson, John, co. B, ISth Mich. Inf., Dundee. 
Yost, Michael, co. F, I02d Ohio Inf., Summerfield. 
Youngs, Eber, co. B, 7th Mich. Cav., London. 
Zimmeiman, Jos.,co. K, 1.5th Mien. Inf., Frenchtown. 
Zorn. Lewis, co. L, 3d Ohio Cav., Raisinville. 
Zeliff, James S., co. M, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs., 

Dundee. 
Zeliir, Charles H., co. II, Isth Mich. Inf., Dundee. 

MICHIGAN RKCMMEXTS. 

A hirgc proportion of tlic enlistments (rom 
Monroe county were in the Fourth, Seventh, 
Fifteenth, Seventeenth, Eigiiteenth Regiments, 
and large nunilier enlisted in the Twenty- 
fourth Infantry and Fiftli Cavahy, and the com- 
panies organized in Monroe county only will re- 
ceive attention in tlie limited space allowed in 
this work, although a full account of enlistments 
from Monroe county is given in alphabetical 
list, to wiiich the reader is referred 

THE l-OlRTIt RKGI.ME.NT 

Of infantrj' was recruited mostlj'on aline run- 
ning from Monroe county along through tiie 
southern tier of counties westward, including 
i^t. .loseph county, and was organized by Colo- 
nel Dwight A. Woodburv, of Adrian. The 
field officers were: Dwight A. Woodbuiy, 
colonel, of Adrian ; William W. Duflield. lieu 
tenant colonel, of Detroit; Jonathan W. 
Childs, major, Ypsilanti. 

This regiment enlisted under the first call for 
three months men. At the formation of the regi- 
ment the companies received an alphabetical 
designation. The Smith Guards were desig- 
nated Company A ; Constant Luce, of .Monroe, 
captain; John M. Oliver, of Monroe, first lieu- 
tenant ; A. Morell Eose, second lieutenant. 

In command of Dwight A. Woodburv tho 
regiment left its rendezvous at Adrian for 
Washington June 25, 1S61, numbering on tiio 
I'olis 1,025 officers and men, and arrived in that 
city .luly 2d and went into camp with the Sec- 
ond and Thir<l Michigan, near the chain bridge 
above Georgetown. 



566 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



This regiment aided largely, as also did the 
Second, Third and Fifth Regiments, in the con- 
struction of the defenses of Wasliington. Were 
subsequently engaged at Hanover Court House 
May 27, 1862, at Mechanicsville June 26th, and 
on tlie 27th at Gaines Hill; also at Savage Sta- 
tion June 29th, at Turkey Bend June 30th, at 
White Oak Swamp on the same day, and on 
July Ist at Malvern Hill, where it became con- 
spicuously engaged, losing its colonel, with 
Captain A. M. Rose, of Monroe. After the 
death of Colonel Woodbury, Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Childs was promoted to the colonelc}'. When 
the campaign on the Peninsula ended, the 
Fourth Regiment returned with the army and 
entered on the " Pope campaign." Tliis regi- 
ment, in command of Colonel Childs, was also 
in the engagement at Gainesville, August 29, 
1862, Beese Run August 30th, at Antietam Sep- 
tember 17th following, at Shepardstown Ford 
September 20, 1862. The regiment returned 
again to the Potomac from the Maryland cam- 
paign ; was in the battle of Fredericksburg, 
December 13th and 14tli. Among the killed 
in the latter battle was Lieutenant James 
Clark. 

The regiment was al.so engaged at Snicker's 
Gap, Ya.., November 14, 1862 ; Fredericksburg, 
Va., December 13, 14, 1862; Morrisville, Va., 
December 30th and Slst; Uiiited States Ford, 
Va., January 1, 1863 ; Chaucellorsville, Va., 
May 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1863; Kelley's Ford, Va., 
January 9, 1863; Ashby's Gap, Va., June 21, 
1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 3, 4, 1863; Wil- 
liamsport, Md., July 12, 1863; Wapping 
Heights, Va., July 21, 1863; Culpepper, 
Va., October 13, 1863; Brandy Station, Va., 
October 13, 1863; Bristo Station, Va., October 
14,1863; Rappahannock Station, Va., Novem- 
ber 7, 1863 ; Cross Roads, Va., November 26, 
1863; Mine Run, Va., November 29, 1863; Wil- 
derness, Va., May 5, 6, 7, 1864; Laurel Hill, 
Va., May 8, 1864 '; Po River, Va., May 10, 1804 ; 
Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864; Ny River, 
Va , May 21, 1804; North Anna, Va., May 23, 
1864; Jericho Mills, Va., May 24, 1864; Noel's 
Turn, Va., May 26, 1864; Tolopotomy, Va., 
May 30, 1864; Magnolia Swamp, Va., June 1, 
1864; Bethesda Church, Va., June 2, 1864; 
Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864. 

The total membershijJ of the F'ourth had 
been during its service 1,32.5, while its losses 
were 273, of which 8 officers and 115 men were 



killed in action, 4 officers and 50 men died of 
wounds, and 1 officer and 95 men of disease. '' 

SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

The companies that composed the Seventh 
Regiment joined their regiment at Monroe. 
On the formation thereof the companies re- 
ceived an aljjhabetical designation, which 
they assumed in the regiment in place of their 
local names. The field and staff were : Col- 
onel, Ira R. Grosvenor, of Monroe; lieutenant- 
colonel, Frazoy M. Winans, of Moni-oe; major, 
Nathaniel B. Eldridge, Lapeer; adjutant, Hen- 
ry B. Landou, of Monroe. 

The Monroe Light Guards, designated as 
Company D, was officered by: Captain, Jame 
Darrah ; first lieutenant, Sylvanus W. Curtis; 
second lieutenant, Henry B. Landon ; all of 
Monroe. 

The Seventh Regiment left Monroe for Vir- 
ginia on the 5th of September, 1861, in com- 
mand of Colonel Ira R. Grosvenor, of 
Monroe, its muster rolls showing the 
names of 884 officers] and enlisted men. 
The regiment lay on the Upper Potomac 
during the winter and was engaged in 
the dis.astrous action at Ball's Bluff, being in 
Lauder's brigade of Stone's division. 

A few weeks after the Seventh reached the 
front, and while it was stationed on the Upper 
Potomac, near Leesburg, a. stand of silk regu- 
lation colors was purchased and given to it by 
Colonel Grosvenor, commanding. On one of 
the stripes was inscribed the motto, "Tuebor." 
In July, 1864, while in the field near Peters- 
burg, Corporal Williams brought for the regi- 
ment a flag of heavy blue silk, trimmed with 
gold fringe, presented by the ladies of Monroe, 
on which were embroidered the battles of the 
regiment. It was of rare beauty, and on it 
were also embroidered the State arms, with the 
motto '^Tuebor," surmounted by an eagle with 
a scroll, on which was inscribed, "Seventh 
Michigan Volunteers." Below the coat of arms 
was a double scroll, with the inscription, "For- 
lorn hope of Fredericksburg, December 11, 
1862," and underneath, "From the Ladies of 
Monroe." 

It followed McClellan to the Peninsula in the 
spring of 1862, was in the third brigade, sec- 
ond division, second corps, and sustained se- 
vere loss in the battles of that campaign, being 
engaged at Yorktown, April 4 to May 5; West 



THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



56' 



Point, Va., May 7; Fair Oaks, May 31 to Juno 
1 ; Peacli Orchard and Savage Station, .lime 
20; White Oak Swamp and GlenJaic, Juno 30; 
Malvern Hill, July 1 ; Bull Hun 2d, August 30. 

At Fair Oaks the Seventh was in Dana's 
brigade of Sumner's corps, and towards night 
of that fearful struggle the Conlederatos were 
pressing forward with great vigor, and the rcg 
inient became heavily engaged in tiie chai'ge 
referred to in the following notice: 

Lossing says : " For a monicnt the National 
line was bent and seemed ready to brenk, but 
the clear voice of IJurns calling out, 'Steady, 
men, steady!' gave them such inspiration that 
they broke into loud cheers and held the posi- 
tion firmly. In the face of their terrible vol- 
leys the Confederates pressed on and charged 
Brady's battery, whose murderous fire of can- 
ister, poured into their compact ranks, made 
fearful lanes and sent them back in confusion 
to the woods in their rear. Undismayed by 
their repulse and the loss of their chief ((ienor- 
al Johnston), the Confederates again advanced, 
just as darkness came on, and endeavored to 
outflank Sumner's right, where (ieneral Dana 
had joined Gorman. After figiiting heavily 
for some time Sumner ordered a ba^'onet 
charge by five of his regiments. This was 
bravely performed. The regiments leaped two 
fences between them and their foes, rushing 
upon the Confederate line, and broke it into 
dire confusion.'' 

Following the battle of Bull itun, the Sev- 
enth entered upon the Maryland campaign, in 
command of Colonel Norman .1. Hall, then a 
first lieutenant Fifih U. S. Artillery, a graduate 
of the Military Academj' from Michigan, who 
had been commissioned to the colonelcy of the 
regiment to rank from July 7th preceding, vice 
tirosvenor, resigned. 

At the battle of Antictam more than halt' 
its force engaged was disabled, .\mong the 
killed were Captain J. JI. Turrill, Lieutenant 
.1. I'. Eberhard, and Lieutenant John A. C'lark, 
while Captain Allen H. Zacharias was moi'tall3- 
wounded. The last two named, from Monroe. 

The limits of this work will not admit of 
following the Seventh Regiment through the 
numerous battles in which they were engaged, 
lint the liberty is taken to quote the interesting 
n'])ort of Major Sylvanus (hirlis, of Monroe, 
who succeeded to the command after the death 
of Colonel Steele, to show the part taken by 



this regiment in the inqiorlant battle of (let- 
tysburg. 

" On the evening of the first day of July, 18G3, 
this regiment, under the command of Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Steele, reached a ])oint sonie four 
miles south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and 
formed in line a short distance to the left of the 
road, and extending into the woods on the 
southern slope of a high and conical hill. Ln- 
inediately after arriving in jiosition ]}i(l<ets 
were thrown out on the left flank, antl a bi-east- 
work made of some rails lying near our line. 
The men then prepared and ate their suppers 
and lay on their arms. .\t 5 a. m. on the ne.\'t 
day it marched on the Gettysburg road to a 
point on Cemetery Hill, near the center of our 
line of battle. Here (his regiment, with the 
Fifty-Ninth New York, was ordered forward 
to the front to support a battery. We were 
posted about one hundred and fifty yard.'- to the 
left of the summit of the hill, about two acres 
of which was covered with a dense growth of 
small oaks; our left rested on the battery, our 
right was partially- concealed by a cluster of 
small trees and shrul)s. W'c had then ])resent 
fourteen officers and one hundred and fifty-one 
muskets Lnmediately on geUing into posi- 
tion barricades were made of rails, and partially 
screened from ob.servation by bushes. Skirmish- 
ing commenced in front of us immediately after 
getting into position, and continued until 4:l."j 
i>. M., when the enemy's artillery ojjened upon 
us, and a general artillery duel soon commenced, 
and continued without intermission until ") p. m., 
when the fire slackened, and their infantry 
columns were seen advancing on our line. 
Thej- succeeded in passing through between 
the guns of the battery on our left, driving .:he 
gunners from their jjosts. The line on our left 
gave way. and our flank was almost turned, 
but the enemy's line was fast melting away 
under the scathing tiro of our men, who re- 
mained unflinchingl3- at their ixists and they 
soon retired in utter confusion, leaving a larg'e 
number of dead and wounded. 

" They also left in front of us three stands of 
colors, which were picked up by other regi- 
ments who followed them up. A large num- 
ber of i)risoners fell into our hands, and were 
immediately sent to the rear, among them one 
colonel slightly wounded in one of his fingers, 
and several minor officers. This ended the 
fight for the day, and the men lay down supper- 



568 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



less about 10 o'clock to obtain what rest they 
could. Our loss was nine killed and ten 
wounded. At daylight on the 3d the enemy 
again opened a furious cannonade, but did us 
no harm, tiieir fire being principally directed 
to the artillery on cither side of us. This con- 
tinued until about nine o'clock, when all be- 
came quiet, except a desultory fire from pickets 
and sharpshooters on both sides. About half 
past 10 all firing ceased until 1 p. m., when the 
enemy fired a signal gun from the right of their 
line, which was instantly followed by the roar 
of all their artillery, which had been massed 
in the edge of the woods opposite us in such a 
manner as to bring this regiment nearly in the 
center of their fire. Owing to our peculiar 
situation in regard to their fire, not as much 
damage was done as would naturally be ex- 
pected from such a storm of missiles. Nearly 
all the shot and shell struck in front and 
ricochetled over us or passed us and burst in 
our rear. This continued until -i P. m., when 
their infantry columns were seen advancing. 
Orders were given the men to reserve their fire 
until the enemy was within short range. They 
soon came within a very short distance and our 
fire was opened on them « ith terrible effect, 
mowing them down by scores; still they came 
on till within a few yards of us, when the order 
was given to fix bayonets. The men expressed 
a determination to hold their works at all 
hazards. Many of the enemy at this time 
crawled on their hands and feet under the sheet 
of fire, and coming up to our lines, surrendered 
themselves prisoners. The enemy soon find- 
ing our fire too hot for them moved by the left 
flank and joined in the assault upon the crest 
of the hill, driving our line from their position. 
At this time Colonel Steele received an order 
to form the regiment nearly at right angles to 
its then ])osition, with the intention of attack- 
ing the enemy's right flank, which had become 
exposed. Owing to the great noise the order 
was not understood by anj^ except those nearest 
Colonel Steele. The rest of the officers, seeing 
the men, as they supposed, retreating, made all 
efforts to rally them. A part of them came 
back, the remainder .kept on with Colonel 
Steele, who advanced with them to the crest of 
the hill, when he fell, instantly killed with a 
bullet through his brain. The greater part of 
the regiment remained in their works, and did 
great execution by a well-directed fire upon 



the flanks of the enemy. The field was soon 
won, the enemy flying in great disorder. 
A great number of prisoners were taken 
and a large amount of small arms, am- 
munition, etc., were left upon the field. The 
men by this time had become very much ex- 
hausted from previous long marches, constant 
watchfulness, and having been destitute of food 
nearly two daj's, yet all were cheerful and 
worked during the night to improve their 
breastworks in the anticipation of an attack 
next morning. Though but one spade could be 
obtained the I'ails were nearly covered with 
earth by dayligiit. Most of the men worked 
till late in the night in bringing in and earing 
for the wounded. Our loss was twelve killed 
and thirty-four wounded, making the loss in 
both actions twenty-one killed and fourty-four 
wounded. The disproportionate number of 
killed arose from the fact that the men were 
partially protected by the breastworks of rails, 
and the greater part of those hit by the mis- 
siles of the enemy were hit in the head and 
upper ])art of the body. The 4th was spent in 
burying the dead, gathering up the arms left 
on the field, and taking care of the wounded. 
Too much cannot be said in j^raise of the con- 
duct of both officers and men. Where all did 
their duty to the fullest extent, it would seem 
invidious to particularize." 

The regiment was mustered out of ser- 
vice, and in command of Colonel LaPointe, 
reached Jackson, Mich., on the 7th, where it 
was paid off and disbanded. 

The Seventh was engaged at Ball's Bluff. Va., 
October 21, 18G1; Yorktown, Va., April 4 to 
May 4, 1862; West Point, Va., May 7, 1862; 
Fair Oaks Va., May 31 to June 1, 18C2 ; Peach 
Orchard, June 29, 1862; Savage Station, June 
29, 1862; While Oak Swamp, Va., June 30, 
1862; Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862; Malvern 
Hill, Va., July 1, 1862; Bull Kun, 2d, Va., 
August 30,1862; South Mountain, Md., Sep- 
tember 14, 1862 ; Antietam, Md., September 17, 
1862; Fredericksburg, Va., December 11, 12, 
and 13, 1862; Chancollor.sville, Va. May 3 and 
4, 1863; Haymarket, Va., June — , 1863; (let- 
tysburg, Penn., July 2 and 3, 1863; Falling 
Waters, Md., July 14, 1863; Bristo Station, 
Va., November 27, 1863; Kobertson's Tavern, 
Va., November 29, 1863; Mine Run, Va., No- 
vember 29, 1863; Wilderness, Va., Ma}' 5 and 
6, 1864; Po River, Va., May 10, 1864; Spott- 



THE WAR OF THE REBEI.T.ION. 



')t)9 



-ylvaiiiii. V:i., -May 12, lSt!4; Norlli Anna, \'a., 
-May 2■^, 18(54; Xy Hivcr, \a., May 24, 18t;4 ; 
Tolopotorny. Va.. Maj* 30 and 31 and June 1, 
\Sii4; Cold Harbor, Va.. June 3, 1864; Poters- 
liiirg, \'a.. June 18 au<l 22, 1864; Deep Bottom, 
\ a , July 27 an<l 28, 1864; Strawberry Plain.s, 
Va., August 14 and 17, 1864; Ream's Station, 
\'a., August 25, 1864; Boynton Road, Va., Oc- 
tober 27, 1864: Hatcher's Run, \ti., February 
."., 1865; Hatchers Run. Va., March 20, 1865; 
I at Tail Creek, Va., April 2, 1865; Farmvillc, 
\'a., .\pril 7, 1865; siege of Petersburg, \'a., 
from Juno 17, 1864, to April 3, 1865. 

It had a total membership of 1,393. Its 
losses were : Killed in action, 6 officers, 123 
men ; died of wounils, 5 officers, 47 men ; of 
disease, 3 officers, 154 men ; a total of 338 dtH- 
cers and men. 

FIFTEK.VTH UEGI.ME.NT. 

The Fifteenth Regiment rendezvoused at 
Monroe, was recruiteil by Colonel John M. Oli- 
ver, of that place. When the organization was 
completed it was mustered into service March 20, 
1862, and left its camp at Motiroe, in command of 
Colonel Oliver, March 27, 18(12, with 8(59 
names on its roll. 

The field and staff officers that were residents 
of ilonroe were: Colonel, John M. Oliver; 
adjutant. James G. McBride; quartermaster, 
Michael Twooniey. Company B, Richard Lor- 
finger, captain ; Moses A. LaPointe, first lieu- 
tt^naut ; James (>. McBride, second lieutenant. 
Comjiany F, Augustus H. Phelps, first lieuten- 
ant ; F, James F. Adams, second lieutenant ; 
(I, Francis X. Soleaii, second lieutenant; H, 
Samuel P. Clark, first lieutenant; I, (leorgeA. 
Strong, captain ; K, (Jeorge W. Bowlsb}-. cap- 
tain. 

The destination of the regiment was the 
armj' then serving with (ieneral Orant in Mis- 
sissippi. It reached Pittsburg Ijanding on the 
day before the battle of the Gth and 7th of 
April, 1862, and its participation in that ac- 
tion cost the regiment Captain (ieorge A. 
Strong, of Monroe. From (Jencral McCook's 
report, commanding second division of Buell's 
army, he says: " I take great pleasure in call- 
ing your attention to the conduct of Colonel 
Oliver, and operation of his regiment, the Fif- 
teenth Michigan. When my division was 
tiiarciiing on the field, (Joloncl Oliver, at the time 
unknown to me, re(|iiestcd the ]iriviiege to place 



himself under my command. His regiment 
was attached to General Rosseaii's brigade, and 
"luring the day was undei- the hottest fire, 
when he and his officers and men acted with 
conspicuous braver}'." 

I'p to November 1. 1862, the regiment had to 
participate in engagements and skirmishes: 
At Pittsburg Landing, April 6; Farmington, 
May 9; siege of Corinth, from May 10 to 31 ; 
luka, September 19; Chcwalla, October 1, and 
on the 3d and 4th at Corinth. It was immedi- 
ately after the liattle of Chewalla and Corinth 
that (Teneral l{osecrans made the folhjwing 
expression : " Well may Jliehigan be proud 
of the gallant Fifteenth Regiment.' Charles 
H. Barnaby, of Raisinville, was killed the 13th 
of August in a battle before Atlanta. 

The Fifteenth met the enemy at Pittsburg 
Jjanding, Tenn., April 6 and 7, 1862; Farm. 
iiigton, Afiss., May 9, 1862; siege of Corinth, 
Miss., May 10 to 31, 1862; luka, Miss., Sep- 
tember 19, 1862; Chewalla, Miss., October 1, 
1862; Corinth, Miss., October 3 and 4,1862; 
siege of Vicksburg, Mi.ss., June 1 1 to July 4, 
1863; Jackson, Miss., July 11 to 18, 1863; 
Resaca, (ia.. May 14, 1864; Big Shanty, Ga., 
June 15, 1864; Kenesaw, Ga., June 25, 1864; 
Decatur, Ga., July 20, 21, 1864; siege of At- 
lanta, July 22 to August 25, 1864; Atlanta and 
M. R. R., (!a., August 29,1864; Jone.sboro, <ia., 
August 31,1864; Lovejoy's Siation, Ca., Se|i. 
tember 2, 1864; Clinton, Ga, November 20, 
1864 ; Fort McAllister, Ga., December 13, 1864 ; 
Orangeburg, S. C, February' 14 and 15, 1865; 
Congaree Creek, S. C, February 15, 1865; 
Saluda Creek, S. C, February 16, 1865; Co- 
lumbia, S. C, February 17, 1865; Fayelteville, 
N. ('., March 13, 1865; Bentonville, N. C, 
March 19, 1865. 

The membership of the Fifteenth was 2 371, 
and its losses 337, as follows: Killed in action, 
2 officers and 48 men; I offi'ccr and 18 
men dicl of wounds; and of ilisease, 4 officers 
and 264 tnen. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 

The Seventeenth, the celebrated -'Stone- 
wall's regiment," was rendezvoused at Detroit. 
The foregoing roster of regiments will show a 
large number of enlistments from Monroe. Tiio 
organization of the regiment was commenced 
by (.'olonel Charles F. Pitman, of Detroit, 
whose excellent drill and discipline enabled 



570 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the roifiment to leave for tlu' front in :i very 
creditahle condition. It left Miclii^'an for 
Washington August 27, 18G2. with a force on 
its rolls of 982 officers and men, in command 
of Colonel William H. Withiug-ton, who had a 
short time before been commissioned as its 
commanding officer, and Constant Luce, of 
Monroe, as lieutenant colonel, and William E. 
Duffield, of Monroe, second lieutenant of Com- 
pany C. 

The regiment was attached to the First 
brigade, First division, Ninth corps, and imme- 
diately sent into the Maryland campaign with 
(ieneral McClellan, and in little more than t«o 
weeks after it left the State, was fiercely en- 
gaged in the hotly contested action of South 
Mountain, on September 14, 1862, whence it 
emerged with a loss of twenty-seven killed and 
one hundred and fourteen wounded. Among 
the wounded on the 24th at Antietam, was 
Lieutenant William E. Duffield, of Monroe, 
who ilied from his wounds, at Frederick (Uty, 
Md., the following October. 

The Seventeenth had engaged the enemy 
while in service at South Mountain, Md., Septem- 
ber 14, 1802 ; Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862; 
Fredericksburg, Va., December 12, 13, 14, 1862 ; 
siege of Vicksburg, Miss., June 22 to July 4, 
1863 ; Jackson, Miss., July 11 to 18, 1863 ; Blue 
Spring, Tenn., (October 10, 1863; London, 
Tenn., November 14, 1863; Leuoire Station, 
Tenn., November 15, 1863; Campbell's Sta- 
tion, Tenn., November 16, 1863 : siege of Knox- 
ville, Tenn., November 17 to December 5, 1863; 
Thurley's Ford, Tcun., December 15, 1863; 
Fort Saunders, Tenn., November 29, 1863; 
Strawberry Plains, Tenn., January 22, 1864; 
Wilderness,' Va., May 5, 6 and 7, 1864; Ny 
River, Va., May 9, 1864; Spott.sylvania, Va., 
May 10, 11, 12, 1864; North Anna, Va., May 

24, 1864; Bethesda Church, Va., June 2, 3, 
1864; Cold Harbor, Va., June 7, 1864; Peters- 
bui'g, Va., June 17, 18, 1864, the Crater, Va., 
July 30, 1864; Weldon R. R., Va., August 19, 
21, 1864; Ream's Station, Va., August 25, 1864; 
Poplar Spring Church, Va., September 30, 1864; 
Pegram Farm, October 2, 1864 ; Boydton Road, 
Va., October 8, 1864; Hatcher's Run., Va., Oc- 
tober 27, 28, 1864; Port Steedman, Va., March 

25, 1865 ; capture of Petersburg, Va., April 3, 
18(!5; siege of Petcrsl)urg, Va., from June 17, 
186t, to April 3, 1865. 



EIGHTEENTH AND TWENTY-KOIIRTH REGIMENTS. 

The regiment had a membership of 1,1*79, 
its losses were 283, of which 3 officers and 
89 men were killed in action, 4 officers and 
35 men died of wounds, and 152 of disease. 

The President of the United States called. 
July 2, 1862, for " 300,000 more," 11,686 being 
the quota for Michigan. 

The Eighteenth and Twenty-fourth Regi- 
ments were apportioned to Congressional Dis- 
tricts under order of July 15, 1862, and the re- 
cruiting of same w'as confined exclusively to 
its own district. 

The Eighteenth was assigned to I he First Dis- 
trict, to be recruited in the counties of Hills, 
dale, Lenawee and Monroe, while Wayne, the 
other county of the District, undertook to 
raise the Twenty-fourth Regiment in addition. 

The rendezvous of the Eighteenth was at 
Hillsdale, and for the purpose of organization 
was placed in charge of the Hon. Henry Wal- 
dron. 

The field and staff officers were: Colonel, 
Charles C. Doolittle, of Hillsdale. Those from 
Monroe— lieutenant-colonel, George Spalding; 
adjutant, John C. Whipple. Company H, of 
said regiment, in command of Captain Richard 
P. lugersoll, of Dundee; first lieutenant, Albeit 
II. Babcock, of Dundee. Company Iv, of same 
regiment, in command of Captain John J. 
Stevens, of Monroe ; first lieutenant, Henry D. 
Spaulding; second lieutenant, Henry E. I-Illiot, 
of Monroe. 

The i-ecruiting of this regiment commenced 
July 15, 1862, and on the 26th of August was 
mustered into the service of the United States, 
leaving Hillsdale with 1,002 officers and men 
on the rolls, in command of Colonel Doolittle, 
on the 4th of September, with orders to report 
at Cincinnati. 

This regiment participated, with great credit 
to itself and honor to the State of Michigan, 
with the enemy at Danville, liy., February 24, 
1863; Pond Springs, Ala., June 28, 1864 ; Cur- 
tis Wells, Ala., June 24, 1864; Courtland, Ala., 
July 25, 1864; Athens, Ala., September 24, 
1864; Decatur, Ala., October 24 and November 
2S. 1864. 

The Eighteenth had carried on its rolls 1,374 
officers and men, and had lost 310, of which 1 1 
men were killed in action, 2 men died of 
wounds, and 297 of disea.se. 



THE WAR OF THE REBEI.I.tOX. 



-.71 



The discipline, orderly deportment and lii^h 
character of both officers and men were highly 
appreciated at Nasliville, Tenn., by Andrew 
.lolinson, and became his trusted regiment in 
tlie administration of affairs in tliat eit3% 

Tlic tigblinfT qualities, discipline, efficiency 
and fine cultivation of the Eighteenth were 
proverbial tliroughout the department of the 
Cumberland, and its inspection never failed to 
demand and receive the fullest commendations 
of inspecting officers, wbo uniformly referred 
to it as an example worthy of following. 



FIl rll MIcniG.AX CAVALRY 



Was well represented by enlistments from 
.Monroe county, in command of fieneral (ieorge 
Armstrong ("uster, for whoso biography the 
reader is referred to page 319. A portion of 
his staff thi-ough the war of the Eebcllion, se- 
lc(te<l from the city of Monroe, are mentioned 
in the official reports in the highest terms of 
commendation and praise for their brave, fear- 
loss and soldier-like qualities througli the nu- 
merous campaigns, viz.: Captain Jacob L. 
Greene, for whose biography the reader is re- 
ferred to page 352, J/ieutenant Frederick A. 
Nims. Lieutenant James Christiancy and Cap- 
tain James G. McHridc. 

During the service of (ieneral Custer's 
brigade it was engaged with the enemy 
at Hanover, Va., June 30, 1863; Hunt- 
(M-sto«n, Penn., July 2, 1863; Gettysburg, 
Pcnn., July 3, 1863; Monterey, Md.; 
July 4, 1863; Cavetown, Aid , July 5, 1863., 
Smithtown, Md , July 6, 1863; Boonsborough, 
Md.,July 6, 1863; Hagerstown Md., July 6, 
1863; Williamsport, Md.July 6, 1863; Boonsbo- 
rough, Md., July 8, 1863; Hagerstown, Md., 
July 10, 1862; Williamsport, Md., July 10, 
1863; Falling Waters, Md., July 14, 1863; 
Snicker's Gap, Va., July 19, 1863; Kelley's 
Ford, Va., September 13, 1863; Culpepper 
Court Hou.se, Va., September 14, 1863; Rac- 
coon Ford, Va., September 16, 1863; White's 
Ford, Va., September 21, 1863; Jack's Shop, 
\'si., September 26, 1863; James <'ity, Va., Oc- 
tober 9, 10, 1863; Brandy Station, Va., October 
11, 1863; Buckland's Mills, Va., October 19, 
1.S63; Stevcnsburg, Va., November 19, 1863; 
Morton's Ford, Va., November 26, 1863: Rich- 
mond, Va., March 1, 1864,; Wilderness, Xii., 
.May (i and 7, 1864; Beaver Dam Station, Va., 
May 9, 1864; Yellow Tavern, Va., May 10, 



and II, 1864; Meadow Bridge, Va., May 12, 
18(i4; MiUbnl, Va., May 27, 1S64; Hawes 
Shop, Va., May 28, 1864; Baltimore X Roads, 
Va., May 29, 1S64; Cold Harbor Va., May 30, 
and June 1, 1864; Trevilian Slnlion, \'a., June 
11 and 12, 1S(J4; Cold Harbor, ^•a., J uly 21, 
1864; Winchester, Va., August 1 1. 1865 ; Front 
Royal, Va., August 16, 18()4; Lectown, \a., 
August 25, 1864; She])ardstown, Va , .\ugust 
25,1864; Smithfield, Va., August 29. 1864; 
Bcrryville, Va., Septemljcr 3,1864; Summit, 
Va., September 4, 1864; Opequan, Va., Sep- 
tember 19, 1864: Winchestei-, Xn., September 
19,1864; Luray, Va., September 24, 1864; Port 
Republic, Va., July 26, 27 and 28, 1864 ; Mount 
Crawford, Va., October 2, 1864; Woodstock, 
Va., October 9, 1864; Cedar Creek, Va., Octo- 
ber 19, 1864; Madison Court House, Va., De- 
cember 24, 1864; Louisa Court House, Va., 
March 8, 1865; Five I'orks, A'a , March 30, 31 
and April 1, 1865; South Side R. R., Va., 
April 2, 1865; Duck Rond Mills, Va., April 
4 1865; Ridge's, or Sailor's Creek, A'a , April 
6, 1865 ; A])ponialtox Court House, Va., April 
8 and 9, 1865 ; Willow Springs, Dakota T., Au- 
gust 12, 1S65. 

GK.VXI) .\R.MY OF THE REPUBLIC AND AUX- 
ILIARY ORGANIZATION'."^. 

The patriotism of Monroe county is perpetu- 
ated by the following organizations of the 
Grand Army of the Republic : 

Dundee-William Bell Post, No. 10. 

Monroe — Jo.seph R. Smith Post, No. 76. 

Carlelon— Perry Baker Post, No. 200. 

Milan — Lucius Taylor I'ost, No. 274. 

Petersburgh — Morgan I'arker Post, No. 281. 

In these posts three hundred and fifty-three 
old "vets" "rally around colors'' that in 1861 
to 1865, with red cheeks, wavy brown hair, 
steps firm and eyes bright, with heads erect, 
marched past the mustering officer and were 
sworn into the United States service. Then in 
the flush of healthy manhood thej' went to the 
front; now some of them look into the glass 
and behold the wrinkled brow, the dim eyes, 
gray hairs, sunken cheeks, and tui-n away 
finding themselves feeling, walking and look- 
ing like old men. We see them all as they 
march proudl3- away under the flaunting flags, 
keei)ing time to the wild, grand music of war, 
marching down the streets of great cities, 
through the towns and aci-oss the prairies 



)72 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



— down [u the field of gloiy, to do and die, if 
need be, that there sliall be no dishonor on the 
flag of their eountry. We go with them in the 
eamp and bivouac, on the weary marehes and 
gory fields, in the prisons of hatred and fam- 
ine, and see the remnant of them return to the 
bosom of their families in the land they helped 
make free, and under the flag they helped 
keep stainless. 

Auxiliary to this gi'and arnn* of veterans to 
whom we owe so much, we find the Woman's 
Relief Corps: Dundee W. R. C, No. 11. Milan 
W. R. C, Mo. 1 16, and Joseph R. Smith W. R. C., 
No. 150, with a total membership of OS ladies. 
Also the Sons of A'eterans: Dundee. Thunias 
W. Palmer Camp, No. 125; Moni'oe, John J. 
Stephens Camp, No. 136; Milan, Edward P. 
Allen Camp, No. 137, having a total member- 
ship of 114 young men. 



William Hell, a private in Company I, Sev- 
enth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, enlisted 
September 4, 1861, and was wounded in both 
feet at the battle of Antietam, September 17, 
1862, and honorably discharged, his right leg 
being amputated November 3, 1862, after 
which he returned to Dundee, where he died 
March 30, 1874. From him William Bell Post, 
No. 10, (i. A. R,, was named, and received a 
charter granted liy the Department of Michi- 
gan, October 0, 1870, on which date it was 
mustered, with eleven charter membi'rs, by 
(Comrade Daniel W. Sawyer, assistant adjutant 
general, with the following officers : 

Post Commander, Edward Gray ; Senior 
Vice Commander, A. Glenn ; Junior Vice 
Commander, Peter Clark ; Quartermaster, H. 

A. Stewart ; Surgeon, J. W. Mason ; Chaplain, 
M. Langtoii ; OiWcer of the Day, N.J. Carney ; 
Officer of the Guard, Jerome B. Galloway ; 
Adjutant, S. B. Rowell; Sentinel. James H. 
(.'assidy ; Guard, B. C. Munger. 

The membership has increased to 115, and 
meetings arc held every alternate Wednesday 
evening. The office of Post Comnjander has 
been held by Edward Gray, 1879-1880; Sidney 

B. Rowell, 1881; Augustus Glenn, 1882; Sid- 
ney B. Rowell, 1883; Ramus B. Davis, 1884- 
1885; Justus S. Wilkerson, 1886; Nathaniel 
Xewcll, 1887 ; David C. Spears, 1888. 

I'or 1889 the officers wei-e : Commander, H. 
A. Stewart; Senior Vice Commander, James 



Knowles ; Junior Vice Commander, John Rod ; 
Chaplain, Rev. ('. W. Cai'rick ; (^uartermastci-, 
I!. I>. l>avis: Officer of (iuard, James Yan- 
.\'est ; Officer of the Day. M. V. Fox; Surgeon, 
l>r. (i. W. Jackson; Adjutant, Truman Gee. 



At a meeting of the ex-soldiers of Monroe, 
held at Eloral City Lodge Rooms, in Eaton 
Block, thirty-two applicants, armed with their 
honorable discharges from the service of the 
United States during the War of the Rebel- 
lion, presented themselves as jjroper material 
from which to start a post of the G. A. R. 
Colonel Smith, of the regular army, was an 
old resident of Monroe, and in honor of him 
the name of Joseph R. Smith Post, No. 7(i, 
was chosen. The comrades selected the fol- 
lowing officers, who were dulj^ installed by O. 
A. James, from C. J. Dickerson Post, No. 6, of 
Hillsdale, he having been detailed by Depart- 
ment Headquarters as mustering officer : 

Commander, S. W. Curtis, late major Seventh 
Michigan A'olunteer Infantrj-; Senior Vice 
Commander, Constant Luce, late colonel Sev- 
enteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry ; Junior 
V^ice Commander, Egbert Webb, late first ser- 
geant, Filth Michigan (Custer's) Cavalry; 
Adjutant, W. H. Beisel, late lieutenant Com- 
jiany K, Eighteenth Michigan Volunteer In- 
fantry; (Quartermaster, Theodore Kirchmeier, 
late private, Company C, One Ifundred and 
Thirtieth (3hio Volunteer Infantry; Surgeon, 
Job C. Eaton, late lieutenant Compan}- K. 
Eleventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry; Chap- 
lain, I. R. Grosvenor, late colonel Seventh 
Volunteer Infantry; Officer of the Day, F. A. 
Nims, late lieutenant Company C, Fifth Mich- 
igan Volunteer Infantry ; Officer of the Giiaivi, 
W^illiam G. Ross, late lieutenant Compaii}- I, 
Eleventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry; Ser- 
geant Major, J. J. Hubble, late private. Com- 
pany F, First Michi^'an \'ohinteer Infantry; 
(Quartermaster Sergeant, D. II. Norris, late 
private of Company I, Eleventh Michigan Vol- 
unteer Infantry ; and twenty-one comrades, as 
follows: J. D. Ronan, Thomas R. Shirk, 
George Haag, William F. Haight, W. C. Brown, 
H. A. Austin, F. Benderritter, Thomas L. Sed- 
elbauer, J. F. Wagner, Warren Lenox, Burton 
Parker, George D. Paul, C. F. Gruner, Fred 
Beck, F. X. Soleau, George B. DeLong, J. P. 



THE WAR OF TIIK KKnF.LMON. 



Hot, Fro.l Sjiatl.. .1. II. WicklittV. .lohn Jack- 
son. jr., and J. A. Wagner. 

The meetings ai-e held altornale Monday 
evenings, and one hiindreil and thirteen eoni- 
rades in good standing are on the ro.ster. The 
]iost of Comniander has heen held by the fol- 
lowing comrades: S. W. Curtis, 18S2; Con- 
stant Luce, 1883; .1. I). Uonan, 188-1 ; William 
11. Bcisel, 1885: (Jeorge Spaulding, 188(j ; Bur- 
t..n I'j'.rker, 1887; William F. Ilaight, 1888. 

For 188!t the officers were: Comnuuuler, 
I'rank Canx : Senior A'ice Commander, Charles 
!,. I'eck ; Junior \'ico Commander. Frank 
Bcnderrittcr: .\djutant, Alex. T. Navarro; 
• ^'tiartermaster, (ieorge B Deljong; Surgeon, 
.lob C. Eaton; Cha])lain, Joseph Huber; Offi- 
cer of tlie Day, William Hagan ; Officer of the 
Guard, St. (^"lair Durocher: Sergeant Major, 
Fi-ank Nelson ; '^uarterniaster Sergeant, I'jgbert 

Webb. 

i.KKi.mas. 

In the fall of 1883 the veterans of Carletou 
and vicinity came to the conclusion to organ- 
ize a post of the (irand army of the Repub- 
lic, which was done November 15, 1883, the 
acting chief mustering officer being Major A. 
M. Holt, of Fairbaidcs Post. No. 17, Detroit. 
Fourteen comrades answered to the roll for 
muster on the fii'st night, and selected the 
name of William F. Sherman, but on receiving 
their number, 2(10, general orders compelled 
a change in the name, and to select one of the 
dead. Accordingly it was named Perry Baker, 
after a resident of Ash. who in September, 1861, 
enlisted in Com])any A, Fourth Michigan \'ol- 
unleer Infantr\', ami during the seven daj's 
tight on the Peninsula in 18G2 was captured, 
and died in pri.son at Belle Isle. The officers 
at the organization of I'erry Baker Post, No. 
200, were as follows: 

('onimander, .lohn I'. Wallace, Co. G, 7tli 
O. ('. : Senior Vice Commander, Jeremiah 
llyall, .Vdmiral Porter's Flag Ship, -Siren:" 
.lunior Vice Commander, Ilulbert Spicer, Co. 
H, 121th N. Y. II. A.: Adjutant, Edward J. 
Warner, Co. E, Isl Mich. C. ; Surgeon, Fred- 
erick Bullin, Co. B, 47th O. V. I. ; (^larter- 
niasler, Reuben T. Hause, Co. D. 44lh III. V. I.; 
Chaplain, Joseph B. Crane, Co. I, 11th Mich. 
V. I.; Officer of the Day. John F. Baker, Co. 
A, 4th Mich. V. I.; Officer of the Guard, Peter 
Batway, Co. (J, 24tli Mich. V. I.; Sergeant 
Major, Thomas Adam.s. Co. D, llth Mich. V. I. ; 



• I'uartermaslcr .Sergeant, Charles I'. Kent/., Co. 

E. 12i)th N. V. V. I.; Color Sergeant. Charles 
W. Hordine. Co. .\, 28th Mich. V. I. : Inner 
Sentinel, Janus Coif: Co. C, 17lh Midi. V. I.; 
Outer Guard. I'elir Culcher. Co. II. II 1th 
O. V. 1. 

These conii-ades have held the fort until they 
now number forty six members, with the fol- 
lowing oHiciis: Post Commander, John F. 
Baker: Senior \'ice Commander, Levi Clark: 
.lunior \'i(e Commander, Charles W. Bordine; 
Adjutant, .lidin P. Wallace; Surgeon, M. L. 
Baker: (^lartermaster, Edward Baker; (Jhap- 
lain, C. .M. Baker: Officer of the Day, George 
II. Post: Officer of the Guard, Peter ('utchor ; 
Sergeant Major, F. M. Ballen ; (Quartermaster 
Sergeant. l-"rank I'oborts; (iuard,.lo.seph Bran- 
clieau: Si-ntiiiel, Hiram Johnson; Color .Ser- 
geant, Solomon liaker. 

The commanders of the Post have been: 
John B. Wallace, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886 : (ieorge 
H. Post, 1887: Isaac Biddlecoinb, 1888; John 

F. Baker, 188!l. 

Regular musters are lieltl on the first and 
third Saturdays of each month. 

.MILAN. 

September 22, 1884, Comra<les Hampton and 
Holt, of l-"airbaiiks Post, No. 17, Detroit, mus- 
tered twenty-nine charter members into Lucius 
'I'avlor Post. No. 274. with the following 
officers : 

Post (,'onimander, Jerome .\llen: Senior 
Vice Commander. Daniel (.'ase; Junior Vice 
Comntander, Lorenzo A.Hitchcock: Surgeon, 
James Blackmer; Chaplain, Morris Vincent; 
(^uarternwister, Andrew D. Jackson ; Officer of 
the Da}', Jose])h Gauntlett; Officer of the 
Guard. Carlos Allen; Adjutant, Nathan C. 
Putnam: Sergeant Major, Herbert II. Taylor: 
(Quartermaster Sergeant, Wesley Robison. 

The meetings are held on the first and third 
Wednesday evenings, of the month, and niem- 
bershi]j fifty. The rank of Commander has 
been hidd by the following comrades; Jei-ome 
Allen, 1SS4-1.S85: Andrew D. Jackson, isstj- 
1887: Wesley Kobison, 1888-1889. 

The officers for 188!l were: Commandei-, 
Wesley Robison; Senior Vice Commander,!'. 
T. Buxton: Juinor -Vice Commander, H. 
Hooker; (,)iiartermaster, l>aniel Case: Clia|i- 
lain, Rev. .1. Huntington; Surgeon, (.'hester 
Daniels; Officer of the Day, John Steidle ; Offi- 
cer of the Guard, E. H. Davis. 



574 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



I'ETEli.SIsrRGlI. 

Morgan Parker Post, No. 281, G. A. I!., lo- 
cittod at Potersbur<>li, was mustered the third 
day of October, 1884, by Comrade Ramus B. 
IJavis, Post Coiiimaiider of William Bell Post, 
So. 10, of l>iiii<lce. startiui;- out with eighteen 
inember.s on its muster roll. I\. !!. Kirby was 
chosen Coniniander, which rank he held during 
the balance of the year, and during the 3'ear 
1885. It has since Itecn held by Horace Bren- 
ningstall, 1886; Isaac Faunec, 1887; James 
Ousterhout, 1888 ; and for 1889, with forty-five 
members on the roll, and meeting alternate 
Saturdays evenings the otfieers were: Post 
Commandci-, II. II. Kirby; Senior A^iee 
Commander, Isaac Faunce ; Junior Vice Com- 
mander, E. H. Cornwell; Surgeon, A. Bren- 
ningstall; Chaplain, Rev. D. A. Curtis; Quar- 
ternia.ster, l)aniel Fisher; Officer of the Day, 
(I.e. Sayre; Officer of the Guard, J. A. Bol- 
ster ; Adjutant, Horace J. Brenningstall. 

AVOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS. 



The efforts to organize a Woman's Relief 
Corps in Dundee auxiliary to William Bell 
Post, No. 10, G. A. R., culminated May 8, 1884, 
in the formation of W. R. C. No. 11, with 
twent3'-six ladies enrolled as members, and was 
the first Relief Corps mustered by Mrs. Hamp- 
ton, now Past National President. She, being 
assisted by Mrs. Moore, Conductor of Corps 
No. 10, of Detroit, installed the following offi. 
cers ; President, Mrs. Mattie D. Smith ; Senior 
Vice President, Mrs. Martha Jackson ; Junior 
Xice President, Mrs. Sarah A. Bell ; Secretary, 
Mrs. Clara Chite ; Treasurer, Mrs. Amy J. 
McBride; Chaplain, Mrs. Anna M. Kenj'on ; 
Conductor, Miss Rita Boll ; Guard, Miss Susie 
Mugg. The meetings are held on the first and 
third Tuesdays in the month, and membership 
has increased to fifty-seven. The office of Pres- 
ident has been held by the following ladies: 
Mrs. Mattie D. Smith, 1884-1885; Mrs. .Sarah 
J. Ma.son, 188G; Mrs. Augusta Davis, 1887; 
Mrs. Mattie D. Smith, 1888; Mrs. Augusta 
Davis, 1889. For 1889 the officers were: 
President, Mrs. Augusta Davis; Senior A^ice 
President, Mrs. Mattie D. Smith; Junior Vice 
President, Mrs. Nancy Spaulding; Secretary, 
Mrs. Kliza Slayton ; Treasurer, Mrs. Julia 
Drew; Chaplain. Mrs. Helen Currick ; Conduc- 



tor, Mrs. Mar}- A, Stewart; Guard, Ijibbio 
Tjockwood; Assistant Conductor, Susie Deitor; 
Assistant Guard, Sarah Casey; Organist, Mary 
Hunt. 

MILAN. 

On June 23, 1887, the ladies of Milan held a 
meeting in Marble's Hall for the purpose of 
forming a Woman's Relief Corps Auxiliary to 
Lucius Taylor Post, No. 274, and selected the 
following officers : President, Mrs. Libbie 
Case; Senior Vice President, Mrs. Hattie Vin- 
cent; Junior Vice President, Mrs. Sarah R. 
Whaley; Secretary-, Mrs. Rachel F. Robison ; 
Treasurer, Mrs. Francis A. Jackson ; Conduc- 
tor, Mrs. Ellen H.Taylor; Assistant Conduc- 
tor, Mrs. Delia Allen; Guard, Mrs. Nellie 
Whaley; Assistant Guard, Mrs. Emma Gaunt- 
Ictt; Chaplain, Mrs. Hattie Davis — who were 
duly installed and W. R. C. No. 116 fully or- 
ganized by Mrs. Sarah A. Plummei*, Depart- 
ment President. 

The meetings are held on the second and 
fourth Wednesday afternoons of each month, 
the menbership being twenty. Mrs. Libbie 
Case held the office of President until the Do 
cember election of 1888, when the following 
officers foi- 1889 were chosen: President, Mrs. 
Wesley Robinson ; Senior Vice President, Mrs. 
F. M. Throop; Junior Vice President, Mrs. 
William Whaley ; Secretary, Mrs. H.A.Tay- 
lor; Treasurer, Mrs. Daniel Case ; Conductor, 
Mrs. Charles Davis; Assistant Conductor, Mrs. 
William H. Whaley; C.uxplain, .Mrs. Hiram 
Jackson; Guard, Mrs. E. H. Davis; Assistant 
Guard, Mrs. J. H. Brownell. 



Woman's Relief Corps No. 150, auxiliary to 
Joseph R. Smith Post, No. 76, G. A. R., was 
organized June 22, 1888, by Mrs. Louisa A. 
Robbins, Department President, a.ssisted by 
Phebe H. Curtis, Department Tre.isurer, both 
of Adrian, Michigan. Eighteen ladies appearetl 
to answer to their names as charter members, 
and the following officers elected and installed : 
President, Lizzie K. Austin; Senior Vice 
President, Eliza Wende ; Junior Vice Presi- 
dent, Maria Caux; Secretary, Lu H. Wagner; 
Treasurer, Sarah A. Peck; Chaplain, Mary L. 
Norman; Conductor, Ada Roberts; Guard, 
Mary Benderritter ; Assistant Conductor, Sarah 
Whipple ; Assistant Guard, E. S. Carlisle. 

The last report showed twenty-one ladies on 



THE WAR OK line UlilJIil.I.ION. 



their roll. For l.S8i) tlio oftictTs rcinaiiu'il llic 
same willi the oxeeption of .liuiior Vice Presi- 
dent and Assistant Conduclor, the former being 
held by Pai-raelia Mitchell, and the latter by 
I'aniiie Webb. The Corps meet each alternule 
Mondaj' evening, in Eaton Hall. 

SONS OF VETERANS. 

To aid the veterans, and to do. as far as'pos- 
siblc, the work that they have been doing, after 
they have passed away, is formed another 
order, for which the " old boys," as a rule, have 
a warm side, and works in unison with the 
G. A. R. \ evy a|iproi>riately is it named. 

Ul'NDKK. 

Thomas W. i'almor ("amp, .No. 12."), Division 
of .Michigan, was mustered March ."), 1888, by 
Frederick A. Rogers, with the following offi- 
cers: Captain, W. \V. |)rew; First Lieuten- 
ant, F. E. Fleming; Second Lieutenant, Henry 
Hunkleman; Chaplain, Oscar McBride ; F'ii-st 
Sergeant, George H, Fnlver; Quartermaster 
Sergeant, Fred A. (ice; Coloi' Sei'geant, Henry 
J. Burton; Sergeant of tlie (iuard. 1'' rank Par- 
ker: Principal Musician, Charles Carrick ; 
(,'orpoi'al of the Guard, Alonzo Squires; Cam]) 
(iuard, George Newel ; Picket (tuard, Charles 
(Jalloway — and thirty-three privates. Their 
meetings are held on alternate Wednesday 
evenings, and membership increased to tifty- 
four. 

.MONROE. 

Jolin .]. Ste|)hens Camp, No. 130, with rank 
from June 2.5. LS88, was organized with twenty- 
four charter members, by Captain \V. W. 
Drew, of Thomas W. Palinei' Camp, No. 12."), 
detailed for that purpose by colonel command- 
ing the Division of Michigan. The officers 
were: Captain, (ieorge J. Smith (whose 
father was Sergeant Co. 15, 9th Mich. V. F.) ; 
First liieutenant, Frank M. Olmstead (father. 
Sergeant Co. F, 11th Ky. Cav.) ; Second Lieu- 
tenant, William .\. Gibson (father, Co. .\, 4th 
Mich. V. 1.); Camp Council, Hal Iv Stevens 
(father, Captain Co. K, 18th Mich. V. I.), 
Marvin Cousino (father, Co. K, 8th Mich. Cav.) 
and Charles T. Southworlh (father. Surgeon 
isth Mich. V. L); Cha])lain, George L. An- 
dcregg (father, Co. A, 11th Mich. V. L); First 
Sergeant, Henry Wci.'s (father. Co, A, 4th 
Mich. \. I.); Color Sergeant, Edward Hicking 
(father, Co. A, llth Mich. V. 1.); (^lartcrmas- 
cr Sergeant, George (i. Beck (father. Co. F. 



4tli .Mich. Cav.); Chief .Musician, Fred Fuller 
(father Co. L :!d Mich. Cav.) ; Sergeant of the 
(iuard, George D. Gintlor; Camp (ruard, .lolui 
W. Haag (father, Co. (i, 8th N. Y. Cav.); 
W illiam Sedelbauer (fatlier, Co. K, 15th Picket 
(iuard, Mich. V. F). 

The present membershi|) is thirty, and meet- 
ings alternate Wednesday evenings. The offi- 
cers for lS-<9 were : Captain, AAHlliam .\. Gib- 
son ; l-'irsl [lieutenant. Frank M. Olmstead; 
Second Lieutenant, Edward Wagner; Camj) 
Council, Fdward Hicking, Charles T, South- 
worth ami .lesse Dusseau; Chaplain, (reorge 
Andereg;,'; First Sergeant, Sidney Katon ; 
Color SiTgcanl, Henry Anderegg: (Quartermas- 
ter Sei-geant, Charles Fuller; Chief ^Iiisi. 
cian. Fred Fuller; Sergeant of the Guanl, 
Merrill K. Webb; Corjioral of the (iuard, 
IFal I''. Stevens; Camp (iuanl, I'lrasiiis Sjiath ; 
Picket Guard, Allen Haskell, 

Mil. AS. 

Kdward I', Allen Camp, No. 137, was mus- 
tered .lune 30, 1888, by Captain W. W. Drew, 
from Thomas W. Palmer Cam]), .\o. 125, of 
Dundee, with the following charter members; 
Captain, (ieorge F, House : First Lieutenant, 
(ieorge Whaley ; Second Lieutenant. Aba 
Rich : ( 'lia])lain, Clark I'^ilcher ; First Sergeant, 
Charles II. I'obison ; Sergeant of the (iuai-d, 
Frank .lackson; Color Sergeant. Herbert 
JJrownell: (-'or])oral of the (iuard, Charles 
Taylor; Cam]) Guard, Alfred (.'rolieus; Picket 
(iuard, Norman Bliss; Principal Mu.sician, 
William H. Whaley; (Quartermaster Sei-geanI, 
Arthur Sloan — and Privates Arthur Dei.,a- 
Force, Charles Davis, (ieorge Johnson, Charles 
King, .lames Pullen, Charles Steidle, Albert 
Steidle. .Mbert Smith, ,\r(len Vealey. The 
membership lias increased to tiiirtA'. aiul 
nights of meeting on the second and 
fourth Tuesday evenings of the month. 
The officers for 1S80 were: Captain, (ieorge 
Whaley ; First Fiientenant, Charles H. IJob- 
ison ; Second l.ieutenant, Charles ,\. Taylor: 
Camp Council, Charles Davis, I'rank ,l()liii>ioii, 
Arden \'ealej'. 

NATIONAL (ilAKI), MIClIKiAN .^TATE 
TKO( )P8. 

The citizen soldier has a rejircseiitative in the 

MONIJOE I.KlllT GIAims. 

Jn Se])lember, 1870, the Wdrkingmeii's Soci- 
ety held a festival at the grove in lionor of 



■o i b 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Alexander Huiiiboklt, and the military discip- 
iiie with which the parade was conducted 
stirred the ardor of some of the citizens, and 
suggested the organization of a militia com- 
pany, which materialized on the evening of 
September 23d, by foi-f^' six enrolling them- 
selves as members of tlie Monroe Light 
Guards, and electing Charles F. Grunei', Cap- 
tain : Fred Beck, First Lieutenant; and John 
A. Wagner, Second Lieutenant. The roster 
had the names of 

Anderegg, John. Loeffler, Martin. 

Acker, William. Miller, J. L. 

Angerer, Cliarles. Mann, J. IL 

Altenios, Jacob. Meyer, Charles. 

Jianke, Fred. Mohr, Nicholas. 

Kicking, John. Meyer, C. 

Bab, Mathevv. Messerle, Christian. 

Boehn, Christopher. Olir, George. 
Bramlich, Augustus. l^upp, George. 
Ealcr, Henry. Eeinhard, Conrad. 

Falk, Andrew. Boeder, Jacob. 

FVei, Christian. Rnpp, Adam. 

Friesbauer, Fred. iludolph, George. 

Grob, Christopher. Streif, Christoither. 

Gruher, Henry. Stoeckert, William. 

Gaensler, John. Sedelbauer, John L. 

Hoerner, Fred. Schneider, Philip. 

Haag, George. Spath, Fred. 

Kronbach, M. Sturn, John. 

Kronbach, Adam. Wagner, Adam. 

Ivrenchauf, (\ Weiss, George. 

Krueger, William. Zimmerman, Joseph. 

Lieutenant Beck objected to being mustered 
into the State Militia and resigned, his place 
being tilled by George Rupjj, and December 
29, 1870, the Guards were mustered into State 
service by Adjutant-General John Eobertson 
(it being the fiJlh conijjany mustered into ser- 
vice), and was assigned as Company F, First 
Eegiment, Michigan State Troops. May 19, 
1876, the Stale ^froops were divided into three 
regiments, and the Light Guards were assigned 
as Company 1), First Regiment. July 3, 1885, 
they received their present assignment as 
Com])any G, P"'ourth Eegiment. During the 
nineteen jHiars in which the Company has had 
an existence it has been called out but once to 
preserve the peace, and then, although not put 
into active service, the prompt response of its 
members showed that the Guards were not 
merely holiday play soldiers. At 9 p. m., July 
24, 1877, during the railroad strike at Jackson, 



■ the Captain received a telegram from Adjutant" 
(jeneral Eobertson to take the first train for 
the front, and the first train actually carried 
fif^y-Jow i"^^" out of fifty-five on the roll of the 
Companj-. Fortunately the company were not 
called into action, but the prompt response 
showed that in cases of emergencj^ the Guards 
could be depended upon to do their duty. 

As the membership was largely, at first, made 
up of those of Teutonic descent, tiie by-laws 
were printed and records kept in the German 
language, until in 1875 the Company "angli- 
cized" and became a thoroughly American 
compan)'. At first all the supjiort the Com- 
pany received from the State was the old 
" Springfield," which after a few \ears were 
superseded by the " Sharps" rifie, and in 1887 
this in turn gave waj- to their present equip- 
ment, the "Improved Springfield." At the 
outset, nothing but arms being furnished hy 
the State, the members provided their own 
uniform, which consisted of the cavalry fatigue 
caj), jacket and pants with the trimming taken 
oft". Two 3'ears later it was changed to the 
regulation uniform, but it was not till 1874 that 
the State furnished uniforms as well as guns. 

During its connection with the Michigan 
State Troops, the high standing and gentle- 
man Ij' deportment of the members of the 
Guard have attracted the attention of tlieir as- 
sociates, and at various' times their officers 
have been temporarily assigned, but at Camp 
Alger, in 1886, Captain A. Eiipp was elected 
Major oT the Fourth Eegiment, but did not 
serve on account of his health. The Guards 
have always been present at State encamp, 
ments, and their record has always been one that 
Monroe could be proud of The camj)s they 
have participated in have been as follows; 
Regimental Camp, at Jackson, Jul\', 1876; 
Eegimental Camp, at Jackson, July, 1877; 
Eifle practice, at Jackson, 1878 — A. Eup]), be.st 
score; Camp Cresswell, at Adrian, August, 
1879; Brigade Camp Chandler, August, 1880; 
Brigade Camp Jei'ome, at Island Lake, August, 
1882; Brigade Camp Griffith, at Island Lake, 
August, 1883; Brigade Camp Withington, at 
Island Lake, August, 1884; Brigade Camp Al- 
ger, at Island Lake, July, 1886 ; Brigade Camp 
]{obertson, at Island Lake, August, 1887 ; 
Brigade Camp Luce, at Mackinaw, July, 1888; 
Brigade Camp Smith, at Battle Creek, August, 
1889. 



TIIK WAK ()!■ Tllli Rr;i!EI,I,ION. 



Tlic ro.stcT lias had as ('ai)lains: C. F. Gni- 
ner, 1S70— 1875 ; J. J. .Stevens, 1875— Novem- 
ber, 1875; V. Kindler, December, 1875 — No- 
vemlicr, 1877; J. D. Roiiaii, X<)\ember, 1877 — 
November, 1879 ; A. Riipp, November, 1879 — 
October, 1880; M. E. Webb, since October, 1886. 

First Lieutenants — Fred Beck, to December, 
1870; George Eupp, 1870-1872 : J. A. Wagner, 
1872-1875: V. Ivindler, January to November, 
1875; J. D. Roiian, 1875-1877; A. JJapp, 1877 
-1879; George C. Loranger, 1879-1884; M. E. 
Webb, 1884-188G; F. L. IlgenCritz, 18SG-1887; 
J. M. Gutmann, 1887. 

Second Lieutenants — J. A. Wagner, 1S70- 
1872;. John Sedelbauer, 1872-1878; V. Kin- 
dler, 1873-1875; J. 1). Konan, June to Novem- 
ber, 1875; B.J. Adams, 1875-1877: George S. 
Loranger, 1877-1879 ; Jerome Bissonettc, 1879 
-1880; T. Bodell, 1880-1881; M. E. Webb, 
1881-1884; F. L. Ilgenfritz, 1884-188t;; J. M. 
(iutmann, 188G-1887; L S. Harrington, 1887. 

The roster has fifty-six names, with the fol- 
lowing officers: Captain, Merrill E. Webb; 
First Lieutenant, John M. (Jutmanii ; Second 
Tiieutcnant, Irving S. Harrington ; First Ser- 
geant, Fred Reisig; Second Sergeant, Feli.K 
Diisablon ; Third Sergeant, Andrew Mitehell ; 
Fourth Sergeant, Fred Gutmann; Fifth Ser- 
geant, William Stoeckert ; First Corporal, 
George J. Schmid; Second Corporal, Eilward 
lleisig; Third Corporal, Otto E. Reisig; 
Fourth Corporal, Frank Newel ; Fifth Corpo- 
ral, Dennis Sharkey; Sixth Corporal, Eilwurd 
Eaton; Seventh Corporal, John Egle ; Eighth 
Corporal, August L. Beck. The civil affairs of 
the Company arc administered b}' President, 
Irving S. Harrington ; Financial Secretar}-, 
George Flint ; Corresponding Secretary, Ed- 
ward Eaton : Treasurer, John M. Gutmann. 



At the organization (1870) drill was held in 
Rapp's Hall. In 187G they moved to the Beau- 
bien building, where the}' remainol till 1S8<'. 
when they occupied Kremer's ILill, and in 
June, 1889, the command took up permanent 
((uarters in their new armory on the corner of 
Washington and Second Streets. January 21, 
1889, the Armory Association was incor|(ii- 
rated, composed of the members of the Guards, 
and the rink propert}- on the coi-ner of Wash- 
ington and Second Streets, consisting of a lot 
100x150, with a building 45 x 145. purchased 
and refitted for the use of the Company, hav- 
ing besides a main hall or di'ill i-oom 45x85, 
large dressing and club rooms, with stage, so 
as to lie u.sed, if desired, as an amusement hail. 

The affairs of the A.ssociation are managed 
by a board of five directors, elected annually, 
from whom the officers are elected, tho.se for 
1889 being : President, Irving S. Harrington ; 
Vice President, Merrill E. Webb; Financial 
Secretary, Wdliani P. Gutmann; Corresponding 
Secretary, George J. (iutmann; Treasurer, 
John M. Gutmann— and it is their intontion at 
an early day to erect a large brick building 
the entire size of the lot. Besides the active 
members on the roster, they have an Honorary 
Roll, on which there are the names of five ex- 
captains, three first and four second lieuten- 
ants, and about filty ex-privates and citizen.s, 
and steps are being taken to form a Veteran 
Reserve Corps. 

The evening before starting for Camp Smith 
the citizens jiresented the Company with a 
silk flag, as a token of the appreciation in 
whicii they were held, and which was proudly 
carried to camp, ex-Captain A. Hupp as color 
bearer. 



CHAPTER XLI. 



HISTORY OF TOWNSHIPS OF MONROE COUNTY. 



ASH TOWNSHIP. 



ASH township was organized out of French- 
town by act of the leaislaturo in 1837, 
and was all that part of Frenchtown which 
now comprises the townships of Ash and 
Berlin. The first election was held at the 
house of John M. Beaubien in the spring of 
1837. A record of the o83cers of tlie township 
from that time lo the present will be found on 
pages 2r)7-270 of this volume. It is an excel- 
lent Avrming country. Until the introduction 
of railroads this township was sparsely settled 
and very heavily timbered ; now comprises 
many of the finest and most productive farms 
in the county, settled by an industrious and 
intelligent class of farmers. It comprises the 
thriving village of Carleton, and few villages 
hold out better inducements for settlers and 
business enterprises, enlivened as it is by keen, 
wide-awake business men. 

The village of Carleton was laid out in April, 
1872, by Daniel A. Matthews and Charles A. 
Kent, its plat comprising eight}- acres. Eighty 
acres more were soon after added b}- I). A. 
Matthews and William A. Hickok. The Lake 
Shore and Michigan Southern and Flint and 
Pere Marquette Railroads cro.ss in the village, 
have a neat frame depot, with agencies of 
Western Union Telegraph Company and of the 
United Slates and American Express Com- 
panies. 

The first building erected was the Matthews 
House, a two-story frame building of good size 
near railroad crossing, which is still the only 
hotel of the town. D. A. Matthews built a 
saw-mill by which the lumbering industry of 
the nei;.;hborhood was developed, and in 1874 
Edwards & Bliiin started a stave mill and head- 
ing works which did a fine business until the 
summer of 1887, when it burned down. These 



establishments were the main suppoi-t of the 
village for a number of years, until D. A. 
Matthews and John L. Hood erected a number 
of brick kilns for the manufacture of charcoal 
in 1876 and 1877, and this industry largely 
helped to get the timber land of the neighbor- 
hood cleared up, thereby creating tine farms 
and establisliing a brisk mercantile business, 
which has steadily increased and which is 
now, considering the size of the village, almost 
without equal in Monroe county. 

In 1884 Edwards & Adams started a good 
brick and tile j-ard adjoining the village. 

In 1885 Edward Kahlbauni bought the grain 
elevator formerly owned by D. A. Matthews 
and added a roller pi-ocess flouring mill thereto, 
which is now equipped witli all the best 
machinery and doing an immense business. 

A fine brick building on Monroe avenue 
comprising three stores, was built by Edwards 
& Adams in 1886. 

Several fine residences now adorn the streets, 
including those of D. A. Matthews, H. C. Tal- 
bot, and the just finished elegant brick dwell- 
ing of F. L. Edwards. 

The present industries of (ho village are the 
following : 

Edwards & Adams, general merchandise, 
clothing and hardware. 

Edward Kahlbauni, grain dealer and flouring 
mill. 

II. C. Talbot, general merchandise. 

D. A. Matthews, saw-mill. 

J. L. Hood, charcoal manufactuicr, 

A. Gee, furniture and undertaker. 

M. Artley, cistern factory and ]ilauing mill. 

J. Asam, lumber yard. 

M. F. Skidmore, photograph gallery. 

W. L. Hause, steam cider mill. 



*Tlie Monroe County court Louse in the City of Monroe was toii.'-mncd !iy lire, and the most of the 
Townsfiip records prior to 1.S72 were destroyed. 

[578] 



TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. 



57;» 



A. Mul'olliim, :ij;ricultiii-:il iiiiploinonts. iluinli, ami one .Mi'tlunlist H|)iHe(i|i:il tjrick 

Also one basket t'aetoiy, three dni^ stores, cliureh. 

one produce market, two meat markets, three The village has a good unirnrmed br.isshand, 

wagon and smith shops, one harness sliop, two u tirand Army post, and an Aneieiil Order 

shoe shops, one barber sh<jp, one jo\veli-y store. United Workmen lodge. 

one bazaar, two millinery shops, tluee physi- The ('arleton Opera House and Edwards 

cians, one dentist. Hall furnish ample accommodations for public 

There is a good two-stor}- brick .scho(d-house, assemblies, and Matthews race course for the 

one Evangelical and Free .Methodist frame lovers of fast stock. 



IJKDFURI) TOW .WSlllP. 



The first actual settler in the township of 
Bedford was probably Benjamin Sulicr, who 
located where he still lives on section 85, in 
town 8, range 7 east, in the j'ear 1828. Several 
other Frcnclimen located iu the vicinity soon 
afterwards, but at exactly what time it is im- 
possible at this late date to determine. The 
first American resident within the limits of the 
township is believed to have been a Mr. Oiven, 
who located in 1820 on what is known as the 
old Silas Smith farm, on section 5, town 'J 
south, of range (i east. It will be remembered 
that General Harrison marched from Fort 
Meigs to Frenchtown in 1813, and having 
artiller}' necessitated bridging the streams. 
He with his armj' crossed Half-Way Creek, on 
the above mentioned tract, and wo suppose 
that Owen followed the road as far from the 
settlement on the Mauniec and Ten-Mile Creek 
as he thought safe, as Indians were at that time 
very numerous and not to be trusted loo far. 

After Mr. Owen, a man named Sibley occu- 
pied the house, and often sold whisk j' to the 
Indians. One evening they came for whisky, 
and not being able to obtain any, made an 
assault upon Sibley with their knives, wound- 
ing him severely, and left him for dead. His 
wife ran for help to the nearest neighbor.*, four 
miles distant, probably at Tremainesville, and 
when she returned with the help her husband 
was missing. After a diligent search he was 
tbund under tlie bridge at llalf-Way Creek. 
This terminated his dealing with the Indians 
in whisky, also his residence in Bedford. In 
1830 or 1831, Silas Smith purchased the farm, 
and it is still owned bj' his descendants. 

Bedford township was, prior to 183t;, a part 
of the township of Erie, and was then called 
West Erie, but in ISitO was organized as the 
town of Bedford. There were at that time 



fift}- 01' si.xly residents, including several 
Frenchmen. Of the American residents who 
were heads of families at that time, the follow- 
ing onlj' are left in the townslii]), viz. : Levi 
Lewis, Lucas Adams, Theophilus Osgood, and 
Edmund Ruwson. William P. Ilubbell, one ol' 
the number, died during the past year. 

The first township meeting was hehl at the 
house of Levi Lewis on the second day of May, 
1836. Twent3--five votes were ]iolied, and the 
following named officers, twenty-eight in num- 
ber, were elected, viz.: Supervisor, William 
Dunbar, who was a man very highly esteemed, 
and subsequentlj' represented Monroe county 
in our State legislature and was for a number 
of years the sheriff of Monroe county. Late 
in life removed to the township of Monroe, 
where he resided until hisdcath, which occurred 
August 2, 1870, leaving a widow and one son, 
Edwin Dunbar, who occupies the homestead 
farm, and like his father has enjoyed the con- 
fidence of his fellow-citizens. He has fre(iuently 
been elected to offices of trust, and is the present 
representative of our count}- in the State legis- 
lature. Theophilus 0.sgood was elected clerk. 
John Glass, Henr}^ Mason, Nathan G. Watkins, 
Samson Vrooman, justices of ihejjeace. Com- 
missioners of highways were Stephen Brad- 
ford. William Filkins and Elicnezer Thornton. 
Elisha B. Hitchcock, Jacob Cronkite and Joel 
Hitchins, assessors. For collector, Charles F. 
W. Rawson. For directors of the poor, John 
Lambert, an<i Thomas Sammons. School com- 
missioners. John Lambei-t, Levi Lewis and 
Jackson Hoag. For constables, Charles !•". W. 
Rawson, John M. Gilman and Oliver S. Kecnc. 
School inspectors, D. P. Ilurlburt, Cyrus Wing 
and Obediah De Land. For fence viewers, 
Ebcnezor Thornton and William P. Hubbell: 
and for pound master, Jushua Merrills. 



r)8o 



inSTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



At the general election in Novenibei', 1837; 
fifty-one votes were polled. In September, 
1841, Bedford reported one hundred and forty- 
four children of suitable age for attending the 
common schools. 

There are three postottices in Bedford lown- 
shiji, viz.: Lambertville, Samaria and Willetts. 
Lambertville is located on the line between 
sections 19 and 80, three-fourths of a mile from 
the west line of the township, and was estab- 
lished in ISoO. There are three stores, two 
blacksmith and wagon shops, two churches, 
school-house. Masonic hall, wiih many very 
creditable residences. 

S'lmaria is on the Toledo, Ann Arbor and 
(irand Trunk Eailroad, one mile from the 
north line of the township. Besides the post- 
office and railroad offices there is a telegraph 
office, express office, two stores, two blacksmith 
sho])s, two saw mills. Willetts postoffice was 
established in 1880 on the southeast corner of 
section 2(3. 

The Methodist Episcopal church was organ- 
ized at Lambertville in 1835. The old church 
lias given place to a new church erected in 
1887; dedicated January- 1, 1888, at a cost of 
three thousand dollars, with a membership of 
one hundred and ten; annual expenses six 
hundi-ed dollars. The clergj'men that have 
ministered thereto are,-in the order named, viz. : 
M G. Perkin.ser, R. Triggs, J. Chase, W. Brock, 

A. Fitch, L. Coleman Gibson, J. R. Gillett, G. 
Sliurtliflf, J. Scotsford, W. P. Jacobs, R. Pen- 
field, P. Burrat, A. Curtis, A. F. Cuinmiugs, V. 
J. Boynton, C. A. Bruce, R. McConnel, E. 
Steele, D. R. Kelley, R. Bird, R. Dubois, William 
Taylor, S. Hendrickson, P. Sharpe, W. Cay- 
son, J. Dobbins, A. B. Greenlaw, T. Seelcy, G. 
W. Lowe, A. 1. Black, G. W. Holt, S. W. Noyes, 
J. II. Camburn, P. L. Turner, D. A. Curtis, J. 

B. Russell, E. Van Orman, J. Johnston, E. 
Bibbins, J. S. Paull, J. W. Dunlap, M. J. Scott, 
P. J. Wright, T. S. Csborne, A. Whitcomb and 
E. W. Baldwin. 

Lucas Adams, one of the five remaining pio- 
neers, was born in Lester, Addison county, 
Vermont, in April, 1806. Mary, his wife, was 
born in Elizabethtown, in the province of 
Upper Canada, as it was then called, now 
Ontario, December 23, 1812. They were mar- 
ried at Lester, Vermont, Sej^tember 17, 1834. 
Tl;e following year thej- concluded to try their 
fortunes in the then far West, and came to Bed- 



foi'd and settled on the farm where they iidw^ 
live, on section 22. There were about tifty 
inhabitants in the township, several of them 
single men, but mostly young married 
jjeople. The necessities of life they raised 
on their farms, tlio comforts they had to 
go (o Monroe or Toledo for, while the luxuries 
were not to be thought of Mr. Adams erected 
a small log house and immediately set about 
improving his farm ; has never been a strong, 
healthy man, j-et by .steady labor and economy 
in his 3-oungerdajs, is now in his old age able 
to sit down and enjoy the fruits of his labor. 
Though seldom absent from the polls, ho has 
never sought and seldom accepted office of any 
kind. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have both been 
members of the Wesleyan Methodist church 
for many j-ears. 

Theophilus Osgood was born in the township 
of Fort Ann, Washington county. New York, 
April 27. 1808. In the year 1816 his parents 
emigrated to Seneca county. New York, which 
was then the western goal for emigrants from 
the East. There he lived .seventeen years. On 
the 19th of October, 1827, he w;is married to 
Roxanna Breitman. and in the autumn of 1833 
he joined the tide of emigration that was at 
that time settling very strongly westward. He 
located on section 1 in the tow'nship of Bed- 
ford, and like all the rest of the early settlers, 
began by building a log cabin and going to 
work clearing up his farm. By hard work and 
economy in early life, he in conjunction with 
his excellent helpmate, raised a large family 
and at the same time accumulated a consider- 
able property. At the organization of the 
township in 1836, Mr. Osgood was elected 
township clerk, and he has been an office 
holder in the town.shipa large part of the time 
since. Mr. Osgood died Ajn-il 16, 1883. 

Levi Lewis was born in Ontario county, New 
York, in August, 1809. His wife. Experience 
Colbath, was born in tlie same county in 1811. 
They were married in June, 1833. In Juno, 
1832, Mr. Lewis caught the western fever, but 
lieing a prudent man did not as many have 
done before that time and as many have done 
since, pull up, take all they have and go, with- 
out ktiowing whether they will be suited with 
the soil, climate, or other characteristics of the 
country to which they are going. Mr. Lewis 
went alone to the far West, to the township of 
Erie, countj' of Monroe. He liked the place so 



TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. 



581 



well that he seciireil a location, went hack to 
his native place, married, and with his hi-ide 
returne<l to Erie. In 1835 he sold his jiossos- 
sions in Krie and hought a quarter of a section 
of land in section 2 in what was then called 
West Erie. The ])lace had a log house with a 
small clearing ai'ound it, and that small hegin- 
uing has, under his industry and careful man- 
agement, expanded into one of the best farms 
in the township, capable of furnishing the old 
couple a good living in their old age without 
care or trouble on their part, if they chose to 
do so. The next year after Mr. Lewis moved 
on to his new farm the inhabitants of the west 
half of Erie asked for a separate township 
organization, which was granted, and the new 
township was named Bedford. The first elec- 
tion was held in May at Mr. Lewis's house, and 
he was elected commissioner of schools. The 
next j'car he was elected assessor and re-elected 
the following year. The fourth year he was 
elected constable, which office he held three 
successive years. Since that time he has re- 
fused office, except occasionally taking his 
turn as overseer of highwa3'8. Thej- have 
always been among the prominent citizens of 
the township; and always known as kind, char, 
itable and read}- and willing to aid the need}-. 
William P. Hubbell was horn in Delaware 
county, State of New York, in December, 1811. 
He emigrated to Monroe county in 1827 when 
only sixteen years old, locating in Monroe, 
then a small village, with a capital of twelve 
and a half cents, a strong constitution and an 
al'undance of energy and willingness to work. 
His wife, Mary Willard, was born in Old Gil 
ford, Connecticut, in 1810. She came to this 
county in 1827. They were married in March, 
1832, he being but three months over twenty 
j-ears of age, she al)Out sixteen, and their 
present circumstances prove that early mar- 
riages are not always a bar to pmspcrily. 
About a week before their marriage, Mr. Hub- 
bell bought of the United States Government 
eighty acres of land, and some time after- 
wards he bought the adjoining forty acres, 
which together constitute his present farm. 
Of this one hundred and twenty acres he 
has cleared and drained a large portion, 
and tilled it to a great extent with his own 
exerti<ins. Mi-. Hubbell has always been a 
very positive man in conversation as well as in 
his actions, and those who know him beet 



appreciate iiis worth as a citizen and frioml. 
He has always been inclined to scjme spcciallv 
in farming; at one lime it was small fruits, 
once apples, and in fruit growing he is prob- 
ably as good autlioritj- as Monroe county 
affords. His last specialty was pork on a verv 
extensive .scale. Mr. Hubbell has never been 
active in politics; while he has his opinions and 
votes to sustain them, he has not been to any 
extent an office holder and never an office 
seeker. At the organization of the township 
in 183G he was elected to the office of fence 
viewer; the next year he was elected highway 
commissioner; since that time he has not held 
a township office, except overseer of highways, 
and that not vei-y often. He has been one of 
the most active and efficient members of the 
Uedfoi-d Farmers' Club since he has been a 
member of that organization. 

Edmund Rawson was born in Clermont town- 
ship, Dutchess county, State of New York, 
September 25, 1810. He was married to his 
first wife, Charlana Phillips, February IS, 
1832 ; came to Bedford June 8, 1833. His wile 
died November 25, 1835, leaving him two 
daughters, Emeline, wife of Robert S. Hitch- 
cock, and Charlana, wife of A. J. Russell. In 
1850 he was married to .Mrs. Mary MeLouth, 
widow of Farley McLouth.. Mrs. McLouth, 
whose maiden name was Doty, was born in the 
State of New York in May, 180ti; was married 
to Farley McLouth in Wayne count}-. New 
York, in 1831, and came to Bedford in 1834. 
Although Mr. Rawson was a resident at the 
time, he does not appear to have attended the 
meeting for the organization of the township 
in May, 183(i: he consequently failed to get a 
township office, but he has fully made up for 
the neglect since, having been an office holder 
nearly all of the time since. At a special 
meeting in October, 1836, he w-as elected 
treasui'cr, or collector as they called it then, 
and constable at the second annual meeting; 
was re-elected to the same office and continued 
to be elected to both offices for thirteen years 
afterwards, making fifteen successive terms 
that he held both offices. At the sixteentii 
annual meeting he failed to be elected con- 
stable, but still held the office of treasurer. The 
next year he was again elected to both offices, 
and so on for seven years afterwards : was 
elected again in 1S(;2. Thus held the office of 
treasurer foi- twenty-seven suceessivo terms. 



riS2 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



In lS(;r> he was elected justice of the peace to 
till :i vacancy of two j-ears, in ISfiT was elected 
for the full term, and has been elected ever}' 
four }-ears since. In 1872 he was elected drain 
coniniissionor, which office he held for one 
rear. Thus since the organization of t!io town 
he has been treasurer twenty-seven years, con- 
stable twenty-five j'ears, justice of the peace 
eigliteen j^ears, and drain commissioner one 
year, in all seventj-'One years; though in 
polities he belonged to the party in the 
niinorily in the township, yet sucli was his 
popularity with tlie citizens. As a citizen, he 
has always been regarded upright, honest and 
.•straightforward; as a neighbor and friend, 
genial, whole-souled, always read}- to lend a 
helping hand where it is needed, always ready 
to give or taUe a joke; one of the " laugh and 
grow fat'' kind. 

\S'MJ — The tir.st town meeting was held in 
tlie house of Levi Lewis, on the southwest 
quarter of southeast quarter of section two, on 
the second day of May, 183(i. John Glass was 
chosen moderator, and Henry Mason clerk, 
and on canvassing the votes it was found that 
the electors had chosen the following officers 
for the year 1836 : Supervisor, William Dun- 
bar; clerk, Theo. O.sgood : justice of the peace, 
John Glass. 

1837 — April 3, elected supervisor, Elisha 
B. Hitchcock; clerk, Isaac N. Eussell ; justices 
of the peace, Simeon Tillotson, John Glass. 

1838 — April 2, elected supervisor, Henry 
Mason ; clerk, I.'-aac N. Eussell ; justices of tlie 
peace, I. N. Eussell, F. McLouth. 

1839 — April 1, elected supervisor, Elisha 
B. Hitchcock; clerk, Charles F. W. Eawson ; 
treasurer, Jackson Hoag; justices of the peace, 
E. B. Hitchcock, L. Adams. 

1840 — April ti, elected supervisor, Henry 
Ma.son ; clerk, Charles F. W. Eawson ; treas- 
>ircr, Jackson Hoag ; justices of the peace, one 
year, E B. Hitchcock ; three years, Farley 
McLouth; four years, Henry Mason. 

1841— April 5, elected supervisor, Henry 
Wason; clerk, Charles F. W. Eawson; treas- 
urer, Jackson Hoag; magistrates, Henry Mason, 
four \ cars ; Oliver S. Keenc, three years. 

1842 — April 4, elected supervisor, Farley 
McLouth ; clerk, Charles F. W. Eawson ; treas- 
urer, Edmund Eawson ; magistrate, four years, 
Thomas P. Aldrich. 

1S4I! — April 3, elected supervisor, Farley 



McLouth ; clerk, Charles F. W. Eawson ; treas- 
urer, E. Eawson ; justice of the peace, four 
years, F. McLouth. 

1844 — April 1, elected sujjervisor, Elisha B. 
Hitchcock ; clerk, Charles F. W. Eawson ; 
ti'easurer, E. Eawson ; justice of the peace, 
(icorge Kirtland. 

1845 — Apjril 7, elected supervisor, Farley 
McTjouth ; clerk, Henry Mason ; treasurer, E. 
Eawson ; justice of the peace, Henry Mason. 

1846 — April G, elected supervisor, Farley Mc- 
Louth ; clerk, Henry Mason; treasurer, E. 
Rawson ; justice of the peace, T. 0.sgood. 

1817 — April 5, elected supervisor, Farley 
McLouth; clerk, Henry Mason ; treasurer, E. 
Eawson ; justices of the peace, F. McLouth, 
Charles F. W. Eawson. 

1848 — April 3, elected supervisor, Farley Mc- 
Louth ; clerk, Charles F. W. Eawson : treas- 
urer, E. Eawson ; justice of the peace, George 
S. Ilillar. 

1849 — April 2, elected supervisor, Henry 
Mason; clerk, Charles F. W. Eawson ; treas- 
urer, E. Eawson ; justice of the peace, S. Bristol. 

1850 — April 1, elected supervisor, Thomas 
P. Aldrich ; clerk, Silas Bristol ; treasurer, E. 
Eawson ; justice of the peace, Charles F. W. 
Eawson. 

1851 — Ajjril 7, elected supervisor, Charles 
F. VV. Eawson; clerk, Wm. Dunbar; treasurer. 

E. Eawson ; justice of the peace, J. G. Keller. 
1852 — Api-il 5, elected sajjervisor, Charles 

F. W. Eawson ; clerk, Wm. Dunbar; treasurer, 
E. Eawson ; justices of the peace, J. L. Stearus, 

G. Ketcham. 

1853 -April 4, elected supervisor, George 
Kirtland; clerk, William Dunbar; treasurer, 
E. Eawson ; justice of the peace, S. Bristol. 

1854— April 3, elected supervisor, Henry 
Mason; clerk, W^illiam Dunbar; treasurer, E. 
Eawson ; justice of the peace, E. Thornton. 

1855 — April 2, elected supervisor, Caleb D. 
Sumner; clerk-, Eobert S. Janney ; treasurer, E. 
Eawson ; justices of the peace, Geo. Kirtland, 
W. Eawson. 

1856 — April 7, elected supervisor, Caleb D. 
Sumner; clerk, Eobert S. Janney; treasurer, E. 
Rawson ; justice of the peace, T. P. Aldrich. 

1857 — April 6, elected supervisor, Eobert S. 
Janney; clerk, Eichard Thornton, treasurer, 
E. Eawson ; justices of the peace, S. Bristol. G. 
Hitchcock. 

1858 — April 5, elected supervisor, Caleb D. 



TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. 5g3 

SumiK'r; clerk. Heiii-y Mason; treasurer, E. I'^'JG — April 2, olcctcd su|iorvisor, Amos . Mc- 

Jva\Ason ; jiisiicc of tlie ])cace, J. W. Janncy. rjoutli ; clei'k, Addison E. Jdinbar: treasurer 

1859 — April 4, elected supervisoi-, Caleb D. E.Bristol; justice of the peace. 8. K. Kiniie3'. 

Sumner; clerk, Addison E. Dunbar; treasure)-. *S67 — April 1, elected supervisor, Anio.s Mc- 

E. Rawson : justice <>( the peace. George Kirt- Eouth ; clerk, Addison E. Dunbar ; treasurer, 

land. E. Bristol ; justice of the ])eacc, Iv Kawson. 

1800 — April 2, elected supervisor, Caleb D. 18()8 — .Xiu-il 7, eleetod supervisor. Jjiiues W. 

Sumner; clerk, Addison E. Diinbai-; treasui'er, .fanne\-; clerk, AdilLson E. Dunbar; treasurer. 

E. Kawson ; justice of the peace, G. Hitchcock. T. O.sgood : justice of the ]}ea(e. J. S. Jlitcli- 

18(!1— April 1, elected supervisor. James W. eock. 

.Tanney; clerk, Addison E. Dunbar ; treasurer, 1^^^ — April ."). elected supervisoi-, John J. 

E. Uawson ; justice of the jieacc. S. Bristol. Sumner; clerk, Addison E. Dunbar; treasurer. 

1862— April 7, elected supervisor, Caleb D. ^^ Bristol ; justice of the peace, L. Farnham. 

Sumner ; clerk, Addison E. Dunbar ; treasurer, lW70— April 4, elected supervisor, John J. 

E. Rawson ; justice of the peace, W. Rawson. Sumner; clerk. Addison E.Dunbar; treasurer. 

1863 — April 6, elected supervisor, Chester D. ^^- Bristol ; justice of the peace, (ieorge Kirk- 
Mason ; clerk, Addison PI Dunbar; treasurer, land. 

George Hoag ; justices of the peace. M. Blouch, 1871— April :j. elected supervisor, J(jhii J. 

James Hitchcock. Sumner; clerk, John J. Dixon : ti-casurer. E. 

1864 — April 4, elected supervisor, (,'hester D. Bristol .justice of the peace, E. Rawson. 

Mason; clerk, Addison E.Dunbar: treasurer, 1872— .\pril 1, elected supervisor, John J. 

E. Bristol: justice of the peace. .1. S. Hitch- Sumner; clerk, John J. Dixon; treasurer, E. 

cock. Bristol ; justice of the peace, J. S. Hitchcock. 

1865 — April 3. elected supei-visor, Robert S. For town officers from 1873 to 1888, sec 

Janney; clerk, Addison P]. Dunbar; treasurer. ]'age 271. 
E. Bristol ; justice of the peace, J. J. Sumner. 



BERLIX TOWXSHTT. 

The townshiji of Ash was organized out of Newport, thi-ough which the Michigan Cen- 

Frenchtown in 1837. In 1867 Berlin was tral or Canada Southern and Lake Shore 

organized out of Ash. The first supervisor Kaili-oads pass, comprises three dry good 

elected was John Strong, in 1868 Win. S. stores — Bargassa & Co., A. G. Gamble and 

Morcy. In 1869, 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874 J. F. Colburn ; one grist mill, owned by 

P^-ed Neidermeier, and for officers to and in- I. J. Neideriueier; one feed mill anil 

elusive of 1889, the reader is referred to state- basket manufactory, owned by Calkins & 

ment in this volume on page 271. Brothers ; two basket manufactories, owned by 

Within the limits of this town are two thriv- Ward iV: Son and B ; one creamery stock 

ing villages. South Bockwood is on the Lake company; three blacksmith and wagon shops, 

Shore Railway-. The leading and main pro- owned by A. Menard, P. P^ix, and kludge; 

prietor, John Strong, has in successful opera- two saloons, R. P. Navarre and tieo. Martin, 

tion a two-story bi-ick store with an extensive proprietors; one millinery store, by Miss Lizzie 

stock of merchandise, a public assembly room, Bondenet, one drug store, by Doctor J. J. 

a flouring and stave mill, with all modern im- Valade : one ('ongi-egational and one Melho- 

provemeiits ; a number of improved farms, dist church: with two depots:and two practicing 

well stocked with imported stock; a com|)et- physicians — Drs. J. J. au'l J. L. A'alade. 
itor at county and State fairs, and having ever 
been an industrious, ])rudent and enterprising 

busine.ss man, is regarded one of the wealthiest Mlt.S. lUHTI.A E. SOUTIIWoRTII 

men of the county, through whose generosity Is a native of Georgia, P'ranklin county, Ver- 

Ihe substantial church was mainly built. niont, being liorn there Scitteniber 16, 1812, 



584 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and liviiif^ willi hor parents, Ileiiiy ami 
Zeruah (Herri ngtoii) Blodgett, until iier mar- 
riage with Josiah C. Aselstyne in Swanton, 
Vermont, September 25, 1834. They at once 
went West, and settled in Berlin the ne-xt 
month, on a farm where she now lives, although 
a frame building has taken place of the original 
log cabin. Jler husband died May 15, 1851, 
leaving her with seven children, three boys and 
four girls, of whom only two are now living : 



Horace, who lives on the old homestead, and 
Mary, living in Muir, Ionia county, Michigan. 
September 'iO, 1867, she was married a third 
time, her companion this time being Ezra 
Southworth, who died December 29,1888. Her 
second son, Myron Aselstvne, enlisted in 1862 
in the Twentj'-Sixth New Yoric Volunteer In- 
fantry, and died in the hospital at Bakersville, 
Marv'land, October 2, 186:!. 



DUNDEE TOWNSHIP. 



The township of Dundee is in the western 
part of Monroe county, and was formed from 
Summerfield and Raisinville at their re-organi- 
zation in 1838. The first town meeting was 
held April 1, 1839, at the house of Samuel Bar- 
ber, who was elected supervisor. The first 
land entry was made by William Remington, 
on July 23, 1823, and included that part of the 
village of Dundee south of the Eiver Raisin. 
During the next ten years came Riley Inger- 
soll, Natiianiel Richmond, Ira Irons, George 
Wilcox, Martin Smith, William PJierdun, Sam- 
uel Rankin, Ileman Spaulding, Samuel .leniie, 
Enos Kent, Justus Jermain. The turnpike 
from LaPlai.sance to and through Dundee was 
laid out in 1832, and a bridge across the River 
Raisin built in 18.33. 

In 1835 there was a postoffiee called Winfield 
kept at the house of the postmaster, William 
H. Montgomery, two miles east of the village 
of Dundee. The following year he was suc- 
ceeded by Alonzo Curtis, the office removed to 
the village, and its name changed to Dundee. 
The mail came semi-weekly from 1839 to 1843, 
then weekl3' until 1861, when it was changed 
to tri-weeklj-, and in 1862 made daily. Since 
the Iniilding of the railroads there are six 
mails a day. In 1873 it was made a money 
order office. 

A log school house was built in 1834, on the 
present site of William H. Pulver's wagon 
shcjp. Two years later it was destroyed by 
fire and replaced with a frame building, now 
standing on the adjacent lot. Among the early 
teachers were Rebecca Whitman, Dr. Bassford, 
Emily Jcnne, Mrs. White, John II. Montgom- 
er3', Junius Tilden, Mr. Townsend, William 
Parker, and Henry Watling. There are now 
twelve school houses in the township, seven 



frame and five brick, with a total valuation of 
$30,550. The present number of school chil- 
dren is about 1,200. 

The history of the Dundee M. E. Church 
dates from 1832, the first sermon being 
preached on October 2d of that year, by the 
Rev. Elijah Pilcher. There arc at present one 
hundred and eightj'-nine members. The church 
property consists of a brick church at Dundee 
and one at Azalia, a frame building at Raisin- 
ville, and a parsonage in Dundee, the whole 
valued at $10,500. 

The Baptist Church in Dundee was first or- 
ganized in 1835. The house of worship was 
built in 1857. For some years there was only 
transient missionary preaching, but now there 
is a regular pastor. 

The records of the first Congregational 
Church show that it was organized November 
29, 1836, and in 1843 a building was erected. 
Since that time it has met with varying for- 
tunes. In 1888 it had a membership of si.xty- 
four, with church property valued at $3,000. 

The Canada Southern Railroad was opened 
to Dundee in 1873, and in Jul}', 1875, a large 
excursion to Detroit celebrated the completion 
of the road. The Toledo, Ann Arbor and 
North Michigan followed closely after, the sta- 
tion at Dundee being opened in 1878. 

There is a \evy fine water power, utilizing 
tiie waters of the River Raisin for manufixctur- 
ing purposes, and no less than twelve manufac- 
turing establishments in which steam power is 
used. The village is surrounded by a very en- 
terprising and thrifty farming community, 
pos.sessing farms under a high state of cultiva- 
tion, fine buildings, orchards and stock, and 
lands for fertility and richness not surpassed for 
farming purposes in any portion of the State. 




B 



^ 



M t~~-J§^ 



tOWNSHir HISTORIES. 



o8S 



b. A. CURTIS 
Was born in Smithfield, Madison county, New 
York, December 17, 1820. His father, David 
Curtis, moved to Ontario county in tiie spring 
of 1824, and three 3ears later moved to (i recce, 
a small town near Jiochcster. His mother, 
Wealthy (Dewey) Curtis, died in 1832, and his 
fatlicr sohl the farm and moved to Michigan, 
taking a canal boat as far as Buffalo and then 
emharUing on a steamer for Detroit. At tlie 
hitter place the family were transferred wilii 
all their household goods to a one-masted scow, 
decked over at both ends, and commanded by a 
Frenchman who had two mates. A third man 
in the crew was a Yankee, who could beat the 
French on profanity. The scow floated down 
as far as Maiden during the night, and half of 
the passengers took a small boat and pulled for 
Canada for the purpose of getting breakfast, 
but at no place could the^- j)rocure breakfast 
enough for the company. At last a negro who 
knew one of the men offered to cook them a 
meal, and seated in his garden they eiijuyed a 
well-cooked breakfast. Using his jack-knife 
for his ham, he found when reaching the scow, 
he had forgotten to replace it in his pocket. 
The scow floated before a good breeze for a 
few hours, and then was becalmed. He, with 
others, took a boat and rowed ashore, where 
they found a deserted house and a fine orchard 
from which they gathered apples. At night, 
the wind arose, and the next morning they 
found themselves at the mouth of the River 
Raisin. The scow was anchored all day, and 
men were sent up to Monroe for bread, etc. 
They did not return until afternoon, when the 
anchor was raised, and the scow, attached to 
the small boat by a rope, was pulled up to the 
dock. A cousin met the family with his wagon 
and took them to his home, where supper was 
awaiting them, and Mr. Curtis remembers it as 
" the best meal of victuals mortal ever tasted." 
.\fter a few days rest they moved up the 
river to visit "Uncle Noble Curtis," near the 
(ieorge Sorter place. From there they passed 
on to where Dundee now stands, part of the 
company going on foot. Mr. Curtis drove the 
wagon, but being a small boy he managed to 
run over a sapling that had been cut down 
and fallen across the road, and winding through 
the wheel turned the wagon over and emptied 
all the contents. They crossed the river to 
Duudce on a rope ferr\-, which was a great cu- 



riosity to the boy. The mills near this ferry 
were owned by S. VanNest, who also kept a 
store and managed the hotel; Mr. Pine was 
the clerk ; Mr. \Vilc<i.\. father of Byron and 
Delos, lived below the village; < 'aptain Inger- 
soll and the judge, his brother, were I'esidents 
of the settlement; Asa Curtis and Truman 
Curtis, his brother, lived in the woods about 
half a mile west. On the south side of the 
river were Peter Read, Mr. Pitts and .lonathan 
Fisher. 

The townships of Dundee and Summertield 
met together (or "town meeting" in 1833, and 
nineteen voters were jiresent at that meeting, 
which was held in a log school house near 
John N. AVadsworth's place. The year before, 
the village had no school house, no church or- 
ganization, and the Mormons began active 
work in the settlement— succeeded in luring 
awa\- a number, but their places were soon 
filled bj' new settlers. Fnos Kent and Mr. 
J?oof settled on the south branch of the Macon 
in 1832. Bears and wolves were thick in the 
wooiis, and Mr. Curtis, sr., killed two bears 
and any number of deer, being a "mighty 
hunter ' Foxes troubled them exceedingly in 
their chicken coo])s, and the coons destroyed 
their corn, but Mr. Curtis was fortunate in 
owning a dog that killed " dozens of foxes and 
hundreds of coons." 

.\t this time the roads from place to place 
were mere paths winding around stumps and 
bogs, and Mr. Curtis remembers seeing a lum- 
ber wagon hitched to two }'oke of oxen and 
driven bj- a woman. The load consisted of one 
and one-half bushels of grain. They came 
from two and one-half miles west of Dundee, 
and before they reached the "millway every 
ox had his tongue out full length." 



BEN.IAMIX H. CUKTISS, 

Who passed from the alHictions of this earth to 
a celestial mansion February 22, lfc82, was a 
native of the Empire State, where he was born 
December l.'i, I81'.l. In his tenth year he came 
to Monroe county with his jiarents. Noble 
Curii.ss, who was born November 22, 1775, and 
Marv (Dunham) Curtiss, born .lanuary 28, 
17K-1, and married in their native State (New 
York) October 7, 1802. On their arrival in 
Michigan they settled in ^^onn)e. ami n few 



586 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



yeai's later moved to Eaisinville, where they 
lived for three years, when they moved to 
Dundee, to which he afterward platted an ad- 
dition, and where for over half a century Mr. 
Curtiss lived the life of an honest, upright man, 
respected by all his friends and neighbors. 
There being no educational facilities in Monroe 
county, he went to the common schools of his 
native State for a short time and laid the 
o-roundwork of an education, which he after- 
wards built upon by his own application and 
common sense until he became what might 
aptly be termed a .self-educated man, and known 
by all his acquaintances as a careful and con- 
servative business man, just in all his dealings 
with his fellow-men, and whose word was held 
as good as his bond by all who knew him. In 
politics he was a Democrat of the old school, 
and while not a politician in any sense of the 
word was elected to many important offices, 
among which was that of county treasurer, to 
which he was elected for two yeai's, his brother- 
in-law, Amos T. Heacock, being his deputy, 
and who was afterwards elected to the same 
oflBce. For five years he was the shop keeper 
in the Michigan State's Prison at Jackson, from 
which position he was promoted to that of 
deputy warden, which office he held for five 
years, to the entire satisfaction of the Stale 
officials in charge of that institution. During 
his career at Jackson he suggested many val- 
uable improvements in the management of the 
prison, which arc still cherished by the State 
board. 

His wife, Hannah M. Heacock, to whom he 
was married December 28, 1844, was born in 
Seneca county. New York, July 16, 1823, antl 
is the mother of Sidney B. Curtiss, born in 
Dundee January 20, 1840, the husband of 
Jane R. Eawson, who was born October 18, 
184(j. They also have one child, Chloe M. 
Curtiss, born April 19, 1869. Mrs. Hannah M. 
Curtiss is the daughter of Samuel C. and Cath- 
erine (Lynch) Heacock, both natives of New 
York, the former born in 1792, and dj-ing No- 
vember 29, 1850; the latter born in 1799, and 
dying in Dundee December 20, 1861. While 
not a member of any church Mr. Curtiss lived 
ail upright Christian life, and taking the golden 
rule as his motto was esteemed by all his largo 
circle of ncquaintances as a good citizen, a 
warm friend and a kind hu.sband and father, 
and his death, which occurred February- 22, 



1882, was mourned by all who knew him. 
During his residence of over fifty j^ears in 
Dundee he was a witness of many of the 
(dianges wrought by the march of civilization, 
and which brought the little hamlet of a few 
scattering log houses and a scoi'e or so of in- 
habitants into a thriving incorporated village 
of nearly two thousand souls. 



WILLIAM EARL SLAYTON 

Is of German descent, his parents, Andrew and 
Dorothy (Hibbard) Slayton, coming from 
Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, the former dying 
at Dundee December 24, 1880, at the ago of 
sixty-six, of inflammation of the lungs; the 
latter now living in good health sixty-six years 
old. Mr. Slayton was born at Dundee March 
12, 1848, and after the usual education of the 
district school attended the high school at 
Hudson, Lenawee countj-, after which he went 
to farming, first on the Van Wormer farm for 
a year, then bu^'ing a farm in Dundee, where 
he lived for seven years. After this he moved 
into the village of Dundee and bought out the 
brick and tile yard of Truman Gee, to which, 
in February, 1889, he added a lumber yard, 
and furnishes all kinds of pine lumber for 
building purposes. The capacity of his brick 
yard is about one million brick and five hun- 
dred thousand feet of tile per annum. He was 
married at Blissfield, Michigan, December 31, 
1885, to Margaret Bazella, daughter of John 
and Lucy (Upell) Perry, whose children are: 
Harry William, born January 7, 1887, and 
Zulu Margaret, born February 21, 1889. 



STEPHEN THURSTON HARDY, 

The oldest son of David and Elizabeth (Ward) 
Hardy was born in Clearmont, Hilisboro 
county. New Hampshire, July 24, 1812, and is 
the second of a family of seven children. His 
parents were farmers in Massachusetts, and in 
1825, with the entire family, emigrated to 
Michigan and took up a tract of Government 
land near what is now Ypsilanti, when 
there were but three log cabins on the site of 
the present city. In 1829 he sold his claim 
and moved to Augusta in Washtenaw county, 
where he purchased a farm, and David and 




'^/[jzy-^yk^A^^ J^ '^c^<yU( 



tOWNSHlP HISTORIES. 



o87 



Stephen operated n saw and grist mill for 
many years on Stony Creeic, near Augusta. 
October 15, 1840, he married Matilda Alzada, 
daiiglitcr of Fisher Ames and Ecbecca (Piclc- 
ering) Darling, at her home in London town- 
ship. She was born in Mondon, Massachu- 
setts. April 3, 1S20. Her father was born in 
Khode Island March 11, 1792, and died Novem- 
ber 23, 184."). Her mother was born in Massa- 
chusetts April 18, 17!t3, and died May 22, 1873. 
The journey of the elder Hardy from Massa- 
cluisetts to Michigan was a stormy one, being 
wrecked near Cleveland, Ohio, and compelled 
to go on foot for nianj- a weary mile to their 
new home in the wild woods of ^licbigan. 
During his father's life Stephen remained at 
home, and from the time of liis marriage till 
his father's death at Ypsilanti in September, 
18(iC, by power of attornoj- he acted as his gen- 
eral agent in the transaction of his business, 
and at his death settled up tlie estate without 
the appointment of an administrator. He con- 
tinued the occupation of a farmer and miller 



until 1871, when he retired from active work, 
and with his wife moved to the village of Dun- 
dee, where ho has since lived a retired and 
peaceful life awaiting the summons that sooner 
or later comes to all to put off this mortality 
and put on immortalit\-, and while neither ho 
nor his wife have ever joined any church, both 
have lived the life of Christians, following the 
precepts of the golden rule. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hardy have raised a family of twelve children, 
five boys and seven girls, of whom two girls 
and one boy live in Dundee ; one girl in Lon- 
don, and one girl and one boy in Augusta. 
Mr. Hardy is a life long Democrat, but has 
never taken any active part in politics. Ho 
was highway commissioner in Washtenaw 
county for several years, and was elected 
justice of the peace, but refused to qualify. 
Under the administration of Harrison he was 
appointed postmaster at Oakvillu post office, in 
the township of Augusta, which position he held 
for some five years. 



ERIE TOWNSHIP. 



When that portion of Monroe countj' that 
now comprises the town of Erie was first set- 
tled by white people is questionable. The 
Jesuit priests, explorers and voj-ageurs at a 
very early day, following the shores of Lake 
Erie from Maumee Bay, approached Bay 
Creek, and they were evidently favorably im- 
pressed with the general appearance of the 
country in that vicinity, finding there a stream 
that readil}- admitted the canoes and bateaux 
of large size, the only facilities then in use for 
traversing the newly discovered country of the 
northwestern territory. That they then estab- 
lished missionary stations and trading posts 
there can be no doubt, for when the Govern- 
ment of the United States first purchased by 
treat\- with the Indians that portion of our 
territory, there were in different parts of Baj- 
Settlement (now Erie) large pear and apple 
trees, many of which measured seven feet 
in circumference near the ground, and covered 
a surface of forty feet in diameter in the out- 
spread of the branches, while the land bore the 
impress and appearance of having for years 
been under cultivation by a number of French 



families who were at that earlj- day the pio- 
neers of the country. 

These pioneers from the Canadas and 
" Sunny France," who preceded the English- 
speaking people in the settlement of this town, 
were a hardy class of people, with great powers 
of endurance, and from living so many ye.ars 
near the savage tribes of Indians adopted many 
of their habits and customs, one of which was 
their strong aversion to work except when 
driven to it by stern necessity. Their wants 
were few, and being to a very great extent de- 
pendent upon the chase, the}' readily procured 
from the abundance of wild game, large and 
small, that abounded in the forests, skins and 
peltries which they exchanged for rude cloth- 
ing, blankets, ammunition, coffee, whiskj- and 
tobacco, and not until a ver}- recent date have 
the buckskin shirts, fur coats, leggins and shoe 
packs given place by their descendants to the 
underwear, lioots and shoes in use at the pres. 
ent time. It would be putting it very mild 
should I say that they were temperate in the 
use of whisky and tobacco, and unrestrained 
by Red Ribbon Societies or temperance advo- 



588 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MlCHIOANf. 



eaten. The fur traders were caivt'iil to have 
an abundant su])i)Iy thereof, as a large share of 
their profits wore derived from tiieir sale. 

If they needed meat they liad but to load their 
carabines and away to the woods, game being 
abundant, and they were sure to return in a 
few hours with a black bear or one or two deer. 
Failing in this they would shoot a hog, carry 
it home, lay it on the ground, cover it with 
straw and other light combustibles, then set fire 
to it, singeing the hair and bristles off; they 
would then scrape it and turn it over and i-e- 
peat the singeing and scraping process ; that 
completed, they would hang it up and dress it. 
The next move would be to procure a jug of 
whisky, though it might involve the necessity 
of going miles for it. Neighbors were then in- 
formed and invited, and so long as the game or 
hog lasted there was no end of feasting and 
carousing. These excitements seemed to 
constitute the greater part of their enjoyment. 

Another custom worthy of notice was their 
mode of shoeing a horse or colt for the first 
time. As no pains were taken to render the 
animal gentle or kind with a view to such an 
end, the colt or horse was caught on the com- 
mons and handled enough to render it possible 
to lead him with a rope, and the gi-eater the 
resistance the greater the excitement. The 
blacksmith, instead of holding the horse's foot 
as smiths usuallj- do in these days, would place 
the foot on a board some four or five feet long 
hy four or five inches broad, which was always 
kept in the shop ; this was held at an angle of 
45 degrees. Every thing being ready, resort 
was had to the jug in the corner, then the pro- 
cess of paring the hoof preparatory to setting 
the shoo was commenced. This was always ac- 
companied with a great deal of talking, laugh- 
ing and coarse joking, as large crowds of men 
and boys always congregated on such oc- 
casions. The sotting of the shoes was followed 
by a return to the jug in the corner. Tiie 
whole operation often occupied the entire day. 

Dancing at their feasts constituted a part of 
the amusement, the music generally consisting 
of a violin, the fiddler knowing but one or two 
tunes, and these pitched to a high key, their 
idea of music being noise with verj- little 
harmony ; they rarely danced more than two 
or three figures, the rest of the time being- 
given to frolicking. 

Another source of amusement with tliese 



simple people was horse-racing in the winter 
on the ice, with French ponies, the only kinti 
of horses then in use here, a breed of horses of 
great powers of endurance, and frefj^uently fast 
for the times. 

In March, 1826, one of the most celebrated 
races of the times occurred on the border of 
Lake Erie, between the pacer White Stocking, 
owned by Isadoro Navarre, and a French 
pacing pony owned by Stephen Duval : dis- 
tance, two miles. The owner of White Stock- 
ing had, the year previous, challenged the 
world to run against him, being deemed the 
swiftest horse in North America, but in this 
instance was distanced by several rods. Dur- 
ing the winter months contests calculated to 
test the powers of enduraiice of these French 
ponies were- of frequent occurrence, at times 
accomplishing one hundred miles on the ice 
between the rising and setting of the sun. 
The ponies were not fed beibre starting in the 
morning, but driven ten or fifteen miles before 
given a light feed, and then sped on their way 
again. 

For their evening amusements they resorted 
to dancing and card pla^'ing. As they had 
but very little communication with the outside 
world, they lacked enterprise. They were 
satisfied with raising enough to make the ends 
of the year nieet. The highest ambition of i\n- 
young men was to own a French pony, with 
saddle and bridle. 

In later years, in fact long after the war of 
1812, the Eoman Catholic religion prevailed to 
the exclusion of all other sects. The Catholic 
priests, for whom they had great respect and 
veneration, bad great power and influence over 
them, influencing them to a sti-ict observance 
of the holy days, of which there were annually 
over forty, attending church in the morning, 
while the afternoon was given up to various 
amusements. In the early days of the settle- 
ment, miscegenation was tolerated to a great 
extent. The original French had no scruples 
about intermarrying with the Indian squaws, 
and it was fre([ueutly the ease the descendants 
bad more of the characteristics of the Indian 
than of the French stock from whence they 
originated, but later intermarriage with the 
English-speaking people created a great change 
in this respect, and a marked difference is ap- 
parent. This was not encouraged by the 
priesthood, and numerous excommunications 



TOWNSIlll' IIISTOKIKS. 



osit 



occurred for niai-rnng outside of the jmle of 
the Catholic churcli. 

The introduction of Kuir'ish schools iji the 
settlement, of which tlie Hon. Salmon Keeney 
had the lionor of being the first organizer and 
teacher, produced a mai-ked change in the con- 
dition of the Frencli inhabitants. The exami- 
nation of early records will show that near!}- 
every conveyance was signed with the cross, 
while now it would be difficult to find one of 
their descendants in tbo settlement without a 
common school education. 

The first English local pi'cacdier. William 
Wilkinson by name, tbat was heard in this 
township, came from Canada in 1832 with his 
family, and settled on the road leading from 
Ten Mile Creek to Monroe. His humble log 
cabin, yet unfinished, was surrounded by a forest 
with the exception of a beautiful lawn of wild 
grass in front of the house. One of the inci- 
dents occurrini; during bis early ministry is 
worthy of a pei-manent record. The fii'st Sab- 
bath after tbey had completed their new home, 
earl\- in the morning a beautiful deer maile its 
appearance upon the lawn in front of the house 
and began to feed upon the wild grass. John, 
the elder son, bad taken tlown bis rifle and was 
prcj)aring to shoot the animal. The conscien- 
tious local preacher stopped him, saying, 
•There must not be any shooting about his 
premises on Sunday. Ife had not left his re- 
ligion in Canada, but hail bi'ouglit it with him 
into Michigan, and the sanctit}- of the Sabbath 
must be observed by all the members of the 
familj- as it had been in the i)ast." 

John said he believed God had sent it to 
tbem, as there was not a mouthful of meat in 
the house. 

" No, my son. God never sent that deer to bo 
killed on the Sabbath. He never tempts peo- 
|de to do wrong." 

John put away his gun i-elu(tanll\', remark- 
ing " he hoped he might never have such a 
Methodist religion, there was too much super- 
stition connected with it." 

On Monday- morning about the same time of 
day it had appeared on the Sabbath morn- 
ing, the deer returned to the same ]dace in 
companj- with a large buck. Mrs. Wilkinson 
called John and her husband an<l directed 
their attention to the beautiful sight. John 
sprang for his loaded ritle atid was sighting 
the buck. 



'■ .\o. my son," said .Mi-. Wilkinson. '• I want 
you to shoot the doe first." 

" Father, whj- not take the buck ' He is 
much the largest." 

■ Do as I say and then you will find out what 
I mean, and I will teach you something, \ny 
son, about bunting. Take good aim, don't get 
e.xcited, antl shoot the doe right back of the 
shoulder." 

John fired, and as the bullet struck' the doc 
she bleated, the buck still standing waiting for 
his mate to start with him. John then loaded 
mikI fired again ; the buck dro])ped. As John 
and his fatiier walked out and stood beside 
their j)rize, John was perfectly delighted. 

" Now, my son." said his father, " I want you 
to remember there is nothing to be made by 
breaking the Sabbath. God never rewards 
people for disobeying his requirements, but 
always rewards obedience to his will. Now 
you have two deer for one by keeping the 
Sabbath; the doe not being disturbed yesterday 
i-etnrned to-day with her mate, and the scarcity 
of meat of which you complained has been 
aliiindanlly supplied, and you have the pleasure 
of knowing you have kept the Sabbath and 
have obliged youi- [larents. And now, John, 
what do you think to-day of your father's re- 
ligion and his Methodism?" 

John hesitated; " Well, to be honest, I like it 
much better than I did yesterday." 

.\ society known as the Krie Vigilance Soci- 
ety, whose object was to try and put a stop to 
horse stealing, which a( the time was a source 
of much annoyance and loss to the inhabitants, 
was organized in Ivrie in April, 1840. The 
first meeting of citizens for this i)urposc was in 
res|)Onse to a nunierousl}' signed call. 

Looking at the map we find Monroe county 
and Erie township in the extreme southeast 
corner of the State of Michigan, the Buckeye 
State bounding it on the south, Bedford and 
LaSalle on the west and north, and the waters 
of liake Erie circumscribing its eastern limits. 
I'nlil reorganized by act of legislature, it 
comprised the ))resent townships of TiaSalle, 
Bedfi>r(l and Whitelbrd, and that portion of the 
lirescnt State of Ohio which belonged to the 
Territory of .Michigan ])rior to its organization 
as a State in 1S37. 

The first township meeting was at the 
house of Francois Cousineau, at the Bay 
Settlement, on Monday, May 28, 1827. For 



590 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Erie township officers the reader is referred to 
page 272. 

In October, 1829, Hon. Sahnon Keeney was 
by Governor Cass appointed justice of the 
peace. 

The first meeting of the inspectors of schools 
for the township of Erie, of which there is any 
record, was held at the house of J. T. Gilbert, 
April 10, 1837, at which time John P. Rowe 
was chosen chairman of the board, and on 
May 27th they met and divided the township 
into eight school districts, to which an- 
other was added the next month. October 
10, 1838, the annual report was made to the 
cou-nty clerk, by which ninety-five pupils ap- 
pear to have attended. The enrollment shown 
is as follows : In 184.5, 321 scholars, apportion- 
ment, $89.88 ; 18-16, $106.95; 1847, $122.88 ; 
1851, $168.64; 1855, $242.88; 1857, $249.10; 
1858, *257.00 ; 1859, $226.51. 

In 1834 the first scliool house was erected 
by private subscription. The building was a 
frame placed on district No. 1, and John T. 
Gilbert was the first teacher. Following him 
we have a Miss Gunn from Waterville, Ohio, 
and in the winter of 1835-6, by John P. Rowe. 
The next school house was built as a saloon 
and grocery in the village about 1840, and pur- 
chased for school purposes a short time after. 
In 1850 the third, of brick, was built in the 
village. The fourth was a frame building 
erected on District No. 5, in 1852; the filth in 
1853, a frame building on District No. 3. 

In 1826 a post office, known as Bay Settle- 
ment, was opened with Benoni Newkirk as 
postmaster. He was followed by Salmon Kee- 
ney, 1833 to 1847, and in 1834 he had the name 

of the office changed to Erie, to correspond 

with the name of the township. 

In 1847 Ira Smith handled the mail bags for 

two years. From 1848 to 1863, Horace Hertz- 

ler delivered the letters, and in 1863 James 

Cousino took his place, to be succeeded in 1868 

b}' B. Y. Darling, and shortly after, George B. 

Smith. Then came John Weeman, who for 

nearly twenty j'ears officiated, until in 1886 E. 

W. Hilton was appointed. 

In 1836 the village of Vienna was platted by 

Christian Hertzler, and by act of legislature 

was changed to Erie in 1850. 

The first white settlers in the township were 

Hycinthe Bernard and Louis Momenee, about 

1800. 



The first cemetery was the old Roman Cath- 
olic cemetery near the church, which was 
opened about 1816. The second by the Prot- 
estants on section 8, about 1835. 

Railroad communication was opened in 1858 
by the advent of the Lake Shore, and ten years 
later by the Michigan Central. 

The principal hotel in the village, the Brie 
House, was built in 1853, and after being sold 
to several parties passed to the possession of 
the present proprietor, John Weeman, in 1865, 
who came here in 1845 from Canton, St. Law- 
rence county. New York, with his wife and two 
boys (twins), Hannibal and Hamilton, and who 
has held several offices of trust. 



JAMES MULHOLLEN, 

A prospei'ous farmer on section eight of Erie 
township, was born in Erie March 24, 1836, 
the son of James and Sarah (Agnew) Mulhol- 
len, and on December 29,1861, was married to 
Anna, daughter of Elihu and Maria (Wilson) 
Hall, who is the mother of three children, two 
girls, Estella and Carrie, both living at home, 
and one boy, Henry, who was married Febru- 
ary 14, 1890, to May Hall. The farm of one 
hundred acres is pleasantly located on the old 
Government road, about seven miles south of 
Monroe, and was purchased b}' his father, and 
on which he was living at the time of his 
death. In polities Mr. Mulhollen has always 
been a Democrat, but has always refused to 
accept any offices at the hands of his political 
party. 

His father, James, was for twelve or fifteen 
years township supervisor, and deputy count}- 
sheriff for several years. In 1839 while hold- 
ing the latter office he attempted to recapture 
a counterfeiter, who had made his escape from 
the eount}^ jail, and pursuing him as far as the 
Waterloo farm, after a severe fight, during 
which the criminal cut off all the buttons on 
his vest, was compelled to kill the fugitive in 
defense of his own life. 



JOHN G. PEABODY 

Was a native of Nashua, New Hampshire, 
where he was born December 26, 1791, and 
with but few advantages in hie early life to 




ff^ ^\ 







TOWNSHtr HISTORIES. 



:m 



acquire an education, yet bj" observation and 
jinsh worked hi.? \va3' up from the humble ap- 
|)i-entiee of a village liiacksmitli to that of a 
]u-o.sperous manufacturer and farmer at the 
time ofiii.sdeath, which occurred in Krie town- 
ship August lit. 1859. When in his nineteenth 
year his nia.ster moved to Antigonisli, Nova 
Scotia, and Mr. Pcahody went with him. and a 
short time afterward bought liis time of him 
and opened quite a large establishment for the 
manufacture of a.xes. which he supplied to the 
whole.sale trade. Three j-ears later, February 
23, 1814, he wa.s married by the IJev. James 
.\[onroe, to Harriet Sophia Irisii, who died 
.May 20, 1843, at the age of forty three. Of a 
large family of children but fourare now living, 
viz. ; Francis William, born December (i, 1830 ; 
and Harriet Hill, born September 12, 1824, 
both living in Escondido, San Diego county, 
California ; Caroline Sophia, born July 20, 1827, 
and living in Texas; and Adelaide, born Octo- 
ber (5, 183."), and living in Pagetown, Morrow 
county, Ohio. In 183G he left Nova Scotia 
and moved to Buffalo, coming on his own ves- 
sel to Providence, Rhode Lsland. After living 
in Buffalo for about three years engaged in 
business, during which he lost the accumula- 



tions of a lirctinie to the amount of nearly forty 
thousand dollars. He moved to Toledo in 
1831), and there opened a general store and be- 
gan life anew, but everything looked dark and 
gloomy, the swamp fever attacking the entire 
family to such an extent that Adelaide, then 
liiU five years of age, was the only one able to 
be up and about the house. In 1841 he settled 
in Erie town.ship, and going to his native place 
Se])tembcr 10, 1843. was married to Lucy Ann 
Cogswell, who was born in Concord, New 
Hampshire, January 23, 1810, and who.se on Ij- 
child. Almira HIizabeth, was born June 8, 1846, 
and September 11, 1870, was married to John 
A. ^IcDonald, a well-to-do farmer in Erie. His 
second wife died at Erie January 2, 1888, and 
with the remains of Mr. Peabody and his first 
wife are resting in Woodlawn Cemetery at 
Toledo, Ohio. All through his life Mr. Pea- 
body endeavored to .so live as to gain the 
esteem of his fellow-citizens as an honest, up- 
right man, a good husband and kind father. 
On his death, August 16, 1859, he was buried 
with Masonic honors by the members of ^lon- 
roe Lodge, No. 27, F. and A. M.. of which he 
was one of the oldest members. 



EXETER TOWNSHIP. 



This township was organized in 1836 out of 
London, to which it had been set off from 
Raisinville in 1833. From 18.38 to 1842 there 
were no supervisors, their duties being per- 
formed by county commissioners. The first 
election was held In April, 1836, at which Gil- 
bert Palmer was elected supervisor: Patrick 
(^)rrigan in 1837, Moses Bowlsby in 1838, Pat- 
rick Corrigan in 1839, .lohn Murphy- in 1842 
and 1843, Luke Duniiin in 1844, Lewis Welch 
in 1845. John Murphy in 1846 and 1847, Luke 
l>unn in 1848, Lewis Welch in 1849. and Ber- 
nard Kaleigh in 1850. The records of super- 
visors from 1850 to 1873 were consumed when 
the court house was burned. For supervisors 
and town officers from 1873 to 1888 inclusive, 
the reader is referred to page 273. 

The village of Maybee, within this town- 
ship, is a direct outgrowth of the building of 
the Canada Southern Railway. The large 
amount of limber adjacent to the site first devel- 



oped the manufacture of charcoal, and a small 
village sprang up around the kilns and side- 
track. Its original site was on the farm of 
.\bram Maybee, E.sq.. and from this the place 
took its name. From the small beginning of 
ehai'coal burning an active and enterprising 
village, with industrial and mercantile at- 
tachments, has followed. Messrs. Maybee & 
Hasle^' have a finely equipped roller floui'ing 
mill; three general stores, kept by Burgess 
& Young. Charles Happy and Joseph Klotz : 
blacksmith shops, with market, wagon shojis, 
a fine hotel kept by Charles Jeloch, and a num- 
ber ofe.xccllent houses. Dr. Lawrence Bald- 
win has an office there. There is a fine school 
and two churches, a Congregationalist and St. 
.loseph's Catholic Church which has been re- 
cently completed, under the energetic adminis- 
tration of Rev. James Ronayne, with which is 
connected an excellent parochial school, under 
the charge of Miss Beddoes, of Wyandg^te. 



592 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 

FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP. 



This was oue of tlio townshii^s reorganized 
in 1827. The old boundaries were retained, 
including Ash and Berlin. The first election, 
in the spring of 1827, was held at the house of 
Francis LaSalle, within the limits of the pres- 
ent fourth ward of the citj' of Monroe. Edmund 
Littletield was elected supervisor that year, and 
re-elected in 1828, John B. Cicott in 1829, 1830 
and 1831, James J. Godfrey in 1832, Laurent 
Durocher in 1833 and 1834, Medard Couture 
1835, and Warner Wing in 183G. The history 
of this township is so identified with the early 
settlement of the county and city of Monroe 



that further notice is not necessary. The town- 
ship included so much of the present city as 
lies north of the River Uaisin, until 1818, when 
an act of the legislature separated that portion 
of the city from the township. Laurent Du- 
rocher was elected supervisor in 1842, 1843, 
1844, 1845, 1846 and 1847; Alfred G. Bates in 
1848 and 1819, and Gouverneur Morris in 1850. 
The records of suvervisoi's and town officers 
were consumed when the court house was 
burned, and for supervisors from 1873 to 1888 
reference is made to page 267. 



IDA TOWNSHIP. 



Ida township was organized from Raisinville 
in 1837. Hiram Cooney was elected the first 
supervisor at an election held at the house of 
Thomas S. Clark. Among the first settlers 
were George Willard, Chauncy Owen, John W. 
Talbot, Matthew Fredenberg, John Campbell, 
Josiah Kellogg, William Richardson, David 
Brainard, Alonzo Durrin, Joseph Gregory and 
Anthony Briggs. The supervisors elected 
after 1837 were as follows : Richmond Cheadle 



in 1842, Peter K. Zacharias in 1843, 1844 and 
1845, Wesley Conant in 1846, William L. Riggs 
in 1847, P. K. Zacharias in 1848, Nathaniel 
Langdon in 1849 and 1850. For supervisors 
from 1842 to 1872 reference is made to page 
267, and for township officers from 1874 to 1888 
inclusive reference is made to page 273. Quite 
an enterprising little village (though not in- 
corporated) has sprung up at the station of the 
Lake Shore Railway in this town. 



LASALLE TOWNSHIP. 



LaSalle township was settled about the year 
1790, there being at Otter Creek in 1794 twenty- 
two ftxmilies, but as a township by itself was 
organized in 1830 out of the township of Erie, 
and the first election was held July 31, 1830, at 
the house of Antoine Lafontain, there being 
thirty-five votes cast. Francis Charter was 
elected supei"visor, and again in 1831, 1832, 



1833, 1834 and 1835. Charles Villette was 
township clerk in 1836, and almost constantly 
thereafter until his death in 1874. Samuel M. 
Bartlett was elected supervisor in 1842. For 
supervisors from 1842 to 1872 reference is made 
to page 267, and for town officers from 1872 to 
1888 reference is made to page 273. 



LONDON TOWNSHIP 



Was organized out of Raisinville and Sum- 
merfield in 1833, its boundaries comjjosed of 
what is now Exeter, London and Milan. The 
part now constituting Milan before that be- 
longed to Summerfleld. 

The first township meeting was held April 1, 
1833, at the house of Abrahani Hayek. Cyrus 



Everett was elected supervisor ; Henry Chitten- 
den, clerk ; William E. Marvin, John C. Sterl- 
ing and Samuel Nichols, jr., assessors. Cyrus 
Everett was re-elected supervisor in 1834, 1835, 
1836 and 1837. For supervisors from 1842 to 
1888 inclusive, see page 267; and for township 
officers from 1873 to 1888, see page 274. 



TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. 



503 



MILAN TO^A'NSHIP. 



Milan township lies in the extreme noi-ili- 
west corner of Monroe county. The Toledo, 
Ann Arbor and Xorth Michigan Kailwu}- 
jiasses through the eastern portion of the 
township with Azalia (formerly East Milan, 
P. O. Eeeves Settlement) and Milan as its 
depots, and the Detroit Division of the Wabash 
railroad, also with two stations: Cones (formerly 
known as West Milan) and Milan within the 
township limits. The township is watered by 
Saline river, Maoon and Bear creeks, and 
Centre Ditch. 

The first officers of ililan township were : 
.Supervisor, Warren Mead; township clerk, 
David A. Woodward; justices of the peace, 
John Spaulding, Warren Mead, Alva Marsh and 
David A. Woodward ; assessors, James Whaley. 
Luther N. Sanford, Xoah Chittenden. 

For supervisors from 1873-1888, see page 
267. For township officers from 1873-1889, 
see page 275. 

In 1833 a post office was opened with Bethuel 
Hack as postmaster. It was known as Farmers 
or Tolanville. In 1834 David A. Woodward 
was appointed, and in 1836 the name was 
changed to Milan, although up to 1859 it was 
called Tolanville, Woodward's Mills and Milan, 
at which time the name was officially changed 
to Milan by order of the Postmaster General. 
The first school house was built in the spring 
of 1837 by William and George M. Han-son. 
and was a frame building on the site of 
Charles M. Elackmer's residence. The Milan 
Leader was started in March, 1882, hy A. B. 
Smith and A. E. Putnam, the former purchas- 
ing the entire interest in 1884. It is indepen- 
dent in politics, and has a circulation of 700. 

Up to 1866 the various denominations held 
services from time to time in the school houses 
or private buildings. In 1888 the corner stone 
of the new memorial Methodist Episcopal 
church was laid bj' the Rev. M. H. Bartram, 
the present pastor. The Free Methodist 
church has a membership dating from the win- 
ter of 1865-6. 

West Milan was opened as a post office in 
1859 with John C. Cone postmaster. In 1880 
the Wabash Western Railroad was opened 
through, and the station called Cone, and the 



following j'ear the name of the post office was 
changed to correspond. In 1885 the pi'esent 
incumbent, W. Curry, succeeded Mr. Cone as 
postmaster. 

At this point as early as 1846 the Jioman 
Catiiolic church was organized by Rev. Pierre 
Smothers, of Detroit, and attached to the 
Ypsilanti parish. The church was started in 
1848 and an addition built in 1855. 

In 1866 Rev. Thomas Lupton organized a 
class in the Methodist Episcopal church, with 
a large number of members. Services were 
held in the old school hou.se until thej' could 
build a church, which was done in the summer 
of 1867, and <ledicated in February, 1868, by 
Elder L. H. Dean. 

East Milan, or Reeves Station, where Reeves 
and son had established themselves as the 
Star Bending Company, was opened as a post 
office in 1866, with Stephen Frink as post- 
master, mainly through the exertions of Daniel 
T. Hazen, who, with a few others, deemed the 
business done there to be of sufficient amount 
to obviate the necessitj' of going to West Milan 
for their mail. Mr. Hazen took the office in 
1867, and was followed in 1872 by Joseph 
-Meadows. John AI. Lewis succeeded in 1877, 
and in 1884 the office was turned over to A. C. 
Reynolds. On September 1, 1887, the post- 
master-general issued an official order changing 
the name of the ])ost office from East Milan to 
Azalia (to correspond with the name of the 
R. R. station) and ajipointeil Joseph Meadows 
postmaster. 

A class of the Methodist Episcopal church 
was formed here in 1856, with Shubcl Lewis 
leader. In 1870 they built and dedicated a 
brick church, which is supplied everj- other 
week by Rev. J. G. Morgan, of Dundee. 

The Toledo, Ann Arbor and Grand Trunk 
Railroad (now the Toledo, Ann Arbor and 
North Michigan) was opened June 8, 1878, 
and the Detroit, Butler and St. Louis Railroad 
(now the Detroit Divison of the Wabash Rail- 
road) in the summer of 1880. The dividing 
line of Washtenaw and Monroe counties }>asseB 
through the village, which is mostly in the 
(ormer county, and we find was incorporated 
in March, 1885. 



594 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



MONROE TOWNSHIP 



Was one of the five townships reorganized in 
1827. The boundaries were not changed, and 
included so much of the city of Monroe as lies 
south of the River Eaisin till 18-18, when the 
city was set oti' by itself. 

The fir.'st election in 1827 was held at the 
court hou.se in the village of Monroe. On the 
28th day of May, 1827, Samuel Choate was 
elected supervisor; Edward D. Ellis, clerk; 
Jeremiah Lawrence, Joseph G. Navarre and 
Samuel Stone, sr., were elected assessors; Hi- 
ram Brown, Dan. MulhoUen and Samiicl H. 
Gale, commissioners; George Alford and Wil- 
liam P. Gale, overseers of the poor. Of the 



votes cast in 1827 whose names are on the poll 
list, none are cow living. Samuel Choate was 
re-elected supervisor in 1828; Walter Colton 
in 1829 and 1830; Daniel S. Bacon in 1831; 
Luther Harvey in 1832 and 1833; Edward D. 
Ellis in 1834; Peter P. Ferry in 1836; Nathan 
Hubble in 1842. For supervisors from 1842- 
1872, reference is made to page 267, and for 
township officers from 1872 to 1888 inclusive, 
reference is made to page 275. The early set- 
tlement of this town is largeh' identified with 
the early settlement heretofore detailed with 
that of the city of Monroe. 



RAISINVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



The township of Eaisin ville was one of the 
five townshi])s reorganized in 1827, and ex- 
tended over the present townships of Ida, Dun- 
dee, London, Milan and Summertield. The 
town meetings were generally held at Giles' 
Tavern, about ten miles below the present site 
of Petersburgh. 

The first land in this region was entered by 
John Anderson, generally known as Col. An- 
derson, March 1, 1822. On the 23d of the fol- 
lowing October, W. Comstock entered land. 
Anderson did not settle or improve this tract, 
but sold it to a man by the name of Blanchard 
in October, 1823, who built a house thereon, 
and began to improve the land. This property 
is now owned by N. C. Dunham, son of Dr. 
Nelson Dunham, who was an early settler. 
Blanchard was an extraordinary man, possess- 
ing courage and fortitude sufficient to make a 
hero of him, had it been exercised in the right 
direction. He was unfortunate in the loss of a 
leg, amputated at Monroe only a year or two 
after he had settled on his land. As an in- 
stance of his fortitude and enduraneo, it is 
stated that when the usual preparations were 
made for amputation, he stepped composedly 
up to the table and deliberately laid his leg 
thereon and submitted to the operation with- 
out exhibiting any signs of nervousness except 
a slight twitching of the muscles at the time 
the surgeon reached the bone. Prom that lime 
to the day of his death he exercised all the 
faculties of an energetic pioneer, and woe to 



the Indian who crossed his path after he had 
but one leg to use. During this period he 
went one day to Monroe to mill, and on his re- 
turn was beset by Indians. Having a jug of 
whisky with him, ho was annoyed by one in 
particuhir, who seemed determined to possess 
himself of the jug, or at least part of its con- 
tents. Blanchard leaped to the ground, seized 
an axe that he had with him and struck the 
Indian in the breast, burying the axe therein. 
The victim was buried on a spot of ground 
now owned by M. G. Tyler, about three quar- 
ters of a mile above Petersburgh. 

At the time the events we have just related 
(1823), several families came in, and the wil- 
derness began to assume the appearance of 
civilization. Those who located claims near 
Blanchard were Walter Comstock, sr., Horace 
Hart, John Preston and James Smith. During 
the same j-ear Gideon Wells settled on the op- 
posite side of the river from Blanchard, and his 
sons, Morris, Seth and Louis soon after settled 
near him— Morris on the farm recently owned 
by John Page ; Seth on the Spencer place, 
then owned by Col. Levi S. Humphrey, of 
Monroe, and Louis Blanchard on a jjoint of 
land near the lower bridge at Petersburgh, now 
or lately owned by Earl Tremain. 

In 1824 several more families moved in, 
among them Richard Peters, deceased, the 
father of John, George and Charles Peters, all 
of whom are now living in the immediate 
neighborhood of Petersburgh, highly respected 



TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. 



595 



and esteemed substantial farmers. J. N. 
Wadsworth and George Wilcox, of Dundee, 
were among the ])ioneers of this township. 
The widow of Mr. Wadsworth still occupies the 
first frame house framed and enclosed in the 
two towns, situated on tlio south side of the 
river, between Dundee and Petersburgh. The 
tirst school house, built of logs, was not fur from 
the residence of Mr. Wadsworth. 

About this time Messrs. Peters, Wells and 
Hart went a considerable distance up the river 
and cut u large whitewood tree and made a 
dug-out or canoe, with which Mr. Peters fer- 
ried travelers across the river at or near the 
present site of the Petersburgh flouring mills. 
This craft was eighteen feet long, and with it 
wagons as well as people were carried over the 
Kaisin in safety. This was the mode of cross- 
ing until the year 1828, when a bridge was 
built. 

Originally a belt of heavy timber, consisting 
raoslly of oak, ash, hickor\-, maple and elin, 
from three to ten miles in width stretched 
along the northern bank of the river, with oak 
openings on the south side. Now much oftiiat 
unbroken wilderness consists of fine fiirms, 
mostly under a high state of cultivation, with 
fine residences, commodious barns, while hero 
and there, at irregular intervals, cliurches and 
substantial school houses stand out as beacon- 
lights, all denoting general prosperity and 
progress, financiallj-, morally aiid mentally. 

Previous to and for several years alter the 
first settlement of these points by the whites, 
the Indians occu])ied them as their camping 
grounds and burying grounds, and many indi- 
cations of their occupancy have existed up to 
a very recent dale, but now the onward march 
of civilization has obliterated all traces of their 
existence. These Indians belonged principally 
to the Pottawatomie and Wyandotte tribes, and 
formed a part of the noted confederacy under 
the leadership of thocelebrated chief Tecumseh, 
who, with his brother, the Prophet, were the 
principal instigators of the massacre that took 
place on tlie River Raisin. Thus, until the 
close of the AVar of 1812, a spirit of hostility 
pervaded the original occupants, that rendered 
settlement among them extremely hazardous, 
therefore this locality was then visited by while 
men only for the jnirpose of trade and traffic. 

In attempting to record the early history of 
this part of the Slate, it will be necessary to 



refer to the preliminaries attending so im- 
portant an undertaking as the survej' and 
settlement proved to be. In the winter of 1808 
Congress i)assed an act to establish the private 
land claims of the settlers who had for a 
certain length of time resided on these claims, 
and to provide for this survey. 

In accordance with the provisions of the 
act, Aaron Greeley was a])pointed to make 
the survey of all the lands in Monroe county. 
He began the work in the fall of 1809, 
and completed it in 1810. His work was 
prosecuted under many serious difiiculties. 
Such were the conflicting interests of the 
claimants, that at times it became almost im- 
possible to determine what their just allow- 
ance should be. It was utterly im])ossiblo to 
adjust the.se claims to the entire satisfaction of 
a community holding their lands by no title 
save that of possession. These private land 
claims embraced the entire lake border of 
Monroe county, and lands on either side of the 
River Raisin, to the west line of the township 
of Raisinville; also lands on Plum creek. 
Otter creek, Stony creek and Swan creek. The 
claimants were mostly French, who settled on 
their claims at an early day. 

The survey was not made according to any 
parallels or meridians, but were run at right 
angles with the course of the streams on which 
they lay. The}' were generally narrow, ex- 
tending back into the country a distance often 
of six or eight miles, and embraced some of 
the finest farms in Monroe county. Many of 
these farms are still held by the descendants 
of tlie original claimants. 

There were a few English or Yankee families 
residing in the county at that lime, who were 
generally regai-ded as intruders upon the rights 
of the settlers of longer standing, and were 
consequently subject to many inconveniences 
and privations by the original owners or 
claimants. 

At the close of the year ISll matters as- 
sumed so much of a warlike appearance as 
to render A resilience extremely unsafe for 
American families, in conseijuenee of the influ- 
ence exercised by the British leaders, and 
others in the interest of Great Britain, over 
the Indians. The designs of Congress, there- 
fore, in regard to the surveying and bringing 
into market the lands in this district, were 
frustrated for the time being. In the summer 



596 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of 1816 a party of surveyors arrived to resume 
the work. The survey begun by this party has 
a base line and princi])al meridian of its own, 
separate from the adjoining States. The base 
line begins at a point on Lake St. Clair, 173 
links south of the southeast corner of old land 
claim 222, and extends west to Lake Michigan, 
a distance of 212 miles, and was run by David 
Fletcher. The principal meridian was run 
due north from the Maumee River, at Fort 
Defiance, to Lake Huron. This line was run 
by Aaron Greelej-. A full party for such a 
campaign consisted of one surveyor, one axe 
man, two chainbeai-ers, two pack men, two 
hunters and one cook. 

In 1817 the southeast corner of the State 
was divided into townships, and in 1819 it was 
subdivided into sections. When we consider 
the circumstances and disadvantages under 
which the work was performed — immediately 
after the close of the war, .in which the Indians 
had been stimulated to acts of barbaritj- — 



traversing rivers and swamps, and an unbroken 
wilderness swarming with wild beasts of prey, 
and attended Avith dangers on every hand, we 
can but regard them as heroic and courageous. 
Uobert Clark meandered the River Raisin from 
the confluence of its branches, near Adrian, to 
its mouth, a distance ot 178 miles hy course of 
the river. He was a veteran surveyor, and 
died on the Indian tniii, with his compass on 
his arm. 

Riloy IngersoU (tiicn living at what was af- 
terwards Dundee) was elected supervisor of 
Raisinville in 1823, Samuel Atkinson in 1829, 
Richard Mettez in 1830 and 1831, Cyrus Ever- 
ett in 1832, Norman D. Curtis in 1833, Eliph- 
alct Clark in 1834, Norman I). Curtis in 1835, 
"William H. Montgomery in 1836, George Young- 
love in 1842. For supervisors from 1842 to 
1888, refer to page 267-270. The records from 
1850 to 1873 were burned with the court house. 
For town officers from 1873 to 1888 inclusive, 
see page 276. 



SUMMER FIELD TOWNSHIP. 



Summerfield was settled in or about 1820, 
among the first settlers being Seth and Polly 
Wells, Louis, Morris and Russell Wells, Luc3', 
Olive and Electa Wells, who settled a short dis- 
tance east of the present village; John N. 
Wadsworth, Richard Peters, Elihu Ward. Rich- 
ard Peters came here in 1824, settling on sec- 
tion four, nearly opposite the present railroad 
station of Petersburgh, and in his house the 
first white child, Charles Peters, was born 
March 17, 1826. 

The first school house in the township was a 
log structure on the northwest quarter of the 
southwest quarter of section thirty-four, on 
what is now known as the Tremain farm (then 
the Louis Wells farm). It was started by 
subscription about 1827. In 1831 the building 
becoming overcrowded a school house was built 
on the east part of the Wadsworth farm on sec- 
tion thirty-five, and one in the village on the 
corner of Elm and River streets, about forty 
rods south of the bridge, both log. The latter 
was replaced in 1836 with a frame building, on 
the corner of Elm and Saline streets, which was 
opened by Alonzo Bigsby in the winter 1836-7, 
and remained until 1869, when it was moved to 
the eastern part of the village, converted into 



a dwelling house, and the present graded 
school built at an expense of SI, 400, There 
are at present nine school districts in the 
township, each having a very commodious 
school house. The total enrollment of the 
schools is 571 scholars, with a seating capacity 
of 634, and an average attendance of 440. The 
valuation of the buildings is about $20,000. 

The first township meeting was held in the 
house of Mrs. Polly Wells, a short distance 
east of the village, having adjourned to there 
from the house of Morris Wells. 

The first bridge of which we find any rec- 
ollection was built across the Raisin in 1828, 
by Benjamin Davis, prior to which Richard 
Peters ran a ferry-boat by means of which 
both wagons and men were taken over the 
river. 

The first saw mill was built in 1829, east of 
the present water mill, and became the pi-op- 
erty of Cole & Wing in 1836. 

In the spring of 1882 J. P. Becker com- 
menced operations tending to the establish- 
ment of a steam flouring mill, and with Myron 
B. Davis the business was briskly carried for- 
ward. They first began to grind in December, 
1883. The main building is 45x50, three 



TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. 



ot): 



stories high, and a sixty-horso power cni^ine 
for motive power. Tlie roof is of iron, ami 
tlie building a substantial edifice, a.s nearly 
fire-proof as possible. Shortly after Mr. 
Lantz purchased the intei'cst of Mr. Becker, 
and the mill is now under the control of 
Jvantz it Davis. In 18:52 the only doctor in 
the township of Summerfield (including Dun- 
dee) was ''Aunt ' Sina Parker, grandmother 
of the Hon. Burton Parker, 1o whose skill as 
as phj-sician, man}- still living in the town- 
ship can bear testimony, she being ver}- suc- 
cessful in handling the diseases then incident 
to the country. 

The village of Petcrsburgh is situated on the 
River Kaisin a little north of the center of 
Summerfield township, on the Detroit branch 
of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Rail- 
road, about midwaj' between Adrian and Mon- 
roe. The village was originally the farm of 
Richard Peters (from whom it was named) and 
ilccdcd by him to Thomas T. Cole and Austin 
!•;. Wing in 18.3(>. by whom the village was 
platted. 

The village is nicely laid out with broad 
streets, thickly shaded with evergreen trees, 
the streets crossing at right angles east and 
west. The corporation is laid out into blocks 
of about three acres each, and are uniformly 
graded and well provided with sidewalks. For 
communication with the outside world the 
Lake Shore road runs three passetiger trains 
each way daily on the Detroit division, while 
telegraph and express facilities are much better 
than in many places of greater pretensions. 
The postottice was opened in 1826 and named 
Petersburgh after Kichard Peters, the first 
l)ostmaster, who held the office until 1845. 

For history of the Presbyterian church of 
Petersburgh, the reader is referred to page 504. 

The histor}- of the Methodist Episcopal 
church of Petersburgh in its early day is so 
closely connected with that at Dundee, that 
the history of the latter is substantially that 
of the former up to about 1850. The meeting 
at which the first class was formed, of whose 
names only that of Mrs. Bartlett and Mrs. 
Russell can be recalled, was held early in the 
summer of 1837 in " Uncle Dave " Kussell's 
barn, anfl continued there till the inclemency 
of the weather compelled them to meet in the 
school house. As it was connected with the 
Dundee mission, the same preachers had charge 



until 1850, when it was divided and attached 
to Palmj-ra. In 1856 a lot was donated for 
church ])urp()ses by Austin Iv Wing, and a 
church built tlie same year. In 1859 it was 
made a charge by itself, and so continued until 
1874, when it was united with Deerfield. The 
present membership is sixty, with a Sunday- 
school having an average attendance of about 
fifty, with Elihu Wadsworth superintendent. 

The Free Methodist church in Petersburgh 
was organized in February, 1887, in tlic house 
of H. I'. Rose. Rev. W. Cochrane ])astor in 
charge. In 1886 a church was built at a cost 
of about S700, which was dedicated October 6, 
1887, at which time a Sunday-school was or- 
ganized, with E F. Tremain superintendent. 
The present church membei'ship is twenty -one. 

The Church of Christ was organized in the 
spring of 1878. The flock had for its shei)- 
herd in 1878-9, Elder E. W. Gordon, and J. J. 
Harris from 1880 to 1884, since which they 
have only had evangelical preaching at inter- 
vals, although each Sabbath holding Sabbath- 
school and social meeting. In 1879 the .society 
built a frame church, which was dedicated the 
first Sunday in June by State Evangelist Sias. 

The Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's con- 
gregation of the Unaltered Augsherg Con- 
fession, was formed in 1876 b}- the Rev. F. 
Iske, then pastor at Ida, who commenced 
preaching in Peterslmrgli in 1875. The Rev. 
Christian Ilager was installed pastor in .\ugust, 
1876, in which year the congregation huilt a 
church at an expense of nearly two thousanil 
dollars, which was dedicated November 10. 
1876. The Rev. Duever followed in August, 
1878, and later the present pastor. Rev..l.Krue- 
ger,was installed. At present there is a member- 
ship of thirty-four families represented by one 
hundred and fifteen communicants, in the con- 
gregation. The church has a parochial school 
with forty scholars, and a parsonage adjoining 
the church, valued at eleven hundred dollars. 

At the close of the war the only brick build- 
ing in the village was a small blacksmith 
shop on Center street, west of Saline street; 
now there are eightbrick dwellings, two brick 
blocks of stores and offices, a lirick church, 
a brick school house, and a brick grist mill, 
being an increase of from S/iOO in 1865, to 
upwards of 850,000 in 1888. During this time 
nearly- one half of the village has been built up, 
in fact all that portion on Center street, cast 



598 



MTSTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of Division, and soutli of Walnut, with the 
exception of one house. At the present time the 
popuLation numbers over six hundred. Dur- 
ing this lime ne\vsj)apers have been printed 
bj' sevc'i-al parties, the pioneer effort beini,' the 
Avalatiche, hj' Henry T. Gage & Co., which 
was started in June, 1871, continuing xintil 
the fire of Sc])tember 4, 1872, when it was 
suspended. Tliis was followed by J. C. Seeley 
with the River Raisin Clarion, which, after 
about a year, was closed out by mortgage fore- 
closure. In Jlay, 1880, Ira D. Boardman 
issued the first number of the Bulletin, which 
to all appearances has come to stay, as its 
circulation is 700 and increasing. Politically 
it is independent. The Journal was started 
November, 1883, by a stock company, consist- 
ing of John O. Zabel, Dr.Frank AVillett, Eugene 
Cornell and Willey K. Gonsolus. February 
25, 1884, fire suspended the issue for about 
three months, when 0. C. Bacon & Brother, 
having purchased all that remained after the 
fii-c, resumed the issue, and continued until 
March, 1887, when the plant became the prop- 
erly of E. A. Gilbert. 



JAMES I. RUSSELL. 

Among the older residents of Sumnierfield 
perhaps none are more worthy of mention than 
Helen M. Eusscll, the widow of James I. Eus- 
sell, who was for many years closely identified 
with the early histor}' of Sumnierfield. She 
was born in Oneida county, New York, March 
7, 1819, and with her parents, David and 
Wealthy (Dewej-) Curtis, came to Sumnierfield 
(now Dundee) in 1833. In the summer 
of 1839 she kept school in the first frame 
school house ever built in the township, 
and December 8, 1840, married James I. 
Eussell, and began housekeeping in a little log 
cabin on section IG, on which farm she lived 
until Mr. Eussell's death, February 1, 1882, 
when she purchased a house in the village of 
Petersburgh, into which she moved the next 
April. 

In speaking of her life, which for nearly half 



a century had been spent on the old farm, she 
has just reason to be proud of the family which 
she has there reared. The oldest, James Otis, 
born Februarj' 19, 1842, was offered a sacri- 
fice on the altar of his country, enlisting in the 
Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery, and dying in 
the hos]iital at New Orleans, November 27, 
1804, after passing through many hard-fought 
battles ; Jane Ann, born April 23, 1844 ; Alonzo 
C, born November 27, 1847, died September 
17, 1849; Horace Isman, born February' 11, 
1850, now a train dispatcher in Oregon ; Henry 
Wayne, born April 3, 1852, now a mining su- 
perintendent in Mexico; Mary Wealthy, born 
May 4, 1854, died October 26,1854; Newton 
Buchanan, born Sej)tember 18, 1855, and now 
living on the old farm ; Orra Hull born Nov- 
ember 18, 1858, now one of the leading hard- 
ware merchants of the township; and Eugene 
D., born February 9, 18G1, and for some years 
past, township clerk. 

Of Mr. Eussell we would say that up to the 
time of his death, Februai-y 1, 1882, he had al- 
ways been a respected and honored citizen. 
Born in Ja3', Essex county, New York, June 
24, 1812, he came to Sumnierfield at an early 
date, and was the last survivor of the number 
who voted at the first election in the township. 
He drove the first team through to Toledo, and 
helped construct the first dock in the "Corn' 
Citj-." Although devoting his time chiefly to 
farming, he always manifested a lively interest 
in the various improvements and issues of the 
times, serving as supervisor four years, and as 
representative one term, as well as most of the 
minor offices in the township. As a public 
man his record was clear ; as a private citizen 
he was a genial whole souled gentleman, well 
and favorably known to nearly everyone in 
the section ot his home. Possessed of fine so- 
cial and conversational talents, he was always 
a welcome addition to any company, never 
fiiiling to add a large degree of pleasure by his 
jovial good humor and fund of information 
and anecdote. At his funeral was one of the 
largest turn-outs ever seen in Summerfield, the 
business houses in Petersburgh all being closed 
durinic the hours of his funeral. 







oa.^t^^i-'^^-'i-JLi 



TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. 

WHITEFORD TOWJVSHIP. 



69fl 



At a meeting of the electors of the towriRhip 
of Whiteford convened at the house of William 
Wilson on the 7th day of April, 1834, for the 
jiiirpose of organizing said township according 
to law, William Wilson was chosen moderator, 
and James White, clerk; and after l)eing diil_y 
ijualified the meeting elected the following 
officers : 

Supervisor, David AVhite ; (dcrk, James 
White; assessors, William "Wilson, Frederick 
Leonardson, William M. White; collector, Elisha 
Corbin ; poor directors, Joseph Titsworth, 
David White; highway commissioners, Adam 
A. Gardinier, Samuel Russell, James Egnew; 
Constables, Philander M. Jeff'ers, Elisha Corbin; 
overseers of highwaj', I'^rcderiek Leonardson, 
Samuel Young, Bishop .Surdam, Patrick Flynn, 
John S. R. Ludd ; fence viewers, James Dein, 
William McMillan. 

April 12, 1834, the township was divided 
into road districts — five in number. 

April 7, 1838, the school inspectors met and 
appointed Ilenry Yaughan chairman, and di- 
vided the township into districts. 

The annual report of the several school dis- 
tricts for the year ending September 3, 1888, 
show the number of children attending school 
in the townshi[i 40G. Of the school houses si.x 
are frame buildings and three brick, with a 
total valuation of 85,5.50. The schools have 
a total seating capacity of 539. 



THE CANDEE FA.MILY. 

Caius Marius, eldest son of Asa and Mary 
(McAlpine) Candee, was born in Volney, Os- 
wego county, N. Y., June 7, 1812. His fiither, 
though of English ancestry-, was born in 
Connecticut, while his mother first saw the 
light in Scotland, and came with her parents 
to America early in life. 

The early years of Caius \>ere spent in help- 
ing his father on the farm, and in school. In 
1831, when nineteen years of age, during a re- 
vival of religion he came to realize, in some 
measure, the importance of a change of heart; 
he at once yielded and began to live in iiar- 
mony with his convictions of duty. He soon 
united with God's professed people. The tem- 
perance question being agitated about that 



time, he joined the temperance society, and 
has always been able to keep his ])Iedge. 

At the age of twcnt}--one he had acquired 
considerable skill in the management of a saw 
mill, and also tanning, as they were both ap- 
pendages to his father's farm. He h:id also 
learned the shoenuiker's trade. As the family 
was large, and his help was not needed at home, 
he started for the West in (he fall of 1833. He 
S])eiit the winter and the following summer in 
Wiiterville, Ohio, In the spring of 1834, tiie 
whole family having decided to go AYest, two 
brothers, next younger than Caius, came on 
with a 8])an of horses and a wagon, purchased 
a lot of land, now in AVhiteford, Monroe countv, 
Michigan, still known as "Candee Place," and 
commenced making improvements. They built 
a shantj' fourteen feet square of ]>oles, such as 
they could raise, covered it with elm bark, ex- 
cept one corner for smoke to escape. They 
planted a few potatoes and sowed some buck- 
wheat. 

One of their horses being rendered almost 
entirely worthless by rushing into a place 
where a log heap had been burning, that the 
smoke might relieve it from the pest of mos- 
quitos, they exchanged the other for a yoke of 
oxen, by the help of which they were enabled 
to raise logs for the body of a house. About 
this time one of the brothers was taken very 
ill with fever. Caius came from Waterville, 
and all were looking anxiously- for the family 
to come on account of the sickness of Selden. 
On the 18th of .September they arrived in 
Vistula, now Toledo; found conveyance to the 
Forks, now Sylvania. The family found shel- 
ter for the night at General White's, while the 
father hastened to visit the sick son, and also 
to get the team and an early start for a load of 
their goods. As they had to go by way of 
Sylvania for want of another road, they met 
General W^hite coming to superintend haj-- 
making on his marsh land, and had volun- 
teered to bring the family along. Caius now 
alighted from the wagon, exchanged greetings 
with loved ones, from whom he had been so 
long>eparated, and then hastened forward in 
hope of having a more extended interview on 
his return. They did not arrive home with 
their load until alter daylight the next morn- 
ing. But what was their dismay to find the 



flOO 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGArJ. 



cliildreii surrounding the bed in which their 
sick brotlier lay, their mother Ij'ing on the 
other bod, having died of cholera morl)iis a few 
hours before. 

Disheartening as the circumstances now 
were, arrangements must be made for the 
funeral. There was no cemetery nearer than 
the Forks, and the report had made the people 
fearful of spreading the disease. With the ap- 
pliances they could command a coffin was pro- 
cured, a grave dug a few rods fi'om the shanty, 
just within the inclosure they had been able to 
make, a few men were secured to help. One 
offered praj'er, and then the coffin was forever 
hidden from their view. 

Force of circumstances now demanded eftbrt. 
The sick must be cared for. Winter was com- 
ing. Their house must be finished to protect 
them from the cold. Their mother, by economy 
in management, had been the practical financier 
of the family. Now Alty and Jane, fifteen and 
thirteen, and Amy eleven years old, were 
learning the same lessons without anj' visible 
teacher. In the four young men their father 
realized efficient help in carrying on improve- 
ments; and when means failed their muscular 
strength enabled them to clear a few acres of 
land, work in a sawmill, make boots and shoes 
or in some such way replenish their dejileted 
exchequei'. 

After a year or more, Messrs. Eobert Smith, 
Russell Clark and a few other settlers arrived, 
which made a school possible, where children 
might be taught the first rudiments. Re-en- 
forced from time to time by another family, 
who had decided to emigrate where kind was 
cheap, and grow up with the country, which 
prepared the way for civil institutions to be 
established, and thus afford opportunities for 
mental culture, of which they had been so long 
deprived. 

After a few years, avenues of usefulness, 
more or less remunerative, opened to one and 
another, until the father and oldest son were 
left mostly alone on the farm. For a large 
family to be deprived of a mother's care so 
early in life, it may not be ami.ss at this point 
to give a brief account of each in the order of 
ages. Leander, the second son. farmer, died of 
inflammatory rheumatism in Hillsdale county, 
aged thirty-four. Selden went, in an early day 



from the lead mines of Galena, to California, 
secured his pile and returned to Iowa, to locate 
as a farmer, from which he has now retired in 
old age. Gideon , railroad man, brief illness, 
buried beside his brother in Hillsdale county, 
aged thirty-four. Alty, Mrs. Oliver Wilson, oc- 
cupation has been farming, but he is now an 
invalid, Toledo. Jane, Mrs. Silas Phelps, 
Fergus Falls, Minnesota, farmers. Amy, Mrs. 
S. K. Joles, farmers, Hillsdale county, age 
sixty-three j-ears. Ara, blacksmith, farmer 
and creamery, Iowa. Eardly went to the 
Mexican War, passed through a number of 
battles uninjured ; received his pay; was hon- 
orably discharged ; returned as far as New 
Orleans, where all trace of him was lost. A 
steamboat explosion on the Mississippi about 
that time, in which his family supposed he 
might have perished. George, minister, grad- 
uated from Oberlin Theological Seminar}', late 
of Grand Eapids, Michigan, now pastor in 
Toledo. Huldah, Mrs. George Cassada, farmers, 
Iowa. The last two were of triplets. The 
third died early. Orinda, Mrs. J. F. Siddall, 
dentist, Oberlin, Ohio. Mrs. Eliza H. Candee 
was born in Schodack, Rensselaer county. New 
York, Februarys, 1821 ; married to C.M.Candee 
October 25, 1854. A singular coincidence is 
that each belongs to a family of thirteen chil- 
dren. One son, George H., and one daughter, 
Mary C, remain with them. The aged father 
is deserving of some further attention in this 
summing up. He held the office of treasurer 
in the township for a time ; was a man of strict 
integrity, regarding financial prosperity as 
bearing no comparison with the value of his 
word. He remained with them most of the 
time until his death, w'hich occurred Septem- 
ber 15, 1871, at eighty years of age. As to the 
offices held by Mr. Candee, he was elected 
supervisor in the spring of 1850, and again in 
the spring of 1868, and the seven suc- 
ceeding years; besides he held a few other 
offices for a limited period. As they have now 
long since jiasscd the meridian of life, and 
though their pathway has been mingled with 
trial, yet they have much to be thankful for, 
and think proper at their age to be taking in 
sail, and thus become prejmred to welcome 
quietude and retirement 

Mrs. Eliza H. Candee. 



General Index. 



Advocate, 
AUouez (Jesuit) . 
.•rmateur Boat Club, 
American Flag, . 
Anderson, Col. 
Acjuatic Sport,'*, . 
Ash Township, 
Avalanche, . 
Babes in the Woods, 
Battle of Lake Krie, . 
Battle of River Raisin 
Battle of the Thames, 
Bay Point ("luh, . 
Bedford Township, 
Benac, Joseph P. . 
Berlin Township, 
Blackbirds, 
Blanchard Lodge, 
Boat Builders, 
Boating, 
Brandy, . 
Brebeuf (Jesuit), 
Brickyards, . 
Bridges, 

Business Interests, 
Cabinet Otiicers, 
Cadillac, 
Calamity, . 
Canada Southern R, 
Capitular Masonry, 
Cartier, Jacques, . 
Cass, Gen. Lewis, 
Champlin Lodge, . 
Chapman, Alcott C. 
Charter Members, M: 
Chittenden & Co. 
Churches, 
Cholera, 
City Canal, 
Clark, John P. . 
Cleveland, J. H. . 
Clubs, . 
Cold Day, 
Commissioners, . 
Conant, Horatio, . 
Conant, Shubal, 
Copper, . 
County Officers, 
County-seat, . 



Page. 

492 

10 -*.'•_' 

391-392 

38 

. 39 

391 

578 

495 

392 

r>9 

73-81 

70 

411 

479 

38 



583 
1.S9 
333 
409 
391 
30 
9 
423 



43, 140 
. 412 

253 
. 28 

139 
. 238 

3.38 

9, 19 

90, 131 

. 335 

140 
. 333 

406 
498-523 

133 
. 173 

400 
. 224 

431 

137 

206 
42 

224 
12 



Court, 

Court, First U. S. . . . 

Court-house, 

Cryptic Masonry, .... 

Dablon, Claud, 

Daniel (Jesuit), .... 

Detroit, 

Dewey Bros 

Distillery, 

Dreuillettes, 

Dundee Lfdger, 

Dundee lieporler, .... 
Dundee Township, .... 

Eaton, J. C 

Egnew, Jared. 

Eighteenth Michigan Infaiilrv, . 

Eldred, Jarvis, 

Elections, Monroe (town and villaw) 
Ellis, Edward 1). . . . . 
P^manuel Lutheran Church, 

Enterprise, 

Erie Shooting Club, 

Erie Township, .... 

Erie & Kalamazoo K. R. 

Eureka Lodge, 

Evangelical Chun^h, 
Evangelical Lutheran Church . 

Exeter, 

Farmers, 

Felch, Alpheus, 

Fifteenth Michigan Infantry, . 

First Baptist Church, Monroe, 

First Congregational Church, Uaisinv 

First Presbyterian Church, .Monroe, 

First Presbyterian Church, LaSalle. 

Fisheries 

Five Nations, 

Flint & Pere Marquette R. H. 
Floral City Boat Club, 

Flour 

Flour Mills 

Fourth Michigan Infantry, . 
French Catholic Church, . 

French Families 

French Pear Trees, .... 
Frenchtown Township, 
Frenchtown Village, 

Fruhett, Kev. Fr 

Frontenac, Count 

01] 



Page. 

137, 260 

41 

42 

. 3.39 

. 11 , 24 

9 



10, 2S, 51 

. 4(i7 

137 

, 21 

495 

. 495 

5S4 

. 424 

40 

. 570 

209 

138. 140 

130, 491 

. 510 

495 

. 411 

5s; 

. 217 

334 

512-514 

514, 510 

. .591 

4:! 



. :;74 

571 
. .lOS 

512 
. 498 

511 

. 400 

13 

. 234 

391 
. 139 

424 

. 505 

.38,517 

. 44 

38 

. 592 

37 

. 3H 

14 



602 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Page. 

Fuel 413 

Gareau, Fr. 21 

Gazette 492 

Geology, 284-295 

German Workingnien's Association, . . . 342 

Gillet, Kt'v. Fr. .38 

Governors, ...;.... 254 

G. A. R 571-574 

Grand Jury, 41 

Grapes, 425 

Griffin (boat) 16 

Guyor, Joseph, 83 

Hale, James, 136 

Hamilton, M. D 492 

Harbor of Monroe, 170 

Harvey, Luther, 200 

Hecock (schoolmaster) 40 

Hedges & Kinney 407 

High Priests 338 

Hiram Lodge, ....... 334 

Horner, John S 134 

Horse Races, 45, 137 

Hotel 137, 140 

Hull's Surrender, 48-53 

Huron Tribe 9, 13, 19, 20 

Ida Township 592 

Independent Boat Clul), 391 

I. O. 0. F 340 

Indian Reservation 47 

Indian Title 41 

Iroquois, 13 

Jay's Treaty 35 

Jesuits, 29 

Jogues, Isaac, 21 

Johnston, Kate, 391 

Joliet, M 14, 25 

Journal, 491 

Keeney, A. J 466 

Knights of St. John 430 

Knights Templar, 335 

Kurz, J. H 493 

Labadie, Medard, 70 

Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, .... 533 
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, 2.33 

LaSalle (explorer), 15-17 

LaSalle Township, 592 

Land Claims, 45-46 

La Plaisance Bay Harbor Co 45, 138 

Lawrence, Jeremiah, 140 

Letters, Old French 98-106 

Liberal Shooting Club, 410 

Libraries, 525 

Light-house, 140 

Lincoln Lodge, 342 

List of Volunteers, .533 

Lillle Diamond, 494 

London Township, 592 

Loranger, Joseph 40 

Lost Lands 46 

Lutheran Church 514 

McClelland, Robert 375 



Page. 

Mardi Gras 44 

Marquette (Jesuit) .... 10, 14, 22 

Marriage, 44,100 

Mason, John T 133 

Mason, Stevens T 133-134 

Masonic Chapter 1.30 

Masons, 326 

Massacre of River Raisin, .... 54-67 

Masters (Masonic) 333-334 

Medical Profession 432 

Menard (Jesuit), 10,21 

Methodist Church, ...... 506 

Mexican War, 343-346 

Michigan, ,9 

Michigan and Ohio Railroad, .... 241 

Michilimackinac, 11 

Milan Baptist Church, 512 

Jlilan Leader, 593 

Milan Lodge, 335 

Milan Township 593 

Miller, Dan. B 223, 258 

Mineral Springs, 295 

Missionaries, Early 18 

Mississippi River, 16 

Monroe, 40 

Monroe Advocate, 491 

Monroe City Officers, 258 

Monroe Commercial, 492 

Monroe County, 42, 45 

Monroe County Bible Society, . . . .511 
Monroe Democrat, . . . ' . . . 494 

Monroe Gas Light Co 414 

Monroe Index, 494 

Monroe Journal, 491 

Monroe Ledger, . . ... . . . 494 

Monroe Marsh Co 408 

Monroe Monitor, 493 

Monroe Sentinel 491 

Monroe Times, 492 

Monroe Township, 594 

Monroe Village, 141 

Monroe Yacht Club, 409 

Morgan, Wm 328 

Morton, Abner, ....... 491 

Morton, E. G 493 

Mulhollen, Samuel, 40 

Mutual Life Ins. Co 523 

National Guard, 575 

Navarre, Francis 138 

New Year's 44 

Northern Press 493 

Nurseries, 419 

O. L. Club 431 

Otter Creek, 45 

Paper Mills, 415 

Patriot War, ..-.•... 202 

Paxton, Henry, 460 

Perkins, Capt. A. D 201 

Petersburgh Aoalanche, 598 

Petersburgh Bulleiin, ...... 495 

Petersburgh Clarion, 598 



GENERAL INDEX. 



608 



PeU'i>iliurgli Journal, 

Pioneer Society, .... 

Plot for obtaining Ijower Peninsula, 

Point Aux Peaux, . . . . 

Point Mouille Clnh, 

Political Connuitteo!-, 

Ponies, ...... 

Population 

Po.stina.sters, 

Presbyterian Church of Krie, . 
Presbyterian ('luirch of Milan, 
Presbyterian Chnn-h of Petersburjili 
PrcfS 



Press of Monroe. 

Proctor. General, Letters of, 

Public Roads 

Q. F. Club 

Railroad .advertisement. . 
Riilroad Iron, 
Railroad Proclamation, 
Railroads, .... 
Raisin River, .... 
Raisinville Township, . 
Raymbault (Jesuit), . 

Regal, Isaac 

Regattiis, 

River Raisin Clarion, 

River Raisin Navy, . 

River Raisin Scullers, . 

Kiver Riiisin and Lake Erie R. R 

Roman Catholic Churches of Monroe, 

Roman Catholic Church of St. Anthony 

Roster of Resident Soldiers, . 

Roster of Volunteers, ... 

Russell Lodge 

St. Charles Borromeo Church, 

St. John's Church, .... 

St. Joseph's Church (Erie), 

St. Josei)h's Society 

St. Mary's Catholic Church, 
St. .Mary's Church (Rockwood) . 
St. Mary's Seminary, ... 

St. Michael's Church (Monroe), . 
St. Michael's Church (Whiteford) . 
St. Michael's Commandery, 
St. Patrick's Church (Exeter) . 
Sandy Creek Lutheran Church, . 
Sault de Ste. Marie, .... 



Pack. 

. •'>!« 

i.-):?-i.-)7 
:?l-:!ti 

4L'(i 

. 411 

26(i 

. 4.5 

VM, l;!.-), VM. 2.53 



.501 
•512 
.504 
403 
401 
5, SI 
131 
431 



224 

223 

21.5-243 

37 

. .594 

. 9, 21 

. 344 

40.5-408 

. 405 

405 

. 405 

219 

. 517 

517 



533 
335 
522 
522 
.523 
523 
517 
522 
519 
.521 
510 
431 
523 
515 
11 



Schools, 524 

Secretaries (Masonic) . . . 333, 334, 338 

Secret Societies 320-339 

Senatorial District, 253 

fientinel 491 

Seventh Michigan Infantry .5(i() 

Seventefnth Michigan Infantry .... .569 



Sho-wae-cae- mettles, . 

Skinner, Isaac P. . 

Slavery, 

Smith Guards, 

Societies, . 

Sons of Veterans, . 

Southern R. R. . 

Staals Zeitung, 

State Administrations, 

Statistics, Soldiers, 

Steamboats, 

Sterling Manufacturing C 

Stony Creek, 

Strong, Capt. 

Suniuaerfield To\vnshi[ 

Supervisors, . 

Swan Creek, 

Talon, M. 

Tecuraseh, 

Territorial Delegates, 

Territorial Legislature, 

Times, 

Toledo, Ann Arbor and North 

Toledo War, .... 

Tonti, Chevalier, 

Township Odicers, 

Trinity Episcopal Church, 

Trinity Lutheran Church, . 

Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry, 

Unabhamgige, .... 

Union School, .... 

United States Representatives, . 

TTnited States Senators, 

Vessels, . 

Veterans of 1812, 

Village of Monroe, 

Vineyards, 

Vote, 1884-80 88, . 

Wabash Railroad, . 

Wagon makcre, 

Wakelield S. B. 

Waldorf, 1'. . 

War of 1812, 

War of the Rebellion, 

Wareliouses, 

W'eekl;/ Journal, 

Western Union Telegraph Co 

Whipping Post, 

Whitker, Capt. . 

Whiteford Township, . 

Winans, V. M. . 

Woman's Relief Corps, 

Wyandottes, 

Zion Ev. Luth. Church, 



Mich. Rv. 



Paok. 

393-405 

. 40 

138 

. .521 

431 

. 575 

221 

. 494 

371-390 

. 557 

200 

. 414 

45 

. 201 

590 

2G7-270 

45 

. 14 

38, .53, 70 

. 253 

256 

. 491 

239 

. 181 

15 

. 270 

.508 

. 515 

570 

. 494 

524 

255 

254 

. 200 

82-89 

. 141 

425 

. 2(i4 

240 

. 422 

209 

, 424, 425 

48, 82-89 

. .527 

412 

. 495 

414 

45-140 

201 

. 599 

343 

. 574 

13 

515-516 



NDiviDUAL Index. 



Adams, Ephraiui, 
Adams, James Q'. 
Adams, Lucas, 
Adams, Thomas D. . 
Alford, Capt. John, 
Alger, Russell A. 
Allen, Edward V. . 
Allen, Seneca, . 
Allouez, Fr. . 
Anderson, Col. John, 
Angerer, Charles, 
Armitage, James, 
Arnold, Silas R. 
Aselstyne, Isaac, 
Aselstyne, Josiah C. 
Austin, Harvey. 
Bacon, Daniel S. . 
Bagley, John J. . 
Baldwin, Henry P. 
Baldwin, L. 
Baldwin, Newton, 
Barry, John S. . 
Bates, Alfred G. . 
Beaman, Fernando C. 
Beck, Christian F. 
Begole, Josiah W. 
Benson, Peter, 
Bentley, James, 
Billmire, John W. 
Bissonette, Joseph, 
Blair, Austin, 
Blanehard. Louis, 
Bliss .Family, 
Boyd, Erasmus, . 
Boyd, Wm. K. 
Bragdon, Alouzo B. 
Brighara, Kingsloy S, 
Bruckner, C hristopher 
Buck, Gc(j. . 
Bulkley. Gershom T 
Candee Family, 
Cass, Lewis, 
Chapman, Austin B. 
Choate, Kmerson, 
Christiancy, Isaac P. 
Chirk, Robert, . 
Clarke, Stephen G. 
Clarke, Walter P. 
Cole, Thomas G. . 



Page. 
446 
245 

580 
404 
325 
389 
283 
486 
10 
106 
355 
347 
433 
475 
474 
157 
149 
387 
386 
442 
471 
374-5 
157 
281 
489 
388 
149 
118 
464 
104 
377 
594 
125 
500 
163 
462 
375 
316 
488 
311 
599 
371 
4r4 
360 
24() 
144 
478 
478 
152 



Conant, Harry, . 
Conant, Harry A. . 
Corbin, B. J." . 
Crampton, D. R. 
Crapo, Henry H. 
Critchett, Otis A. . 
Croswell, Charles M, 
Curtis, D. A. . 
Curtiss, Benj. A. 
Custer, Geo. A. 
Custer, Emmanuel II 
Dablon, Claud, 
Daiber, Anton, . 
Damon, Elwiti H. 
Dansard, Benj. . 
Darrah, Archibald B. 
Darrah, Lewis. . 
Davis, John, . 
Dawe, D. 
Dazet, Jos. 
Dishrow, Henry, 
Dorsch, Edward, . 
Dunbar, Addison E. 
Dunbar, Wm. 
Dnrocher, Laurent, 
Edwards, Thos. S. . 
Egnew, Samuel, 
Eldredge, Nathaniel 
Fay, Orion J. 
Felch, Alpheus, 
Ferry, Peter P. . 
Fifield, Benj. F. . 
Frontenac, Count, 
Gale, Jos. B. . 
Galloway, Jerome B 
Gilford, W. R. 
Gilday, Edwin R. 
Godfrey, Jas. J. 
Ciolden, Chas. A. 
Golden, Patrick, . 
Gonsolus, K. 
Goodwin, Daniel, . 
Gordon, J. Wright, 
Gorman, James, . 
Grant, Alexander, 
Greeley, Aaron, 
Green, Geo. H. . 
Greene, Jacob L. . 
Grosvenor, Ira' R. 



[604] 



INDIVIDUAL INDEX. 



G05 



Hackett, Walter, . 
Hardy. Steplien T. . 
Heath, Geo. F. 
Hitchcock, Elisha B. 
llnffman, Leopolii' 
Hogarth, John P. 
Horner, Jdhn S. . 
Hubble, \Vm. P. 
Humphrey, Levi S. 
Ilurd, Geo. R. . 
Il<;enfritz, I. K. 
Jackson, Geo. W. 
Jackson, .Samuel P. 
.laminet, John P. 
Jerome, Uavid H. 
Johnson, Oliver, 
.loliet, Fr. 
Jones, S. L. 
Joos, Edward, 
Joslyn, Chauncey, 
Kedzie Family, 
Keeney, Andrew J. . 
Keeney, Salmon, . 
Kirby, Restcome R. . 
Knaggs, James, 
Knapp, \V. F. 
Lacroix, Hubert, . 
Lafontain, Louis, 
Landon, George, . 
Landon, (ieorge M. . 
Laninan, Charles, 
Lanman, C'harles J. . 
LaSalle, Robert de, 
Lasselle, -Antoine, 
Lasselle, Francis, . 
Lasselle. Jacques, 
Liiuer, Edward G.J. 
Lawrence, Wolcott, . 
1 ewis, Isaac, . 
Lewis, Levi, 
I.*wis, Samuel Baker, 
Lockwood, Ezra L. . 
Lockwood, Harry .\. 
Loranger, Edward, . 
Loranger, Philip J. 
Luce, Cyrus G. . 
McCalluQi, George Barclay, 
McClelland, Robert, . 
McMillan, James. . 
Man, Harry V. . 
Marquette, Fr. 
Martin, John, . 
Masecar, Alfred J. 
Mason, John Warner, 
Mason, Stevens T. 
Menard, Rene, . 
Moore, James, 
-Morris, Gouverneur, 
Morrow, P. H. 
Mulhollen, James, sr., 
Mulhollen, James, jr., . 



Page. 

. 480 Mulhollen, .Samuel, . 

.^)W) Munro, Cliarles E. H. . 

. 435 Murphy, Seba, . 

482 Murphy, William Walton, 

. 488 Navarre, Alexander T. 

314 Navarre, Charles F. 

. 1573 Navarre, David, 

.581 Navarre, Francis, 

. 477 Navarre, Francis, Col. 

2(53, 3-57 Navarre, Frank, 

41,3 Navarre, Ignatius, 

44.5 Navarre, Isadon , . 

. 354 Navarre, Jacques. 

464 Navarre, Joseph G. 

. 388 Navarre; Perti, . 

14.S Navarre, Peter, 

14 Navarre, Robert, 
440 Noble, Charles, 

. 519 Noble, Charles Wing. 

478 Noble, Conway Wing, . 

. 12'.t Noble, David Addison, 

4C9 Noble, Daniel, 

. 4t)9 Noble, Deodatus, 

362 Noble, Henry Shaw, . 

70, 108 Noble, William Addison, 

439 Osgood. T. . . . 

. 107 Paquette, Nazarth, 

124 Parker, Burton, 

. 431 Peabody, John G. . 

460 Peters, Richard. . 

. 322 Ran.lall. Scth C. 

321 Ransom, Epaphroditus, 

15 Ranch, John R. 

119 Rawson, E. . . . 

. 119 Rayndjault, 

118 Regal, Isaac, . 

. 367 Richard, Gabriel, 

244 Richardson, George W. 

. 525 Robert, Antoine Francis, . 

580 Robert, Joseph, 

. 420 Root, Philander Sheldon, 

484 Ru.ssell, James 1. 

. 464 Sancraint, John B. . 

168 Sawyer, Alfred Isaac, . 

. 487 Scbmittdiel Benjamin D. 

390 Slayton. William Earl. 

. 437 Smith, Maj. Henry, . 

245, .375 Smith, Winfield, . 

. 280 Soffers, Bernard (i. . 

2.52 Soleau. Alexis, 

1, 14. 15 Southworth, Charles Tracy 

423 Southworth, Charles Tracy. 

. 438 .Southworth, Hartia E. 

445 Southworth, Tracy, 

. 372 Spalding, Gen. (ieorge. 

10 Sterling, J. M. . 200, 2C 

119 Stevens, John J. 

455 Stockbridge, Francis B. 

. 442 .Stone, Harvey, . 

116 Strong, Jfdin, jr., . 

. 590 Studdiford, William V. . 



I'AGE. 
471 

. 441 

160 

. 101 

93 



93 

. 115 

120 

93, 358 

93 

. 125 
115 

. 151 
312 

. 313 
2.50 

. 166 
166 

. 404 
107 

. .580 
444 
263, 461 
590 
484 
465 
375 
460 
581 



.344 
110 
442 

487 
115 



, 21'3,260, 



435 
598 
475 
348 
.521 
58() 
297 
298 
520 
123 
4:54 
434 
583 
445 
262, 322 
412,413.414 
315 

. 280 
157 

. 479 



606 



INDIVIDUAL INDEX. 





Page. 


Stump, John, .... 


. 490 


Thurber, Jefferson Gage. . 


249 


Tibbetts, Benjamin, 


. 122 


Toll, Isaac D 


345 


Toll, Philip K 


. 317 


Tull, John, .... 


IfiS 


Valade, Jerome J. ... 


. 440 


Valade, Joseph L. . 


444 


Van Kleeck, James, 


. 487 


Wakefielrl, Stephen B. 


480 


Waldron, Henrv, .... 


. 281 


Weier, Joseph, .... 


489 


Wells, Noah M 


. 503 


West, William C. . . . 


435 



White, William Tandy, 
Wilkerson, Alfred, . 
Willett. Benjamin T. . 
Willitts, Edwin, 
Winans, Frazey M. 
Wing, Austin E. 
Wing, Talcott E. . 
Wing, Warner, . 
Wisner, Moses, 
Winney, A. F. . 
Wood, John, . 
Wood, James C. 
Woodbridge, Wm. 
Zabel, John O. . 



472 
485 
440 
282 
343 
,.597 
457 
2.50 
370 
358 
107 
446 
373 
465 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



ASH TOWJJSHIP. 

JOHN ALLEM was born in Adair, Coiinly L-m- 
erick, Ireland, Maj- 24, 1819, and came to the United 
States in 1843, staying at Albany, N. Y., for seven 
years, and in 1851 removingto Ash townsbip. Novem- 
ber 23, 1849, he was married to Ellen Fil7,i,'erald, who 
died October G, 1879. Their children are : Thomas, 
born September 18,1850; Stephen, December 26, 1852; 
Patrick. August 12, 1854; and John, February 36, 1850. 

DARIUS ASELSTINE is the son of Isaac and 
Susan (Drake) Afelstine, and was born in Ash, May 26. 
1846. He enlisted March 10, 1865, in Co. G, 16th 
Micliigan Vol. Inf., and was discharged August 21, 
1865. He was married in .Jackson, Mich., September 
31, 1870, to Sarah L., daughter of Burton and Melissa 
(Bruce) Smith. Their children are: Etna J., born 
July 28, 1871; Orlo Lewis, born August 9, 1872, died 
May 19, 1875 ; Enos M., April 19, 1874: Susan Mcli.ssa, 
August 34, 1875 ; Isuac Howard, January 6, 1877 ; 
Elmer D., born January 6, 1881, died October 6, 1881 ; 
B'red E , February 14, 1883 ; Emma May, June 15, 
1884. 

RYLAND F. BAILEY was born in Cavendish, 
Windsor county, Vt., April 16, 1804, his parents being 
Peter and Mary (Maynard) Bailey. November 10, 
1837, he was married in Rochester, N. Y. , to Marj', 
daughter of Ichabod and Elizabeth (Preble) Bur- 
roughs, who died Mav 5, 1888. Her children are : 
Mary E., born June 7, 1830, died September 10, 1831 ; 
Susan M., born March 24, 1833, died December 30, 
1835: Albert \V., born December 25, is:^5, died July 
5, 1865 ; Ora A., born December 28, 1837 ; Charles E. . 
born March 14, 1840, died September 27, 1844 ; George 
S., born June 19, 1842 ; Ellen M., born September 12, 
1844, died October 10, 1844 ; John C.. born August 8, 
1847; Alma L., born January 14, 1849, died Novem- 
ber 26, 1875; Cornelia S., born February 10, 18.53, died 
February 14, 1853. Albert enlisted in the 47th Ohio 
Vol. Inf., July 6, 1861, and was with his regiment in 
every engaaemeni until his death at Vick.sburgh, July 
5, 1865. Mr. Bailey came to Monroe county from 
New York in 1844, and settled in London. In 1863 he 
removed to Ash. For three years he was justice of 
the peace. 

HENRY BAKER, son of .John and Maria (Barnes) 
Baker, wus born in Ash, October 12, 1849. His p:ircnls 
came to Ash in 1830, settling on section 14, where Mr. 
Baker now lives. His father died January 12, 1850, 
and his mother May 8, 1870. 

JOHN F. BAKER, commander of Perry Baker 
Post, No. 200, G. A. R., at Carlton, of which he was 
a charter member, was in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 
5th Army Corps. He enlisted in Co. A, 4th Michigan 
Vol. Inf., in August, 1861, and served through the 
entire war, participating in all of the fifty-five skir- 
mishes and general engagements which his regiment 
wa.s in, until mustered out at Wellington Roads. He 
was twice wounded, once at Gettysburg and again at 
the Wilderness, from the tffects of which he is placed 
on the pension roll. He was born in Ash July 17, 
1830, his parents being Gdbert and Artemisia (Kurlong) 
Baker, wlio settled in Ash in 1834, October 16, 1865, 



he was married to Mary E., daughter of Van Rensse- 
laer and Charity (Smith) Barnum. Their children are : 
Adelbert A., born November 8, 1866; and Perry A., 
March 8, 1869, both of whom are living at home. 

SHELDON CLARK TOWNSEND BALE, son of 
Jamej R. and Matilda (McCullum) Bale, was born 
in Lewiston, Niagara county, N. Y., December 
5, 1854. and has lived in Ash since two years of age. 
February 13, 1S79, he married Minnie, daughter of 
Christian and .Mary (Heintzleini Laubcher. Their 
children are : William Henry, born May 6, 1880 ; 
Mary Matilda, Februarv 19, 1883; Molly Elizabeth, 
August 29, 1884. His lather died March 14, 1880, and 
his mother July 7, 1882. 

SOLOMON M. BAKER enlisted twice during 
the War of the Rebellion, first in Co. I, 11th Mich. 
Vol. Inf., August 20, 1861, from which lie was dis- 
charged in 1862, and the second time in the new 4th 
Mich. Vol. Inf., Co. D, in 1864, and was honorably dis- 
charged with his regiment at the close of the war. 
He is a member of Perry Baker Post, No. 200, G. A. R., 
at Carlton. He came to Ash with his parents, John 
and Maria (Barnes) Baker, when the country was a 
lonely wilderness. He was born at Waterloo, Seneca 
county, N. Y., December 28, 1824. 

WARREN W. BARNU.M was a member of the 
2d Brigade, 2d Division, 15th Army Corps, enlisting 
at Camp Dennison in Co. B, 47th Ohio Vol. Inf., June 
15, 1861, and re-enli.sting at Cleveland, Tenn., in Feb- 
ruar}', 1804. At the baltle of .Vtlanta, July 28, 1864, 
he was captured and sent to Andersonville, where he 
remained until exchanged l)y special order in Septem- 
ber, 1864. He was mustered out at Camp Dennison 
.Vugust 13, 1865. He was born in Cayuga county, 
N. Y., February 37, 1845, and came to Ecorse the same 
year with his parents. Van Rensselaer ani Charity 
(Smith) Barnum. In 1859 he removed to Flat Rock, 
wh'-rc, April 4, 1865, he married Marj' L. , daughter of 
Andrew J. and Lydia ,V. (Baxter) Reeves, and widow 
of Wm. R. Baker, who died at Fort Gaines Octoiier 
15,1864 Her children are : Clara D. Baker (wife of 
George E. Ash, of the Detroit police), born Aug. 13, 
1862; Anna Barnum, born Nov. 0, 1866; Lily A., 
born Sept. 14, 1871 ; Wellington, born Nov. 6, 1875; 
Floyd, born June 6, 1879. 

JULIT'S BAZZETT follows the profession of a 
veterinary surgeon, and graduated from the Royal 
Veterinary College of Loudon, England, in the year 
1841 He was born in Algi^-rs, France, October 22, 
1823, and came to the United States in 1841. His 
parents are Andrew and Jeannette Bazzett. After 
practicing in Massachusetts, New York and Wiscon- 
sin, he came to Ash in 1878, and settled just out of 
Carlton. November 23, 1844, he wa-s married in Little 
Falls, Herkimer county, N. Y., to Elizaheth. daugh- 
ter of Peter and EliZ'ibeth (Lint) Wessels. His chil- 
dren are: William, born May 30, 1846; Charles, 
April 10, 1848; Adelbert, April 20, 1850; Florence, 
September 12, 1852; Edward, April 6, 1857. W'illiam 
and Charles served in the War of the Rebellion in the 
navy, being stationed on Admiral Porter's flag-ship 
" Siren" in the Atlantic Squadron. 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 



JOHN B. BERGMOOSER was marriefl at Stony 
Creek November 2S, 1.S65, to Annie, iJnightcr ot Mar- 
liu and Rosa (Gossel) Dobbersline. For a living he 
follows the occupation of farmer and contractor. He 
was born in Germany iMarch 21, 1841, and came to 
Ash in 184G with his parents, Joseph and Katherina 
Bergmooser. His children are : Annie, born Septem- 
ber 11, 18G6; Thraslas, October 26, 1867; George, 
March 2, 1869; Francis, September 21, 1870; Antoine, 
October 10, 1872; Mary, born May 11, 1874, died June 
8, 1874; Gerly, March 16, 1876; Josephine, born Jan 
uary 6, 1878, died August 6, 1878; Susan, January 6, 
1878; Maegie, October 21, 1879; Joseph, October 7, 
1881; Robbie, born October, 1883, died October 18, 
1883; AUie, August 27, 1886; Willie, October 17, 18.S8. 

PHILIP D. BETZ was born May fi, 1836, in 
Wuertemberg, Germany, and came to the United States 
in February, 1857. llis parents were Philip J. and 
Katherina (Heiss) B tz. He lived in Wayne county 
till 18'j4, when he removed to Ash. December 20, 
1861, he married Lucinda, daughter of Jacob and 
Octavia (Kunze) Sawslayer, who died April 24, 1866, 
leaving him with three children: Octavia Sophia, 
born December 2, 1862; George L., born March 12, 
1864; and Lucinda, born February 26, 1866. On the 
death of his tirst wife he moved to Detroit, where he 
lived till 1870, when he came to Ash. In Aug., 1867, 
he married Eliza Graham, daughter of Richard and 
Ann (Harldon) C'ulbert. Her children are : Philip Betz, 
born January 30. 1869; Alice C, June 22, 1872; Ellen, 
November 15, 1875; and Eugene C , January 15, 1877. 

ALONZO BOWEN was born at Phelps, N. Y., in 
the year 1844. Came to Monroe county in 1887. 
Married Alvina Jones, who was born at Waterloo, 
N. Y , in 1848. Two children were born to them. 
He enlisted August 13, 1862, in \mh N. Y. Inf.; was 
mustered out at Mt. Pleasant January 26, 1865. For 
nine years Mr. Bowen has been a member of the 
Secret Coniijound Manufacturing Company, which is 
located at Monroe. This firm manufactures remedies 
for many chronic diseases, among them S. C. Rheu- 
matic Liniment, a valuable remedy for catarrh. They 
also manufacture numerous kinds of salves and oint 
ments. Mr. Bowen is also the manufacturer of the 
Bowen Specitic Balsam and Bovven's Chewing Gum. 
Mr. Bowen is proprietor and manager of the company . 
Has had over 15 years experience as a chemical 
scientist. 

SAMUEL BURGESS was born in England July 
17, 1830. and came to America with his parents, 
Samuel and Hannah (Bunn) Burgess, and from Geneva, 
N. Y., came to Exeter in 1844. Eight years later he 
came to Ash, and March 13. 18t)l, married Christine, 
daughter of Christian and Catherine (Langenderfer) 
Streit. His children are: George S. . horn Februay 
11, 1862; Eddie, born February 20, 1864, died Febru- 
ary 20, 1864; Elizabeth, October 7, 1865; Charles C, 
May 8, 1868; Dora, September 2, 1873; Daniel L., July 
19, 1876; Alfred J., October 9. 1879. 

WILLIAM Y. CHAMBERLIN, a farmer on sec- 
tion 12 in Ash township, is a native of Waterloo, 
Seneca county, N. Y., where he was born December 
16, 1830. In 1832 he came to Ash with his parents, 
John and Mahala (Yost) Chamberlin. His wife, Ruth, 
was born in Brownstown, and is the daughter of 
Clayton and Elizabeth (Tillotson) Wisdom. They 
were married April 10. 1853. Their children are : 
John, born April 22, 1854, died November 10, 1864; 
Prank, born November 3, 1856, died January 22, 1857; 
Wellington, born July 7, 1859; David A., born Sep- 
tember 11, 1862, died .lune 9, 1863. Fortwoyenrs Mr. 
Chamberlin was mail agent on the Lake Shore Railroad. 

CHESTER STOW ELL CLARK, living on section 
14 in Ash township, enlisted March 25, 1864, in 
Co. C, 4th U. S. Inf., and took part in the battles of 
the Wilderness, Spottsjdvania Court House and North 
Anna, in the latter of which he received a wound 



which compelled him to leave the service, being mus- 
tered out September 6, 1864. He is a native of Whit- 
by, Ontario county, Canada, where he was born 
November 19, 1843, his parents being Abner and 
Emily (Gilbert; Clark. In 1863 he came to Port 
Huron, and after a residence of seven years in Wash- 
tenaw and eight in Wayne county, came to Ash in 
1880. January 23, 1872, be married Emily C, daugh- 
ter of Augustus and Laura C. (Howe) Jenks, whose 
children are : Cynthia Belle, born July 22, 1873; Lizzie 
May, born June 21, 1876; Charles D ., born April 27, 
1879, died October 5, 1880; Chester Arthur, September 
17, 1881; Lucy Stella, July 20, 1884; and Leroy, 
November 28, 1888. 

GEORGE EGLE has worked at his trade, that of 
general blacksmith and wagonmaker, in Carlton since 
IDecember, 1886, He was born in Sylvania, Lucas 
county, Ohio, June 10, 1860, and learned his trade in 
his fatLer's shop in Monroe. His parents are Antoioe 
and Mary Ann (Frank) Egle. 

EUGENE LEE FRANCISCO, the oldest son of 
Joseph H. and Mary (Colhurn) Francisco, was born in 
Le Koy, Ingham county. Michigan, June 21, 1858, and 
is a stave cuMer and farmer. December 25, 1879, he 
married Rhoda, daughter of William and Sarah (Chap- 
man) Robb. Their children are : Mabel, born April 4, 
1880; and William, born April 8, 1887. He came to 
Ash township with his parents in 1858. 

LEONHART FUHRMANN, a farmer of Ash town- 
ship, was born in Germany, March 16, 1824. Novem- 
ber 25, 1849, he married Ellen Lao.x, who was born in 
Germany. November 6, 1827. In 18.56 they came to 
America, settled at Detroit, and engaged in the 
grocery business. This proving to be unsuccessful, 
they sold out and purchased 40 acres of land in Ash 
township and cleared the land themselves. To tliem 
nine children were born, five of whom are living. 

GEORGE CLINTON HAFFORD, of Carlton, 
Mich., was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., July 10, 
1862. His parents came to Michigan when he was 9 
years of age, and located at Milan. When 18 years of 
age George entered the office of the Monroe Democrat, 
remaining there one year. He taught school one year, 
until health failed him. Becoming acquainted with 
Dr. Emmett Pyle, of Milan, he began the study of 
medicine with him. October, 1884. he entered the 
university at Ann Arbor, remaining until June, 1887, 
when he graduated. He now has a fine practice at 
C'arlton, Mich. June 30, 1887, he married Cora E. 
Ulsaver, of Saline, Mich., who was born at Elgin, 111., 
May 9, 1862. After Dr. Hafford graduated he acted as 
Prof. Frothingham's assistant for three months. Was 
offered a position in university hospital, but thought 
it best not to accej)!, and came to Carlton to practice. 

LAWSON HILL, horn November 28, 1862, at 
Royal Oak, Mich., is the son of Wilson and Margaret 
(Wilson) Hill, and came to Berlin with his parents in 
1868. November 21, 1882, he married Anna, daughter 
of Harrison and Minerva (Donaldson) Baher, and set- 
tled in the township of Ash. His children are : Ethel, 
born April 12, 1886; and Milford, born June 2, 1888. 

WILSON HILL was horn in Bishopthorpe, Eng- 
land, June 30, 1823, and is the son of John and Marga- 
ret (Dixon) Hill. December 15, 1844, in Leeds, Eng- 
land, he married Margaret, daughter of John and Sarah 
(Wardman) Wilson. He came to Ash in 1867, and is 
the father of John, born January 13, 1846, died Feb- 
ruary 10, 1846 : Sarah E., December 3, 1848 ; John 
William, February 17, 1850, died February 19, 1850; 
William, June 16, 1852, died October 16, 1832; 
Wilson, June 26, 1854; Maggie A., February 10, 
1861; Lawson, November 28, 1862. 

MRS. CATHERINE Y'OST HOOD, widow of 
John G. Hood, to whom she was married October 12, 
1836, is the only survivor of a family of nine brothers 
and sisters. She was born in Seneca county, N. Y., 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



May 19, 1817, her parents being Abraham and Phoebe 
(Hooper) Yost, who were the first settlers on the old 
territorial road south of Flat Rock. Mr. Hood was the 
son of Samuel ami Elizabetli (Gainber) Uood, and was 
born Aui^ust 3, ISIO. lie settled on section 31 in 1836, 
ami with the exce|>liou of a few years, remained there 
till bis death, April .5. 1880. lie had the confidence 
and esteem of his fellow citizens, for many years serv- 
ing them as supervisor and clerk, and for four years as 
representative from Monroe county to the State legis- 
lature. Airs. Hood's children are: Phoebe E., born 
July 23, 1837 ; John Lee. December 29. 1839 ; Henry 
C, November 13, 1843 ; George W., December.'), 1845; 
William S., December 18, 1847, died October 13, 1848; 
Charles M., June 18, 1851 ; Mary Jane, March 23. 1853; 
Samuel F., June 20, 18.J5, died October 7, 1855; Andrew 
D., Februan- 7, 1858; Ella May, March 13, 18()2, died 
Augu-t 26, 1864. 

JAMES HOWES was born in Forncett, county of 
Norfolk, England, July 1, 1823, his parents being 
VVdliam and Sarah (Rix) Howes, and has been a resi- 
dent of Ash township since 1864. While in Monguaeon, 
Wayne count}-, June 29, 1847, he married Mary, 
daughter of John F. and Rachtl(Rosenkrave) Fowler, 
whose children are : Martha J., born April 10, 1848; 
James T., .Tune 9, 1850; Allen E., August 16, 18,55. 
He is a farmer. His mail goes to Flat Rock. 

CAROLINE JEWELL, daughter of Thomas C. and 
Elizabeth (Jerden) Mantel, was born in Geneva, 
N. Y., June 29. 1830, and in 1835 canie to I'atville, 
Wayne county, with her parents. October 10, 1853, 
fhe married Isaac, the son of Batcson and Lucinda 
(Buck) Jewell, and the following April they settled in 
Ash township on section 5. Their children are : 
Elizabeth Jerden, born February 26, 1854; Crampton 
Fil, August 6, 1856; George Thomas, August 4, 1858; 
Charlotte Louisa, August 15, 1K61: Stephen Henry, 
Sepiember 23, 1866; Evaline, May 20, 1870; Charles 
Edward, born July 16, 1873, died August 11, 1873; 
Joseph Bateson, June 15, 1876. 

GEORGE L.ANGS, son of John and Mary 
(Schmidt) Langs, was born at Limestone, Northumber- 
land county. Pa., August 10, 1815, and died Auiiust 1, 
1888. He has been twice married, the lirst time to 
Anna Maria, daughter of Simon ' and Elizabeth 
(Eritten) Straus, wiio died November 14, 18,52. leaving 
him seven children : Mary Ann, Charles, Caroline, 
Enocn, James, Edward, William, of whom all are 
living except Caroline, who died October 15, 1863. 
December 16, 18.55, he married Mary, daughter of 
John and Mary (Lassar) Heizel. Charles and Enoch 
enlisted August 12, 186J, in Co.G. 24th Mich. Vol. Inf., 
and served through the war. Charles is now a member 
of Wallace Post, No. 95, G. A. R. 

LEVI B. LITTLEFIELD started in life April 6, 
1819, from Verona, Oneida county, N. Y., and came to 
Ash in 1835 with his parents, Josiah and Rachel (Root) 
Litilefield, there being at that time not more than 
twenty families in the present limils of the township. 
December 31, 1844, he was married lo Elizabeth, 
daughter of David and Elizabeth (Ward) Hardy. Their 
children are : Elbe E., burn December 23, 1845; 
Eliena A., born August 26, 1817, dird September 1, 
1867; Charles L., born April 22, 18.50, died April 8, 
1851; .Mary J., April 23, 1852; Elizabeth K., born April 
20, 1854, died September 8, 18.54; Clarence D.. born 
Decemberl3, 1855, died February 26, 1856, David, born 
March 16, 18,57, died January 23, 1869. Mr. Liltlefield 
held the office of supervisor in Ash township for five 
ycais, and is now a farmer and merchant at Grafton. 

ROBERT A. LIVINGSTON was born in Tyre, 
Seneca county, N. Y., January 2, 1836, where he lived 
till 1881, learning the trade of wagon and carriage 
maker in Seneca Falls. His parents are William It. 
and Phoebe (VanCleve) Livingston. He was married 
August 14, 1860, to Josephine, daughter of Jonas and 
Ruth Ann (Cornell) Compson, wiiose children are : 



Ida, born August 5, 1865, died August 21, 1865; and 
Fred W., born August 19, 1807. Mr. L. came to 
Carlton in 1882 and engaged in his trade. For eight 
years he has been justice of the peace in A.sh township. 
His son is telegraph operator at Charlton, and January 
1, 1889, married Alvira Clark. 

WILLIAM McKAY was born in Shelburne, Nova 
Scotia. October 26, 1835, and went to Illinois in 
18:j7 with his parents, William and Elizabeth (Chro- 
cheron) McKay. In 1843 they removed to St. Thomas, 
Ontario ; in 18,55 he came to Ash, and naturalized In 
1S60. He married Sarah Jane, d lughter of James R. 
anl Matilda (.McCuilum) Bale, October 26, 1862, whose 
children are: Mardia M. born December 4, 1803; 
James William, Julv 18, 1805; Julia A., November 18, 
1867; Edith J., AuVuM 6, 1879. Marilla .M. married 
J. W. Romine October 7, 1885, and h;is one child, 
Wesley J., born November 1, 1886. 

ROBERT McKENZIE whose parents came to Mon- 
roe county in 1833, before Ash township had a 
place on the county map, was born in E.xeler, October 
1, 1839, and is the son of Hugh and Eliza (Heritage) 
McKenzie. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he en- 
listed in the 8th N. Y. Cav., and participated in every 
engagement his regiment was in until Lee's sur- 
render. Was wounded at Waynesboro. Va., and 
honorably discharged at Ale.xandria in June, 1865. 
May 27. 1869, while in Berlin, he was married to 
Sarah E., daughter of Wilson and Margaret (Wilson) 
Hill. Their children are: Flora Bell, born May 7, 
1873; Robert Wilson, November 24, 1878; Sarah E., 
October 15, 1880. For three years (1877, 1879 and 
}SbO) .Mr. McKenzie was treasurer of Ash township. 
In the spring of 1889 he moved to Kansas on account 
failing health. 

HUGH McKENZIE is a genial Scotchman from 
Nairnshire, where he was born July 28, 1813, and lived 
with his parents, Robert and Ann (Sinclaire) McKen- 
zie, until 1832, when with his brother Robert he came 
to the United States. After one year in Rochester, N. 
Y., he came to Detroit, and purchasing land of the 
Government settled on section 23 in Exeter township, 
and voted at the first election in Ash township. After 
living in Exeter, Ash and Monroe for about twenty 
years, he located on section 25 in Ash township, where 
he h 'S lived ever since. December 16. 1835. he mar- 
ried Eliza, daughter of Richard and Johanna (Brairton) 
Heritage, a native of Worcestershire, England, whose 
parents came to Monroe county in 1834. Their chil- 
dren are: Amelia, born January 1, 1837; Robert, 
October 1, 1839; Clark H. B., August 20, 1841; John 
J., born January 12, 1814, died September 24, 1845; 
Caroline, February 3. 1840; Eliza Ann, August 26, 
18.50; Charles Hugh, July 10, 18,54; Emma Elizabeth, 
born September 29. 18.58, died September 24, 1861. 
By occupation Mr. McKenzie is a farmer and carpen- 
ter. For ten years he was highway commissioner, 
tieasurer for two years, while for twenty-lour years he 
has held the office of justice of the peace in Exeter 
and Ash. 

BENJAMIN McLaughlin was born in Weld, 
Oxford county. Me . Sepiember 2, 18i5, and came 
with his parents, Benjiniin and Senath (Lawrence) 
McLaughlin, lo Ash tOAUShip in 183:i, after three 
years' residence in Indiana. He held the office of 
justice of the peace for eight and of supervisor for six 
years. December 25, 1850, at Flat Rock, he married 
Lavinia, daughter of Thomas A. and Laura (Fosmire) 
Armstrong. Their children are: Thomas R., born 
February 5, 1852; Nettie M., April II, 1853; Philo, 
born July 26, 1854, died October 10, 1875; Tunis F., 
May 4, 1850; Howard, born January 4, 1858, died Oc- 
tober 4, 1800; Hiram, born March 5, 18.59, died April 
5, 1859; William Arthur, September 24. 1860: Minerva 
E., born June 23, 1862, died October 5, 1880; George 
B.. January 4, 1804; Daniel, June 5. 1865; Dennis, 
July 10, 1867; Harry, September 7, 1809; Fred, May 6, 



HISTORY OP MONROfi COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1871; Lydia, boru April 28. 1873, died February 5, 
1874. 

PATRICK MOORE for twelve years treasurer and 
for three years moderator in school district No. 16 
of Ash township, is a native of Ireland, beins born in 
the parish of Clanaua, County Queens, March 17, 1810, 
the son of Thomas and Ann (Kinnear) Moore. In lii'Jii 
he came to this country with his three brotliers nnd 
sisters, all of whom are dead, and in the fall of that 
year settled in Exeter township, and in 1840 was 
naturalized. November 18, 1841, he married Sarah, 
daughte.' of Lawrence and Catherine (McCloskey) 
Maynes, whose children are : Thomas, born Decem- 
ber 8, 1843; Catherine, born December 10", 1844, died 
August 18, 1884: Lawrence, October 15, 1848; Ann, 
April 18, 1850; John, born April 15, 1851, died Octo- 
ber 11, 1851; Mary, born March 17, 1853, died April 30, 
1853; Marv Ellen, April 10, 1854; Margaret, October 
17, 1856; Edward and James, March 17, 1858 ; Henry, 
November 13, 1860; Sarah, December 18, 1863. 

DARWIN E. NEWCOMB was born in London 
township, February 1, 1846, his parents being Paul 
Luther and Mahala (Pattee) Newcomb. He vi'as mar- 
ried to Emma Z., daughter of Antoine and Caroline 
Dupaul, whose children arc: Blanche E., born Sep- 
tember 11, 1874; Stanley O., February 16, 1877; Ralph, 
March 16, 1880. In 1867 while in Caro, Tuscola 
county, he connected himself with Mount Moriah 
Lodge, No. 236, F. & A. M. ,\fter two cour.ses of 
lectures in the Michigan University, he graduated 
with the class of 1884 in the Detroit Medical College, 
and is engaged as physician and surgeon at Carlton. 

ELIZABETH NIEMAN is a native of Bavaria, 
Germany, where sb'' was born February 20, 1834, her 
parents being John and Elizabeth (Weidinger) Riechel. 
When in her eighteenth year she came alone to this 
country, and July 5, 1853, was married to George 
Hoerl and settled in Ash township. Her children are: 
Barbara, born April 11, 1855; John, July 9, 1857; 
Henry, January 8, 1860; George, May 38, 1863; Anna 
Maria, August 30, 1864; Emma and Emile, September 
7, 1867; Edward, November 4, 1871. Emma died 
October 7, 1867; Emile, May 10, 1868. Her husband 
died June 15, 1883, and November 4, 1886, she was 
married to Ludwig Nieman, a native of North Ger- 
many, who came to Monroe county in 1853. 

ELIZABETH JANE NOVESS, widow of Henry, 
son of Henry and Fannie (Evans) Novess, to whom 
she was married in Arcadia, N. Y., October 34, 1840, 
is the daughter of Carlos and Eunice (Terry) Stebbins, 
and was boru September 1, 1827, in Arcadia, Wayne 
county, N. Y. In 1851 they came to Michigan, set- 
tling in West Bloomfield, Oakland county, where they 
lived till 1854, when they removed to her present 
farm in Ash township. Mr. Novess died of conges- 
tion of the brain April 13, 1872, leaving her with five 
children: Henry C, born November 11, 1850; Frank 
E., November 18, 1854; Ira, October 11, 1856; Alonzo, 
January 3, 1859; and Amelia F., January 34, 1861. 

MARTHA ELIZABETH OTTER, born Leidorf, 
came to the United States in 1853 with her 
parents, Henry and Margaret (Wolf) Leidorf, being 
born in Germiiny, February 4, 1849. Atter living in 
Sandusky for several years they moved to Venice, 
where her mother still lives, her father having died in 
March, 1869. She was married at Sandusky, March 
14, 1869, to Godtleib, son of George and Mary (Reigei) 
Otter, and after five years' residence in Pekin, Erie 
county, Ohio, settled in Ash. Her children are: 
Eliz:ibeth, born December 5, 1870; Louis Henry, 
November 5, 1S73; Anna Martha, July 36, 1874; Clara 
Louisa, February 1, 1877; John Peter, February 21, 
1879; Henry George, March 13, 1881; Alma Catharine, 
September 37, 1885. Mr. Otter died June 3, 1886. 

HENRY PARISH, son of Elias i nd Elizabeth 
(Vandcrvoort) Parish, was born June 23, 1848. He was 



married January 1, 1873, to Jane, daughter of George' 
and Aim (Moore) Youngs, who died August 6, 1876, 
leaving one boy, Frank, born November 4, 1873. His 
second wife, Nellie, daughter of William and Ellen 
(Roussou) Dingman, to whom he was married March 
23, 1881, is the mother ol Lydia, born January 8, 1883; 
Eva, Sentember 17, 1884; E'ffali, October 25, 1886; and 
Henry Harrison, March 37, 1889. 

JOHN PARISH was born in Ash, October 29, 
1844, and enlisted January 31, 1864, in Co. A, 24ili 
Mich. Vol. Inf. , and was mustered out June 3, 1865. 
He was a member of the Iron Brigade, First Army 
Corps; participated in the battles of the Wilderness. 
Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, and others; 
was wounded June 18, 1S64, at Petersburg. He is 
the son of Elias and Elizabeth (Vandcrvoort) 
Parish, who settled in Monroe county in 18S5. June 
14, 1866, be married Jane, daughter of John and 
Margaret Jackson, who died in 1881, leaving him with 
two children; John W., born November 19, 1867: and 
Ada 1)., May 10, 1873. He is a member of Wallace 
Post, No. 95, G. A. R., at Flat Rock, July 13, 1883, 
he again married, the bride being Mary J., daughter 
of .lacob Early and Clarissa (Ross) Baker, whose chil- 
dren are: Jesse Ulmer, born June 26, 1884; Alfred 
Otis ("AUie '), May 2, 1886; and Mabel E., born Feb. 2, 
1890. 

WILLIAM RAFTER, son of William and Mary 
(Reddy) Rafter, was born Dec. 25. 1798, in the pariah 
of Balbrigaan, County Kilkenny, Ireland, and came to 
Montreal in 1824, and the following year to Troy. 
N. Y,, where October 17, 1835, he was married to 
Julia Kenneally. Her children are: William, born 
March 4, 1840, died November 21, 1871; Ann, Septem- 
ber 10, 1838; Margaret, August 13, 1843; James, 
born March 8, 1844, died Oct. 8, 1877; Thomas, Jan. 
8, 1848; and Daniel and Stephen, who died in infancy. 
She departed this life May 6, 1880, leaving William 
with his daughter Ann and her husband, Jacob 
Esper. 

MATTHEW REDDY was born in Connor, Ire- 
land, and came to this country in 1849. Bv his mar- 
riage with Ann Foley he was the father of one child, 
Margaret, with wliom, since the death of Matthew, 
November 31, 1886, his widow has been living. 

ANDREW J. REEVES came to Ash township 
in 1849. his native place being Byron, Sussex county, 
N. J., where he was born April 8, 1821. His parents, 
Moses and Sarah (Youngs) Reeves, settled here in 
1846. While in Seneca county, N. Y., March 39, 
1843, he married Lydia A., daughter of Solomon and 
Catherine (Lizenring) Baxter, whose loss he was 
called upon to mourn July 25, 1887. Her children 
are: Mary L., born June 14, 1844; Myron B., March 
11, 1846; Albert H., October 7, 1848; Charles M., 
December 31, 1850; Sarah C, March 13, 1853; Ellie 
M., February 5, 1856; George W., July 13, 1859. His 
grandsire, Joshua, was in the Revolution, a prisoner 
of war three months, and his father and wife's father 
were honorably discharged soldiers of the War of 1813. 
His second wife, to whom he was married February 5, 
1889. is Hannah, daughter of Timothy H. and Mehit- 
able (Drennel) Burbanks. 

JACOB L. REID, son of Jasper A. and Rebecca 
(Lowe) Reid, was born in Ash township October 22, 
1848. His father came from Seneca county, N. Y., in 
1835, and settled on section 11. His mother died Octo- 
ber 27, 1870, and his father September 10, 1887. 

EDWARD REVORD is of French descent, his 
parents being John and Adeline (Lerouge) Revord. 
His life began November 29, 1861, and his residence in 
Ash in 1874. January 8, 1879, he married Rosa, 
daughter of Louis and Eliza (Sauture) Le Due, at New- 
port. Their children are : Agnes, born October 3, 

1879; Addic, 13, 1883; Felix, May 15, 1884; 

Rosa, October 11, 1886; and Louis, November 12, 1888. 



PERSONAL lllSTOKIES. 



FREDERICK HIIINEHART was born in Geneva. 
Seneca county, New York, September G, 1834, and 
ciime to Ash in 183(5 with his parents, .John and 
Salotna (Louden) Hhinehart. For two years Mr. 
Rliinchart held the ofHee of township treasurer. 
September 13, 18.57, he married Saloma, daughter of 
.lacob and Sarali (Nngle) Fahnestock, wliose eliildren 
are: Mary, born November -M, 18.59, married Oclo- 
lier. 1ST!!, to Andrew Kenton; and Clara, born .January 
4, 1861, married November, 1880. to William Thorn, 
both living in A>h. For three years Mr. Rhinehart 
was Worshipful Master of Hiram Lodge, No. 110, F. 
it A. M.. at Flat I{oek, in which he was raised in 
18.58. and also a member of River Raisin Chapter, No. 
'i'i, in Monroe. 

MRS. W. II. SIIAW, bom McSherrie, was mar- 
ried in Ilungcrford, Ontario, May 15, 1855, to James 
Arnett. Euphemia Shaw, daughter of Peter and 
Eliza (Ilii;) McSherrie, was born in Elsifer, Hastings 
c miity, Ontario, .lune 19, 1841. Her children are : 
I.Hura, horn June 18, 185(i; James, January 18, 1858; 
William 11 , April 28, 1801; Peter, May 1, 1804; Lucy, 
August 4, 1800; Jlellissa, August 3, 18(>8; Thomas, 
June 18, 1871; Addic, February 1, 1874; Gertrude, 
December 3. U77. She came to the United States in 
1871, and after living three years in Berlin, settled in 
Ash In September, 1888, she was legally separated 
from her lirsi husban<l, and October 10, 1888, married 
to Wm. 11. Shaw. 

FERDINAND STEINER, sou of Sebastian and 
Catherine Steiner, was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
Februarj- 10, 1805, and married Margaret Eissenger, 
November 25, 1829. Ten years later he came to this 
country and settled in Ash. His wile died in July, 
1800, leaving seven girls and one boy. In October. 
1866, he was married to Jjjdia, daughter of Gerhart 
and Agnes (Scheurfeir) Scheiss, whose children are 
four in number, three girls and one boy. 

HENRY C. TALBOT was Ijorn in Sylvania, 
Lucas county, Ohio. February 10, 1849, to which 
place his parents, Robert and Mary Ann (Watson) 
Talbot, removed in 1834 His father was one of the 
pioneer railroad men in Michigan, and trackmaster for 
35 years, 22 for the L. S. lV M". S. and 13 for the Wa- 
bash Ry.. until his death in 1870. He was married at 
Adrian July 24. 1877, to Jennie, daughter of James 
and Elizabeth (Van Driesen) Redmond. He came to 
Carlton in March. 1875, as agent and operator for the 
Canada Southern R. R., and sliortlj' after became in- 
terested in the dry goods and notion business, for nine 
years traveling for Shaw & Baldwin, Toledo. Since 
September, 1886, he has been the proprietor of a gen- 
eral store in Carlton, and notary public. He is called 
father by Charles Redmond, born November 21, 1879; 
Fred IL, May 3, 18-il;and Cash W., February 13, 
18S4. A prominent member of the A. O. I". W. and 
other beneficial societies in Carlton, he was also a 
chariir nieiuher of Floral City Jjodge, Knights of 
Honor, in Monroe Cit)'. 

JOHN THEISEN was born in Prussia on [the 
Hliine .June fi, 1840. and came to the United States 
two years later with his parents, Joseph and Cathe- 
rine (Vlinch) Theisen, both of whom are deceased. 
They setlled in the township of Springwe.ls, Wayne 
county, where they lived for eighteen years. June 26. 

1865, he was married to Margaiel, daughter of 
Matliew and Ann (Foley) Reddy, whose children are : 
William, born JIarch 15, 1808; Annie, born March 37, 

1866, died April 1. 1866; Patrick J., born March 17, 

1867, died April 1, 1867; .Joseph M., August 5, 1870; 
Elizabeth J., August 5,1872; Annie, December 24. 1870; 
Catharine, born January 5, 1878, died Januarv 15, 
1882; Sarah, January 7. 1880; Fred. November 2,"l885; 
Stephen, November 1, 1880, and Clarence, June 5, 
1887. 

CHARLES ARTHUR THORN, for a number 
of years school moderator in Ash, is the son of John 



and Elizabeth (Walters) Thorn, and born July 23, 
1859. At Flat Rock. September 1, 1878, he married 
Alda, daughter of Watson D. and Elizabeth (Trace) 
Clark. The children are: Mabel, born May 39, 1880; 
Mvrlie B., January 25. 1883; Daisy N., February 11, 
1885, died f\:bruary 25, 1885; Grove J., March 23, 
1886; Lee D., March 7, 18s8. 

WALTER A. VILES was born in Ash, Novem- 
ber 10. 1840. his parents being Joseph and Julia Ann 
(Devore) Viles, settlers of 1832, his father cutting the 
tirst wagon road from Flat Rock to bis claim on section 
3. He enlisted in the 4th Micli.Vol. Inf. September 3, 
1804. and went to the front, serving until di.scharged 
at Houston, Texas. May 20, 1860. July 24. 1862. he 
married Ann, daughter of Enoch and Catherine (Van 
Riper) Chainberlin. whose children are Catherine J., 
bom October29, 18(;3; and Joseph E., January 26, 1871, 

SAMUEL WALLACE, for Ihe past seven years, 
has been a helpless ciip^ile on his farm on section 16, 
in Asli township, his lower e.xtreniities being para- 
lyzed as the result of a fever in 1882. For thirteen 
years Mr. W. was school director and moderator in 
school district No. 7. He was born June 8, 1823, in 
Corogary, County Moneghan, Ireland, and came to 
this country in 1847, and to Moni-oe county in 1852. 
He lived in E.\eter for two years, then settled in Ash, 
where he has since resided. July 4, 1851, he niarrietl 
Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Tolbert) Boyle, 
borii in Killarney, Ireland, August 1, 1825. Their 
family circle consists of John Lewis, born May 19, 
18"2; Elizabeth. June 27, 1853; Mary Ann. December 
23, 1H55, died October 18, 1860; Samuel L.. November 
25, 18()0; William R.. October 4, 1863, died September 
• 12, 1804; William T., November 16, 1867. 

JOHN WELCH was born in Ireland in 1820. Came 
to America in 185!. June 21. 1852. he married Mar- 
garet Reddy, who was born at Castle Komer, Ireland, 
in 1820. boon after their marriage they came to Ash 
township. Mich., and purchased 8i) acres of land. 
One c!;ild, William Joseph, was born to them, Octo- 
ber 22, 1860. William married Maggie Tizeu, of Ex- 
eter, May 12, 1885, who was born in Michigan Jan- 
uary 1, I860. 

BKUFORD XO'WNSHIP. 

LI C.\S AUAM.~^. the son of .Samuel and Anna 
(Stone) Adams, was born April 10, 1806. in Leicester, 
Addison countv, Vt , where he was mirried Septem- 
ber 17, 1834. to" Mary, daughter of Elisha and Ruth 
(Davids) Baker. He came to Bedford in April. 1836, 
after stopping in Cleveland, Ohio, for about a year. 
He now receives his mail at Temperance. His chil- 
dren are : Charles, born July 7, 1835. died May 26, 
180S; Elisha Baker, born March 15, 1837, died January 
9, 1.^51: John Quincy, November l>, 1S49, now living 
on the old homestead; and Ruth Ann. .May 15, 1843, 
now living in Ida, the wife of Wm. Hoag. Mr, 
Adams's father and jMrs. Adams's mother ilied at his 
house, the former at the age of eighty-six, the latter 
eighty years old. In jjolitics he has been a Republi- 
can lor many years, and has been elected to a number 
of local offices, but failed 10 iiualify for any. He is a 
member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. 

JAMES ALLONSON ALLEN, who for six years 
was deputy siieritf of Monroe county, is a Democrat, 
and was horn October 17, is2(i, in Rutland Co.. Vt. In 
l.'^35 he came to Bedford with his parents, Liba and 
Laura (Doaue) Allen, lie was married at Laiiibert- 
ville, .lanuary 2. 1S51. lo Christina, daughter of Josci)h 
and Margaret (Bennett) Phelps Their children are : 
Arabel Matilda, born January 29, IS.52; Delbert A. 
and Delmer A,, September 23. I>*54; Viola, January 7, 
1S57; Edna, born August 5, is(i(), died January 4, 1871; 
Lucy, J, April 15, isoij. Deliner died August 25, 1855, 
and "Delbert A. lives at home on the farm. By occu- 
pation Mr. Allen is a farmer and carpenter, and 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



receives his mail at Lambertville. In religion a 
Universalist. 

LEWIS ANSTED, a merchant and farmer of Bod- 
ford, came tliere in 1S04 wiih Ijis parents, Jacob and 
Elizabeth (Welker) Ansted, on their removal from 
Washington township, Sandusky county, O , where he 
was born Aua;ust 1, 1840. March 1, 1870, he was mar- 
ried to Marietta, daughter of Elisha and Harriet 
Amanda (Reynolds) llayden. They have six children, 
five boys and one girl, the oldest of whom is seven- 
teen, living vv'ith them on their hundred and twenty 
acre farm, and have lost two boys by death. In 1880 
he opened a general store at Temperance, and on the 
establishment of a postolfice there, was appointed 
postmaster, which place he now flis In politics lie 
is a strong Prohibitionist, and in religion a member of 
the Free Methodist church, in which he has been 
trustee and treasurer tor over eight years. 

PIERCE ARCHER follows the occupation of farmer 
and builder. His postoffice is Temperance. He was 
born in Buckinghamshire, England, October 34, 1830, 
and came to this country in 1833 with his parents, 
Charles and Ann (Walker) Archer, the former of 
whom is now living in Monroe, the place of his first 
settlement, a hale and hearty man, who passed his 
ninety-sixth birthday February 14, 1890, and working 
as a gardener nearly every day. At Erie, September 
18, 1849, he married Maria, daughter of Thomas and 
Dianthe (Schilling) Arnold, four of whos-e children 
are now living, two bovs in Toledo, one in Battle 
Creek, and one'girl, married and residing in St. Johns, 
and one girl dead. Politically he is a Republican, 
and came to Bedford in the fall of 1870. 

CLOVIS BOOKEY was the third of seven children 
of John and Phoebe ^Trombley) Bookey, and was born 
in Rochester, N. Y., June l(i,"l829. On coming west 
he first went to Detroit and then to Toledo, settling in 
Bedford (Lambertville) in 1874. He was married at 
Otter Creek, January 17, 18G3, to Arvilla, daughter of 
Francis and Theresa (Aubin) Charter, whose children 
are : Theresa Eliza, born January o, 1863 ; Henry Elmer, 
April 23, 1866; Helen, July 11, 1868; Arvilla Ida, 
March 16, 1871; Kozella, January 4, 1875, died July 4, 
1879; Letitia May, September 31, 1879; Clovis Red- 
mond, April 3, 1886. While brought up in the Roman 
Catholic faith, he does not claim membership in any 
church now. He is a member of Forsyth Post, No. 
14, at Toledo, having enlisted in March, 1864, in Co. 
B, 67th Ohio Vol. Inf. at Toledo, and in August of the 
same year was badly wounded in the left hand, at 
Deep Bottom, in the Wilderness fight. While refusing 
all township offices, he votes the Republican ticket as 
a rule. 

MERRILL ALDRICH BRAGDON, of Lambert- 
ville, in Bedford township, is a native of Manchester, 
Ontario county. New York, whce he w is born August 
20, 182o. After living there and in Orleans county he 
came to Bedford with his parents, Daniel and Esther 
(Aldrich) Bragdon, in November, 1840. He was mar- 
ried at Vienna, September 4, 1853, to Alvira, daughter 
of Nathan G. and Anna (Dayton) Watkins, whose only 
child is William Henry, born July 29, 1859. Politic- 
ally he is a Republican, and in religion a plain Chris- 
tian. 

EDWIN BRISTOLL, a farmer living on section 31, 
Bedford, was born on the same section, August 13, 
1837, and is the son of Silas and Alzady (Aldiich) Bris- 
toU. He enlisted at Lambertville (his present postoffice 
address), August 14, 1863, as a private in Co. K, 18th 
Mich. Vol. Inf., and was discharged a sergeant, for 
disability, August 13, 1863. In 1864 he joined Russell 
Lodge, No. 144, F. & A. M. March 4, 1862, in White- 
ford, he matried Mary Jane, daughter of Philo and 
Hannah (Stevens) Stevens, of Lucas county, Ohio, 
who died December 25, 1871. March 27, 1873, in 
Dundee, he mirried Catherine, daughter of Joshua T. 
and Maria (Hecock) Dodge. He was for the second 



time left a widower, December 1, 1884, with seven 
children, two boys and five girls. A stanch Re- 
publican, he has been township treasurer for eight 
years. 

CORYDON JAMES CHAPEL, a farmer on section 
16, in Bedford, is a native of Grand Blanc, Genesee 
county, Mich., where he was born February 21, 1836, 
his parents being William and Lydia (Burns) Chapel. 
In 1846 he came to Bedford, and January 23, 1863, 
married Emily S., daughter of William P. and Mary 
(Willard) Hubbell. Wakeman, born August 9, 1854, 
is their only child. A member of the Free Will Bap- 
tist Church, he is a strong advocate of Temperance 
(his postoffice address), and as a Prohibitionist, carries 
his principles to the ballot box. 

RUSSELL C. COLLINS, the son of William and 
Betsey (Adams) Collins, is a native of Tinmouth, 
Rutland county, Vermont, and born December 11, 1836. 
After learning the trade of wagon-maker, he settled in 
Monroe in 1851. He has four children; Albert L., 
born August 26, 1849, now living on an adjoining farm; 
Almira A,, born August 33. 1853, liviu" .at home; Wil- 
liam M., born October 4, 1856, now in Raisinville; and 
Nora A., born May 11, 1860, and a resident of Samaria. 
Their mother is Charlotte, daughter of O.iver and Ra- 
chel (Humphrey) Janes, to whom he was married in 
North Bay, Oneida county, New Y'ork, September 12, 
1847. Until his settling in Bedford, in March, 1870, 
Mr. Collins has led a roving life, and for many years 
was in the employ of the Lake Shore Railroad, being 
three years in "the Adrian shops. He has in his pos- 
session one of the first strap rail frogs used on that 
line, and at the opening of the New York Central 
"took in" the first complimentary excursion going 
from Canistota to Utica. In politics he is an inde- 
pendent, but prefers the principles of the Republican 
party. 

ABIJAH CONE was born in Perry, Geauga county, 
Ohio, July 28, 1833, from which place he came with 
his parents, Eras'us and Anna (Colwell) Cone, in 1833, 
settling in Washington township, near what is now 
the Milburn Wagon Works. December 12, 1848, he 
married Juliette, daughter of Hyman and 
(Hurd) Lewis, who died July 11, 1866, leaving five 
children, of whom one boy and two girls are now liv- 
ing at Milburn. His second wife, to whom he was 
married February 9, 1867, was Angeline. daughter of 
John and Angeline (Rabideau) Shelleroe, whose only 
child, a girl, now lives in Toledo. In September, 18)7, 
he moved to Whiteford, and in 1860 was clerk of that 
township, and started the first register there under the 
new election laws. August 33, 1864, he enlisted in Co. 
M, 8th Mich. Vol. Cav.^ from which he was discharged 
at Pulaski, T' nn., June 10, 1865. A severe wojnd re- 
ceived at Henry ville, Tenn., places him on the pen- 
sion list. His religion is embraced in the creed of the 
Universalist Church, and from its first organization 
he has supported the Republican ticket, under which he 
has held several offices. 

EUGENE B. DOTY, whose farm of one hundred 
and forty acres is on section 35 in Bedford. c:mie 
there with his parents, Stephen and Octavia (Harris) 
Doty, in 1836, their former home being Erie, Pa., 
where he was born January 8, 1823. He was married 
to Almira, daughter of Silas and Alzady (Aldrich) 
BristoU. Mrs. Doty was born in Lancaster, Ontario 
county, New York, August 22, 1826, and came to Bed- 
ford in 1836, where she died December 19, 1885, leav- 
ing four children, two boys and two girls, all living 
near by the old homestead. Mr. Doty votes for Re- 
publicans as a rule, and is a member of Russell Lodge, 
No. 144, at Lambertville, and receives his mail at Erie. 
EDMOND DULL, a carpenter by trade and mer- 
chant by occupation, living at Temperance, is high\vay 
commissioner for Bedford township, to which office 
he has been elected on the Republican ticket several 
terms. He is a Bedford boy, being born in that town- 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



ship February 1, 1863, and married there February 20, 
1HS4, to Caroline, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Welker) Ansted, who is a member of the Baptist 
Church. He is the son of Joseph C. and Marj- (Ben- 
tou) Dull. 

JOSEPH C'. DULL, whose mail ia sent to Samarin, 
is by trade a carpenter, which he follows in connection 
with tilling his farm in Bcdfonl. He was born in 
Quincy twp., Franklin county, Pennsylvania, July 10, 
1S2.5. his parents being Jacob and Catherine (Secrist) 
Dull. He WHS married in Bedford county. Pa., July 
4, ]X'y2, to Mary, dausrhler of Jonathan and Saraii 
(Laird) Benton, and in ihe spring of isti.5 moved to 
Wayne county, Ohio, where he lived until coming to 
Bedford in the spring of 1SG9. During his residence 
there, as a Uepublican. he has held several township 
offices, among which is highway commissioner, to 
which he has been elected for si.\ terms. He is the 
father of eight boys and four girls, all of whom — with 
Ihe exception of ons boy dead, and the oldest son, Ja- 
cob, living in Lucas county, Ohio, and Albert, in Len- 
awee county, Michigan — are residents of Bedford 
township. In religion Mr. Dull is a member of the 
Seventh Day Baptist Church. 

FKANCIS EVANS, whose postoffiee address is Erie, 
is a farmer and carpenter living oc section 1 1 in Bedford, 
and was born in the District of Montreal, Quebec, March 
13, 1S2(), and is Ihe son of Simon and Theresa (Bran- 
chau) Evans. He was married at Montreal in Septem- 
ber, 1H40, to Rosa Crapeau, who died in 1843, leaving 
two children. In June, ls44, he married Hena, daugh- 
ter of Francis and Genevieve (Peru) Ager, who died in 
April, 1S.S0, leaving four children. The children, 
three boys and two girls, are all living in Minnesota. 
In April, isso, he married Rena. daughter of Joseph 
and Dusseau. In 1851 .Mr. Evans came to 

the United States, and in 18.19 moved to Bedford. In 
politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Roman 
Catholic. 

JOSEPH UEXTNER, a blacksmith in Samaria, is 
the son of Jcseph and Katherine (Grasel) Gentner, and 
was born ii^ Baden, Germany, July lo, 1847, and came 
to America in 18."i3. He lived with his parents in New 
York for two years, then moved to Monroe, where he 
lived till 18l>«." He then went to Toledo, Ohio, where 
he learned bis trade and remained till 188T, when hu 
moved to Bedford. July l"), IST"), while at Toledo, he 
married Anna, daughter of Gottlieb and 
(Iloeflfner) Agner, by whom he has had eight children, 
four boys and four girls. During the war of the Re- 
bellion he enlisted January IX, isii4, at Monroe, as 
drummer, in Co. I, Tth Mich. Vol. Inf., and was mus- 
tered out at JelTersonville, Ind., July 5, isiio. In re- 
ligion he is a Roman Catholic, and in politics a Demo- 
crat. 

PHILANDER KARR. farmer, receives his mail at 
Samaria. He is the son of George W. and Charlotte 
(Eighmey) Karr, and was born at Henrietta, Jackson 
county. Mich., February -"3, 184(5. In Isfif! he moved 
to Erie, where he lived until he came to Bedford in 
188(i. He married Betsy, daughter of Robert and Ol- 
ive M. (Southwell) Lockhart, at Jackson, September T, 
1865, at which place February 11, 1862, he enlist(d as 
private in Co. I. sth Mich. Vol. Inf. July H, 1X63, 
he was captured at Jackson, Miss., and sent to Libby 
Prison and Belle Isle. On his way to Andeisonville, 
in September, 1863, he was returned, exchanged and 
sent to Camp Chase. Rejoining his regiment, lie was 
wounded at Petersburg, July 11, 1X64, and discharged 
as corporal, February 11, 1865. Is a member of \\'il 
liam Bell Post, No. 10, G. A. R., at Dundee; a Presby- 
terian and a Democrat. Of his family' of six children 
four aie living and two dead. 

GEORGE KIRKLAND, born in New York City, 
September 1, ISIO. is the son of Joseph and Hannah 
(Scribner) Kirkland. and came to Bedford io 1839. For 
sixteen yeais he held the office of justice of the peace, 



for one year was supervisor of Bedford township, 
and for seven years treasurer of tlie Farmers' Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company of Wayne and Monroe 
counties. September 1, 1X30. he was married in 
Greene county. New York, to Maria, daughter of John 
and Hannah (Kelterliou.se) Couse. Of their children: 
four girls, two are dead; and four boys, one is dead, 
and Warren is living at home. In politics Mr. Kirk- 
land iias always been a Democrat, and for many years 
has been a member of Russell Lodge, No. 144, F. & A. 
M., at Lambertville. 

MORRIS KLINCK was born in Germany-, June 22, 
1X42, and came to America in 1x47 with his parents, 
Jacob and Rickie (Beck) Kliock. Twenty-two years 
later he settled on a forty-five acre farm on sec-tion 15, 
Beilford township. June 22, Ixili), he married Rosina, 
daughter of George and Barbara (Biehrline) Boegler. 
Death has clairae'l two of his boys, and the rest of his 
children, two boys and two girls, the oldest eighteen 
years of age, are living at home. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and for four years was deputy sheritf of 
Monroe county. In religion he affiliates with the Lu- 
theran church. 

JOHN LASKEY is a native of Devonshire, Eng- 
land, where he was born March 24, 1X28, coming to 
this country in 1X35 with his parents, George and Ann 
(Southard) Laskey, and sellling in Washington town- 
ship, Lucas county, Ohio. In November. 1x58, at 
VVhiteford, he married .Martha Ann, daughter of 
Richard and Esther (Cole) Queltcb, whose seven chil- 
dren, four boys and three girls, are all living in Mon- 
roe county. In 1K.5X he moved to Bedford and settled 
on section 26, where he has since lived, his postoffiee 
address being Temperance. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican, and tills the soil for a living. 

SOLOMON LaPLANTE is a fnimer living on sec- 
tion 35 in Bedford, and calling at Erie for his mail. 
His parents are Francis and Slary (Fobare) LaPlante, 
and lie was born in Erie, June 16, 1x47. In 1XS5 he 
came to Bedford, still holding his membership in the 
Catholic Church at Erie, where he was married Janu- 
ary 23, 1XT7. to .Margaret, daughter of Peter and Juli- 
anna Borgar. He has lost two boys, and has living 
with him three boys and one girl, aged respectively, 
twelve, nine, eight and two years. In politics he Is a 
Republican. 

S.X.MUEL T. LORD was born in Madison county. 
New York, May 11, 1X20. his parents being Andrew P. 
and Salomia C. (Tenny) Lord. He came to Bedford 
in 1X33, and is the proprietor of a large stock farm on 
section 36 in Bedford, making a speciiilty of tine Ham- 
bletonian stock. He is a member of Russell Lodge, 
No. 144. F. & A. M., of Lambertville, and receives 
his mail at Toledo, llarriet .M., daughter of John S. 
and Sophia (Parker) Pratt, and the widow of Abel 
Hoag, became his wife at Bedford, October 9,1X63. 
Her children are Alice M. Hoag, born March 19, lx.",3. 
and Gertrude B. Lord, born December 30, 1864, and 
John P. Lord, born July 26. 1866, living at home. Mr. 
Lord is a Methodist in religion, and a Republican in 
politics. 

JOHN NEWCOMBE was born in Devonshire, Eng- 
lanc, July ix, 1x15, and came to this country in 1x4s. 
After living two years in Ohio he settled in lx.",Oon 
section 27 in Bedford. The present farm gradually 
accumulated by sturdy tilling of the soil, and now 
covers an area of nearly two hundred and fifty acres. 
He if the son of John and Ann Newcombe. A member 
of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He went to Lam- 
bertville, October 2(1, 1x49, and was married to .\nn, 
daughter of John and Ann (Urooks) Ash. Of a family 
of six boys and five girls, one of each has died. While 
he always votes the Republican ticket, yet he never can 
be persuaded to hold any office in the iownsliip. 

ANDREW JACKSON NICHOLS was born in Win- 
fleld, Herkimer county, New York, October 5, 1820, 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and is the son of fShibinih and Surbiah (Sherwood) 
Nichols, In the fall of 1849 he came to Toledo, Ohio, 
where he was married April 17, 1851, to Phoebe E., 
daughter of Richmond and Polly (Payne) Hathaway, 
and in 1853 moved to Bedford, locatmg on section 36. 
His mail reaches him by way of Erie, and he is one of 
the Republican farmers of Bedford. Of his children 
one boy is dead and two are living iit home; one daugh- 
ter is attending school at Toledo, and the other living 
at Vienna. 

WASHINGTON PENNOCK, a farmer in Bedford 
township, near Samaria, is a native of ibe township, 
being the son of Hannibal and Eliza (Long) Pennock, 
and born Septendjer 33, 185)S, on the same farm where 
he is now living. He is counted in the Democratic 
fold on election days. October 10, 1884, he married 
Alice, daughter of James and Eiizibeth (Charter) Sut- 
ton. Her children are Editb, born March 22, 188i;, 
and Ira, born November 16, 1887. 

FRANCIS XAVIER PETTEE was born in a log 
house adjoining his present residence on section 12 in 
Bedford, on St. Patrick's Day, in 1847, his parents 
being Francis and Julia (Rowe) Pettee. He is a mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church at Erie, and always votes 
the Democratic ticket. His mail is received at Brie, 
where May 11, 1875, he was married to Matilda Mary, 
daughter of Francis and Victoria (Morau) Cousino. 
Her children are: Wallace Francis, born May 3, 1876; 
Irene Esther, December 36, 1877; Roger Caryll. Sep- 
tember 7, 1879; Milton Isaias, May 34, 1881; Joseph 
Lee, February 21, 1884, died April 28, 1884; Cirel 
Ralph, February 2), 1884, died November 21, 1885; 
Walter Isadore, March 12, 1886; and Mary Elsie, Jan- 
uary 4, 1888. 

WILLIAM POW LESLAND was born in Devonshire, 
England, June 15, 1825, and came to America with his 
parents, William and Grace (Povvlesland) Powlesland, 
in 1849. In October, 1850, he married Jane, daughter 
of Charles and Grace (Barnes) Morlimore, and lived in 
Monroe two years. He then moved lo Erie, where ho 
lived three years, and in 1856 settled on section 5 in 
Bedford. His only child, Georgiana Caroline, was born 
June 18, 1852, and is now living in the township of 
Ida, the wife of Franklin G. Jackman. Mr. Powles- 
land is a member of Russell Lodge of Free Masons, in 
which he was treasurer for many years. Polit- 
ically he is a Democrat, and for thirteen years was 
treasurer of the school board in his district. 

EDMUND RAWSON, a stanch Democrat of the old 
school, who for over thirty years was justice of the 
peace, and for twenty-nine years treasurer of Bedford 
township, is the son of Stephen and Nancy Ann (Ells- 
worth) Rawson, and was born at Clearmont, on the 
North River, New York, September 25, 1810. His first 
wife was Churlena, daughter of Eldridge and 
(Holmes) Phillips, to whom he was married in Ontario 
county. New York, February 20, 1832. On June 8, 
1833, he settled on section 32 in Bedford. For many 
years he has been a member of Russell Lodije, No. 
144, F. & A. M., at Lambcrtville, his posloffice ad- 
dress. His first wife died November 25, 1835, and in 
March 1850, he married Mary McLouth, who died No- 
vember 25, 1883. 

JACKSON M. SCOFIBLD calls at Lambertville for 
his mail, and in the fall of 1833 came from Greene 
county. New York, to Erie county, Ohio, with his par- 
ents, Jacob and Cynthia (Phillips) Scofield, where he 
remained until his removal to Bedford, in 1866. He 
was born in Greene county. New York, April 18, 1828, 
and married in Sandusky, Ohio, January 17, 1853, to 
Mary Elizabeth, daughter of William and Mary (Lang- 
well) Shepard, whose children are: William J., born 
October 13, 1854; Lida M., August 23, 1856; Samuel 
R., December 23, 1857; Mary Adelia, October 17, 1861; 
and Ira P., October 25, 1867. Mr. S. is an adherent of 
the Universalist Church, and in politics a Democrat. 



ALBERT THORNTON was born in Ovid town- 
ship, Seneca county, New York, June 11, 1823, and 
came to Bedford in 1834 with his parents, Ebenezer 
and Abigail (Wood) Thornton. He was married at 
Whiteford, April 29, 1849, to Ann, daughter of Joshua 
and Sarah (Tattersall) Richardson. Their children are: 
Emma, born June 20, 1862, and Anna, born January 
14, 1866. In politics Mr. T. is independent, always 
voting for the man whom he considers best qualified 
to fill the office. In religion he leans to the doctrines 
of the Universalist Church. 

AARON VanWORMER enlisted in Co. I, 130th 
Ohio Vol. Inf., at Toledo, April 17, 1864, and was hon- 
orably discuarged after serving for one hundred and 
forty- three days. He belongs to Albert Moore Pnst, No. 
583, G. A. R., in West Toledo, where he receives his 
mail. By occupation he is a farmer, living on section 
33 in Bedford, to which place he came in March, 1868. 
He is the son of Aaron and Philetta (Wagner) Van- 
Wormer, and was born in Gilderland, Albany county, 
New York, November 24, 1837, Ten years later he 
went to Indiana, where he lived three years, going to 
Toledo in 1850, and remaining there until his removal 
to Bedford. His political fortunes are cast in the 
Democratic camp, and in religion he goes with the 
Universalists. At Bedford, July 4, 18,58, he married 
Rhcda, daughter of James and Mary (Ellis) Southard. 
His only child, Innie, was born March 24, 1861, and 
died October 19, 1880. 

CHELSEA WEBSTER, an eclectic physician at 
Lambertville, was born in Saybrook, Ashtabula 
county, Ohio, August 5, 1815, his parents being George 
and Harriet (Stone) Webster. October 5, 1837, he mar- 
ried Laura M., daughter of William and Polly (Dur- 
nier) Sheldon. In politics the doctor is a strong Re- 
publican. He commenced practice in the eclectic 
school in 1840, having been under a preceptor for four 
years, and then receiving his diploma from the botanic 
society. He lived in Harpersfield for twenty-lour and 
in Milan for six j-ears, and came to Bedford in 1873. 
He has six children: Harriet, living in New York, 
Louisa in Toledo, George and Mark in Lambertville, 
and Sheldon and Chelt in Missouri. 

ROGER WILLARD, a Democrat dyed in the wool, 
and a strong advocate of the Universalist Church, has 
been justice of the peace in Bedford since 1885, and 
was postmaster at Samaria for nearly eight years. He 
is a native of Monroe county , being born at Ida, No- 
vember 27, 1839, and locating in BedTford in 1863, open- 
ing a general store at Samaria. In December, 1860, he 
married Electa A., daughter of Chester and Emma 
Jane (Butler) Mason, whose children are: Dora E., 
born October 28, 1861;Jennie A,, July 6, 186.5;Allen G., 
December 26, 1868; Eugene, December 25, 1875; Clar- 
en<^e B., February 27, 1878; and Francis E., August 36, 
1885. He has long been a member of Russell Lodge, 
No. 144, F. & A. M., at Lambertville. 

BERLIN XO"WI«SHlP. 

HORACE G. ASELSTYNE was born in Berlin 
February 17, 1851, his parents being Josiah and 
Harlia E. (Blodgett) Aselstyne. May 18, 1873, he 
married Elizabeth, daughter of David and Elizabeth 
(Trace) Clark of Ash township. His family consists of 
three boys and the same number of girls, viz. : Byron 
J., born December 28, 1876: Maud and Mary, July 6, 
1880; Blanche, February 17, 1875; Harry E., March 
27, 1887: and Frank L., August 14, 1888. By occupa- 
tion he is a farmer. 

BENJAMIN BANCROFT, son of Benj iiuin B. 
and Penelope (Greene) Bancroft, was born in Benton, 
Yates count}', N. Y., .lanuary 27, 1832, and was mar- 
ried May 35, 1856, to Esther L., daughter of Stephen 
and Lucy (Canfield) Reynolds, who died without issue 
March 31, 1857. March 25, 1858, he married Elizabeth, 
daughter of John and Esther (Hotchkiss) Canfield, of 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



Steuben county, N. Y. He came to Berlin in 1857. 
His children are: Charles S., born September 18, 1859, 
and Viola May. born May 27, 1873. 

.lOSEPlI 15 BAKOW has a farm of 230 acres in 
Derlin township. lie was born in Otter Creek, 
Monroe county, Jlicb., February 12, 1833. the son of 
Basil and Catherine (R>we) Barow. .lanuary 11, 
1851, he married Adeline, dausrhter of Gustave and 
Angcline (Geueaux) Girnay. Uer children are three 
boys and a like number of uirls, all l)ut one of whom 
are married. Mr. Barow cnli'-ted as a private under 
('apt. James J. llunlly, October 1, 1864. in Co. A, 9lh 
.Mich. Vet. Inf.. and by special order No. 66 was dis- 
eh irged at Nashville, Tenn., September 15, 1865. 

Il'LIAN BANRA was born in Bay Settlement, 
Vienna, Erie townsb;|), July 4, 1825. When si.\ years 
old he came with his parents, John and CuUet 
(Drouillard) Baumle. to Otter Creek, where he re- 
mained till he was 25 years old, when, May 17, 18,50, 
he married Julien, daughter of Gustav and Elizabeth 
(Lcreaux) Anteau, and came to Newport. His family 
consists of five boys and three girl-, besides which one 
boy has died. lu 1865 he was drafted, but pro- 
cured a substitute. 

HENRY BELL, son of William and Sarah (Carle- 
ton) Bell, was born at Grosse Isle, Wavne county, May 
10, 1837. March 28, 1857, Marietta" Baker, of Ash 
township, became his wife, "nd he is the father of two 
girls and two boys, all now living. 

DENNIS BONDY entered the employ of the 
Toledo and Canada Southern R. H. in 1879 as a sec- 
lion hand, remaining with Ihem till June 5, 1883, 
when he entered the employ (if ihe Michigan Central 
as section foreman, lie is ihe son of Lawrence and 
Mary (Compau) Bondy, and born in Rockwood, Wayne 
county, June 14, 1858. He married Uosa, daughter of 
Victor and Josephine (Lezott) Lemerond, June 9, 
1879. Their children are: Annie, born March 20, 
1880; Alice, born June 8. 1881: Harry, March 5, 
1883; Dean D., May 21. 1885; William, December 5, 
1886; Emma, January 18, 1889, all living with the ex- 
ception of Annie, who died August 22, 1880. 

WILLIAM BLACK came to Monroe county in 
1874, and lor four yeais was deputy sheriff. In Aprd, 
1861, while living at Rochester, Minn., lo which 
place he emigrated in 1856, he enlisted in the three 
months' service as second corporal in Co. B, 2d Minn. 
Vol. Inf. He re-enlisted for three years or the war in 
the same company, but was discharged forsickn'ss in 
April, 1862. He again enlisted as 1st dutj' sergeant in 
Co. F, 86th Ohio Vol. Inf. in September, 18153, being 
discharged in June, 1861, at Cleveland, Ohio. He 
was born in Somcr-et, Ohio. S-'pteniber 21, 18'29, the 
son of John and Phoebe (Skinner) Black. December 
29, 18.53, at Bowling Green, Ohio, he mariied Medora, 
daughter of William and Clara (Ketcham) Dunning. 
She died January 25. 1888. lacking but three days of 
being tifty years old. being born in Hamtonbiirg. 
N. Y., January 28, 1838. Her children are : Jay, born 
February 4, 1855 : Ida. Novembrr 11. 1.856; VVilberl. 
December 10, 1«5^; Ella, December 20, 18t)0; Maud, 
January 16, 1877 ; Floyd, November 17, 1879, the lirst 
two in Tontogany. Ohio, the second two born in 
Rochester, Minn., the last two in Newport. All arc 
living except Jay and Floyd, the former dviug March 
2.5, 1855; ttie lalier December 4, 1883. 

ANTOINE BRANCHEAU, the son of Peter and 
Margaret (Rowe) Brancheau, wai born at La Plais- 
ance, Monroe county, October 3, 1825. In 1848 he 
was married lo a Miss Barnard, who died in 1851, 
leaving two children, both girls, but who also died in 
a few years. January 31, 1853, iie was married to his 
present wife, Josephine, daughter of Doniini(|iie and 
Tlierese (Chova) Sauture, by whom be has had five 
children, one girl and two boys dying in infancy, the 
other two still living, Kli having held the office of 



highway cotnmissioner four years and of supervisor of 
Berlin township for the same length of time. 

DEWITT CLINTON BROWN, born in Ypsi- 
lanti, Washtenaw county, Mich., July 7, 1837, is the 
son of J. Nathan and Lvdia (tJotts) Brown. October 
16. 1872, he married Ellen Rachel, daughter of Royal 
and Jane (Wycoff) French. His only child is Clara 
A., born May 30, 1875. By occupation he is a wood- 
worker. 

BENJAMIN BULGER, of Berlin, was born April 
23, 1817, in Pennsylvania: settled in Monroe county in 
1870; married Charlotte Gibbs April 23, 1840, who was 
born September 11, 1820, and died October 21. 1852, 
Ten children were born to them. Mr. Bulger married 
for his second wife CeliaWhitaker, of Lidiana, August, 
1853, who was born January 23, 1832. He enlisted in 
Co. M, 3d Ohio Cav., December, 1864, and was mus- 
tered out July, 1865. Mr. Bulger has been justice of 
the peace three years, collector of customs nine years. 
He owns a farm of twenty-nine acres. PostofUce 
address, Newport. 

JOHN CALVIN CASE, born in Berlin, Febru- 
ary 12, 1858, son of Hugh C. and Haimah D. (Young) 
Case, w.as married Novembi^r 11. 1879, to Sanih Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Chester and Helen (WycolT) Lamb. 
Two children, Cora May, born July 2, 1884. and Glenn 
William, July 25, 1888, "are happy to call him father. 

OTIS W. CUAMBERLIN, son of Uriah and Sarah 
(Gilbirds) Chamb' rlin, was born in Berlin town- 
ship, March 24, 1842. He has been twice married, the 
first time in Lafayette, Indiana, to Johanna, daughter 
of John and Mary (Munn) Kramart, October 8,1862. 
She died May 8, ls79, her childrenbeing two boys and 
one girl living, and one boy has died, .\pril 16, 1881, ho 
married Caroline, daughter of William and Catherine 
F. (Case) Pirdun. By occupation Mr. Chamberlin is a 
farmer, and for twelve years has been director in his 
school district. 

SARAH CHAMBERLIN, widow of Uriah Cham- 
berlin, is the daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (Free- 
love) Gilbirds. She is a native of Quebec, where she 
was horn March 17, 1815. While in Vienna, Seneca 
county. N. Y.. June 17, 1836, she was married to 
Uriah Chamberlin, and they at once came to Berlin. 
Her husband died January 12, 1885, and of her chil- 
dren (twelve boys and two girls) all but seven boys are 
living. 

AUSTIN BOSTWICK CHAPMAN, one of the 
pioneers of Southeastern Michigan, was born in Ver- 
mont February 3, 1821, the son of Joseph and Laura 
(Bostwick) Chapman. Coming to Wayne county in 
1835, be located in Berlin in 1839. and July 4, 1847, 
was married lo Catherine, daughter of John and 
Cornelia (Smith) Burton. Of their children, four boys 
and two girls, Hiram, Hobi-rt and Austin B., jr., ore 
the only ones living, two of the remaining four dying 
in infancy, and the other two after they were grown 
up. 

AUSTIN B. CHAPMAN, JR., son of Austin B. 
and Catherine (Uurlon) Chapman, was born in Berlin 
township November 17, 1851. December 25, 1870. he 
married Mary C , daughter of Nicholas W. and Mary 
Ann (C:hase) Van Riper. His family consists of Cor- 
tu-liaC, born January 10, 1872; Delmont L., October 
•3, 1873; Almon B., April 14. 1877; Mabel May, July 
5, 1879; and Hazel G., April 18, 1888. For eight years 
he has held the office of school inspector, and lias been 
school director in his district since 1870. 

WARREN F. CHARTER, a soldier in the last 
war, is the fon of Francis and Martha ((.)dell) Charter, 
and born in LaSalle, Mich., March 7, 1844. Co. A, 
4th Reg. Mich. Inf. was organized in .Monroe May 16, 
1861, and mustered into the three years' service June 
20, 1861, being assigned to the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 
5th .Vrmy Corps. Warren F. went as a recruit in 
August, 1862, and served until the regiment was mus 



10 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tered out in October, 1865. December 36, 1865, he 
married Rachel, daughter of John and Emil}(Everetl) 
Manning, and is the father of two children, a boy and 
girl. By occupation a sawyer, he has been in part- 
nership with Wm. Grelzler for the past six years. 

JOHN F. COLBURN, a mfrchani and for eisrht 
years postmaster at Newport, in Berlin township, 
was born in Ash, Monroe county, Michigan, Novem- 
ber 13, 1842. His parents, Jo.siali and Abigail (Foster) 
Colburn, came from Vermont "and .settled on section 
36 in Ash township in 1833, taking out letters patent 
for the land, the papers being signed by Andrew 
Jackson His father died January 15. 1886. His 
brother William was in the 17th Wisconsin for three 
years, and George enlisted in the 24lh Michigan in 
August, 1863, and was killed at Gettysburg July 3, 
1863. His wife, Emeline, is the daughter of Jostpli 
and Sally (True) Doty, who .settled in R:iisinville in 
1836, to whom he was married November 30, 1865. 
Her children are : Ella, born December 38, 1868, 
died August 25, 1869; George M., April 7, 1872; Belle, 
October 16. 1874; EIroy D., born October 19, 1878, 
died July 17, 1887. 

MRS. RACHEL FLINT, widow of Isaac H. Flint, 
was born in Collins, Erie county, N. Y., August 
7, 1828, and came to Salem, Washtenaw county, Mich., 
with her parents, Crampton and Lucinda (Buck) 
Jewell, in the spring of 1833. In 1844 she moved to 
Ash township, and December 25, 1845, was married to 
Isaac H. Flint, who died January 30, 1885. Of her 
children, one girl and two boys are still at home, six 
boys and five girls are living, and one boy and two 
girls have been laid to rest. 

WILHELM GRETZLER, son of Henry and 
Caroline (Willett) Gretzler, was born November 13, 
1835, in Gokher, Prussia. He came to the United 
States in 1869, settling in Corry, Pa , in May of that 
year, and in September marrying Minnie Dank-i, who 
died January 3, 1871, leaving him one boy. Novem- 
ber 30, 1871. he was married to his present wife, 
Fredericka, daughter of John and Catherine (Selpen) 
t-chrader, and at once moved to Berlin. Herchildren, 
two boys and two girls, are all living. By occupation, 
Mr. Grelzler is a farmer, and one of the owners of the 
saw-mill of Gretzler & Charter. 

CAPTAIN JAMES HALEY was born in Chau- 
tauqia county, N. Y., November 15, 1830, and when 
17 years old began as a sailor on the lakes, in which 
occupation as boy and man he continued until the 
fall of 1877, when he retired to farm life in Berlin 
township. He came to Berlin in the fall of 1843 with 
his parents, Patrick and Sarah (Gear) Haley, both of 
whom are deceased. June 30, 1853, in Detroit, he was 
married to Selena, daughter of Aaron and Dinah 
(Pierce) Crook. Of their children, one boy and three 
eirls are living, and one boy and one girl dead. 

DUNCAN R. HENRY, an old-time Jackson 
Democrat, by occupation a carriage trimmer, and liv- 
ing with his son-in law, Benjamin Guire, was born in 
>"ewYork City, August 8, 1809, his parents being 
Captain Charles and Elizabeth (Robertson) Henry. In 
1840 he moved to Ohio, and in Wooster, Wayne county, 
on December 38, 1846, married Mary Ann, daughter 
of Francis and Catherine (Christmas) Stusson. Of 
her children six girls and two boys are living and one 
boy has died. 

ELNATHAN HOLMES, who enlisted as a pri- 
vate in the one hundred days' service, being mustered 
May 3, 1864, with Co. I, 130th Ohio National Guards, 
and discharged September 33, 1864, was born in W;ish- 
inglon township, Lucas county, O., October 13, 1834, 
his parents being John and Elizibelh (Strauss) Holmes. 
October 12, 18.55, he married Angelice, daughter of 
Palmer and Lucy (Robbins) Wcscott, who is the 
mother of three children: Charles Frank, born Novem- 
ber 4, 1856; Cora Adell, January 35, 1861; Hattie 



Myrtle, January 31, 1871. By occupation he is a 
farmer and carpenter. 

JOHN VOLNEY HOLMES, a South Rockwood 
farmer, son of William and Eva Jane (Wiggins) 
Holmes, was born in Riga. Lenawee countv. Mich., 
Sei tember 18, 1850. At Whiteford, December 31, 
1865, he was marritd to Nellie, daughter of George and 
Harriet (Blackman) Clark. His only child, Myrtle H., 
was born January 35, 1875. 

ADOLPH JARVIS came to Detroit in 1848 with 
his parents, Joseph and Sophia (La Moire) Jarvis, and 
in the following year removed to Berlin township. He 
was born in Montreal, Quebec, September 36, 1841, 
and March 17, 1867, married Margaret, daughter of 
John and Marienne (Beaumier) Trombley. Of his 
family, four boys and four girls, the former all died in 
early infancy ; "the latter, Susan, Matilda, Anna and 
Louisa, are living with their p.irents in Newport. 

RAPHAEL JARVIS, belter known as ".Tames" 
Jarvis, is the son of Joseph and Sophia (La Moire) 
Jarvis, and was born in Montreal. Quebec, March 8, 
1839. He came to Detroit in 1848, and after remaining 
there about a year moved to Berlin. January 37, 
186 i, he married Mary, daughter of John and Marienne 
(Beaumier) Trombley. Their children are : Frank, 
horn June 3, 1863; John Albert, February 14, 1866; 
Esther Mary, May 27, 1868: Matilda Mary, January 26, 
1870: William, November 20, 1873; Mary Anna, 
August 33, 1874; Marv Alice, September 37, 1877; Mary 
Celena, October 23, 1879; and Charlie D., April 13, 1883. 

MRS. MARY ANN JONES, widow of Frank- 
lin H. Jones (deceased September 13, 1881 , to whom 
she was married February 18, 1864, was born in New 
Orleans October 6, 1839, daughter of Stephen and 
Anna Dusseau. She came to Monroe county in 1854, 
and is the mother of six girls and three boys, all of 
whom are living under the home roof of their child- 
hood. 

ELI LAMARANI), son of Joseph and Sarah 
(Reume) Lamarand, was born in Berlin, Monroe 
county, Mich., Feliruary 16, 1842. January 4, 1864, 
while in Detroit, he enlisted in Co. E, 17th Mich. Vol. 
Inf., and with them participated in the several engage- 
ments they were in until the battle of Spotsylvania C. 
H., when he was cap'ured and sent to Andersonville. 
After passing six montlis in that ••hell," he was sent 
to Florence, thence to Goldsboro, N. C, where in the 
latter part of February, 1865, he was exchanged after 
being '■ penned " for about ten months. After a thirty 
days' furlough he rejoined his regiment and remained 
with them until they were mustered out of service 
August 4, 1865. Is a member of Monroe Post, No. 
76, G. A. R. By occupation a farmer. 

CHESTER LAMB was born in Penn Yan, Y.ates 
county, N. Y., October 11, 1829. his parents being 
Jonathan and Sarah (Sweetsville) Lamb. In Septem- 
ber, 1853, he married Helen, daughter of William and 
Rachel (Degraw) Wycoff, and the following month 
became a resident of Ash township, in which beheld 
the office of highway commissioner for six years, 
also duplicating the s^me on his removal to Berlin 
township ; lor four years he was deputy sheriff of the 
county. He was raised in Hiram Lodge, No. 110, at 
Flat Rock, July 11, 1803, and still holds membership 
there. His children, two boys and a like number of 
girls, are all living. 

MRS. JANE LOVERIDGE, the widow of Jay 
Loveridgo (deceased August 8, 1887), to whom she was 
married March 17, 1854, is the daughter of Mahlon and 
Frances (Swallow) Reading. She was born in Water- 
loo, Seneca county, N. Y., August 27, 1S33, and came 
to Monroe county with her parents in 1835. Her 
children, Ollie M., born June 8, 1858; Jennie H. , 
December 8, 1863; Eddie M., October 11, 1864, are all 
living and married well. Mary F., born June 11, 
1868, died November 13, 1873; and .adopted Florence 
M., born September 19, 1873. 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



II 



JOHN NEIDERMEIR came tn Monroe county in 
July, ISoJ, Willi his parciitg, Kredorick and Caroline 
(Bnnaz) Neidcmicii-. A native of LicbiedieboUl, 
l'ru<sia, he was born December 2. 18.51. May 8. 1878, 
liH married Clara, daughter of Dunran R. and Marian 
(Hasson) Henry, and Is now the father of three boys : 
Chailes F., Frederick and Howard S., the oldest being 
in his eleventh year. F<ir many years be was engaged 
ill farming, spending his spare lime in reading law, 
and under the lulelageof Gouverneur Morris, was ad- 
mitted to practice at the May terra of llie Monroe 
county court in I8''9. 

WILLIAM NKIK, born in the Province of 
Baden, Germany, January 1, 18.53, came to New York 
with his parents, Barnard and Margaret (Hart) Ncif, 
in 18.55. July 4, 1873, he married Jolianna, daughter 
of John and Amelia (McKenzie) Jackson, an.l removed 
to Attica, Fulton county, O. In 1874 he settled in 
Berlin, taking a farm of 120 acres near Soulli Kock- 
ivood. His family consists of three boys and live girls. 

CHARLE.S G. PETERS, son of Henry and 
|{aohel (Cone) Peters, both deceas.'d, was born in 
Waterloo, Seneca county, N. Y., January 21, 182"J, 
and came to Monroe county with his parents in Octo- 
ber, 18:?7. At Flat Koi-k^ AVayne county, July 28, 
1.8,5.5, he was married lo Nancy J., daughter of Charles 
and Tryphena (Palfrey) Jolly, who came to this 
county with her parents in 1853. being born in tlie 
sanietownship wiih Charles in 1837. Their children 
are : Emma J., born August 7, 18.5(i; Clara E.. born 
August 2G, 1800; Jacob H., April 17, 1863; Ida R., 
August 20, 180.5; Charles E., February 20, 18G8; Lillic, 
February 23, 1870; John G.. Julv 1,1.873: AUie M., 
October 27, 1875; MyrtieL., June 7, 1878; all of whom 
are living, Charles G.. ,Jobn G., Allic M., and Myrtie 
L. at home, the others married and living in homes 
of their own. Charles G. is a consistent niemi)er of 
the Baptist church in Flat Hock, and by occupation a 
stock-raiser and farmer. 

GEORGE AV. PETERS, born in Berlin town- 
shif , October 31, 18.50, is the son of Henry and Rachel 
(Cone) Peters. April 7, 1875, he married Josephine 
E., daughter of William and Harriet (Butler) Losee. 
His children are: Alice I., born August 24. 1877; 
Allen W., May 31. 1880; and Mabel May, born August 
31, 1884. 

HARRIET E. PETERS, daughter of Lewis and 
Hannah (Lamb) Northrop, w.as born in ?^lat Rock, 
Wayne county, Mich., Deceml)er 14, 1842, and was 
the elder of two sisters, the other, Mary, being born in 
June, 1840. Her husband. Robert R. Peters, was born 
April 14, 1834. in Waterloo, Senecacounty, N. Y., and 
came to Monroe county wiih his parents, Henry and 
Rachel (Cone) Peters, in 1838. They were married in 
Monroe August 20, 1858. and at once went on the 
farm on which thev now live. He is a member of 
Wallace Post, No. 9.5, G. A. R., at Flat Rock, having 
enlisted August 4, 1802, in Co. K, 24th Mich. Vol. 
Inf.,from which he was honorably discharged June 26, 
180.5. Their children are: Mary E , born March 13, 
1860, married Wm. E. Wilton October 11, 1870; Ellen 
J., born September .30, 1861, married J. Henry Green 
March 17. 1880; Annie M., born June 1, 1807, ni:irried 
John E. French September 1-5, 1885; George R. , born 
March 20, 1872; and Frederick J., born Fi binary 23, 
1879, died August 19, 1879. 

DANIEL PLUFF, son of Frank and Mary (Ver- 
met) Plulf, was born .\pril 11. 18.57, in Mongnagon 
township, Wayne county, Mich. June 30, 1885, he 
married losephine, daughter of Urbin and Louisa 
(Coreau) Petit. Gertrude, born February 15, 1887, is 
their only child. 

JOHN B. RAGLE, son of Antoine and Madeline 
(Stein) Ragle, was born September 1, 1826, in the 
village of Hilliim, province of Lorraine, France. He 
was in a Lance regiment of cavalry in tbe regular 



French army for seven years. ser\'ing under Louis 
Phillippe, the Republic, and Emperor Napoleon HI. 
On his arrival in America, March 7. 1854, he came to 
Monroe, and the following April married Adele, 
daughter of Jo.seph an<l Frances (Chaliel) Slein, who 
had settled in Lagalle in 1831. After living in Li-Salle 
for nine years he returned to Monroe, where he lived 
till 1879, when he moved to Berlin. Of his children 
one boy and one girl have died, and four girls and one 
boy are living. 

ELIAS SAUTURE, son of Eli and Margaret 
(Rowe) Sauture. was born in Newport. January 28, 
1855. Married Mary, daughter of Louis and Eliza- 
beth (Nadeau) Cmear, January 21, 1883. Their family 
consists of three boys: Isaac^ born November 9, 1884; 
Louis, September 1, 1886; and Columbus Leo, August 
11, 1888. 

REV. ADAM A. SCHEURER, born in Amherst, 
Erie county, N. Y.. January 24, 1850, is the son of 
John A. and Ciroline (Michel) Scheurer, and came to 
Monroe county at the age of sixteen^ settling in La 
Salic in March. 1866. Six years later he married 
Louisa M., daughter of Theobold and Rosina (Schenke) 
Scheurer, by whom he has had two children, a boy 
and a girl, both of whom are now living. At Michi- 
gan conference in se.-sion at More Park, St. Joe 
county, Mich., in April, 1879. he was admitted to the 
minibtry in the Evangelical church. He is the pastor 
of the congregation of that denomination in Ida. 

CHARLES LOUIS TROMBLEY is the son of 
John and Marie (Beaumie) Trombley, and was born in 
Newport, Maich 9, 1800. His father was born in 
Quebic, January 1, 1803, and died in April, 1877. He 
is living uilh his mother on his farm near Newport, 
engaged in school teaching and literary work, holding 
the offices of notary public and school inspector. 

GARRETT VREELAND, grandson and name- 
sike of the pioneer settler of Flat Rock, is the son of 
Louis and Laura (Norton) Vrecland, and born March 
2, 18.58. A farm of 118 acres on the south side of the 
Huron River locates the office of the " Squire," he 
having been elected justice of the peace in and for 
Berlin township in 1886. He was married to Cath- 
erine, daughter of Frank and Sarah (.Vllen) Allen, Sep- 
tember 29, 1880, and is the father of Gracie, born 
May 27, 1886. 

DUNDEE TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN S. BABCOCK, of Dundee village, was born 
in Ball), Steuben county, N. Y., June 30. 1813. In 
1H;!6 he came to Dundee. He was a blacksmith by 
trade, and for ncaily fiftj' years followed thai busi- 
ness in Dundee. He was married in 18:1.5 to Jane H. 
Fleming. They had three children: Albert H.. born 
June 4, 18:^6, now living in Gagecounty, Neb.; Laura, 
born in 1842, the wife of George McBridc; and 
George, born December 28, 1847. Albert H. was 
captain of Co. E, 18ili Mich. Vol. Inf. He enlisted in 
1802 as fir>t lieutenant, and mustered out at the end of 
the war as captain. 

PHILARMON BREWER, farmer, was born in 
Bridgewater. Mich., January 20, 1840, where he re- 
sided until his eighth year, when he came to Dundee. 
He married Sarah Rankin September 20, 1808, who 
was born in New York Slate, Seplenilxr 19, 1846. 
They have had three children; Arthur E, born Jao 
uary 4. 1870; Warnn J., born February 20, 1877; and 
Vesta L., born April 29, 1m79. He enlisted in Co. F, 26th 
Mich. Vol. Inf., August 7, 1h(;2, and was mustered out 
June 13, 1805. He is a member of William Bell Post, 
No. 10, G. A. R. 

MILTON O. CADY, proprietor of the Cady House, 
Dundee, was born at Dundee, December 12. 1843, 
where he continued to reside until his twenty-fourth 
year, when he moved to Detroit. For the following 



12 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



eighteen years he engaged in the paper business. He 
removed to Dundee in 1886, and opened the hotel of 
which he is now proprietor. He was married October 
4, 1883, to Eleanor C. Beiinett, of Detroit, who was 
boru at Walertown, N. Y., March 30 1819. 

REUBEN CHAPMAN, who died June 26, issa. was 
born in Conneclicut, .July 13. 1800. He eame to Mon- 
roe counly in 1850. October 21. 1884. he married Polly 
Merrj'field, who was born in New York State, Novem- 
ber IS, 1814. They have eight children: Mary E., 
born September is, 183.5; Ervailt, born January 23, 
18:i7; Ward M.. born September 11, 1K39: Reuben E , 
born July 10. 1842; Mais'hall R., boru September 19, 
1844; Warren W., born September 29, 1848. Mrs. 
Chapman is now the wife ot James Philips, whom she 
nuu-ried June 20, 1886. 

PIIEBE L. DUNLAP, the wife of Henry Duulap, 
whom she married Aprd 4, 1860, was born in 
in Dundee, May 16,1837. She is a dau.silitT of Jus- 
tus Treniain. Iheir children are: Sarah V., born 
August 2, 1861, wife of Charles Meade; Einest C, born 
October 23, 186.5. died June 25, 1870; Alice B., born 
September o, 1867; Justus A., born September 7, 1869: 
Myrtie E., born December 22, 1870, died Feb. 22, 
1888; and William E., born June 23, 1873 Mr.«. Dun- 
lap is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Peters- 
burg. 

R. T. DUTTON. who died December, 1876, was 
a farmer of Dundee township from 1840 until his 
death. He was born in Casriovia township. Ontario 
county, N. Y., February 22. 1810, and settled in Mon- 
roe county in 1840. His wife survives him, and her 
maiden name was Mary A. Van Fliet. She w;is born 
January 23, 1823. She was first married to Phillip L. 
Miller, an early sttiler in Monroe county in 1814, who 
died April, 1852. She married Mr. Du'tton February 
28, 1874. Five children were bnrn to her by lier first 
marriage as follows: Luman Van Miller, born Sep- 
tember 6, 1842, died in 1863, while a member of Co. 
H, lHh Mich. Kegt; Luther D., born July 17, 1844 ; 
Jane E , wife of Homer Leach, born September 27, 
1847; Mary, wife of Alfied Wilson, born June 2, 
1850; Lewis P., born December 11, 1852, died April 
28, 1883. Luther D. was a member ot the 15lh Regt. 
Mich. Inf. during the rebellion, Mrs. Duttou's post- 
ofiice address is Dundee, Mich. 

VALORUS D. FORD was born in Greene county 
N. Y., January 29, 1809. At five years of age he re- 
moved with his parents to Otsego Co., N. Y^.,wbere he 
remained until his twenty-first year, when he came to 
Buffalo and remained there seven years. He is a pal- 
tern maker and millwright by trade, and during his 
early yeais assisted in tne erection of manj^ mills in 
New York State and Micliigan. He settled in Dundee 
in 1841, and with the exception ot five years has re- 
sided in that village. He was married in 1840 to Eliza 
Bell, who was born in the north of Ireland. Seven 
children (but four are living) have been born to them. 
Their names are: Franklin F., Aljner Dan., Robert B,, 
and Corydon L. Ford. The three first named are 
journalists. The oldest son, Franklin, was the editor 
of Bradstreet' s (newspaper) for the seven years ending 
January 1, 1887. Mr. Ford's wife is a member of the 
M. E. Church of Dundee. 

FRANCIS W. FOX. farmer, was born in New 
Y'ork State, October 1, 1839, and came to Dundee in 
1806. For one year he ran a Hour mill, afterwards for 
two years he was in the mercantile business. In 1870 
he settled on his present farm. He married January 
19, 1864, Jennie Barber, who was born in New York 
State November 13, 1838. Tliev have had three chil- 
dren; Mary J., born December 31, 1864, wife of E. H. 
Palmer; Rowland, born July 4. 1866; and Royer R., 
born September 24, 1879. Mr. Fox enlisted as private 
April, 1861, in Co. E, 3cd Kegt. N. Y'. Vol. Inf , and 
was mustered out June 6, 1863, as sergeant. 



AUGUSTUS GLEAN, furniture dealer of Dundee, 
was born in New Y'ork State, June 23, 1821. He came 
to Monroe county in 1853, settling in Dundee, where 
he has since continued to reside. He is a cabinet- 
maker by trade. He enlisted August, 1861, in Co. D, 
7lh Mich. Inf., and served with that regiment during 
its enliie enlistment, being mustered out in 1865, and 
participating in nearly all the memorable battles of 
the Rebellion. He was wounded twice : first at 
Ream's Station, in August. 1864, and again at Cold 
Harbor. He is a member of William Bell Post, No. 10. 
He married in July, 1885, Ellen Wheeler, who was 
born in Ntxv Y'ork State March 7, 1843. 

ABNER HAINES, farmer, was born at Lodi, Sum- 
ner county, N. Y., October 25, 1813. In 1835 became 
to Ridgeway, Lena" ee county, Mich., where he re- 
sided until 1844, when he came to Dundee. He mar- 
ried Minerva Coryell January 4, 1838. who was born 
in Seneca counly, N. Y'., February 15, 1816. They 
have had seven children, of whom six are now living: 
Elizabeth, the wife of Norman Curtis, of Kansas ; 
Otcar D. ; Augusta C, wife ot George Kent, of Kansas; 
A. J. ; Herman O. and George. 

FRANK HELI.STERN, marble and granite cutter, 
was born in Gei many, April 24,1853, and came to 
America in 1869 and settled in Jack.son county. In 
1880 he came to Dundee, and in connection with Con- 
rad Brendle opened the marble and stone works of 
Brendle & Hel stern. His wife's maiden name was 
Mary Poeger. They have two children, both girls. 

GEORGE W. HURD, druggist, was born in New 
York Slate May 31, 1838. During the same year his 
parents removed to the State of Michigan, settling in 
the township of Y'^oik. where they remained for twelve 
years and then settled in Monroe county. Mr. Hurd 
settled in Dundee in 1866, and has since been engaged 
in the drug trade. He married Lucy Chittenden, of 
Monroe county, November 16. 1865. She was born in 
this county January 12, 1843. They have had but 
one child, Leo Augusta. Mr. Hurd enlisted in the 
18th Rt'gt. Mich. Vol Inf August, 1863, and served 
with that regiment during iis memorable service until 
it was musrered out in July, 1865. He entered the 
service as private and was mustered out as lieutenant. 

JAMES KENY'ON, dry goods and general merchan- 
dise dealer, was born in New Y'ork City April 31, 
1817, where he lived until his fourteenth year. In 
1837 he came to Monroe City, where be was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits until 1867, when he came to 
Dundee. He was married in 1838 to Anna Scrauton, 
who died in 1839, leaving one child, Margaret, the 
wife of Kenny Reynolds. Mr. Keuyon's present wife's 
maiden name was Eliza C. Griffin, to whom he was 
married in 1841. Eight children have been born to 
them, four of whom are novr living. Mr, Kenyon is 
a Republican in politics, and a member of the M. E. 
church. 

MARTIN KNOWLES, formerly a farmer of Dun- 
dee township, died December 5, 1883. He was born 
in Ireland July 13, 1820. He came to America in 
1840. and settled in Lenawee county, Mich., where he 
remained two years, then came to Dundee township. 
He married October 6, 1844, Martha A. Vauderventer, 
who was born in Lockport, N. Y'., April 3, 1827. 
They had nine children ; James P., born November 4, 
1845, Michael T.. horn August 27, 1847; John H., 
born January 6, 1850; Mary, born July 17, 1854, wife 
of Austin Dexter; Amy E , born October 36, 1857, wife 
of S. Huutler; Martha, born October 4, 1860; George 
B., born December 25, 1862; Daniel, born June 16, 
1865; Frank, born April 3, 1867. 

JOACHIM F. KOEPCKE, farmer, was born in Ger- 
many, November 15, 1850. He came to America in 
1874. and settled in Monroe City. He moved on his 
present farm in 1878. He was married to Louise 
Kruger, April 30, 1878, who was born in Monroe 



PERSONAI, HISTORIES. 



1,3 



county November .■), If'fiO. Their children nre: August. 
born March 23, ISTII; Frederick, born September S, 
1880; William, born Febninry 4, ISJ^S, and Theodore, 
born February 14, 1SS4. Mr Koepcke served three 
years in the German army PostofBce address, Rea. 

EBENEZKH LOCKWOOI), who died September S, 
ISSl, was one of the esrliesi settlers in Dundee. He 
was born in Xew York Stale, March 21, ISOT, and 
came to Monroe county in \f<'-iO. He married Eliza 
Ratbburn. who still residis in Dundee, June 20, 182S, 
Five ciiildren. of whom but three are now living, 
were born to them : Charlotte, now the wife of Fran- 
cis Smith ; Eliza, wife of Mr. Slayton; and Ebenezer, 
Their oldest son, Genrtje. was killed in the War of the 
Rebellion, while their oilier son was burned to death 
on a lioat at Saginaw. Mr. Lockwood was a respected 
citizen of Dundee, and a member of the M. E. church. 

C. F. E. LONG, lumber merchant, was born in New 
York Stale, March 7. IS2T. He came from Lenawee 
county. Mich., to Dundee in 1S.")4, and for many years 
has conducted a .saw mill furnishing employment to 
seven men. December 31, 18.")li, he married Elizabeth 
P. Rawson, daughter of C. F. W. Rawson. of Dundee. 
Two children, Cora and Dela, have been the issue of 
this marriage. Mr. Long is a Republican in politics, 
and at present is assessor of Dundee. He has held the 
office of supervisor, and has been trustee of Dundee 
village. 

JOSHUA MANNING, who died December l.V 1882, 
was for many years engaged in farming in Dundee 
township. He was born in Alberg Spring, N. Y., 
April 10. isl!). and settled iu Monroe county in 1844, 
He married Ruth A. Potter, September !l, 1842. Mrs. 
Manning was born in Rutland, Vt., February 18, 1822. 
They had five children: Porter, born June 12, 1843, 
died Miirch 18. 184!); a girl, born August 28, 184!), who 
died in infancy; Jennie, born April 28, 1K")3, wife of 
Marcus U. Cheesbrough; Millard, born June 12, ix'il, 
and Bert, born March 13, ISOI. 

FRANCIS H. MILLER, farmer, was born in New 
Y'ork Slate, March l-"), 1843, He came with his father, 
Benjamin Miller, to Monroe county, in 1H.52. He mar- 
ried January 1, 1867, Mary A. H'jath, who was born 
in Dundee, March 14, is.">2. They have had four chil- 
dren: Charles II., bom July •">, 1869; Eugene, born 
Jan. 11, Ir^Tl. died the same ye;ir; Dora Jl., born De 
cember 13, 1^73; and Grace A., born July 21, l.s77. He 
enlisted as private in the l.)th Mich. Vol. Inf. March 
21, 1864, and was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., 
August 13, 186.'). He is a. member of William Bell 
Post, No. 10, G. A. R. 

HENRY MILLER, a farmer of Dundee township, 
was born in Cana,joharie, Montgomery county, N. 
Y., July 2'), 1821. He settled in Dundee, Monroe 
county, in ls43. His wife, Mary H. Shoemaker, was 
born in Montgomery county, N. Y., Nov. 2^!, isiy. 
Their children are: Homer, born October 21, 1X44; Isa- 
dora A., wife of Edward L. Moore, born July 29, 
1847; Clark N., born October 4, 184!l; Lucinda, wife 
of Madison Goodrich, born October ll,ls.j2; Eugene 
H., born February 24, 18.57; Harriet B., witeof Stephen 
Moore, born February .5, is(i9. Mr. Miller was form- 
erly a Republican in political faith, but of late years 
has supported the Prohibition cause. 

HOMER MILLER, farmer, of Dundee township, 
was born in Dundee, October 21, 1x44, and has lived 
in this township ever since. He was married to Emma 
Hoaglaud, who was born in Macon, Lenawee county, 
Mich., October 10, 184.->, married October 10, I««7. 
Their children are: Clara B, born February 2.5, 1872, 
and Roy M., born November 2!t, 1877. .Mr. Miller ia a 
veteran of the late war. having enlisted in Co. II, 18th 
Mich. Vol. Inf., August, 1862, and served with that 
regiment until it wa.s mustered out in Julj'. 186-">. Post- 
office address: Kea. Michigan. 



MILES MOORE, who died Ociobcr 6, 1880, settled 
on a farm in Dundee township, about two miles west of 
the vdlagc of Dundee, when twenty-tbn e years old. He 
WHS boin in the Stale of New Hampshire, February 14, 
1823. At the age of eight years he removed with his 
parents to Rsiisinville township, Monroe county. He 
remained on his farm in Dundee until his death. A 
cooper by trade, he worked at coopering until he be- 
came a farmer. He was married twice: First, Decem- 
ber 2.'), 184.'>, to Jane L. Lawrence, who died March 
23, 18.")4. Three children were born to thein, of whom 
Edward L., born November 21, 184ii, is ihe only sur- 
vivor. His second marr age, to Jane E. Kent, daugh- 
ter of Enos Kent, a settler in Monroe county in 1830, 
took place September 14, 18.-)4. Mrs. ]Moore still re- 
sides in Dundee. Their children are: Charles H.. 
born February 28, ls.-)S; Stephen, born September 19, 
18.57; Eugene iM., born August 10, ISTl. Mr. Moore 
was an active spirit in all that pertained to the pros- 
perity of Dundee. He was a strong tempeiance man 
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

EDMUND C. MUXGER, of Dundee, a soldier in 
the late civil wnr. was born in Dundee December 20, 
1834. His father, Elizar D. .Munser. was born in 
Litchfield county. Conn.. Dec. 29, I8i)6. His parents 
came to Michigan in 1833, settled in Dundee, where his 
father died Dec. 22, 1884. His mother's maiden name 
was Mary P. Simonds, and is still living in Dundee 
township. Edmund C. was the third child in a family 
of eight children. He enlisted in the 7th Regr. of 
Mich. Inf., Co. D, August 10, 1861, and was mustered 
out of service September 22. 1864. He participated 
in the battles of Ball's Bluff, Y'orktown. West Point, 
Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Fredericksburg, Gettys- 
burgh, Robertson Tavern and Wilderness. On the 
second day's fighting »t the battle of the Wilderness, 
he was wounded in the elbow, from the effects of 
which wound his arm has since been amputated. He 
was taken pri.^oner July. 1863, and held until pardon- 
ed, August 29, 1863. Mr. Munger was married May 
2-5, 1863, to Sarah Gee, daughter of Franklin Gee. an 
early settler in Dundee. Their children are: Franklin 
E. ,boin February 13, 1866; Harriet F., born September 
1.5. 1867; Hellcn "C.born August 30, 1869, and Mary E , 
born in Kansas October 4. 1874. In 1871 Mr. Munger, 
with his family, removed to Newton. Harvey county, 
Kansas, where he remained over seven years, and was 
among the first settlers of that section. With this ex- 
ception he has continuously resided in Dundee. He is 
a member of th-; M. E. Church. 

ELMON J. NEIMAN, farmer, of Dundee town- 
ship, was born in Germany. October 11, 1833. He 
came to America in 18.53, and settled upon the farm 
upon which he now resides. He married February 
17. 1860. Orhena Meyer, who was born in Germany 
January 16, 1839. Their children arc: John F., born 
December 14, 1S60; Clara E.. born July 17. 1862, wife 
of Louis .\lbrigbt; Albert L., born March 17.1870, 
and Victor C, born April 7. 1884. Mr. Neiman is a 
member of the German Lutheran Church of Dundee. 

JOACHIM NEEMAN, farmer, of Dundee township, 
was born in Germany January 14. 1826; came to 
America iu 18-53, and settled in Dundee township. He 
was married to Sophia Bunkleman April 22, 185;!, who 
was born in Germany Miiy 4, 1828. They had nine 
children, only two of whom are living: Mary, wife 
of Charles Kabush, born December 20, 1863, and 
Bernhard, born October 24, 1872. Mr. Nieman is a 
member of the (Jerman Luth<>ran Church. Postoflice 
address, Dundee. 

JOSHUA PARKER, one of the earliest settlers in 
Dundee township, was born in Wallingford. Conn., 
in 1770. He settled in Raisinville. now Dundee town- 
ship, in 1826. He had five claughters and two sons. 
His daughters, Mrs. Eva Potter and Mr.s. Nancy 
Snaulding, the former of Dundee village, the latter of 
Lake county, Ind., arc the only survivors. Mrs. 



14 



HISTORY OT- MONKOK COUNTY, MICMlGAlV. 



Potter was born June 10, 1815. In 1885 she married 
Lyman Plank, who died in 1838; a daughter and a 
sou were horn to Ihem as follows: BttscyA., wife 
of E. P. Hunt, of California, and Lyman, of Deer- 
field, Mich. In 1865 she married Alfred Potter who 
was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1811. He died iu'l869. 
He come to. Dundee in 1837. Mrs. Potter's father 
died in 1853. 

FRANKLIN P. PEARCE, farmer, of Dundee town- 
ship, was born in Dundee February 3. 183(i, on the 
farm where his father settled in 1834. He married 
November 12, 1859, Eliza C. Munger. Their children 
are: Clara E., born November 21, 1861, wifeof Albert 
M. Cassidy;Susan Mary, born September 3, lS64;Albert 
F., born October 5, 1867, and Jolin T., born December 
28, 1870. Posloffice address, Dundee, Mich. 

CHARLES F. W. RaWSON, boot and shoe mer- 
<hant of Dundee, was born in New York State, May 
17, 1813 In 1833 he settled in Monroe county. During 
his early manhood he engaged in farming,' and is a 
blacksmi h by trade, but for the last thirty years has 
bet-n in meicantile business. He is a Republican in 
politics, and for several years has been supervisor and 
lown-ship clerk of Bedford. For sixteen years he was 
postmaskT at Dundee. Mr. Rawson was married 
March 13, 1837, to Mary Ann May, who was born in 
England December 7. 1820. They havehad six children, 
four of whom aie now living. 

WILLIAM A. REA, farmer, of Dundee township, 
WRS born in Hunterdon county, N. J., December s' 
1836. When twenty-nine years old he came to Schuy- 
ler county, N. Y., and remained there three years. lie 
afterwards resided in Jackson one year, and Lenawee 
six years. In 1875 he settled on his present farm. 
Rea postoflice, in Dundee township, was named after 
Mr. Rea, He married R'^becca Mvers, of Hunterdon 
N. J., December 11, 18.58. Postnffice address: Rea! 
Mich. 

FREDERICK SCHULTZ, farmer, of Dundee town- 
ship, was born in Germany, September 3, 1842 He 
came to America in 1807, and after one year's resi- 
dence in New York Stale settled on his present farm. 
He was married to Christina Brock man, who was also 
born in Germany, in March, 1867. Their children are: 
Henry, William, Charles, Emma, Herman and Al- 
bert. Postoffice address, Dundee. 

JOHN F. SLAYTON, drover and cattle buyer, of 
Dundee, was born in Dundee, January 4, 1845. He 
early in life became a butcher and shipper of stock. 
He was married to Harriet Poeston, January 1, 1869. 
Two children, Ada, born December 4, 1870, aud Eu- 
gene Franulin, born July 32, 1880, have been Ihe i-sue 
of this marriage. Mrs. Slaylon was born in Oswego 
county, N. Y., February 10, 1851, but since four years 
of age has resided in Dundee. Mr. Slayton embarked 
in the dry goods businef-s in 1861, and two years later 
opened a butcher shop. He sold out both concerns to 
C, L. Luce in 1884. For the last twenty ye.irs he ha§ 
been largely engaged in shipping cattle. 

JOHN E. SMITH, farmer, of Dundee township, 
was born in Wayne county, N. Y. , June 27, 1840. At 
the age of twelve years he came to Calhoun county. 
Mich. He settled in Dundee in 1865. He enlisted 
during the Rebellion in Co I of the 20lh Regt. of 
Mich. Inf., August 11, 1862, as corporal, and was 
mustered out of service May 30, 1865. He was wounded 
in the thigh at the battle of Spottsylvania Court 
House, and served with Dhe regiment during all the 
engagements in which it participated. He is a mem- 
ber of William Bell Post, No. 10, G. A. R. He was 
married to Agnes L Hnggett in 186.5. One child 
Mary E., born Aug. 23. 1866, has been the issue of (his 
marriage. His postoffice address is Dundee. 

JOSEPH D. SMITH, farmer, of Dundee township, 
son of Thomas B. aud Sarah B. (Avery) Smith, was 
boru in Monroe county, December 9, 1861. His father 



was born in England in 1823 and came to America in 
1831, and settled with his parents in Huron county. In 
1859 he settled in Monroe county, and died in Wood 
counly in 1869. In his father's family there were 
ihee children, of whom Joseph D. is the only sur- 
vivor. His father was a farmer for many years, but 
during the latter years of his life was engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits. Joseph D. was married January is 
1882, to Ida L. Dean. One child, Eva Pearl, borii 
June 15, 1886, has been the is ue of this marriage. 
Mr. Smith is a member of the Jlasonio lodge of Dun- 
dee. Postoffice address: Rea, Mich. 

LUCIEN B. SMITH, boot and shoe merchant, of 
Dundee, was born in Lenawee county, Mich., Febru- 
ary 23, 1843 He settled in Dundee in 1873. He was 
mairied to Mattie Drusmor^, of Adrian, April 15 1867 
They have but one child, Florence Bell, born April 9 
1868. Mr. Smith enlisted in Co. F, 4th Mich. Cav.! 
August 4, 1863, at Adrian, and was mustered out of 
service, July 7, 1865. at Nashville. He participated in 
the battles of Stone River, Chattanooga, Chickamauga 
and all the battles in which his regiment took part 
He IS a member of William Bell Post. No. 10, G. A. R. 
He has held several township offices, such as treasurer, 
superintendent of schools and president of the village' 
For ten years he tiiught school. His postoffice address 
is Dundee. 

DANIEL W. SPALDING, farmer, of Dundee, was 
born in Oneida county, N. Y., June 3, 1814, where he 
lived until his seventeenth year, when he came to 
Dundee and has lived there ever since. He married 
Julia A. Jenne Oclober 22, 1840, who was born in 
Ledyard, N. Y., October .5, 1818 They have nine 
children, of whom four are now living: Samuel J 
born June 26, 1843: Mary E , wife of Lysander Adee' 
born August 5, 1845; Ada, born December 4, 1847' 
Adelle, born June 1, 18.50, died June 30, 1872; Herman 
N , born February 4, 18.53, died May 8, 1857; Francis 
V,, born April 4, 1855, died April 25, 18.57; Effie born 
April 25, 1857, wife of Clarence E. Scranton; Norton 
H , born October 28, 1858, died November 5 1H59 
Mr. Spalding was in the Toledo War. He is a carpen- 
ter by trade, but during the last twenty years has been 
engaged in farming. He is a member of the Congre- 
gational church. 

JULIUS H. SPALDING, hardware merchant of 
Dundee, was born in Bradford county. Pa., January 
26, 1823. He came to Monroe City in 1833, and for the fol- 
lowing twenty years carried on" ihe hardware bu.'.iness 
in that city. In 1853 he removed on a farm in Exeter 
township and engaged in farming until 1873, when he 
came to Dundee where he has since conducted a hard- 
ware store. He enlisted in Co. K, 12th Regt., as ser. 
geant in August, 1862, and was mustered out of service 
in June, 1863. He was married to Mary A Daly 
January 1, 1844. Eight < hildren have been born to 
them, of whom two are now living. He was formerly 
a Whig in politics, but is now a Republican. He is a 
member of William Bell Post, No. 10, G. A. R. 

JEROME B. SQUIRES, farmer, of Dundee town- 
ship, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., December 1, 
1827. In 1829 his parents settled in Dundee, where 
Mr. Squires has resided ever since. He married Ruth 
Ann Graunis of Erie county, N. Y. Their children 
are: DeWilt. born March 2. 1857; Alonzo, born 
August 12. 185H; Elizabeth, wife of Byron H. Dean 
boru July 11. 1861; and Newton, born February is' 
1864. Mr. Squires enlisted in Co. H, 18th Regt Mich, 
Inf., September, 1864, and served until the regiment 
was mustered out, June, 1865. He is a member of 
William Bell Post, No. 10, G. A. R. PostoflSce 
address, Rea, Mich. 

HENRY A. STEWART, of Dundee village, was 
born in Bath, Steuben county, N. Y., August 10, 1838. 
In 1847 he came with his parents to Dundee, and until 
his nineteenth year lived with Cady, who for many 
years conducted a hotel in Dundee. He learned the 



PERSONAL HISTORtKS. 



15 



blacksmith trade .ind for five ye-'rs worked at his 
trade. He enlisted November .V 180:J, in C.i. L, 2d 
Mich. Cav., and was mustered out August 2S. 186.1. 
From exposure he lo.st tlie sinlil of one eye. He is a 
member of Willimn Bell Post, No. 10. O. A. R., and 
Blue Lodge T4 and Ml. Vernon Chapter of the M.isonio 
Order. He was married April 1.5. ISOO, lo Mary A. 
Uaines. Tliey Lave had three children, alt of whom 
have died iji infancy. Mr. Stewart was for many 
years engaged in the grocery business, and for two 
years was undertaker. 

.I08EPU A. STOWELL, of Dundee, who died 
March 12, is,s(;, was an old settler of Dundee. He was 
born at Earlville, Madison county, N. Y., March .*"), 
IHIO. Soon after his marriage to Martha Maynard, 
August 12, 183S, he located in Monroe county, 
remaining there about five jears. when they removed 
to Lenawee county, where they resided some years, 
then returned to this and Sftlled on the land known as 
the Stowell faru), just east of Dundee village. Mr. 
Stowell engaged at different times in milling, han- 
dlingcaltle, shipping the same to eastern markets. He 
was an active agent in building the Toledo and Ann 
Arbor Railroid, and for live years was one of its 
directors. Five children were born to them, four of 
whom are now living, as follows: Emerv A., horn 
May 13, 1H39; Phidelia C, wife of Erastus"Uappleye, 
born April 18, 1841; Marinn S., wife of Theodore 
Mead, born February 9, 1^40; Permelia G., born 
November 20, ls.33, who died in infancy; and Sanford 
A., born August 2.">, ISSG. Mrs. Stowell at present re- 
sides in the village of Dundee. 

LESTER M. VANDEVENTER, farmer, of Dun- 
dee, was l,(irn in Lockport, N. Y., September 11. 1823; 
came to Michigan in the winter of 18:i4 ■■> He settled 
in Dundee in ls44. He married Mary A. Heath, 
December 29, 1844. They have had three children: 
Mdrtlia M., born February 8, IH-^O, wife of Eugene 
Zelluff ; George W., born JIarch 13, 18.-,2: Milo ,1.. born 
September '), I8."i4. Mr. Vandeventer is a carpenter 
by trade, but for the last twenty years has been en- 
gaged in farming. He has held several township 
offices. For forty years he has been a member of the 
Baptist church of Dundee. 

LAWRENCK VAX WORMER, born in Steuben 
county, N. Y.. January 27, 1822. and died April l."i, 
188."), was for a number of ye irs a farmer of Dundee 
township. He removed lo Dundee from Erie county. 
Pa., in 1800. He was twice married. His second wife 
was Nancy Seeley, whom he married in 1m(;4, who 
still survives him, residing in the village of Dundee. 
Two children were born to him: Jane Ann, the wife 
of James Van Wormer, and Ellen, the wife of James 
O'Brien. 

REV. SAMUEL WARNER, preacher and farmer, 
of Dundee township, was boru in Onondaga county, 
N. Y., October 21, 1814, and lived there until his 
twentieth year, when he came to Monroe City. In 
1838 he settle I in Dundee township on the farm where 
he resided until his death, which occurred in June, 
1889. He married, in 18133, Lydia Nichols, who 
was born in New York Stale. She died January 
29, 18G3. Their children are: Mary J., born Februarv 
2o, 1842, wife of Caldwell Marshall; Ellen, born De- 
cember 2(i, 1844, died November 29. 18.")(i; Eugene and 
Jeannetle, born February 19, 18.'j3; f?ebecca, born No- 
vember li, 18.')(), died June 1. 18.")T. Mr. Warner's 
second wife is Catherine Choate, whom he married 
May 4, 18ti;j. she was born in Ovid, N. Y., in 1821. 
Mr. Warner was a local preacher in the M. E church 
twenty six years, and three years before his death was 
ordained a minister of the Congregational church, 
making a total service for the Lord of tweuty-nine 
years, most of the lime in active service in Dundee. 

WALTER WELLS, who died April 3, 1879, was for 
many years a farmer in Dundee township. He wa.s 
born in New York Slate. April 3, 1797, and settled in 



Monroe county in 184.5. He was marri(d lo Cynlhia 
Farlin, February 1.5, 183.5, who still survives hini. But 
one child was born to Ihem. who died in infancy. 
Mrs. Wells's posloffice address is Dundee. 

NELSON WHITE, farmer, and one of the oldest 
residents of Ihe township of Dundee, was born in Au- 
rora, N. Y., February 1.5, 1807, where he remained 
until 1832, when he '.'■etiled in Dundee. He married 
Jennie Jenne. Februnry 14. 1838, who was born in 
Aurora, N. Y., November 8. 1810. Ten children, of 
whom seven are now living, were born lo them: 
Parsis, wife of Harvey Shaw; Mary, wife of Amos 
Goodenlicrgpr; Horace; Friend E.; Emily, wife of 
Henry Rowley; Delia, wife of David Sellers. In early 
life Mr. White was Cnptuin of a boat on Ihe Erie Canal. 
He also served as lieutenant in the Toledo War. 

DAVID G. WILSON, druggist, of Dundee, wa* 
born at Ovid, N, Y., .March 9, 1842. He settjpd in 
Dundee in 180.5. He was married October 4. 1872, lo 
Caroline White, of Dundee, who died July 9. 1875. 
Their children were Grace, born April 9, 1874. and 
Bertha, born June 30, 1875 He married Millie Piues, 
of Haisinville, October 20, 1878, who died Novi mber 
9, 1879. His third wife was Ada McChesney, of Ge- 
neva, N. Y., whom he married July 20. 188:!. By the 
latter marriage one child has been born, Seeley, born 
March 20, 1884. Mr. Wilson has followed the drug 
business for Iwenty-four years, the last five years in 
Dundee. 

JOHN WILSON, farmer, of Dundee township, was 
born in Seneca county, N. Y., April 10, 1840, where 
he remained until 1803, when he settled on his farm in 
Dundee. He enlisted in Co. B, l8th Regt. Mich. Inf., 
September. 1804, and was mustered out, June, 180.5. 
He wiis married to Mary Marsh, of l.,ucas county, 
Ohio, July 1;5, 1805. Mr. Wilson is a Republican in 
politics, and has been road commissioner. PostofBce 
address. Rea. 

JAMES B. ZELLUFF, of Dundee, who died No- 
vember 13, 1801, was born in the State of New Jersey, 
in 182.5. and came lo Monroe county in 1814. He mar- 
ried, January 10, 1.845, Sarah Franeifci, who was born 
in New York State, March 31, 1821. They had six 
children, of whom but two are living: James S., born 
December 25, 1845. and David M. . born December 13, 
1859. After Mr. Zelluff's death Mrs. Zelluff married 
William Palmer, October 29, 18()2, with whom she 
lived eight j'ears. She now resides alone on the old 
homestead in Dundee township. 

EXKTER TO'WKSHIP. 

EPHRAIM BALDWIN, of Maybee, died July 14, 
1889, at the age of sixty eight, leaving his widow, 
Charlotte A , and four children to mourn his loss. He 
was born in Lower Canada. November 0, 1821, his 
parents being John and Abigail (Schumway) Baldwin, 
and when in his ihirieenth jear moved lo Lenawee 
county, and graduated from the Ann Arbor Univer- 
sity in the class of 1849, and in connection with a Mr. 
Harper taught a select school in Monroe, from which 
Rev. Father Cooney, Hon. George M. Landon, H. 
Miller, H. Shaw Noble, Irving and George Palmer, 
and many otheis have graduated. During his spare 
hours while teaching he read law, and was admitted 
to the bar in 18,57. At Monioe, October 15, 18.50, he mar 
ried Charlotte A., daughter of .loseph C. and Char- 
lotte (Lawrence) Garwood, whose children are: 
Newton, bom February 23, 18.50: Charlotte Louise, 
August 10, 18.53 (died January 21, 1879); Willis, March 
3, 1800; Lawrence, May 2-5, 1802; an infant boy, born 
January 3, and dying January 31, 1807; and Carrie, 
born .March 27, 1809. He was a strong Democrat and 
vigorous lighter in politics, holding several offices of 
trust in Ihe county. In religion he was a member of 
the P^piscopal Church, and tlie oldest made Mason in 
Monroe Ixidgc, No. 27, in which he was initiated 



16 



MrSTORY Of MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 



April fl, I80I, passed May 11, and raised June 18, 
1851, and for several years was secretary. On his 
death, July 14, 1889, he was buried wiiu Masonic 
honors. 

FREDERICK BALLEN was a private in Co. B, 
47th Ohio Vol. Inf., enlisting at Adrian, June 15, 1861, 
and mustered out August 31, 1864. At Dallas, Texas, 
May 27, 1864, he was wounded in the thigh, and at 
Vicksburg, Miss., May 4. 1863, was captured and held 
prisoner for twenty-three days. He was born in Ber- 
lin, Germany, August 11, 1842, his father's name being 
Jobn, his mother dying on the voyage across tbe 
ocean. He was married in Dundee, September 8, 186."), 
to Emily, daughter of Henry and Mary (Wilson) Milli- 
man and settled on section 2, in Exeter. They have 
liad eight children, three boys and five girls; tbe two 
oldest girls diid in infancy, the others all living. He 
is a member of Baknr Post, No. 200, G. A. R., at 
Carlton, and generally votes ihe Republican ticket. 

DAVID BILLMEYER, son of Gottleib and Mary 
(Bruwn) Billmeyer, was born in Wuertemburg, Ger- 
many, April 36, 18:^4, and came to America in 18;")4, 
and after living three years in Dela vareand four years 
in LaSalle, settled on section 32, in Exeter. February 
20, 1863, be married Christina Billmire; she died 
March 23, 1869. Tiie children by his first wife are: 
Anna, born October 22,1866; Lizzie, born February 8, 
1869. October 7, 1869, at Sandy Creek, he married Mar- 
f;aret, daughter of William and Magdelena(Goetz)Rupp, 
whose children are: William, born September 29, 1870; 
Frederick, August 24, 1872; Lena, February 11. 187.5: 
Gbarles, September 17, 1876; Mary, December 2. 1878; 
George, July 3, 1881; and Jacob, October 3, 1883. A 
member of the Lutheran Church, and in his politics 
a Republican. 

MRS. E.MILY A. BODELL was born in the State of 
Maine, February 10, 1829. She married January 4, 
1848. Her husband, Thomas Bodell, was born in Ire- 
land, May 1, 1819, came to America in 184.5, locaiing 
at Monroe. Was a carpenter and joiner at that time 
He spent two years in California, when he returned, 
purchased the Grafton Mills, remaining at Grafton 
five years, when he moved to Monroe. After four 
years residence at Monroe, purchased a farm at Sandy 
Creek, of seventy-nine acres. He died February 19, 
1879. Mrs. Bodell sold the farm and came to French- 
town, purchased a farm of fifty-seven acres, and still 
resides there. Her family consists of thirteen 
children. 

CHARLES WESLEY BORDINE, son of Allen and 
Lovina (Veddcr) Bordioe, was born at Oakville. Mich., 
July 27, 1841, and came to Exeter in 1869, settling on 
section 1. He was married at Plymouth, February 22, 
1869, to Eliza, daughter of John and Charlotte (Casey) 
Mott, whose children are: Allen J., born April 8, 1870; 
George Henry, May 23. 1871 ; Lucy Jane and Maiy 
Lodemia, born January 27, 1873. Mary died March 22, 
1873; Charles Franklin, February 15, 1875; and Ada 
Adelia, October 27, 1877. He is a Republican, and a 
member of Baker Post, No. 200, G. A. R., at Carlton, 
having seen service in Co. A, 28th Mich. Vol. Inf., in 
which he enlis'ed in 1864. 

MRS. DORLISKA COLF BROWN was born in 
Ash towns-hip December 25. 1837. Her parents were 
born in New York State. Her first liusband, Israel 
Baldw in Coif, was born in Romulus in 1828. They were 
mairied March 23, 18.55. Four children were born to 
them. Mr. Coif enlisted August 12, 1862, in Co. C, 
17th Mich. Vol. Inf., as private. At the battle of 
Antietam, September 10, 1862, he was killed and 
buried upon tlie battle field. September 10, 1866, 
Mrs. Colt married George Brown, of Brownstowu, 
Mich. He was born in Ohio September 4, 1843. One 
child was born to them: John, born July 16, 1873. 
Address, Exeter. 

JOHN J. BRUCK. a farmer of Exeter, was born in 
Gtrmany April 28, 1831. Came to America and set- 



tled at Monroe in 1867. November 2't, 1856, he mar- 
ried Mary Ann Blaser, who was born April 2, 1825. 
Eight children were born to them. In Germany Mr. 
Bruck was engaged in painting and slate roofing. Is a 
member of St. Patrick's Church at Stony Creek. 
Address is Scofield. 

HATTIE BURGESS, a dressmaker in the village of 
Maybee, was born in Exeter October 17, 18.53, her 
parents being Edward and Dorothy Ann (Mudge) Bur- 
gess. She has always lived in Michigan with the ex- 
ception of two years in Rochester, N. Y. lias carried 
on business for about four years; is a member of the 
Congregational Church. 

MRS. IDELIA COLF was born in Ottawa City, 
Canada, November 14, 1851. Her parents came to 
Michigan in 1855. Mrs. Coif married William Coif, of 
E.xeter, May 19, 1871. He was born in Wayne county, 
Miih , April 1, 1842. Three children were born to 
them. Mr. Coif enlisted March 27, 1865, in Co. A, 5th 
Mich. Cav., as private. While in service he contracted 
rheumatism, which caused his discharge August 12, 
1865. He died May 19, 1876. Since his death Mrs. 
Coif, with the aid of her brother, George II. Bell, hag 
managed the farm. 

JAMES COLF, the sou of James and Elizabeth 
(Tyler) Coif, was born in Van Buren township, Wayne 
county, Mich.. Angust 7, 1844. He holds member- 
ship in Baker Post, No. 200. G. A. R., of Carlton, 
having enlisted as a private in Co. C, 17ih Mich. Inf., 
in August. 1862. He was wounded in the shoulder at 
the battle of the Wildernes->, and twice in the head at 
Anlietam. He came to Exeter in 18,55, locating on 
section 11. February 12, 1808, he married Martha, 
daughter of Lafayette H. and Mary Ann (Hamilton) 
Richards, whose children are; Newton, born Decem- 
ber 38, 1869; William, August 27, 1H73; Edith M., 
December 10. 188!), and Ona M.. July 23, 1885. In 
politics, a strong Republican; in religion, a member of 
the Evangelical Association. 

MICHAEL COLLINS was born in Exeter in 1848. 
His parents came to America in 1820 ; located in Mon- 
roe county in 1847, Their family consisted of nine 
children, seven living. They are all members of 
Father Ronayne's church. Alichael resides at home 
with bis mother ; his father died in 1873. Their farm 
consists of sixty acres of land. 

STEUBEN H. COON, of Maybee, was born in Jef- 
ferson county, N. Y., July 4, 183-5. August, 1861, he 
enlisted in Co. C, 60th N.Y. Vol. Inf.; was afterwards 
made hospital steward and surgeon; was mustered out 
June 31, 1865, and came to Michigan. He married 
June 7, 1866, Maria Clark, of Canton, N. Y^, who was 
born March 29. 1835. One child was born, Darwin D., 
June 4, 1868. Mrs. Coon died in 1869; February 4, 
1871, he married Hattie Davenport, who was born in 
Jackson county, Mich., February 18, 1H42. Two chil- 
dren were born to them: J. D. and Lloyd. Mr. Coon 
is a druggist. Address, Maybee, Mich. 

THOMAS CRIMS, of Exeter, was born in Ire- 
land in 1827; came to America iu 1847. January 19, 
1864, married Margaret Whalen, who was born in 
Exeter, December 25, 1S40. Eight children were born 
to them. Mr. Crims is a farmer, having a fine 
farm of forty acres. He is a member of the Catholic 
church. Address, Athlone, Mich. 

JOHN EDWARD CUNNINGHAM, farmer, was 
born on the farm he now owns, June 17, 1861. Hia 
parents were born iu Ireland; came to Exeter; cleared 
the farm John lives upon. He has had charge of the 
school in his district four winters. His father died in 
1878. His mother is still living, and resides with her 
son, John Edward. His farm consists of forty acres 
of land. 

JOHN CUNNINGHAM was born in Ireland, March, 
1825; came to America in 1831; settled at Monroe 
county in 1835; married Catherine Crimmons, August 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



1? 



8, 1859. She was born in Ireland in 184.'i. Mr. Cun- 
ningham is a farmer; owns forty five acres of land; 
member St. Patrick's church at Stony Creek. Address, 
Scofiuld, Mich. 

JOHN CUNNINGHAM, born in Ireland. Decem- 
ber, ISOO, came to America in 1S34, locating in Monroe 
county in \>*'-M>; married in 1S27 liose Gartland, who 
was born in ISIO; died .July, ISHJ. Five children 
weie born to Ihcm. Mr. Cunningham is a member of 
Si. Patrick's church; a farmer. Aildress, Atblone, 
Mich. 

CHARLES DAVIS, (he bod of George A. and 
Ilannaii (Miller) Davis, was born in Green county, 
Wisconsin, October I. |S.")S, coming to E.^eler with his 
parents in ISO."). March .">. Is79, he married Henrietta, 
daucbler of George and Caroline (Crouch) Dingman. 
Their children are: Clarence, born February IT, ISSO; 
Stella, April -i'l. 18W; and Jesse, December V.i, l»is7. 
An Independent Ui publican in politics. 

GEORGE A. DAVIS lives on section 2 in Exeter. 
He was born in Cayuga county, N. T, March 9, 1828, 
hi* parents being Jedediali Gilbert and Pattie (Sever- 
ance) Davi.s, and has lived in Monroe county all his 
life, with the exception of four years in Wisconsin. 
August 12, ls,")J, be married Hannah C, daughter of 
Hiram and Paulina C. (Gray) Miller. He is a member 
of the Evan^'clical Association (Albright's), and in 
politics a Republican. 

FRED G.\USS, of Exeter, was born in Detroit, 
Michigan, October 22, IsOT. His parents moved to 
Ash township when he was very small. When seven 
years of age they went to Germany, where they rc- 
aained until he wns fourteen years old. The}' then 
came to Auierica, lived at Ulica, N. Y., five years, 
then Fred came to Exeter to live with an uncle. 
While at I'tica he learned the baker's trade; is a 
farmer. Address, Carlton. 

JACOB HAMMER was born in Germany, Septem- 
ber 13. 1S27, and came to Exeter in 18.>j. His first 
wife. Julia Noble, died without issue in 1(S81, ard July 
12, 1K82. he married Mary, daughter of Nicholas 
H. and "Theresa Holstein, wiiose children are: Louis, 
born October 7. 1883; Charles, Maj' 22, IKX'i; Frank 
and Clara, October 7, 1S86; and Christian, January 2;}, 
1K89. In politics he is a Democrat; in religion a 
Roman Catholic. 

ROBERT HENRY HERKIMER, a farmer on sic- 
lion 17 of Ex<tcr. is the son of Henry and Catherine 
(Tin\mernian) Herkimer, born in Exeter, Otsego county, 
N. Y., April !•• lsi;i, coming from there to Exeter in 
1837. February 18, 18:^8, he married Mary, daughter 
of John and Helen (Van Riper) Peters, of Ash town- 
ship. Their cliildren are: Mary Ellen, born .\ugust 
6, 1840; Henry, September 4, 1842; Catherine, Sep- 
tember 2."). 1844; Matilda A., July 14, 184<5; Lucy A., 
July 22, 184S; James J., November 2."), 1h.-)0; James V., 
October 4, 18.54, died November 7, 18.54; Lcida May, 
December 20, 1850; Levisa Viola, December 25. 18.58; 
Anna Delia, April 7, 1801; Susan Adell, Januaiy 11, 
1806. died March 13, 1806. In politics Mr. Herkimer 
is a Republican; in religion, a member of the Metho- 
dist church. 

HENRY E. HESS, farmer, of Exeter, was born in 
Germany, May iiO, 18-53. Henry came with his mother 
to America in ls.")4, locating at Sandusky, O. His 
fa'her died in 18.55 in Germany. Hii mother married 
.Christ Laubcher of Ash township. Mr. Hess married 
Miss Bodell March h. 1H.5m. Four children were born 
to them. Mr. Hess owns a fine farm of forty acres of 
land in Exeter. 

JOSEPH IIOREN, living on fcction 15, of E.xeter, 
was bom in .Monroe. July "20. 1M3'J, his parents being 
James and Ellen (.-Vyehvard; Horen. He enlisted as a 
private in Co A. 24ih Mich. Vol. Inf., in August, 1802, 
and was must4Ted out with his company as a corporal, 
in April, lHOTi. In the battle of the Wilderness he 



was wounded, from the effects of which he lost hi.s 
right arm. April 22. 1872, he was married to Ann, 
daughter of Owen and Ann (Dunn) Cunningham. He 
is a member of Raker Post, No. 200, G. A. R., of 
Carlton, and for three years highwaj' commissioner 
of Exeter township. In"politic3 lie is independent; in 
religion, a Roman Catholic. His brother Frank was in 
the 2Tlh Jlichigan, and was killed at the battle of 
Spollsylvania Court House. 

JOHN B. JAMES, a farmer on section 10, was bom 
at Lisbon, Conn , February 21, 1K20. his parents being 
Silas and Freelove (Lewis) James. He was married at 
Little Falls, New Vork, April I, ls.-,0, to .Mary I)., 
daughter of Nicholas and -Mary (Herkimer) Moyer. 
He came to Exeter in August, Isoi), having lived in 
Connecticut until 1847, then in New Hartford and 
FranV.fort. Iniolilics .Mr. James is a Republican. 
His only child. Ida, was born April 3. 1857, and mar- 
ried John Coppernoll, now living in Toledo, Ohio. 

ABRAM JOHNSON, farmer, of Exeter, was born at 
Lyons, N. V., August 20, 1X52. His parents came to 
Michigan in 1S")4. His father died when he was six- 
teen yearn old, and Abram was obliged to do for him- 
self. He attended the district school, winter.^. In 1870 
purcha.sed a farm, his mother making her home with 
him. His farm consists of ninety-five acres in Monroe 
county, and eighty acres in Snmpter, Wayne county. 
He married in 188X. Address, Exeter. 

HIRAM JOHNSON, on section 11. came to Exeter 
in ls;j9 w ith his parents. Anderson and Sarah (Mus-son) 
Johnson, from Oakland county, where he was born 
September 9, 1835. June 15," 1801, he enlisted at 
Adrian, Mich., in Co. 15, 47th Ohio Vol. Inf., b( ing 
mustered into the service at Camp Chase, in Columbus. 
A member of B.aker Post, No. 200, G. A. R.. at C:irl- 
ton. In politics he works with the Republicans. In 
September, lMti5, he was married to Caroline, daughter 
of Cbri-toplierand Martha (Rekeri lleiss. His children 
are: Albert, born Febnuiry 4, I8li0; George, Novem- 
ber 15, ISOS; Henry, August 3, 1m71; Minnie, March 
17, 1875 (died Februarj-, 1877); Ida, December 9, 1870; 
Annie, April 10, 1885; Btssie, December 29, 1880. 

JOHN KILEY, for seventeen years clerk of E.veter 
township, is the son of James and Julia (Sullivan) 
Kiley, and born in Exeter, March 8, 1841. and now 
lollows the business of merchant and farmer at Sco- 
field. November 16. 1875, he married Carrie, daugh- 
ter of Patrick and -Mary (Keenan) (,'ondren, who is 
the mother of Charles, born November 18, 18T0. Mr. 
Kiley is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and 
in politics a Democrat. 

PETER KILEY, son of James and Julia (Sullivan) 
Kiley, was born in Exeter. November 15, 1851, and 
lives on section 22, (ollowing the occupation of a 
farmer. November 18, ls78, be married Catherine, 
daughter of Michael and Ann (Regen) Conlisk, whose 
childreD are: Willie, born September 2, 1879, died 
August 10, 1880: Mabel, born .Mav '22, 1882; Roseile, 
born April '20, 188.5; Peter, born December 13, 1887. 
Mr. Kiley is a member of the Roman Catholic Church 
at Stony Creek, and in politics a Democrat. 

THOMAS KILEY, a farmer on section •22. in 
Exeter, is the son of James and Julia (Sullivan) Kiley. 
He was born in Exeter, August 3. 1H45, and Novem- 
ber 23, 1869, was married to Catherine, daughter of 
Mertie and Margaret (.McGuire) O'ilara, by whom he 
has had elevtn children, four boys and seven girls, 
eight of whom are living. In politics Mr. Kiley is a 
Democrat, and in religion a member of the Human 
Caiholic Church at Stony Creek. 

FRANK BENJAMIN KNAGGS, living on section 
30, was born on the Itiver Kaisin, October 15, 1.S40, 
bis parents being James and Claris-sa (Lowe) Knaggs. 
May II, 1H73, be married Eva, daughter of Francis 
and' Lctitia (Fish) Jackson, whose children are: Clark 
B., born October 14, 1874; Alice, November 8, 1875; 



18 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Miibel L.'C, February 17, 1881; Maud E., October 13, 
1886. In politics he is a Democrat. 

MRS. FREDRICKA KUSTERER was born in Ger- 
many, November 14, 182S). In 18.54 came to America, 
settled in Detroit. Married iu 1856 Frank Kusterer, 
of Detroit. He wa.s born in Germany, June 15, 1834. 
Came to America in 1849. He learned tbe brick- 
layer's trade at Buffalo, N. Y.' They lived sixteen 
years at Detroit. In 1871 came to Exeter and purchased 
sixty-four acres of land. Eight cljiUlren were born to 
them. Mr. Kusterer died April 2, 1887. Mrs. Kus 
terer, with the aid of her sons, manages the farm. 

HENRY LA FOUNTAIN, of Exeter, was born at 
LaSalle, Mich., May 13, 1825; married November 25, 
1851, Matilda Shatelroe. of LaSalle, who was born 
January 12, 1833. Eleven children wt-re born to them. 
Mr. La Fountain is a carpenter and joiner by trade, 
but has spent the greater part of his life farming; 
member of St. Patrick's church at Stony Creek. 
Address, Athlone, Midi. 

HENRY' LIEDEL, carpenter and builder in May. 
bee, was born in London township, October 26, 1857, 
his parents being Albert and Mary (rfturam) Liedel. 
January 23, 1882, lie married Meuia. daughter of 
Oliver and Abelina (Zung) Hoffman, whose children 
are' Rosa, born December 17, 1883; Clara, October 
11, 1885; and Edward, March 28, 1888. In religion 
Mr. L. is a Catholic, and in politics a Democrat. 

.lOHN LONG, a blacksmith in the village of Sco- 
tield, is of German parentage, the son of Jacob and 
Reta Long, and born in Wuertemberg, Germany, 
November 11, 1844. He came to America iu 1851, 
settling in Herkimer county. N. Y.,and after living in 
various sections of the country settled in Scofield in 
1883. In politics Mr. Long is a Republican, and in 
religion a member of the Lutheran church. He has 
been twice married: February 2, 1867, to Mary Stae 
bel, who died without issue, and Oci'iber28, 1879, to 
Reta, daughter of John and Frederika (fiiete) Heier, 
who is the mother of three children: John, born 
August 5, 1881; Joseph, October 2, 1882; and Mary 
June 20, 1885. 

MRS. MARY LUCKE, of Exeter, was born in East 
ern Pennsylvania, July 18, 1833. Her father, Thomas 
Farrell, died in P< nnsylvania, and with her mother 
Mary came to Ida, Monroe county, Mich., January 
1834. She married .lames McGowan, of Exeter, who 
died February 20, 1870. Seven children were the 
fruits of this union. January 30, 1877, Mrs. McGowan 
married Bernard LucUe, of Exeter. One child was 
born to them. Her farm consists of forty acres of 
land . 

JOHN MAHONEY was born in Exeter, April 14, 
1848. His father came to Exeter in 1834. John mar- 
ried Mary Nolen, October 25, 1880, %vho was born 
May 8, 18.59. Two children were born to them ; Ed- 
ward, born March 13, 1882, and Anna, born June 20, 
1883. Mr. Mahoney is a farmer; has eighty acres of 
land; is a member of St. Patrick's church at Stony 
Creek. 

PATRICK MAYNE3. of Exeter, was born in Ire- 
land in 1828; came to America in 1835. locating at 
Monroe; Novembers, 1851, married Ellen Grinncm, 
who died November 25, 1866, leaving four children. 
Janiiary 7, 1868, be married Julia Knowles who died 
Marcli, 18(J9. For his third wife he married Nettie 
Smith August 14, 1873, who was born November 9, 
1856. Ten children were horn by this marriage. Mr. 
Maynes is a farmer and charcoal burner of Exeter. 

JOSEPH MURPHY^ farmer, of Exeter, was born 
upon the farm he now owns, January 3, 1854. His 
parents were born in Ireland; came to America in 
1828; settled in Exeter in 1835. Joseph married No- 
vember 20, 1883, Nellie Nolen, who was born in Exeter 
Augnst 9, 1864. Her parents were born in Ireland; 
came to America in 1854, settling at Exeter. Three 



children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Murphy. Mr. 
Murphy's farm consists of sixty acres of fine farming 
land. 

EDWARD NOLEN, a successful farmer of Exeter, 
was born in Ireland, September, 1833. When nineteen 
y<ars of age he came to America, locating in Indiana, 
where he remained four years. Two j-ears of the 
time he was employed b}' what was at that time called 
the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. In tbe fall of 
1856 he came to Michigan, renting a farm in Exeter. 
Two years later be purchased a farm of forty acres of 
land. August 11. 18.58, he married Julia Crimmons, 
who was born in Ireland in May, 1832. Five children 
were born to them. Mr. Nolen's farm now consists 
of one hundred acres, eighty of which are under culti- 
vation. 

HENRY OBERLITER, a farmer of Exeter, was 
born in Germany, March 31, 1854. His father died in 
Germany. Henry came to America with his mother 
in 1867. They settled at Monroe; came to Exeter in 
1877, where he has forty acres of land; married Sophia 
Behu, January 29, 1879. She was horn September 29, 
1857. They have three children: William, born June 
7. 1880; Matilda, June, 1S83; and Minnie, August !3, 
1885. Address, Exeter. 

THOMAS O'DONNELL, of Exeter, was born in 
Ireland in 1832; came to America in 1857; settled in 
Monroe county in 1867; married in 1857 Ann Collins, 
of Exeter, who was born January 3, 1837. Four 
children were born to them: Mary, Patrick, Michael 
and John. Mr. O'Donnell has always been a farmer. 
His farm consists of forty acres of land; is a Demo- 
crat in politics. He enlisted iu 1864 in the 11th Mich. 
Cav. in Co. E; w.as discharged in 1865 at the close of 
the year by gener il order of the War Department. 
Addnss, Athlone, Mich. 

JOHN PETRAK, a farmer of Exeter, was born at 
Wyandotte, Mich., October, 1860. His parents came 
to Ash township when John was three years of age. 
In 1874 purchased a farm in Exeter, and John lived 
with them until his marriag" with Anna Lipton, of 
Wyandotte, December 13, 1880. She was born in 
Germany, March 16, 1862. Three children were born 
to them, John, Frank and Barnart. 

GEORGE HENRY' POST, a farmer on section 11, 
was born March 1, 1869, in Boston, Sutnmit county, 
Ohio, where he lived un il 1869, when he moved to 
Carlton. He eulistfd in the "Squirrel Hunters" in 
September, 1862, and the following year was appointed 
first duty sergeant in Co. E, 13ih O. V. C, with which 
he w;i8 mustered out in Oct., 1865. At Mount Sterling, 
Ky., he was taken prisoner of war, but only remained 
over night with the rebels. August 31, 1864, he mar- 
ried Lydia, daugh'er of Lewis and Harriet (Simpson) 
Watson. His i)arents were Henry and Lucy (Curtis) 
Post. He is a Republican, and a member of Perry 
Baker Post, No. 200, G. A. R.,at Carlton. His chil- 
dren are: Lyman, born January 10, 1869; Roj', April 
26, 1875; Hattie, May 7, 1882; and Truman, July 6, 
1868, died December 22, 1870. 

Lafayette H. RICHARDS, farmer, of Exeter, 
was born in New Y'ork State, January 26, 1826. His 
parents came to Michigan in 1834, first locating in 
Washtenaw county. His father died in Huron town- 
ship, Wayne county, in 1858; mother died at 
Exeter in 1SH3. April 17, 1848, Mr. Richards 
married Mary Ann Hamilton, of Huron, Wayne 
County, Michigan. She was born in Canada, Novem- 
ber 25, 1830. Eight children were born to them, seven 
of whom are living. In 1847 Mr. Richards cleared the 
farm upon which he now resides. At that time it was 
a wilderness. 

JAMES RONAY'NE, pastor of St. Patrick's Church, 
at Athlone, was born in Dereham, Oxford county, 
Canada, January 28, 1851, his parents being John and 
Bridget (Riordau) Ronayne. He came to Ash town- 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



19 



ship in March, 188>. having lived previously in Iluh- 
bardstown, Mich., and lias had charge of the church 
at Stony Creek, with the mission at Maybee and 
Bluebush ever since, now numbering about three hun- 
dred and Iwenty families. 

WESLEY f'OLLINS RICHARDS was born on 
section 1 of E.Keter. September I.'*, 18.58, his parents 
being Washin;;ton VanRennselacr and Lucretia 
(Blount) Hichartls. lie was married November ."), 
18S4, 10 Mary Lovinsi, daughter of George and Mary 
Elizabeth (.McKinstry) Smock. Their children are: 
(.ieorge Vcrnor, born July 10, 188."i; Mary Lucretia, 
August 21, 188(>; Lois Elizabeth, January 9. 1888 (died 
February 28, 1888); Wesley Asher, June IT, 188!). Mr. 
Richards is a Prohibillonisi, and a member of tlu 
lletholist Church. 

DAN C. SCIIOLL was born in Huron county, Ohio, 
December 20, 1S.")T. Moved to Monroe county with 
his parents March 4, 181J4. .Married, May 26, 1880. to 
Mijs Lizzie S. Rauch. One cliild, a boy, was born to 
them. Mr SchoU's parents arc both living. In poli- 
tics Mr. Scholi is a Republican; a free thinker. Ad- 
dress, Raisinville. 

THOMAS SHAXKLETON, farmer, of Ex-iter, was 
born in Carroll county, Ohio, June 7, 1862. His parents 
came to Micliigan in 1868, locating at Frcnchtown. 
February 6, lss:J, he married Angeline Navarre, of 
Frenclitown, who was born April 2, 1862. Two chil- 
dren were born lo them: James, born December .31, 
1883, and Louisa, September 7, 18S."i. In the spring 
of 1886 Mr. Shankleton moved to E.'ccter, purcliased 
a fine farm of si.xty acres. Address, Exeter. 

JACOB SHOEMAKER was born on the 
Atlantic Ocean, July 30. 18;}:!, going at once to Riley 
township, in Sandusky county. Ohio, with his parents, 
Jacob and .Magdalena (Goetz) Shoemaker, where lie 
lived until 1884, wlien he came lo Exeter. June 22, 
18.57, he was married to Rosina, daughter of Antoine 
and Catherine Lammerstow. Politically he is a Dem- 
ocrat. In religion he worehips with the Lutherans. 
He is the father of eleven children: Levi Henry, born 
November 20, 1857; Charles Jacob. July 5, 18.59; An- 
drew Jackson, August 24. 1861; Franklin, February 
27, 1804; Amelia. November 12, 180.5; Luther Albert, 
September 8, 1867; John William, January 24, 1808; 
Ida Risctta, July 24, 1870; Edward, July 18, 1872 
(died October 1, 1876); David, March 1, 1874; Cora 
Alvina, October 28. 1876 (died March 19, 1879). 

JCSTIN SISUNG, of Sisung & Brandes, wagon- 
makers and blacksmiths in Maj'bec. is the son of lames 
and Celia (Bunnell) Sisung, and born in Lorerze, 
France. June 1, 18-56. and when a year old came to La- 
Salle with his parents, and after living in Frenchtown 
came to Exeter in 1880. November 1, IKHl. Ue mar- 
ried Elizabeth, daughter of John and Francis (Bart- 
lett) Bandeau, whose children arc: Ralph J. C, born 
Jnlv aO. 1882; Justin, October 19, 1887 (died March 7, 
1888); Grover, March 18, 188.5; Leona, April 29, 1M89. 
Sir. Sisung is a member of the Reman Catholic 
Church, and a stanch Democrat. Has been justice 
of the peace two terms. 

JOHN SMITH was born in Ireland, March 17, 182,5. 
When twenty years of age came to America and en- 
gaged in farming in Ohio. In lM-57 married Bridget 
A. Dunniiigan, of Ohio, who was horn in Ireland. In 
186.5 Mr. Smith purchased a farm in Exeter, of thirty 
acres. He now owns eighty three acres of land. To 
Mr. and .Mrs. Smith six children were born; Michael, 
Patrick, Matthew. .Mary, John jr., and Thomas. 
Michael was admitted to the bar at Monroe, and is now 
at Ames, Story county, Iowa. Patrick is a well to do 
farmi r of Story county. The rest of the family reside 
in Monroe county. 

MARY STEFFES was born in Prussia, October 
11, 1839. her parents being John and Gertrude (Herrig) 
Fuhrmann. June 15, l8oS, she married Stephen, son 



of Matthew and Susan Steffes, and in the fall of 18.59 
moved from Detroit to Exeter, settling on section 22, 
where she is now living. Iler children are: John, 
born Julv 23. ls.59 (died July 20. 1SS4); Susannah, 
July 5, 1861; Gertrude. August"27. 1S()3; Anna, Decem- 
ber 23, 1S()5 (died November 10. ISSM); Anti inc. March 
3. 1S68; Stephen, April 4, 1H70; Peter, July 2S, 1S72; 
Elizabeth, January 13. 1S74; Mary, April 16, 1876; 
and Laura. November 23, 1S79. Her husband died 
June 29, 1S79. ami during his residence in Exeter 
was highway commissioner for three terms. 

WILLIAM STEWART, of Exeter, was born in 
Canada. June 15, 1838. His parents came from Scot- 
land to Canada in 1837. In 1851 located at Frenchtown, 
Mich., purchaslnga farm. May, 1861, William enlisted 
in Co. A, 4lli Mich Vol. Inf., as private. While in the 
army had typhoid fever, which unfitted him for duty, 
and he was discharged August. 1S6-2. He returned to 
Frenchtown and engaged in farming. October. 1865, 
married Agnes Snedecor, who was born in Orange 
count}', N. Y., 1842. Six children were bJrn. Jlrs. 
Stewart died March 18. issi). Mr. Stewart married 
Kate Herkimer, of Exeter, March. 1887, for his second 
wife. She was born in 1844. Mr Stewart is a mem- 
ber of Smith Post. G. A. R., of Monroe. He owns 
one hundred and fory acres of tine farming land. 

WILLIAM H. TALCOTT. attorney at-law, of 
Carlton, Mich , was born at .Madison. N. Y., February 
3, 1840. Came with his parents to Michigan in 1844. 
At the age of lilteen years he entered the normal 
school, graduating in 18')9. Soon after this be began 
farming in Nebraska, attending to his farm summers, 
and teaching winters. Augu-t 11, isso, m irried Jen- 
nie Reynolds, of Ypsilanli, Mich., who was born at 
Avon, Ohio. One child, William B.. was born to 
them July 7, 1881. In 18S3 Mr. Talcott entered the 
law department at Ann Arbor University, from which 
he graduated in 1880. Was admitted to the bar at 
LaPurte, Ind. In the spring of 1887 was candidate for 
circuit judge, 2Jd Judicial District, on Prohibition 
ticket. Came to Carlton during the summer of 1887. 
Address, Carlton, Mich. 

MOSES UPELL. farmer, of Exeter, born in Erie, 
Mich.. July 7, 18;i8. He followed farming until 1861, 
when he enlisted in Co. K, 11th Mich. VoL Inf. He 
was discharged September 13, 18()4. Was wounded at 
the battle of Mi.ssion Ridge, in 1863, and was granted 
a pension. He nurried, December 26, 1809, Modest 
Plinnadore, of Eiie, Mich,, who was born October 10, 
18.52 Eight children were born to them. Are niem- 
bere of Father Ron lyne's Church, at Athlone. Address, 
Orleton. 

J.VMES WESLP^Y, a farmer of Exeter, was born 
in Taylor township, Wayne county, Mich., February 
27, 1850. When sixteen years of age started for liim- 
-self in life, going to Wyandotte to work in the rolling 
mills. From there he went lo Detroit, entered a saw 
mill. Later on secured employment on Michigan 
Central Railroad, drawing wood and lumber. .Soon 
after was made brakeman of same road. After 
eighteen months at this he returned to Taylor and be- 
gan farming. March 26, 1875, married Anna J. Cory, 
of Dearborn, Mich., who was birn July 3, 1857. Four 
children born to them. In 1879 Mr. Wesley came to 
Monr.)e county, where he has since resided. Address, 
Exeter. 

THOMAS D. WILSON, a faimer of Exeter, was 
born in Indiana. January 20, 1828. October 5, 18.53, 
he married .Mary C. Woo"dward. of Exeter, Mich. She 
was born April 15. 1840. Eleven children were born 
to them. After Mr. and Mrs. Wilson's marriage they 
moved to Exeter, upon the farm tlicy now reside on. 

JOHN Y'ESSE. by occupation a saloonkeeper in 
Maybee, was born in LaSalle, December 6, 1s59. his 
parents being Henry and .Mary (Keller) Yesse. June 
10, 18*4, he married Mary, daughter of Leonard and 



20 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Elizabeth (Post) Scliassberser, whose cbildion arc: 
George, bora March 24, 18S.J, and Elizabeth, July lb, 
188r>. In politics he is an independent Democrat, and 
a member ot the Lutheran Church. 

ERIE TOWNSHIP. 

GEORGE BENORE, son of Maxim and Polly 
Benore was born in Washington township, Lucas 
county' O., in 1884. He was married in 1883 to Miss 
Annie Gaynier, a daughter ot Morris and Eliza Gay- 
uier of LaSalle, Monroe county. Mich. They have 
two children. In 1883 Mr. Benore located in the town 
of Erie, Monroe county, and purchased one hundred 
and thirtv acres of land, on which he now resides. 
Himself and wife are members of St. Joseph's chnrch, 
of Vienna. 

CYRUS BR.VDFORD, son of Stei hen and Harriet 
Bradford, was born in the township of Erie, Monroe 
county, Mich.. March 7, 184r). He married Laura A. 
Mason, daughter of Chester and Emnvi INIasou, of 
Bedford, by whom he has had seven children; five are 
now living. Mrs. Bradford died October 7, 1888. He 
was chosen to the office of magistrate in 1883, and 
elected again to the same office in 1886 .for a term of 
four years. 

ED\VARD B. BUSHROE was born at Rochester, 
N. Y.. on May 13, 1844, son of Basil and Julia 
(lott) Bushroe, who came from Montreal, Canada, in 
1830. In 1862 they went to Bedford, where the mother 
died March 37, 186.^>, and father September 2o, 18T.5. 
On August 25, 1868, Edward B. married Lilly, 
daut'hter of Edward and Lorain (Dufseau) Shinever, 
born in Bedford on April 7, 1848 ; her father died 
January 27, 1879. Their children are: Victor E., 
horn Aug. 3, 1869, died Oct. .5, 1869; Joseph S., born 
Nov 9 1870 ; Samuel J., Jan. 9, 1873 ; Wm. F.. April 
28, 1875 ; Charles H., Sept. 30, 1878 ; Emma D., July 
9 1881; Rosie L,, Jan 4, 1884; Uammelia D. born 
Dec. 28, 1884, died Jan. 28, 1885 ; Anna E., Feb. 4, 
1886; May M., May 13, 1888. Mr. Bushroe moved to 
Erie township in 1875. and has a (arm one and one- 
fourth miles west of Vienna. He is an active Demo- 
crat, and for several jears was deputy sheriff. P. O. 
address, Erie. 

CHARLES A. CAMPBELL, a blacksmith at Erie, 
served his apprenticeship in the towiisliipcf Cornwell, 
Upper Canada, where he lived until he came to Erie 
in October, 1851. He is the son of Adam and Rebecca 
(Stata) Campbell, and was born in County Store- 
mout, in the Eastern District of Upper Canada, Jan- 
uary 31, 1837. He was married at Waldron, Hills- 
dale county, Michigan, October 28, 1855, to Ann 
Louisa, daughter of Joel S. and Jane (Roberts) Hub- 
bard. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and votes the straight Democratic ticket. His only 
son, Frank W., was born November 28, 18.')9, and fol- 
lowing the example of his father, is working in the 
same shop, and for four years was justice of the 
peace. 

CHARLES S. CHOATE, a farmer of Erie, was boru 
in Monroe City, July 20, 1833. Settled in Erie, Mon- 
roe county, in 1856. Married Hannah Peters, of Bed- 
ford, Monroe county. Their children arc: Lucy E.. 
Thertse A., Jennie, Charles S.. I'r., Edith A. and 
Bessie. 

DENNIS COUSINO, son of Francis and Victoria 
Cousino, was born in the town of Erie, Monroe county, 
Mich., in 1833. He was married in 1851 to Eliza Den- 
your, daughter of Anloine and Catherine Denyour, of 
Erie township. He has had eleven children, of whom 
eight are now living. -Occupation, farmer; owns 
eighty-four acres of land. PostofBce address, Erie, 
Mich. 

ELI F. COUSINO, son of Isadorc and Roselle 
Cousino, was born in the town of Erie, Monroe county. 



Mich., in 18.50. He was married in 1877 to Miss Matilda 
LaPoint, daughter of William and Mary LaPoint, of 
Washington, Lucas county, O. He has five children 
now living. Occupation, farming; owns sixty nine 
acres of land. Himself and wife are members of St. 
Joseph's chnrch. Postofflce address, Erie, Mich. 

ISAIAH COUSINO was born in Monroe county, 
April 24, 1843. Married Catherine Valquett February 
24, 1868; she was born at Locust Point, O., March 2, 
1849. Their children are: Laura, born November 7, 
1870; Edmond, born December 23, 1872; Ernest, born 
February 31, 1875; Alfred, born February 9, 1878; 
Liguri, born February 20, 1880; Georgianna, born July 
30, 1882; Pearl, birn January 13, 1885; Blanche, born 
March 2. 1887. His business is farming. Postofflce 
adress, Erie. 

JAMES DEAN, a wagonmaker on section 36 in 
Erie, was brought up in the Roman Catholic faith, 
being born at Newburgh, N. Y., March 7, 1*^36, and 
after a roving life settled down in Erie town- 
ship in 1882. He was married at Toledo in 
1869 to Mary, daughter of James and Jlargaret (Mo- 
mine) McCuUuck, who died in 1870. In December, 
1872, he married Ellen, daughter of William and 
Mary Ann (Mann) LaPointe, who has six children, of 
whom two bovs and three girls are living and one 
girl is dead. Mr. Dean is the son of William C. and 
Mary (Ferguson) Dean, and is a Democrat. 

CHARLES DOHA!, a farmer living on section 16 
in Erie, w^as born near Ilesse Castle, Germany, Jan. 
11, 1830, and came to America in 1849 and worked on 
a farm near Rochester, Ontario and Wayne counties, 
N. Y., and came to Erie in 1857. His parents. Wil- 
fiam and Sophia (Meier) Dohm, died in his infancy. 
March 2, 1858. he married Jennie, daughter of Samuel 
and Nancv (Dean) Young, who died Nov. KO. 1880, 
leaving seven children : Augustus, born Nov. 30, 1860, 
married and living at home; Elwood, born June 25, 
1862, married and living in Bedford: Samuel, born 
July' 22, 1865, living at home; Willie, born June 16, 
1867, living in Toledo; Carl, born June 25, 1870, liv- 
ing in Bedford; Wilhelmina, born June 18. 1878, and 
Georii-e Spencer, Nov. 27. 1880, both living at home, 
and Frank, born May 9, 1875, died Dec. 29, 1876. He 
is a Presbyterian, and a member of the Erie Vigilance 
Society, as well as an independent Democrat. 

VICTOR A. DUSSEAU was born in Erie, Monroe 
county, Mich., November 20. 1835. Married Catherine 
D Morein, of Erie, Mich., May 24, 1863. Their chil- 
dren are : Plaggett, Ada, Silas, Ella, Maurice, Dorris 
and Lucy (twins), Julia, Manues and Abbie. He is a 
school teacher. Postofflce address, Erie. 

WILLIAM FORM AN, a farmer of Erie, was born in 
Wayne county, New York State, July 19, 1816. Settled 
in Monroe county in 18:33. Married Mary Doty, of 
Bedford, Monroe county. April 23, 1838; she was born 
in Monroe county August 5, 1814. and died February 
3 1S75. Their children are: Celesta, born February 
I'l 1839; Louisa E , born February 9, 1845: Stephen, 
bo'rn January 14, 1849; Ella J., born October 2, 1851; 
Hortense, born October 30, 1853: Donald, born January 
12, 1856, died December 17. 1856. He is a Republican; 
has been justice of the peace for three years. 

CHARLES A. HALL, a harnessmaker of Erie, was 
born in Zanesville, O.. March 19, 1833. Settled in 
Monroe county, November 5, 1847. Married Sarah 
Withington, of LaSalle, November 5, 1850; she was 
born in New York State in 1830, and died at Erie, 
June 3 1877; had no children. He learned the harness 
trade in Zanesville, O., when fourteen years old; has 
worked at his tnide in Erie for forty years. Postofflce 
address, Erie. 

PETER JACOBS, son of Dominick and Catherine 
Jacobs, was born August 10, 1850, in the town of Erie, 
at wha't was then known as the Bay Settlement. He 
was married in 1885 to Miss Alice Gaunier, daughter 



PERSONAL HISTOklKS. 



21 



of Doininick and Elizabeth Gaunier, of Krie townsliip. 
He was chosen to the otlice of majristrate in IHHl, and 
served three years, and aenin l)y re-election in IHST, 
now lioldiosr tlie office. By trade a carpenter and 
joiner. Poslofliec address, Erie. Monroe county. 
Himself and wife are members of St. Joseph's Church. 

ALEXANDEH LEONARD, son of Alexis and Julia 
Leonard, wis born in the town of LaSalle, Monroe 
county. Mich., December 10, ]X'.W. He was married 
in lS(i',' to Miss Martha Jacobs, daughter of 
Stephen and Irene Jacobs, of Erie, by whom he 
has had nine children, si.\ now living. lie located at 
Vienna in \><t>'>, since which he has been a resident of 
Erie township. Himself and family are members of 
St. Joseph's Church. Po.slotiice address, Erie, Mich. 

JOHN H. LOEFFLEI5, son ofGotlieband AnnaM. 
Loifll r, was born in Haden. Germany, in ls-,'s, and 
came to America in is4.s, locating in Monroe. In I'<7-1 
he purchased forty-live acres of land in the town of 
Erie, and still resides there. He marriel Miss Wall- 
burca Amman, who \Mas also a native of Germany, 
and caniL' to this country in 1H.")4. 

DARIUS LOOSE was born in Berks county. Pa., 
in lH:il. His parents were Jonathan and Frances 
Loose. He came lo Monroe county in l.s.)l and lo- 
cated at Dundee. He was engaged in cabinet making 
there about eighteen months, ilien located at Monroe, 
wh.ere he contmned the same tr.ade in connection with 
the real e.>l:ile bu<ine.ss. Willi the exception of about 
six years spent in Virginia, he has been a resident 
of Monroe counlj- from the time of coming to the 
present day. In iss} he purchased one hundred and 
six acre< of land in Erie township, where he still re- 
sides. He was married in is.',:; to Miss Malinda Zellar, 
of Lebanon county. Pa. They have three children. 
All are members of the .Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Loose and wife were the first members of the 
Evangelical Church at East Raisinville. aud it was 
through their efforts the church wns established, 
about the year isiio He has always taken a deep in- 
terest in tlie Sabbath School, of which he was super- 
intendent for several years. Postoffice address, Erie, 
Michigan. 

WILLIAM H. McCLAINwasborninSummerfield, 
Aug. 13. ISoB, and lived in Toledo with his parents, 
L'pton and Melinda (Viets) McClain, most of the 
time until he came to Erie, in April, 1H81, and settled 
on a farm of 170 acres on sections l.") and 10, in con- 
nection with which he carried on the business of 
gardener, coal merchant, and operated a feed mill. 
He was married in Grace Church, Toledo, Jan. 20, 
]8hO. to Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Elias W. and 
Susan (Kelly) Hedges. They have six children, 
Grace, Inez," Helen, Florence, Walter and Leonard, 
all living at home. He is a member of Russell Lodge, 
No. 144, F. it A. M , at Lambertville, and an f^pisco- 
palian. In politics a Republican, and has held the 
oflice of drain commissioner of Erie township for six 
yeurs. 

SAMUEL JIORRl.N lives on a farm of 140 acres on 
section 28. where he was born April l.j, 1843, his par- 
ents being Peler and Emily (Duval) Morrin. He is a 
Democrat and a member of Fr. Thomas's Church, in 
f^iie. He mourns the loss of one boy, and has three 
boys and five girls living at home. Xov. 14, 18(i-'), he 
was married to Susan, daughter of Joseph and Theresa 
RoA-e. His political faith is pinmd to the Democrat 
party. 

JAMES MORRIN, a farmer living on section 28, 
was bnrn at lliat point, Feb 1"). 1^4(1. his parents be- 
ing Isadore and JIary Ann (Tiombley) Morrin. He 
was brought up a Catholic, and imbibed the princi- 
]>le.- of Democracy from his first breath, although 
never accijUing any office. January 12, 187.5, 
he was married to I.«hbella, daughter of Pe- 
ter and Caroline (Knaggs) Trabbic. whose child- 
ren are : Tobias, born DiC. 14, 1875; Sarah, Feb. 



1. 1877; Arthur, June 2.'i, ls78; Blcndinia, Jan. i:!. 
1H8C; Lot, May 31. 1881; Leo, Oct. 29, 1882; Bernetla, 
Aug. 22. 1M.S4; Mabel. May 17. 1S,8(1; Joan, Jan. 10, 
188S: Willie Walter. June 0, )HS!l. 

JAMES MULHOLLAND, son of James and Sarah 
Mulholland, was born in Eric township on the farm 
where hi' now resides, in ls;!(;, IK. was married De- 
cember 2!l. istil, to Jliis Anna, daughter of Elihu and 
Maria (Wilson) Hall, of Eric, by whom he has three 
children. His business is farming; owns one 
hundred and twenty acres of land. Postotlice address, 
Erie, Michigan. 

JAMES IC. PERRY, a farmer of Erie, was born in 
New York City. December 22, 1h27, and settled in 
Monme county in 1h|."i. .Married Julia Hedges, June 
9. 18.V2. Th-y Icive threi- children: Sarah IL, born 
November l."lS.");j; David N., December 12, lM.-)(i; 
(ieorge O , December 24, ISdO. Has been a farmer for 
(orty two years. Is a Democnil, Has been school in- 
spector for nine years. 

JAMES CLINTON POTTER was born in Black 
ROCK, Niagara county, N. Y.. March 4. 182."), and in 
his fourteenth year came to Sandusky, Ohio, with his 
parents. Henry and Louisa (Lee) Potter. During the 
Alexican war lie served on (he United States steamer 
"Congress," under Com. Stockton, a^ (|uarter-gunner, 
and at the capture of Los Angeles acted as flag ser- 
geant in the land forces of the " Blue Jackets" from 
the Pacific Squadron. On his return to New Y'ork in 
the tail of 1848, he married Lucy M. Armilage, who 
died in 18-")1, leaving one boy, who died in Sandusky 
when three years of age. March 4. 1852, he married 
Eliza, daughter of Ezra and Lydia (VanDusen) Whip- 
ple, who has had four children, two boys and two 
girls. The latter are dead, and of the former, Wil- 
liam is living at home, and Freeland C. is superin- 
ti-ndent of public schools in Denver, Col. During the 
R' bellion Mr. P. served as corporal in Co. II. 14.")th 
O. V. I. He is a member of the Methodist Church; a 
Republican in politics, and for several years has been 
keeper of the Erie Shooting Association grounds, and 
deputy game and fish warden of .Michigan. 

MOSES ROB\DEAU. a farmer of Erie, was born 
in Monioe county, February 29, IS^O. Married Areh- 
ange Sulicr, laniiary SI. 1^39; she was born in Cana- 
da, March 24, 1S22. Their children are: Arcliange. 
born May 2S, 1S40; Ellen, March 10. ls42, died April 
20, 18.")8; Moses, born Febrnary 12. 1S44, died March 
1.5, 184.5; Isabelle, born January 2.5, ls4ii; Louis, born 
January 2, 1n48: Noah, born August 10, ls.53: Joshua, 
born April 0. is.54; David, born April 2S, 1M.55. died 
May 1, is.5.5; Benjamin, born February 20, 18.57; 
Electa, born June 18, 1H.59; Mary, born December .5, 
1S0.5. Has been a farmer all his life. He cleared the 
farm where he now resides. 

DAVID ROBEDEAU is a farmer living on section 
18 in Erie, born on section ](>, Jan. 0, 1832, his 
parents being Louis and Arcauzele (St. Bernard) 
Robcdeau. With the exception of ten years in Ohio, 
he has always lived in Erie. He is a member of Fr. 
Thomas's Church, and a life-long Democrat, and 
while not a politician, has held the oftice of highway 
commissioner for five terms. ' He is the father of six- 
teen chililren. ten boys and six girls, of whom three 
boys and three girls are living, and has been four 
times married. His first wife, to whom he was mar- 
ried in January, 1842, was Maud S.. daughter of John 

and (Cousino) LaPointe. who died in 1849, 

leaving two boys and mie girl; Gideon, who was in 
the 17lli Mich. Vol. Inf.. and killed at Spotlsylvania 
Court House; Lambert, a butcher by trade and living 
at home, and Boselis. who died when a child. In 
1850 he married his tec<md wife. Zoe. daughter of 
John and M irienne (Corneaui DeSheltler, who died 
in 1808, with five boys and lour girls, of whom one 
boy and two gitls are living. His third wife, to whom 
he Was married in 1870, was Malinda, daughter ot 



22 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and Mary (Drouillard) Bagnell. She died in 

1877, with two boys, botli of whom are dead. For 
the fourth wife he was married Jan. 13, 1879, to Em- 
ily, daughter of Francis and Felice (Moran) Duval, 
whose two children, a boy and a girl, are both living. 

OCTAVIA E. ROBERT is the oldest of the thirteen 
children of Dorainick £. and Elizabeth Ann (Morrin) 
Robert, and was born in Erie, Oct. 9, 1856. Born of 
and raised in a family of Roman Catholics, she natur- 
ally became and now is a member of Fr. Thomas's 
Church. She lives with her father on section 16, and 
follows the profession of dressmaking for a liveli- 
hood. 

JOHN STUMP was born at Wuertemberg. Germany, 
Jan. 1, 1803, the son of John and Hannah Slump. He 
came to New York in 1816, and lived there and in 
Philadelphia until 1834, when he settled on section 18 
of Erie. He was married at Tremainsville, Ohio, 
Nov. 20, 1834, to Marilda, daughter of Peter and Car- 
rie (Newman) Lefford, who is ihe mother of eleven 
children, of whom four boys and one girl are living. 
Three of the boys, George, John and James, were in 
the Union army during the war, and Christian en- 
listed but was not accepted. Mr. Stump has always 
been a Democrat. He was brought up a member of 
the Lutheran Church, but of late years has been a 
member of the Presbyterian. 

VICTOR TRABBIC is the seventh child of Peter 
and Caroline (Knaggs) Trabbic, and was born in Erie, 
May 28, 1861. Born a Catholic and raised a Demo- 
crat, he has always followed the occupalion of a 
farmer. His father has been supervisor of Erie town- 
ship for two years. Jan. 33, 1883, he was mar- 
ried to Adele, daughter of Antoine and Adeliue 
(Perry) LaPointe, whose children are: Ralston, born 
April 27, 1884 (died Nov. 30, 1885); Priscilla, born 
Nov. 14, 188G; and Murie, born Dec. 5, 1888. 

JOHN WEE.MAN is the oldest son of a family of 
five boys and two girls, all of whom are living. He 
was born Feb. 28, 1816, at Hinesburg, Vt., on the 
farm of his parents, Edward and Vilena (Conger) 
Weeman. He was a tailor by trade for about twenty 
years. In August, 1840, at Norfolk, St. Lawrence 
county, N. Y., where he had lived for sixteen years, 
he was married to Mary E., daughter of Joel S. and 
Jane (Roberts) Hubbard, whose children are two girls 
and three boys, all living. They are Hannibal A. and 
Hamilton A., twins, born in December, 1844— the for- 
mer a partner in the well-known firm of Lyllle, Wee- 
man & Co., in Toledo, the latter a farmer; George, 
born in 1866, and living at home; Chasiina V., wife 
of Dora Cone, dealer iu agricultural implements, at 
Jasper, Mich ; and Ann Eliza, wife of Ralph Doty, In 
Bedford. After his removal from Sr. Lawrence 
county, N. Y., Mr. Weeman lived a few years in 
Bedford (where he was highway commissioner), and 
came to Erie in 1845. -He was a Whig until the R"pub- 
lican party started, when he became identified with 
them, and has always remained with them. He has 
held the office of constable for twenty years, and dep- 
uty sheriff of Monroe county for ten years. Is a 
member of the Episcopal church. 

FRANCIS W ENDEL, a farmer of Erie, was born 
in Germany, February 28, 1817. Came to America in 
1840 and settled in "Monroe county. Married Eliza- 
beth Felger in February, 1839; she was born in Ger- 
many, June 4, 1S19. Their children are: John C, 
born November 31, 1839, died August 29, 1861; Eliz- 
abeth, born December 31, 1841; John, January 1, 1844, 
died November 25, 1865; Frank, born July 1, 1815; 
John IL, b)rn May 19, 1848; Catherine, born March 
28, 1851; Mnry A., born December 39, 1853. His bus- 
iness is farming. 

FREBiCIIXO"WP« XOWKJSHIP. 

PAUL BECHBERGER was born in Germany, Jan- 
uary 28, 1838, and came to Frenchtowu in 1866. He 



gets his mall at Monroe. His parents are Valentine 
and Catherine (Wise) Bechberger. At Wyandotte, 
November 27, 18"6, he was married to Mary, daugh- 
ter of Ferdinand and Margaret (Islnger) Steiner. 

GEORGE FIX, a farmer of Frencbtown, was born 
in France, jSIarch 5, 1836; came to America and set- 
tled in Monroe county In 1828, with his father. Mar- 
ried Adaline Nedan, of Monroe, Mav 15, 1854. She 
was born May 22, 1838, and died January 3, 1860. Her 
children are : Adaline, born February 14, 1855, and 
died in infancy; Sarah E., born June 5. 1856, died 
October 19, 1888; .loseph G., horn September 19, 18.58; 
John, born November 25, 18.59, died May 10, 1860. 
He married his second wife, Julia Decauter, of Mon- 
roe, May 19, 1860. She was born in October, 1849, 
and died July 27, 1872. Her children are: George, 
born March 19, 1861; Moses, born April 17, 1862; Oc- 
tiavo born June 24, 1864; Isadore, born June 6, 
1856; Dorathy, born June 37, 1869. He married his 
third wife, Julia Robert, January 13, 1873. She was 
born April 8, 1849. Her children are: Wallace, born 
November 26, 1873; Catharine, March 7, 1874; Mary F., 
born December 19, 1875; Clarence, born October 15, 
1877, died March 3, 1880; Liona, horn January 4, 
1880, died January 30, 1883; Edward, born January 
20, 1883; Leona M., born May 31, 1884; Agnes, born No- 
vember 13. 1886, died January 31, 1889; Lewis, born 
May 13, 1889, died September 17, 1889. Mr. Fix has 
been a farmer lor 44 years. 

JOSEPH HYOTT, son of Elias and Pauline (Sear) 
Hyott, was born In Maine February 10, 1826. and 
came to Frencbtown in 1837. At Brest, January 23, 
1855, he married Adeline, daughter of Tusant and 
Genevieve (Bnrk)Soleau. He enlisted at Monroe, Sept. 
5, 1864, and was mustered out June 2, 1865. His 
chilpren are : Henry, born Nov. 29, 18.55; David, born 
July 39. 1857; Frank, born Feb. 20. 1859; Louise, born 
March 20, 1861, now deceased; Mary, born Nov. 9. 
1867. His address is Newport. 

ELON G. MATTESON is the son of Oliver and Ar- 
dllla (Davis) Matteson: was born in 1803, and Decern 
ber 3, 1837, was married to Julia, daughter of Linus 
and Lydla (Andiews) Cowles. He has seven children, 
and is a well known farmer jn Frencbtown, where for 
seven years he was supervisor of the township. His 
postoffice is at Mouroe. 

IDA TOWNSHIP. 

ADDISON BRAINAKD, a farmer of Ida, was born / 
in Vermont, Dec. 1, 1814 ; came to Monroe county in 
1836. Married Elizabeth Andrews, July 4, 1S43; she 
was born in England Dec. 26, 1819. Their ehildreii 
are: Lucretia J., born June 2, 1844, died Feb. 29, 
1864; Francis, born Oct. 4, 1846; Cora W., born Aug. 
31,1848; Mary A., born March 2, 1850; Samuel S, 
born Aug. 4, 1854. Addison Brainard is a Republi- 
can; was town clerk three years, commissioner of 
highway for eight years; member of the M. E. church. 
Broommaker by trade. 

SETH C. BRONSON, a farmer of Ida, was born in 
New York State, March 19, 1816, and came to Monroe 
county in 1837. Married Julia Owen, Feb. 23, 1834; 
she was born in New Y'ork State, Aug;. 24, 1813, and 
died Dec. 9, 1853; had one child. Frank, born Feb. 9, 
1847. He married his second wife, Alvira Johnston, 
April 30, 1854; she was born Oct. 1, 1829; her children 
living are: Julia, born March 20, 1855; Olive M., 
born July 6, 1857; Don O., born July 13, 18G0. Mr. . 
Bronson has always been a farmer. 
' JOHN COREY, a farmer of Ida, was born in Eng- 
land, Aug. 19, 1826; came to America In 18.35, and 
settled in Monroe county in 1867. Married Lucinda 
Richardson Feb. 2, 1856; she was born in Ma.ssachu- 
setta July 12, 1831. Their children are: Richard, 
Ada, John, Samuel and Fred. He has always been 
a farmer. 



PERSONAL HTSTORIES. 



23 



JOHX DENTAL was born at Rotoch, Germany, in 
]S20. He came to America in 1847, and settled in 
the township of Ida, Monroe county, Mich., where 
he was married in ISoOto Kmily Owen, by whom he 
lias had nine children, eif;ht of whom are now livinj,'. 
The first few years of his residence in this county 
were spent as a common laliorer, and asa result of his 
industry and savine he now owns one hundred acres 
of choice land, all improved, with fine residence an<i 
good outbuildings, a large portion of which he took 
up in its natural state and has brought it to its pres- 
ent state of perfection. 

PAUL DIXOFF, a farmer of Ida township, was 
born in Germany Jan. 27, I SI 7; came to America in 
IS-IC), and settled in Monroe county. Married Cath- 
erine Gregerich May L'7, IS4('i; she was born in Ger- 
many .\ug. 1.'), 181:!. Their children are: .lo.seph, 
born Oct. 24, IS.51; Paul, born April .">. ].S.5o; William, 
born May 3, lSo(5; Anna, born April 17, l.S(il. He is 
a Democrat, a mendier of the Catholic church. 

JESSE FHAKY was born in the town of Lodi, 
Seneca county, >.". Y., in IS-'iO. In ISoU the family 
came to Michigan and located in Lenawee county. 
In 1S()1 they went to St. Joseph county, and from 
there Jesse came to Monroe county, locating in the 
township of Ida and settled on the farm of SO acres of 
which he is now part owner, and where he now 
resides, lie was married in 1875 to Miss Julia Man- 
warren, a native of Chenango county, X. Y., whu.se 
parents, David and Eliza Manwarren, came west 
about the year 1844. Jesse and Julia have four 
daughters. 

JOHN (iANSLER. In lS.-)4 Lewis and Mary Ann 
Gansler left tlicir native country (Germany) and came 
to America, and on arriving here settled permanently 
in the township of Ida, Monroe county, Mich. John 
Gansler was born at sea on the passage of his parents 
to America. He was marrie<l in iss-i to Miss Lucinda 
\Vesterbarger. They have one child. He now owns 
51 acres of land near Lulu Station, in township of 
Ida, where he now resides. 

X. GEIGER, a farmer of Iila, was born in Ger- 
many Feb. 12, 1825; came to America in 18.',2 and set- 
tled in -Monroe county. Married Lena Newcomb in 
ISoO; she was born in Germany Feb. 11, 1831. Their 
children are: Lena, born Aug. 18, 18.58; Antoni', 
born July 14, 18ii2; Lizzie, born Oct. 14, 18(15; 
Josephine, born March 28, 18(i7; Frank, born Nov. 28, 
1870 He is a member of the Catholic church. 

CHARLES F. (lERE was born in the town i>f 
Sparta. Livingston county. N. Y., in 18.5.5. He came 
to Michigan in 187'.» and located in Mecosta county, 
and remained there until 18s2. He then went to 
Newaygo county, and from thence came to Monroe 
county in 1885, locating in the township of Ida, on 
the 40 acres of land that he now <i\vns and occupies. 
His parents were John and Polly Gere, of Sparta, 
N. \. He married Mi.ss I^dna Palmer, of Newaygo 
county, Mich. They have two children. 

JOSEPH E. GILD.VY, a son of John and Mary 
Gildav. was born in the township of LaSalle, Monroe 
countv. Mich., 1848. He was married in 1878 to Mi.ss 
Ellen Nester, of Toledo, Ohio. They have five chil- 
dren. He came to the township of Ida in 1878, and 
located on the farm of 80 acres on whi<:h he now 
resides. He has served as assessor four years, town- 
ship clerk three years, superintendent of schools two 
years, and was elected supervisor in 1882, and now 
holds that ollice. 

BENJAMIN GEHWICK.afarmerof Ida, was born 
in Germany July 17, 1S33; came to America in 184f> 
and settled in ".Monroe county. S!arried Barbara 
Lesh Feb. 4, 1802; she was born' in Germany Sept. 3, 
1843. Their children are: Frank, born Aprd 18, 
1803; Lizzie, born Aug. 19, 1804; Mary, Oct. 18, 1806; 



William, June 10, 1,SG0; Tillie, Aug. 25, 1S71; Benja- 
min. Dec. 2, 1873; John, Jan. 11, 1875; Peter, July 5, 
187S; Clara, July 25. 1880; Anna, Aug. 15, 1883. 'Uo 
is a Democrat; member of the Catholic church. 

FREDERICK HEIIL, a farmer of Ida, was born 
in Germany April 27, 1821; came to America in 1846, 
anil settled in Monroe countv in I84"J. Married 
Barbara Hoiick Sept. 2.!, 1840; she was born in Ger- 
many Aug. 0, 1S33. Their children are: Christina, 
born Oct. 12. 18.50,died March 1, 1880; Frederick, Feb. 
11, 18.53; John, Dec. I. 1855; Maggie, Feb. 3, 1859; 
Rickey, Jan. 1, 1>.(>2; Charley. Mav 4, 18(>4; Christof, 
Jan. 15, 1807; Caroline, Aug. 5, 1870. He is a Demo- 
crat; a member of the Lutheran church. 

PHILLIP 1 1. VK WICK was born in Herkimer 
ciiunty, N. Y.. in 1810. His ]>arent8were Abramand 
Margaret Harwick. The family removed to Monroe 
county, N. Y . and thence to' Cattaraugus county, 
and from there in 18:;(i they came to Monroe county, 
Mich., locating in the southwest corner of tlie town- 
ship of Ma. They brought their own team of 
horses, occupying two weeks' time in making the 
trip. They took up 00 acres of wilil land, and were 
obliged to make their own roail a portion of the way 
to get to it. The parents died on this farm. Phillip 
Harwick now owns 05 acres of the original farm, 
on which be now resides. He married in ISCl 
Miss Margaret Denen, a native of England. They 
have four children. 

JACOB HENRY was born in Dauphin county. Pa., 
in 1830. His parents were George and Mary Henrv, 
who came with their family toMonroc> countv, Midi., 
in 18-54 and settled in the town of La Salle. " In 1801 
Mr. Henry removed to the townshi)> of Ida, and 
lo.cated on the farm of Talcott E. Wing for three 
years. In 1804 he purchased the farm where he now 
resides. He was married in 1854 to Miss Eleanor 
Yarger, of Ida. They have four children. He has 
served si.\ years as commissioner of highways, school 
director eleven years, assessf«r, etc. 

FRANKLIN 15. JONES, a doctor of Ida, was born 
in Raisinville, Monroe county, March IS, 1.S44. Mar- 
ried Jane A. Russell, of Petersburgh, Mich., Dec. 1, 
1808; she Wiis born April 23, 1844. Their children 
are: Hester Mary, born Aug. 31, 1800, ilied July 
10. 1880, of nervous prostration ; Estella L., born Dec. 
24, 1872; Isnian R.. born Jan. 1.3, 1874; Frank E., 
born May 7, 1883. 

EDWARD KAPER, a farmer of Ida, was born in 
Germany A]>ril 0, Ksl8; came to .\merica in 18,54 and 
settled in Monroe county. Married Mary Gartner, of 
• iermany, Nov. 30, 1840; she was born March 1, 1827. 
Their children are: Emil W., born .Sept. 21,1850; 
Anna E., born Oct. 4, 18.52; Bertha M., born Dec. 23, 
1857; Carl F., born Nov. 10, 18.50, dieil Feb. 17, 1803; 
(Just. W. F., born Sept. 17, 1801; Rudolph C, born 
June 3, 1807. Mr. Kaper is a glovemakerby trade. 

JOSEPH LAUER, a farmer of Ida township, was 
horn in Germany April 10, 1821; came to America in 
1.S43 and settled in Monroe county. Married Jlagde- 
lena Stiner in 1S51; she was born in (iernianv .Ian. 
10, 18:{0. Their children are : Mary E., born Dec. 2, 
1854; Charles, born July I, 18-52; John, born Sept. 20, 
1802; Josejih, born Jan. 15, lsO,s. He has been farm- 
ing 44 years; has 200 acres of land. 

JOHN M.XRTIN, a merchant of Ida, was born in 
St. Clair county, Mich.. Oct. 20, 18.52, and settled in 
Monroe Co. in' 1800. .Married Anna Myers, of Ida, 
Dec. 10, 1872; she was born Nov. 20, 1854; have three 
cbililren: (Jeorge E.,born Dec. 11, 1873; John R.,Oct. 
2.5, 1877; Herbert C, born Nov. 7, 1880. He is a Re- 
publican; has been township clerk one year, a.ssistant 
postmaster three years. 

HENRY MA.'^ON was a native of Monroe county, 
N. Y. He married Malinda Brighton, by whom he 



24 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



hail one Sdii, Win. H. Mason, now of tlie township of 
Ida, Monroe county, Midi. Mr. Mason, tlie fatlier, 
came to Micliigan in 1835, and located in the town- 
siiip of Bedford, where he took up 80 acres of wild 
land, afterwards adding SO acres thereto. He served 
as a member of the State legislature one term. He 
held some office most of the time during the busi- 
ness part of his life. He died in Bedford in 18()7. 
Wm. H. Mason, his son, was born in Bedford in 
18li5, and lived there until 1882, then purchased 
and moved on to the farm of 102 acres in the town- 
ship of Ida, wliere ho now resides. He married Miss 
Christina Klinck, nf Bedford. They have eight 
children. He was chosen and elected a magistrate 
in and for tlic township of Ida in 1887, but declined 
to qnalifv. 

CHAKLES MILLER, a resident of the town of 
Ida, was born in Germany in 1841; came to this 
country in 1870, locating first at Toledo, and from 
thence settled in the town of Ida, Monroe county, 
Mich., in 1871, where in the same year he was mar- 
ried to Mrs. Pophia Albright, relict of Frederick 
Albright, by whom he has one daughter. 

EDWIN MOSES came to Monroe county, Mich., 
in 1853. He was a native of Seneca county, N. Y. 
His parents were Franklin and Susan Moses, of the 
town of Fayette. Seneca count}', N. Y., whore he was 
born in 1829. He first located at Raisinville, Monroe 
county, Mich., and from there removed to Ida in 
1868, locating at Lulu, where he now resides. He 
was married in 1804 to Miss May West, a daughter of 
Henry Y. and Harriet West, bv whom he has two 
children. He enlisted in 1861 i'n Co. F, 15tli Mich. 
Inf., and was discharged in 1862; was in the battles 
of Pittsburg Landing and Farmington; is a member 
of Joseph R. Smith Post, No. 70, G. A. R. 

JOHN PORTER was born in England in 18.50, and 
came to this country in childhood. He was brought 
to Monroe county, Mich,, in lfi57 from Rochester, 
N. Y., and soon after returned there, but in 1871 he 
located at Cleveland, O., where he was married in 1872 
to Miss .\bbie Cooley, of that city, by whom he has 
four children. From Cleveland he returned to 
Rochester, N. Y., and then again in 1880 returned to 
Monroe county, Midi., locating at Rockwood, and 
from thence to Bedford, where he purchased a farm. 
Remained there until 18(i(i, then came to Morocco, 
in the township of Ida, and engaged in mercantile 
business; was made postmaster in 1886 and still holds 
the office. 

JAMES RICHARDSON, who died January 4, 
1883, was born in England May 24, 1823; came to 
America in 1846, and settled in Monroe county. 
Married Mary Bradley March 24, 1846; she was born 
in England May 20, 1825. Their children are : 
Bradley W., born Jan. 5, 1847; Fred A., born Feb. 7, 
184;>, died Sept. 7, 1850; Benjamin F.. born Aug. 9, 
1851; Horten.se, born Dec. 27, 1854; Emma M., born 
Dec. 14, 1857; James, born May 14, 1850, died Dec. 
16, 1872; Minnie L., born Nov. 26, 1861; Addison J., 
born May 2, 1864; Eugene J., born June 16, 1867. 
Mr. Richardson was a cabinetmaker by trade. He 
was a Republican; was clerk six years. Ida P.O. 

MICHAEL SCHLUMP, a farmer of Ida, was born 
in Germany Feb. 2, 1833; came to America in 1856 
and settled in Monroe county. Married Mary Wort 
in December, 1854; she was born in Germany April 
J, 1835. Their children are : John, Andrew, William 
and Louisa. He was drafted in the 9th Mich. Inf., 
Co. I, Sept. 5, 1864, and was mustered out of service 
June 20, 1865. He is a Rex)ublican, and is a member 
of the Lutheran Church. 

JOHN H. STOTZ, a merchant of Ida, was born in 
Germany Aug. 17, 1848; came to America in 1860, 
and settled in Monroe county in 1866 with his 
parents. His father, George P. Stotz, was born in 



Germany Sept. S, 1824, and dieil in Ida Feb. 8, 1886; 
his mother was born in Germany July 9. 1820, and 
died in Ida Nov. 12, 1884. Mr. Stotz has been in the 
dry goods busiiuss in Ida for 17 years. 

JOHN W. STRACK, a farmer of Ida, was born in 
Germany March 3, 1837; came to America in 1854 and 
settled in Monroe county in 1862. Married to 
Jennetta EschenroderOct. 19, 1862; she was born in 
Germany May 13, 1840. Their children are: AVil- 
liam, born Dec. 12, 1863; Frederick M., born Dec. 20, 
1865; Mary J., born Sept. 29, 1869; Henry P., born 
Sept. 3, 1876. He was engaged in the brewing busi- 
ness while in Germany, but since residing in this 
country he has been farming. 

CHAS. F. STREETER, a lawyer of Ida, was born 
in Germany Feb. 8, 1826; came to America in 1836 
and settled in Monroe county in 1840. Married to 
Eva Hochradel, of Monroe, in April, 1852. Their 
children living are ; John C. F., Masrgie, wife of Jacob 
Hartman, of Toledo, O. He enlisted in the 9th Micli. 
Cav., Co. G, May 1, 1863, and was mustered out in 
the fall of 1865. He served in the field six months 
and was disabled at Blains Cross Roads. Tennessee, 
afterwards served as assistant hospital steward; is a 
member of William Bell Post, of Dundee. He is a 
Democrat; has been justice of the peace 10 years, at 
present is in the furniture and undertaking business. 

JOSEPH TEALL, a son of Asaph and Sophronia 
Teall, and a grandson of Dr. Nathan Teall, a native 
of England, was born at Geneva, Ontario county, 
N. Y., in 1824. His parents came to Monroe county, 
Mich., when he was eight years old (in 18:32), the 
family locating in the township of Erie, where the 
father, Asaph Teall, died in 1879. He served as a 
teamster in the Toledo War. Joseph Teall has been 
twice married. His first wife was Miss Mary S. Van- 
dercook, of Erie, to whom he was married in 1846, 
and by whom he has four children now living. She 
died in 18.54. He next married Miss Adeline Brown, 
of Dundee, his present wife. Mr. Teall came to the 
township of Ida in 1854, and for seven years worked 
as a common laborer. In 1861 he purchased the 
farm of 80 acres oh which he now resides, of R. 
O'Connor; he now owns 85 acres. At the age of 21 
he was elected constable in Erie township, and 
served 12 years, and has held the office of commis- 
sioner of highways 12 years, and has also served as 
a magistrate 24 years, and still holds that office. 

SMITH TODD, a farmer of Ida, was born in Bel- 
mont county, Ohio, April 28, 1869. Married Eliza- 
beth Lewis Dec. 20, 1853; she was born in Crawford 
county, Ohio, June 19, 1831. Their children are: 
Jennie, born Aug. 31, 1854; Amelia, born Feb. 25, 
1857; Mary E., born Oct. 14, 1858; Alice, born Oct. 
21, 1860; Clement L. V., born Sept. 11. 18(i3. Mr. 
Todd is a Democrat; has been justice of the jieace 
for four years; was county recorder of Crawford 
county, Ohio, for six years. 

WILLIAM TRACY was born at Canandaigna, 
Ontario county, N. Y., in 1829. He came to Monroe 
county, Mich., in 1836 with his uncle, Gabriel 
Ketcham. He first located in township of Bedford, 
and has lived in the townships of Bedford, Whiteford 
and Erie up to 1860. He then located in the township 
of Ida, on forty acres of land, where he now resides. 
He was married in 1854 to Miss Martha Mortimore, 
of Erie township, by whom he has three children. 

SI^lEON VAN AKIN, a farmer of Ida, was born 
in Lenawee county. Mich., Oct. 14, 1842, and settled 
in Ida in 1867. Married Charlotte Southwick, of 
Ida, Jan. 15, 1867; she was born Jan. 13, 1839; have 
two children : Lee, born July 9, 1868, and Clara, 
born Dec. 18, 1880. He enlisted in the First Regi- 
ment U. S. Sharp-Shooters, Co. C, Aug. 23, 1862, and 
was in all the battles with his regiment. He is a 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



25 



Republican; has Iieen supprvisor five yeare; iiostnias- 
ter two years. 

AUGUSTUS AVKISKI., ))n.«tor of the German 
Lutlieran diurch of Ida, was born in Stra.sbnr)r. 
Germany, March 4, 1S3S; came to .\merica in \SV.i, 
settled in Monroe county in IsTii. He marrieil 
Jennie Bueri.'er, of Wasliincton, !>.('., .Jnlv •">. istl.'). 
She was born in Budalo, N. Y., Feb. L', i.s47, an.l 
died Jan. 7, 1S7l': had three children: Kmanuel, 
born Sept. II, ]S(i7; Atrnes. born Keb. 1.'2, IMHI; 
Tabitha, born Oct. !), 1870. He married hi.*: second 
wife, Minnie (iram, of Bullalo, N. Y., July 2:!, 1.872; 
she was born Sept. 4, 1S4.'). Their children are: 
Theodore, born March .'>, ls7(i; Dura I)., Sept. 2.S, 
1,S7.S; Mary M.. born March 11, l^Sd; Eunice, born 
June -'S, ISSJ; John, born July 7, 1SS4. He lia.«been 
preaching since l.si):5. 

HENRY Y. WEST was born in Washinglon 
county, N. Y., in 1S1.5. His parent.s, Andrew and 
Elizabeth (Younglove) West, left Washington county, 
N. Y., in the winter of 1817-lcS and removed to 
Christian county. Ky., where they remained until 
1827, and then with an ox team removed to Detroit, 
Mich. In l.'i27 they located in Oakland county, 
making a short stay at Birmingham. In the fall of 
18211 look up 40 acres of wild land in the town of 
Southfield, and soon after built a tannery, the first 
in that locality. Henry Y. left the family here and 
struck out for himself, and worked about one year 
in a saw mill, five miles north of where the village of 
Flint now stands.and from thence went toShiawassei! 
county. He was married in 18:i!i to Miss Harriet 
Gook, of Delaware county, Ohio, and they have 
seven children now living. In 1840 he located in 
Detroit; in the fall of 18.5:1 came to the town of Ida, 
Monroe county, and took up 40 acres of wild land at 
what is now Lulu, on the Toledo, Ann Arbor and 
North Michigan Railway, being the first settler of 
that locality. In lss4 iie wa.s made postmaster at 
Lulu, and nciW holds that ofhce. Has always taken 
a lively interest in church matters, estal>lishing the 
first meetinsr at Lulu by keeping a minister for two 
years mostly at his expense. 

LASALLE XOWPiSHIP. 

C'HARLK.^ DKNNINGER, a farmer of LaSalle, was 
born in Monroe county, July 28. 183:i. Married Mar- 
garet Yoas, November 1, IK.ii. She was liorn in Ger- 
many, Julv 15, 1837. Their children are: Carrie, bnrn 
March 10, "I8.'j7: Augusta, February 6. 18.-)!); Charles, 
November 2, 1801; Mary, Janunrv 1, 1861; Lizzie, 
October 1, 1800; Rickey, May 130, ISBO; Maggie, born 
January 14, 1872; Julia, May 21. 1874; Willie, March 
30, 1877; George, January 19. 1880. died January 21, 
1880; Freddie, April 1.5, 1881. Mr. Dunuinger has 
alwiiys hccn a farmer. His family are members of the 
Lutheran church. 

PETER DUSSEAU is a farmer of LaSalle; was 
horn in .Monroe county, Oclohcr 8. 18;i"). Married to 
Elizabeth Cullev. November 14, 1842. Their children 
are: Anna, born September 13, 18i;i; John, February 
14, 1803; Peter. Novemhcr 8, 180J, who died in in- 
fancv; Alhcrl, horn January 14, 1800: Clara, Oclohcr 
10, 1808; Oscar, January 1, 1870, d cd in Oclohcr, 1874; 
Daniel and Calhrine (twins), horn January 13, le73; 
Francis, May 20, 1877; Benjimin, October 23, 1880. 
Mr. Dusfeau is a Democrat. He is at present town- 
ship treasurer, and also engaged in farming. 

JOHN W. GILDAY, afarmerof LaSalle township, 
■was born in Ireland, .\pril, 1821; came to America in 
1S33, and settled in Monroe county, where he now re- 
sides. Married Mary Collins, July 1.5, 1847. She was 
boru in Monroe, Novembers, 1830, the result ol their 
marriage being ten children, nine living: Josc'ph, Fan- 
nie, George, Elizabeth, Annie, James, Frank, Theresa, 



Jennie and William. Has 335 acres of hand in LaSalle 
township. 

CODFROID HKCK. a farmer of LaSalle, was born 
in Germany, Septembers, 1826; came to Americi. in ■ 
1829. and settlcci in Monroe coiinly, wlierc lie now re- 
sides. Married Julian Knah, Septcndier 15, 18.50 She 
was horn in Monroe county, August 4. 1.833. They 
have fourlecu children, ten livini:: Kale, horn Au'.'usl 
23, 1851; Lena, born January 14. 18.5:!. dic<l March 14, 
1853; Christian, horn Fibruarv 3. 1854; Louisa, born 
July 11, 1850. died August 2, f8."i(i; M.iggie. born F. h- 
ruary 11, 1858, died March 2. 18.58; John, born Feliru- 
ary 9, 1859; Mary, horn .luly 7, 1802: Charles, born 
April 1, 1804: Minnie, born June 7, l'<(>0; Emmn, horn 
January 17. 1809; Maggie, bom .\pril 15, 1871, died 
November 28, 1872; Liddie. burn April 28, 1873; 
Rickey, born July 5. 1875; Emanuel, horn March 22, 
1877. He has been farming for three years. 

CIIiRLES KNAB. a farmer of LaSalle, who died 
September 17, 1880, was horn in Germany, June 27, 
1817; came to America in 1828. and setllecl in Monroe 
county. Married Margaret Lealir. Novcinldr, 1841. 
She was born in Germany. Decemlicr-0. 1019. Their 
children are: Julia, horn August 22, 1812; .Mary, born 
Octobers. 1844; Charles, born March 11, 1847; Simeon, 
born March 18, 1849; William, born June 3. 1851, died 
July 7, 1851; Calhrine, horn Deceinbir 0, 1852; Susan, 
May 3. 1855. died November 10, 1873; Geo.ge. born 
April 2, 18.58; Minnie, July 11, 1862. He was i Demo- 
crat ; superintendent of the poor two terms; justice of 
peace two veais. 

GEORGE KNAB, a farmer of LaSalle. was born in 
Germany. June 19, 1821; came to Americii in 1830, 
and s-ttled in Monroe county. Married Susan Meyer 
in 1847. She was born in Germany in 1814. and died 
in Monroe county. November 17, 186:}. They had six 
children: Jacob, born October 2, 1848; George, born 
December 11, 1849: Cathrine, born July 6, 1851: John, 
born January 12, 1854: Charles, horn Novemh-T .30, 
18.55: Susan, born June 5, 18.58. For his .second wife 
he married Pbebe Christcna, June 9, 1805. She was 
born December 7, 1840, and has two children: Emma, 
born October 17, 1805; Matilda, born July 13. 1871. 
He is a Democrat, and member of Ihe Lutheran 
church. 

GEORGE KNAB, Jr., a farmer of LaSalle, was 
bore in Monroe county, April 8, 184)*. Married Chris- 
tina Ott, of Monroe City. October 26, 1805. She was 
horn January 20, 1815. They have rive children: Liz- 
zie, born August 24, 1800: George, born t)cIober 21, 
1.H08; Emila, born March 28, 1872; Theodore, born 
April 21, 1875: Julia, born October 11, 1877. Mrs. 
Knab's motlier. Catlirine Ott, is still living wiih her. 
She was horn in Cermany, June 14, 1819. Mr. Knah 
is a blacksmith by lr;ide. 

DANIEL Kl'.MMEUER, a farmer of LaSalle, was 
born in Pennsylvania, December 10, 1831. and cauie 
to Monroe county in 1807. Married to Mary D;nly, of 
Ireland, June 25, 18.50. Their children are: Elward, 
born April 18, 1857, and died Deceniln r 34. 1883; Wil- 
liam, born .Vugust 8, 1859; John, b rn January 10. 
1804; George, born February 22, I'^ilO. Mr. Kuiu- 
nierei is a miller by tr.ade. 

HIRAM LEONARD, a farmer of LaSalle, who died 
January 18, 1881, was born in New York Stale, April 
18, 1820, and settled in Monroe county m 1h;J7. Jlar- 
ried Miranda Webb, .May !•. 1840. She was horn in 
New York Stale, April 14. 1827. Their children are: 
Alson, born April 2, 1847: William, horn May 9. 1849, 
died May 28, 1850; Phocl-e. horn August 21, 18.53; 
Acelia. born February 9, 1855; Jeanneltc, horn April 
3, 185l>; Sophia, horn June 2, I860; Willis, horn Sep- 
tember 3, 1802; Norris, born .May 9, I860, died March 
1. 1870. He was a Democrat, lie was township 
treasurer for four years. 

A. J. MORSE, who died August 21, 1861, was a resi- 
dent of LaSalle lownship. He was born in New York 



26 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



State, June 8, 1818. and settled in Monroe county in 

1861. Married to Ellen U. Skinner, April 1. 184!). "She 
was born in New Haven, Huron counly, Ohio, May 4, 
18S0. They Iiave eight children, Jill livins: John.I., 
horn May 8, 1850: Ida M., born November 25. 1851: 
Hetta E., linrn Decembers, 1853; Frank L., bnrn Au- 
gust 31, 1855; Charles L , born October 9, 1S57; Lucy 
E., born October 5, 1859; Don R., born Marcli 18, 
1863; and A. .J., jr., born February 10, 1864. His 
business was farniinc. 

HENRY PAXTON is a resident of LaSalle town- 
ehip; was born in Canada, December 7, 1831, and set- 
tled in Monroe county in 1833. He was a sailor on 
Lake Erie for four years; then kept the Monroe liKht- 
hou.'e for eight years. At present he is engaged in 
fi.-liing and farming. 

JAMES REYNOLDS, a wagon maker of LaSalle, 
was born in New Y'ork State, December 23, 1831; set. 
tied in Monroe county in 1847. Married Sarah J. 
Eddy, of Monroe City. September 2, 18.57. She was 
born September 30, 1833, in Virginia. Their children 
are: Nellie, born May 2, 1858; Lnviah, born March 12. 
1860, died in infancy; James M., born February 23, 
1862; 8telbi, born .January 7, 1864; Anna, born April 
28, 1866; Arthur, born November 9, 1869; Edgar, born 
August 31. 1873; Henry, b irn March 13, 1875, died in 
infancy; Willie, torn May 31, 1879. He is a Repub- 
lican; was postmaster ten years; school director two 
years. 

ORRIN G. SMITH, a farmer of LaSalle township, 
was born in New York Slate, Janunry 21, 1836, and 
settled in Monroe county, October 25. 1835. Married 
Sarah White. July 23, 1855. She was born in Ohio, 
March 28, 1841. Their children are: Martha, born July 
21, 1861, died M:iy 23, 1862; Sella, born April 18, 1863; 
Charles, born Febrmry 25, 1866. He is a Democrat; 
has been school director for six years; postmaster for 
fifteen years. Postofflce address, LaSalle. 

LOXDON TO'WXSHIP. 

HORATIO N. ALLISON, Jr , farmer, of London, 
WHS born in Murray. Oileans county, N. Y., May 21, 
1849. His parents came lo Michigan, but owing to 
sickness of the family had to return to New York 
State. In 1857 they returned to Michigan, located in 
London, living here until 1883, when they moved to 
Dakota. Horatio worked on a farm in the s-ummer, 
and for three winters in the pine forests. In 1875 he 
purchased 40 acres of Idud in Lon Ion. December 36, 
1875, be married Alice A. DeVee, of London. She 
was born December 27, 1858, in Dundee, Mich. Two 
children have b-'en horn lo them, Albert, b'irn Sep. 
tember 17, 1876 and Warren Lloyd, born March 23, 
1883, 

Ef.EAZER BARNES, of London, a retired fanner, 
and pioneer of Monroe county, was born June 10, 1807, 
hi I'iltsfoid, Vt, In 1833 cime to Michigan, Novem- 
ber 21, ls:j3, he received a deed from Black Hawk 
Rankins, of 80 acres of laud. In 1835 he purchased 
80 acres more, and erected one of the first frame 
houses in the townsh'p. February 28, 1836, married 
Calista Throop. of London, who was born June 10, 
1812. Four children were born to them. Mrs. Barnes 
died November 11. 1863. In 1851 Mr. Barnes was a 
member of the State Legislature for one term. In 
18.38 was made m^niber of the board of supervisors 
of Monroe counly. Has been a great politician in 
his early days. His son, Dorr, is oue of the leading 
farmers of Milan, and has held the office of supervisor 
and several other offices. 

JESSE AND LEWIS G. BEVERLY', active farmers 
of London. Jesse was born September 6, 1834, and 
Lewis April 24, 1844, both at Loudon. September, 

1862, Lewis G. enlisted in Co. E, 7th Mich. Vol. 
Cavalry ; on account of sickness was discharged 



flbout March, 1863. He re enlisted September 24, 

1864, in Co. H, 18th Mich. Vol. Inf. Was in the 
battles of Decatur, Nashville, where Hood made bis 
raid ; also in the skirmishes with the guerillas at 
Peach Cirove. Was discharged with the regiment in 

1865. Lewis was married May 10, 1866, with Sarah 
E. Russ. of Augusta, Mich., who was born March 23, 
1846. Died March 1, 1873 One child was born 
to them. Their farm they now own , Andrew Jack- 
son signed the deed for it. Their father died in 1859. 
mother 1867. Lewis is a member of Lucius Taylor 
Post, No. 274, G. A. R., at Milan. 

GEO. A. BIRD, a farmer of London, was born in 
Wayne county, Mich., January 7th, 1862. His father, 
Isaac Bird, was born in England, coming to America 
when five years old, and going to live in Ontario 
county, making that his home until bis 12th year, 
when he came to Wayne county, and ri sided there 
ever since. His mother wps born in Ohio. His 
father's family consisted of six sons and one daughter. 
Gtorge being the fourth son of the family. George's 
early life was spent at home until his 31st year. April 
1, 1885, he married Hatiie Fritz, of Detroit, Mich. 
She was born September 1, 1859, in Delaware, N, J. 
In the spring of 1885 George and his wife went to 
live on the farm they now own, and began life for 
themselves. 

GEORGE BISSELL, of London, was born at 
Franklin. N. Y'., October 33, 1813. He learned the 
blacksmith's tr^de in New Y'ork State, In 1837 came 
to Michigan, Married March 37. 1841, Jane M. Oles, 
of Adrian, Mich, She was born in 1833, March, 
1846, Mrs. Bissell died. Had two children. Mr. 
Bissell returned to New Y'ork, remained uniil 1853, 
when he came back to London. September 10, 1854, 
married Maria L, Springer, of London, who was bora 
at Ru'hford, N. Y., October 10, 1835. Four children 
were birn to them. Address, London. 

JAMES A. BLACKMER, a general merchant and 
postmaster of Oakville, was born at Putnam, Conn., 
November 3, 1833. August 7, 1863, he enlisted in 
Co. C. 7lh R. I. Inf as priv.ite ; was in the Army of 
the Potomac, battles of Fredericksburg and White 
Sulph ir. Was taken with measles at Newport News, 
Va., and recovered in time to accompany the regiment 
to Lexington ; here he had a relapse, and was tent to 
the hospital. In two months he rejoined h s r giraent. 
He was discharged from service July 13, 1865, by 
General Order No. 116, of War Department. He re- 
turned to Rhode Island, and re-engaged \n the lumber 
business until 1870, when he c.ime to Michigan, 
purchasing 60 acres of land in London. October, 
1878, purchased of A. W. Hardy stock of merchandise, 
and opened his store. In 1879 was appointed post- 
master. Elected justice of the peace in 1873. Mar- 
ried Ursula Hall, July 9, 1854, who was born in 
Connecticut, October 34, 1833. Seven c'.iildren were 
born to them. Mr Blackmer is member of Lucius 
Post 374, G. A. R , of Milan. 

MRS. SARAH BOGARDUS, of London, was born 
in Erie county, N. Y'., September 13, 1810. She came 
to Michigan with her father in 1857, locating in 
Newaygo county. In 1858 she married Maiquis 
Palmer, of London. He was born in Gene ee county, 
N. Y,, in 1826, died 1877. By this marriage four 
children were born to them, John, P-'rry, Orlanda, 
and Cora. All are living excepting Cora, who died 
December 17, 1886. December 22, 1883. Mrs. Palmer 
married William Bogardus, of Milan, Mich., whose 
name she now bears. 

ALEX. BONDY, Jr., of London, was born in 
Rockwood, Monroe county, November 10, 1856. He 
lived at home until 15 years old, and sailed on a 
vessel from Bay City to Toledo, following sailing 
until the fall of 1883. January 7, 1884, he married 
Kate Lavougb, of Carlton, Mich. She was born at 
Rawsonville, Mich., Dec. 14, 1859. After their mar- 



PERSONAL niSTORTES. 



27 



riage they lived at Uarllon for a few monllis, then 
went to London, began farming on a purlion of the 
Monllon farm, sfclion 29, wlieri' they now reside. 
One cliild, a girl, has been born to them, Mary SLiggie, 
born Nov. 21, 1HS.5. 

FHANCIS DEVERE BUTTS, of London, was born 
at Ypsilinti. Mich, April 24. 1S44. l-Vbrunrv 22, 
1804. he enlisted in Co. G. 12lh Mich. Vol. Inf., as 
private, going to Little ]{ock, .\rk. February 1,5, 
18ti."). was discharged at Camden. Ark. He reiurned 
to Michigan and engaged in farming. Married in 
1S70, Eimuagene Head, of Augvisia, .Mich. ■'<he was 
boru at .Suinpter. January 3. 1S43. Tliey remained at 
Augusta upon a farm until IST.s, when he e.xohanged 
the farm for one he now owns at London, Two chil- 
dren were born to them, Celis-ta and Wallace, Cilista 
died Aug. 10, ISTIi. 

BENJAMIN F. CALHOUN was born in London, 
Mich,, O. t. 19, 18.5.">. September :i. 1870, married 
Amanda Youngs, of London, who was born i^ept. 2, 
18.')9. One child. Iiena. was born to them January 
18, 1879. Mr. Calhoun's heullh is poor, he having 
been crushed by the falling of a log. His farm con- 
tains 3 acres of land. Address, London. 

JOHN CAVANAGH, farmer of London, was horn 
in Ireland, Feb. 27, 1S82 ; came to America in 18.53. 
Sept. 22. isdl, enlisted in Co. D, Mich, Vol. Inf. 
Married Catherine VViith. of London, in 18t;4. She 
was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 24, 1842. Ten chil- 
dren were born to iliem. Mr. Cavanagli is a merab-T 
of William Ikll Po^t, G. A. R., of Dundee. 

CHARLES M. COON was born in Oneida county, 
N. v., April .-,. 1830. Married Sept. 20. 18,51. Laura 
Austin. He enlisted m Co. D, 23d N. V. Vol. Cav., 
Feb. 20, 18i5:i, as private. January, 18(1.5. was dis- 
charged at the close of the war. In 18t)() came to 
Michiyan. He married his second wife. .Mclica 
Schuyler. March 2.5, !sfi7, who was born in Ohio, 
July 10, 1843. Si.\ children were born to them. Mr. 
Coon is a fanner. Address, London. 

WILLIAM E. CROSBY, farmer of London, Mich,, 
was born in Canada, March (i, 1804. Came to the 
States ill 18S0, locating at Ypsilanti. Married Sarah 
Francis Augustus, of Vpsilan'i, who was born Jan. 
10. 1868. Mr. Crosby lived in different parts of 
Mi( higan until 1887, when he purcba.sed 20 acre? of 
land at London, One child was born to them. Ad- 
dress, London. 

CHESTER DANIELS was born Feb. 15, 1845. His 
parents died when he was three years old, and be 
went to live with a fainilv at Dundee. He enlisted in 
1S04 for one year. In 18i37 he moved to London, and 
married Sarali Mover. In 1872 bouglit a farm in Mi- 
lan, consisting of 10 acres. In 1874 was employed by 
the Star lii nding Co., of London, for on( and onehaif 
years. He owns 00 acres of land in London, where 
be still lives. To them three children were born. Ida 
B. , Anna and Annis. Mr. Daniels is a Democrat. 

DANIEL L. DeVEE. an active farmer of London, 
Mich., was born in Rhinebeck, N. \.. Jan. 2.5. 1817. 
He lived with his parents, John and R-bccca (Shilfer) 
DeVee, until his 1.5ih year, when lie went to Newark, 
N. J., to le:irn the shoemaker's trade. When he had 
completed his trade he sailed on the vessel " Parker," 
under Capt. William Austin, f>f New Bedford: after 
this he sailed under Capt. Smi'h. and was gone two 
years. Returning in tlie fall of 1841. he located on a 
farm in London. Mich., where he remained three 
years, atd in 1849 moved to Dundee and opened a 
boot and shoe house. In the spring of 18-52 he 
started for California, driving a team all the way, 
reaching there about the first of September. He re- 
mained there until the spring of 1S.5:{. then returned to 
Michigan. In 1855 he went t ) Frenchlown, Monroe 
county, and worked the farm his father was carrying 
on for him. He regained there until 1800, when he 



settled in London on the farm of 120 i.crcs where he 
has since resided. In October, 1841, he married Mary 
H, Smith, who was born in Si-otland, June 6, 18'33. 
Ten children have been born to them, all of whom are 
living. Mr, DeVee has held the ollice of justice of the 
peace for one term in Dundee, and for one term at 
London. He was also numinaled in lss4 tor the leg- 
islature in the Second District, and in IHsti as sheriff 
in Monroe county, upon the Prohibition ticket, 

DANIEL WRKJIir DkVEE, a >on of Daniel L. 
DeVee, was born in Dundee. Feb. 20, 18.54. His early 
life was spent on the firm at Rome. Nov. 8. 1874 he 
married Louisa Armstrong. She was born in London, 
Mich., July 18, 18.58. Afier his marriage they moved 
on a portion of his father's farm and began for them- 
selves. He afterwards purchased 60 acres. In the 
summer of 1887 his house was burned, and belore the 
winter he had erected a new and better home. Three 
children have been born to them: Daniel L., born 
Sept. 21, 1875; Harry E.. born Sept. i;J, 1877, and 
Alpha A., born June 1, 1885. 

JOHN J. DeVEE. a farmer of London, was born in 
Monroe county. Mich.. Dec. 25, 1844. He enlisted in 
Co. I, 11th Mich. Vol. Inf., Aug. 24, 1861, Was in the 
battles of Stone River, Mission Ridge, Buz/.xrd's 
RoosI, Kcnseaw Mountain and Chickamauga, re- 
maining with regiment uinil its return to .Michigan, in 
]S64. in 1870 be enlisted in the llth U S. Reg. Inf., 
as private, going to Sulphur Springs, Te.\as, then to 
Fort Richardson, and Fort Sill, Ind. Tc-r. Was with 
SIcKenzie in the '72 scout, being out six months. His 
lime expired March 3. 1875, and he engaged as stage 
driver between Jackshoro and Weatherlord, Texas, 
remaining four months, then returned to Michigan, 
Feb. 20, 1870, married Mary P. Haner, of London, 
who was born Aug. 1, is.53. One child was born lo 
them. Mr. DeVee is a member of Lucius Taylor Post, 
No. 274, G. A. R.. of .Milan, Michigan. 

ALONZO V. DRAPER was born in New York, 
Oct. 19, 18 9. Came to Michigan in 1830. locating at 
Y'orU. Washtenaw countv. In 184:! he married Eliza- 
beth Hathaway, of Mooresville, Mich., who was born 
in York, in 1X25. Five children were born lo them. 
He enlisted, October, l.sG2, in Co. F, ^Otli Mich. H. 
Art., taking wiih him his son Walter. Jlr. Draper 
was discharged October, 1865; his son, December, 1805, 
at Jackson," .Mich. Mr. Draper owns a fine farm in 
London township, where he resides. Address, Oak- 
ville. Michigan. 

MRS. ESTHER DYHE, of London, was born in New 
York State, June 26, 1835. Married Abrara Van- 
Schoick. of London, Sept. 11, 1852. He was a cooper. 
Three children were born to Iheni. Abram V»nSchoick 
enlislel in 1803 in Co. I. llth Mich. Inf., as a private. 
Died while in service, at Nashville, Tenn , Dec. 11. 1864. 
February 1, 1805, Mrs, VanSchoick married Morse 
Dyhe, of London. Five children were burn of this 
union, ilr. Dvhe was a farmer and blacksmith. He 
died Dec. 13. 1878. Mrs. Dyhe manages a farm of 80 
acres of land, 

ADNA ENO, a firmer, was born in Jackson county, 
Mich., July 4, 1854, His early life was spent on the 
farm with his father, Jan, 29", 1877, married Harriet 
Cook, of New Boston, Wayne county, Mich. She was 
born in Pennsylvania. Sept. 29. IStil. Her parents 
came to Micbigiifi in 1863. Mr. Eno lived two years on 
a farm at New Boston, one year at Ann Arbor, and 
returned to London. In l8Si5be moved upon the farm 
where he now resides, which consists of 80 acres of 
land. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Eno. 
.Vddress, London. 

ZEMRI.\1I ENO, an active farmer of London, was 
born at WaterlOD, Mich.. Dec. 10. 1850. July 14, 
1871. he married Hannah Dolhee, of ( lakville, who was 
born at Saline, Mich., May 12, 18.54. After three 
years they purchased 20 acres of laud, an'l in 1886, 
28 acrea additional. In 1871 built for Iheinselvcj a 



28 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



neat home. Six children were born to them. Address, 
Loudon. 

HENRY D. EVERETT, a farmer of London, 
Mich., was born at Sai-kett's Harbor, N. Y.. Feb. 3, 
1833 September. 1830, his jiarentsrame to Michigan, 
and in October, 1830, they moved to London townsliip, 
his father making tlie first clearins and erecting Ihe 
first house in ll)at township; he died in July, 1838, 
a£;ed 46. His mother died in New York, in 183(!. 
Henry D. remained with his father until his laih 
year, and then began life for himself, and after his 
fatlier's dea'h took charge of the farm for a 3'ear or 
more, then entered a store at Dundee for a year. In 
1841 he went to New Y'ork, working on a farm in the 
summer and teaching school in the winter. In 1845 
be went to Gloversville, N. Y., and engaged with the 
Glove Manufacturing Co., following this for 20 years. 
December, 1849, he married Julia A.. Butler, of Glov- 
ersville. N. Y. She was born in Windsor, Conn., 
Nov. 16, 1825. He returned with his family to Lon- 
don, January, 1865. erecting a new house and remain- 
ing here untd April, 1879, when he went to Kansas, 
remaining there until 1881; he then returned to Lon- 
don. In 1883 went to Big Rapids, Mich. In Febru- 
ary, 1886, returned to London; engaged in farmmg and 
dairy products, which occupation he now follows. To 
Mr and Mrs. Everett eight children have been born: 
IVlary L., Alice, Laura, Henry C, Charlie, Emily, 
John G. and Lillian. 

CHARLES E. FARRINGTON, farmer, of London, 
was born April 16, 1849, upon ihe farm he now owns. 
His falher was one of the first members of the State 
legislature, and member of the convention which 
framed the first constitu'ion of Michigan. Sept. 1, 
1864. Charles enlisted in Co. M, 2d Mich. Cav., as pri- 
vate. Was discharged bv general order, Jnnc 21, 
iSer,. Married, Sept. 24, 1865, Elfinda S. Rorebeck, 
of London. Four children were born to them. Mr. 
Farrington is one of the representative farmers of 
l^ondon; deals largely in stock and grain; is member 
of the Free Methodist Society. 

GEORGE N. FINCH was born in Y.ates county, 
N. Y., Oct 3, 1823 Married, Feb. 3. 1851. Helen M. 
Hoffman, of Arcadia, Wayne county. N. Y. She was 
born at Phclpa, Wayne county, N. Y , Sept. 12, 1S35. 
Oct. 1, 1862, they came to Michigan, locating in Oak- 
land county. In 1879 moved to Dundee, remaining 
three years, then coming to London, where Ihey now 
ri side. Seven children have been born to them. His 
farm contains 78 acres of land, 50 acres being under 
cultivation. Address, London. 

ROLAND L. FINCH, a farmer of London, was 
born in Wayne county, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1858. He 
lived wiih his parents until 18, and then began life for 
himst'if; worked out by the month for two years, and 
then entered the cabinet ware-rooms at Tecumseh, 
Mich, remaining for one year; then started a 
sugar manufactory at Dundee, Mich. After a year 
went to Saline for one year. In the spring of 1882 
moved to London upon a farm, and began farming 
for himself, and has bince resided there, his sister be- 
ing his housekeeper, he having never married. 

JOHN C. PORSllEE, a farmer of London, was 
born August 23, 1805, in New Jersey. Learned the 
carpenter and joiner's trade of his .father. Married 
April, 1828, Mary Forshee, of New Y'ork Slate. July 
14, 1853, she died. Married Oct. 22, 1862, Nancy 
Ransom, of London. Ten children were born to 
them. Mrs. Nancy Forshee died May 28, 1836. Ad- 
dress. London. 

AUSTIN FULLER, an active farmer of London, 
was born in Williams county, Ohio, March 13. 1853. 
His parents left Ohio in 1859, going to Clayton county, 
Iowa, remaining there three years ; then moved to 
Pennsylvania and to Ashtabula county, Ohio, and at 
last settling in Williams county, Ohio, where Nelson 
and his brother, aged 16, enlisted in the 38th Ohio 



Vol. Inf, until the close of the war. In 1865 his 
father sold his farm in Ohio, and with a colony of 
143 persons, and 125 head of cattle, went to Polk 
county, Iowa, living there nine years. In 1871 his 
father came to Monroe county, purchased a farm 
in London, where he died in 1875, April 5, 1881, 
Austin married Sarah Birkett, of Exeter, Monroe 
county. She was born in LaSalle, Monroe county, 
March 16, 1854 One child has been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Fuller, Olive May, born in 1882 (Nov. 8th). 

GEORGE FULLER, of London, was born in New 
Y'ork Stale, June 22, 1851. His father and family 
came to Michigan in 1853. July 2, 1876, George mar- 
ried Miss D. Haner, of London, who was born Sept. 
2, 1857. Her father enli.>ted in 1862 in 17th Mich. 
Vol. Inf., and died while in service. October, 1883, 
George purchased the farm where they now reside. 
They have had two children, one living. Address, 
London. 

MRS. JOSEPH FULLER, of London, was born in 
Wayne, Wayne connty, Mich., Feb. 7, 1848. Her 
maidtn name viai Polly Maria Raymond, and she 
was married March 7, 1867, with Joseph Fuller, of 
Waf^hteuaw county, Mich. Mr. Fuller enli.sled in Co. 
H, 14th Mich. Vol. Inf.. as private, for three years. 
Was discharged in 1865 ; was taken prisoner at 
Franklin, Tenn., and held three months. Mrs. Fuller 
is mother of sLx children. In 1875 ihey purchased 
the farm where Mrs. Fuller now resides. 

EDWARD C. GREEN, farmer, of London, was 
born March 19, 1839. His piirents were born in the 
east. In 1831 his father came to Michigan, and soon 
after married. August 5, 1862, Edward enlisted in 
Co. F, 18th Mich. Vol. Inf., going to Lc.vington, Ky. 
Was taken sick with typhoid fever, and sent to the 
Government Hospital. March, 1865. he was detached 
from his company and put upon special duly. Soon 
after was made captain of a company of colored 
troops. July, 1865, was discharged at the close of the 
war. He returned to London, and March 19, 1866, 
married Lucena Welch, of Exeler. She was born 
Dec. 35, 1843. They have two children ; owns 390 
acres of land, besides half interest in timber land, and 
a store at Boyne City. Dea's. largely in stock. Ad- 
dress, London. 

JOHN B. GREEN, an active farmer of London, 
was born at Lawrencetown, Ohio, June 21, 1850. 
His parents came to Michigan in 1865, settled on what 
was then known as LtPleasant Creek, Monroe 
county : purchased 114 acies of land, livmghere three 
years; then they moved to Ida, on the lann called 
the Judge Wing farm. John B. purchased, in 1875, 
40 acresof land in London. Married Mary A. Lefilier, 
who was born March 15, 18.10, in Ida township. Her 
parents were German, came to Anieiica in 1848. 
Two children wore born. Address, London. 

JOHN W. GRISWOLD, farmer, of London, was 
born at Tecumseh, July 32, 1834. His parents came 
from New York State in 1824, traveling the distance 
with four horses, and their wagon loaded vvilh their 
effects. John married April 6, 1858, Harriet A. 
Bangs, of Raisin, Lenawee county, who was born 
July 22, 1837. He engaged in general painting until 
1868, when he came to London, locating on 85 acres 
of land, where he now resides. Three children have 
been born to them : C. W., Minnie B, and James W. 
Mr. Griswold has held several offices of trust, having 
been township clerk five years, and at present is justice 
of peace ; also has charge of the London cemeteries. 
For 16 years he has taught music, and has charge of 
all musical interests of London. 

EDGAR T. HAIGHT w.as born Sept. 28, 1837, in 
London, Mich., upon the farm he now resides (■n. He 
was married Feb. 20, 1870, with Delphine Moore, of 
Milan, who was born July 5, 1849, in Canada. Her 
parents were born in England. In 1859 they came to 
Redlord, Waype county, Mich. Edgar, after his mar- 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



50 



I'iaR^ settled upin the farm he now owns. lie is 
also a carpenter and joiner. Erected one of the finest 
residences in Milan, where he lived four yeans. Three 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ilaight. Address, 
London. 

GEORGE C. IIAIGHT was born Nov. 23. 1834. 
Came to Muhii;an with his |)urcnts in 1830. Married 
Nov. 24, IS.W, Harriet N. Howe, of London. He 
enlisted Auirnst 11, 1862, in Co. U, 18th Mich. Vol. 
Inf. Was discharged by general order, .June 23, 
1805. Mrs. Haisht died March 3, 1874, leaving three 
cliildren. July 2.'), 187.5, he married Anna .IctTery, of 
Oakland county, Mich. She was born in Oakland 
county, .Jan. 2o, 1841. Two children born by this 
marriage. Mr. Haight is a farmer. Address, London. 

MRS, ELLEN' G. HALL, widow of Martin V., was 
born in Great Britain, Nov. 2!t, 1829. Came to America 
with her parents in 1841. locating in Winnebago 
county, Wis. Ellen married .July 3, 1851, Martin V. 
Hall, who was born in Vermont, July 11, 1.S29. In 
ls51 they came to Michigan. He enlisted in Co. H, 
!»th Mich. Vol. Inf., in lS(j4; was discharged June, 
18IJ"). One cbikl was born to them, April 16, 1852, 
who died Sept. 26, 1879. Mr. Hall died July 11, 1884. 
lie bad been township treasurer and justice of peace. 
Mrs. Hall's addres'; is London. 

JOHN I. HANEn,of London, was born in New 
York State. April 28, 1847. Married Mary A. Devee, 
of London, July 4, 186S. She was born in Dundee, 
Dee. 24, 1852. One child was born to them, O.scar 
W., born March 24, 1869. Mr. Haner has engaged in 
threshing since 1860, and has one of the best separa- 
tors in the market. Address, London. 

WILLIAM HAZLETT, a farmer of London, Mich., 
was born in Kellville, Mich., Aug. 13, 1856. When 
five years old be went to Canada with his parents, re- 
maining there five years. When 12 years old he secured 
work as driver of cattle, going with a herd to the 
western country, Nebraska, Idaho, and Indian Ter- 
ritory. He remained there five years, then returned 
to 15cllville, Micii. After a year learned the painters' 
trade, and worked at it in Grand Rapids, Mich. In 
1885 he moved to London on a farm of 80 acres. 
October. 1885, he married Maggie Durham, of Denton, 
Midi. She was born in Orange county, N. Y., June 
10, 1855. One child has been born to them, Josephine, 
born July 13, 1886. 

SANFORD D. HEAD, born at Sumpter, Wayne 
county. Mich., September 7. 1847. His jiarents were 
hern in New Yoik Stale. When 18 years of age be 
left home, traveling through dilTerenC States through 
the West, and at last settled in Michigan. April 1, 
1877, he married Clara Brookner, ol Milan, who was 
born in 1857. Two children were bom to them: 
John v., May 30, 1879, and .losie M., August 27, 1881. 
Mr. Head moved upon his present farm in London in 
1879. His farm consists of foity acres of land. 

WILLIAM A. HEATH, of Augusta, Washtenaw 
county, Mich., was born in Livingston county. N. Y., 
Novemljer 13, 1836. He enlisted August 13, 1861, in 
Co. C, 50lli New York Engineers, as private. In Feb. 
1SG4. he re-enlisted in same company. In June, 1H65, 
wi^s discharged. In fall of 18G5 returned to Michigan. 
In 1879 he moved to Augusta, where he now resides 
on a farm. Mxrried October 10, 1866, Minervia Jane 
Bradbhaw. of Augusta, who was born in New York 
State, October 20, 1832. Mr. Heath is a member of 
Carpenter Post, No. 180, G. A. R., of Ypsilanti. Owns 
ten acics of land. 

CHARLES HEMPSTEAD, a farmer of London, 
Mich., was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y"., May 
10, 1823. His parents came to Ohio when he was ten 
years old. When he was 21 bis parents moved to 
Livinpsiton county, Mich., trading their Ohio land for 
a f«rin in Mubigiin. In IfvlU ibey .sold their fdrni and 
weul to Jaekton county, where they bad a faim of 



eighty acres. June 24, 18')7. he married Sarah Fisk, 
of Lenawee county, Mich. She was liorn in Marion 
county, September 2H, 1838. ' November, 18S4. Ihiy 
moved to the town of London, and iiavc since resiiled 
there. Four children have been born to them : Frank- 
lin, born June 9. 1867; Darwin C., born October 3(1, 
1869, died July 31, 18W7, aged nearly IH years; Lillis P., 
born May 22, 1871; Jennie, born February 21. 1H79. 

PETER J. HENRY, an active farmer of London, 
was born at E.xeter, Mich , November 7, 1813 March 
20, 1868, married Elizabeth Rose, of Augusti, Mich., 
who was born Deoemher 15, isn. .Six children wcie 
born to them: Carri", John L , Sirali Maria, William, 
Julia M., and Rosa E. Mr. Henry's father was a Rus- 
sian; his mother an American. Postofflcc addrets, 
London. 

ANDREW X. HERRON, a farmcrof London, Mich , 
was born in Pennsylvania, May 27, 1^33, His pan nts 
died when he was si.x years old. He began work for 
bim.self when 15 years old on a farm. He lived in 
Pennsylvania until 1853, when he went to Ohio. M ly 
27. 1860. he married Louisa Baulcli, of Luki' county, 
Ohio. She was born in Ohio. April 27. 1M4'I; died 
in July, 1877. November 17, 1861, Mr. Herron en- 
listed "in Co. F, as a private. June 23, 1S63. be was 
discharged by reason of disab lity; being unfit lor 
service he returned to Ohio. He never had any ad- 
vantages of education, his parents' death depriving 
him of fchool. August, 1878, he married Mercy 
Wellman, of Painesville, Ohio. In 1880 he moved 
to Michigan, and in 1886 moved to London. In 1881 
be married his third wife. Jennie Denike, who was 
born in London. March 8, 1818. By Ibis marriage two 
children (twins) were born to them in 1883: Elmer 
and Edward. Mr. Herron has four children by his 
first wife. 

GEORGE S. HOLTEN, an active farmer of London, 
Midi., was born in Fulton Village, Oswego county, 
N. Y., July 13, 1840 In 1849 his parents moved "to 
Michigan, and George went to live with Mr. E Barns 
for three years; then worked for his father on bis 
farm. He also had learned the cooper's trade and 
worked at it. August 26. 18G2, he enlisted in Co. II. 
18th Mich. Inf., as a private. He remained with bis 
regiment in all its battles. At Camp Snow Pond was 
captured and taken prisoner while on picket dutv. He 
was mustered out of service June 26. IsKij. He re- 
turned to London and engaged in farming, which lie 
still follows. August 9. 1868, he married Margaret 
Moren, of Brooklyn, Jackson counlv. .Mich , who was 
born in .Michigan, F>bruary 8. Iw51. Four children 
have been born to them; Mary J., bor.i March 10, 
1869, died September 29, 1869; Ella M. , born Decem- 
ber 20, 1870; Ge.irge F., born June 25, 1H75; Elnora, 
born .March 9, 1886. Reuben lloltcn, a brother of 
George, was a member of Co. H, 18th Mich. Inf. He 
died at Nashville, Tenn., June. 1H(;3, and is buried in 
the Soldiers' Cemetery at that eiiy. Joseph, anolb<-r 
brother, was a member of Co. K,"l5lb .Mich V. I. He 
died August, 1H65, at London, and is buried in London 
cemetery. 

ARTEMAS HOPKINS, an active farmer of London, 
was born Scptemb. r 0, 1860. His father was horn in 
L(mdon. He enlisted in 18(12, and was captured and 
taken to Anilersonville prison, where it is supposed he 
starved to death Artemas has always been a farmer. 
Married Marv M. Ostrander, of Canton. Wayne coun- 
ty, Mich. She was born April 4. l'-58. at Conway. 
Mich. They have four children. The farm on which 
be resiiles belonged to his grandfather; is now owned 
by Willard Hopkins. Artemas has 150 acres of lanil, 
and depends on stock raising more than grain raising. 
WILLARD E. HOPKINS, farmer of London, was 
born .Inly 30, 1862. His parents were born in Lon- 
don, Mich. Willard owns the old homestead, and 
speuda his winters there. In 1879 he went to Supe- 
rior, Washtenaw county, remaining t>ne year; Ibeo 



nn 



HISTORY OP MONROE COUNTY, MTCHTGAN. 



went to Canton, Wayne county. The following two 
years wera spent at London; from that time lie has 
been at York, Washtenaw coiiuty. He has never 
married. The homestead consists of eighty acres of 
land, forty being under cultivation. 

THOMAS C. HOWAKD, a general merchant of 
Oakville, was born at Aui^usta, Mich.. June 14, 1846. 
His pari'uts came to Michigan in 1834. February 10, 
1868^ Thomis mairied JIarv E. Tuttle, of Augusta. 
She was botn iu New York State, May 5, 1848 They 
have two children. Mr. Howard managed his father's 
farm until 1880, when he came to London, purchased 
a general supply store in connection. He is engaged 
buying and selling all kinds of produce; also provides 
Detroit markets with cattle and poultry, giving special 
attention to the shipping of the same. He has been 
twice elected supervisor of London; also treasurer. 
Has served several terms as township clerk at Au- 
gusta, Mich. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , No. 
197, Wolverine Lodge, of Milan, Michigan. 

DAVID HOWE was born at London, Mich., March 
27, 1816, upon the farm he now occupies. His parents 
came from Vermont to Michigan in 1836. April 21, 
1873, he married Coraline Everett, of Raisinville. She 
was born January 18, 1854. Four children were born 
to them. Oliver Howe, brother of David, enlisted in 
Co. I, lllh Mich. V. I., August 24, 1861; was dis- 
charged August 5, 1862, being disabled. He died Jan- 
uary 9, 1864. Address David Howe, London, Michi- 
gan. 

MERRITT HOWE was born in Vermont, March 13, 
1830. He married November 28, 18.53, Jane Elizabeth 
Graves, of Dundee. She was born in New York 
State, January 25, 1830. In 18.53 they came to Lon- 
don. Six children have been born to them. In 1857, 
came to reside upon the farm of 35 acres of laud 
where he still lives. PostofBce address, London, 
Michigan. 

SIMEON HOWE, a farmer of London, was birn at 
Wells, Rutland county, Vt., February 25, 1832. His 
parents came to London in 1833, locating on a farm of 
eighty acres. July 5, 1858, Simeon married Emeline 
C, Graves, of London, Mich. She was born at Dun- 
dee, April 13, 1843. February, 1806, he purchased 45 
acres of land where he now resides. Four cliildren 
were bom to them: George T., Julia E., Simeon L., 
and Herman. Mrs. Howe died August 3, 1887. 

WILLIAM B. JONES, afaimerof London, was born 
in the State of New Jersey, January 14, 1834. His 
lather was in the war of 1812. William married May 
4, 1859, Caroliuc Martin, of Macon, Mich. She was 
born May 16, 1834. After his marriage he rented a 
farm at Lodi, Mich. In 1S71 purchased a farm at 
Monroeville, and during the same year sold it, pur- 
chasing the farm in London. No children have been 
born to them, but in 1877 they adopted an orphan 
boy. Address, London. 

JOHN J. KILPATRICK, an active London farmer, 
was born in S'euben county, N. Y., April 27, 1835. 
Learned the painter's trade in New Y'ork State. Octo- 
ber 7, 1856, married. His wile was born iu England. 
Five children were born to them. Mrs. Kilpatrick 
died June 1, 1865. January 30, 1866, he uiarriea Mrs. 
Emra.i C. Bedell, widow of James M. Bedell, who 
died at the Government Hospiial in 1862. Eight chil- 
dren were born by this second union. Mr. Kilpatrick 
is a great reader, and in 1885 lust by lire a valu.ble 
library. Address, London. 

DELOSS G. LAMKIN, farmer of London, was 
born in E.veter, Mich , January 17, 1848. His parents 
came to Michigan iu 1835. February 25, he mar- 
ried Margaret Ft- Iton, of Exeter. She was born May 
27, 1849. In 18'(2 he purchased the farm they now 
own. No children were born to them. Address, Lou- 
don. 



ELIJAH M. LAMKIN was born Sept. 6, 1830, at 
Raisinville, Mich. His parents located in Michigan 
in 1820. Ausiust 23, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, I'lth 
Mich. Vol. Inf. as private. At the battle of Stone 
River he was wounded; was discharged Sept. 16, 1864, 
and returned to Michiuau. Married Martha D. Sabin, 
who was l)orn at Lyonsville, Pa., July 29, 1843. Six 
children have been born to them. Mr. Lamkin owns 
155 acres of land. 

OLIVER C. LAMKIN, a farmer of London, was 
born in London, Monroe county. Nov. 18, 1843. His 
parents were early .settlers of London. August 23, 
1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 5th Mich. Cav., as private; 
was in battles of Gettysburg, Winchester and Cedar 
Creek: was discharged in June, 1865, as sergeant. 
March 18, 1866, he married Anna HawKS, of Exeter, 
who was born in New Y'ork State Nov. 29, 1844. They 
lived at E-feter until 1883, when he sold the farm and 
purchased 00 acies of land in London ; owns one of the 
largest barns in I he town, and his farm is highly cul- 
tivated. They have had seven children; address, 
London. 

A. H. LEWIS, a retired farmer of London, was 
born in New Y''ork State, June 21, 1822. October, 
1847, he married Julia A. Crane, who was born in 
Steuben county, N. Y., April 16, 1830. Came to 
Michigan in 1883. Six children were born to them : 
Edwin, Albert, Amanda, Mianda, Percilla and Mary E. 
Address, London. 

WILLIAM J. LINDSAY, of London, was born in 
Ireland June 15, 1843. In 1854 he came to America. 
Married in 1870 Margaret Coburn, who was born iu 
New York State iu 1853; lived in Dakota, and had his 
farm destroyed by prairie fire, and being discouraged 
came to Michigan. Nine children were born to them. 
Address, Loudon. 

JOSEPH D. MARVIN was born in New TTork State 
July 33, 1857. In 1861 he came to Michigm with his 
mother, his father being deceased. In 1880 he began 
farming for himself at Sumpter. August 20, 1883, 
married Ada Craft, who was born at Sumpter Aug. 8, 
1865. In 1887 they c inie to London, locating on the 
faim where th-y reside. One child was born to them 
June 29, 1885, died July 21, 1885. Address, London. 

SELEN MASTERS, a farmer of London township, 
was burn on the River Raisin, in Raisinville township, 
in 1818, and has always lived in Monroe county. His 
father, Adam Slasters, was born in Ulster county, 
N. Y., and came to Monroe county soon after the War 
of 1812, and was the father of 13 children. Selen has 
lived in London township 44 years. He was married 
in 1840 to Maria Zeluff. They have had 13 children, 
seven of whom are living. 

RICHARD H. MILLAGE, a farmer of London, 
was born iir X'Jew York State Jirly 19, 1832; came to 
Michigan in 1845. December 10, 1861, he enlisttd in 
Co. I, 15th Mich. Vol. Inf. as private. In 1862 he was 
discharged; re-enlisted iu 1863 m Co H, 2d Mich. Cav., 
j'liuing the regimentatNashville.Tenn., remaining with 
ihe ri giraent until ihe close of the war. September 16. 
1865, he married Lucinda Culver, of York, Mich ,who 
was oorn July 19, 1845. Seven children were born to 
them. Ml-. Millage is a member of Lucius P. Taylor 
Post. No. 274, a. A. R., Milan. 

CHARLES H. NEWTON was born at Hamburgh, 
Mich.. Nov. 18, 1847. He married Jane Chippel, of 
Putnam, Mich., who was born Jan. 32, 1846. Two 
children were born to them. Mrs. Newton died Sept. 
15, 1876. After her death Mr. Newton did bridge 
work, and learned the papermakers' trade, working at 
Y'psilanti and Jackson. July 11, 1886. he married Mrs. 
Laura Frisbee, of Jackson, who was born in Ohio 
Nov. 3, 1848. They remained in Jackson until 1886, 
when they came to London. 

JESSE NORRIS, a farmer of London, was born at 
Dorchester, N. H., Nov. 38, 1810. He worked out by 



PERSONAL IIISTORIKS. 



.-^l 



I lie month until "26 years of age, and in Dercmber, 
1836, came to Micliigiin, starling on liis journey witli 
horse and cutler; when lie rcarhed Cleveland sold the 
cutter and started on horseback for Monroe. In the 
spring (if 1837 he engiged as a sailor of the lakes. lu 
1S38 he was employed as superintendent of con- 
slruttion of the Michig.iii Southern K^ilroad for one 
year. Then had charge i>f saw-mill at Deerlield. For 
four years managed i he farm of Austin E Wing and 
Thos. Cole, and during the time built the dam at 
Pelersburgh, and rented Wing's half for fnur years. 
He owned 66 acrfsof land at Summerfield: e.xchanged 
farm for lav rn near Monroe, e.xchinged tavern for 
farm he now owns. April 15, 185!). he married 
Amanda William.s, of Petersbnrgh, who was born in 
New York State in 1814, died Jan. 27, 1868. They had 
no children of their own, but adopted a daughter. 

R. H. OSTRANDER, druggist of Milan, Mich., was 
born in London, Monroe county, Mich., Sept. 28, 
18J9. His fatlier, William Ostrander, was born in 
New York State, and came to Michigan in 1856. He 
purch;iSi"d land wilh his brother and then entered the 
m' rcantile business. During the Rebellion Wdliaui 
Ostrander was eugiiged as enlisting officer for the 
United Slates Army, with headquarters at Detroit. 
Riesdoil aitendeil the district school at London, help- 
ing his father in the store until he was 16 years of age; 
he then went to Dundee to the high school, after two 
years he entered the high school at Ann Arbor, then 
entering the Pharmacy Department of the Michigan 
State University of .\un Arbor. Mich., and graduated 
in the class of 1883. In the fall of 1883 he entered a 
wholesale drug house at Atlanta. Ga. Then tame to 
Ohio and secured a position as prescription clerk, re- 
maining one year. He then cume to Dundee, Mich., 
entered the employ of Geo. W. Hurd and took charge 
of the business while Mr. Hurd was at the New 
Orleans Exposi ion. Hut wishing to be in business 
for himself, he came to Milan and opened a first-class 
drug store, which he continues to manage. April 13, 
1886, he man led May E. Wisdom, of Milan, Mich., 
her parents being residents of that place. Mr. Os- 
liander is a member of Wolverine Lodge, No. 197, 
I. O. O. F.,of Mil(-n, Mich. 

WILLIAM OSTRANDER was born in Ulster 
county. N. Y., Nov. 30, 1828. He married Sarah A. 
Hack, (if Milan, Sept. 8, 1858. Si.x children were born 
to them. Mr. Ostrander is a merchant, farmer, and 
postmaster at London for a number of years. At one 
lime he had the mails ca-ricd from Raisinville to 
London at his own expense. He came to London in 
May, 1856, locating on a firm of 104 acres of land. 

ORSON OVEHAKER was born in London, Mich., 
Oct. 28, 18.50 He married Margaret Johnson, of 
Milan, Dec. 15, 1870. In 1880 he purcha-iied 40 acres 
of land at London. His family consists of two chd- 
dren. Address, London. 

E. R. PALMER, an active farmer, was born in Lon- 
don, Mich., Apiil 13, 1810. His parents were among 
the early sellleis ol Jlichigan. April 13. 1864, he mar- 
ried Belle Whiting, who was born at London, Mich., 
Ffh. 7, 1845. Her people came from Yates county, 
N. Y. Four children were born to Mr. and .Mrs. Palmer: 
Mary, Earl H., Gilbert W. and Calista A. Mr. Palmer's 
farm consists of 200 acres of land, 115 acres being 
under cultivation. He also deals in stock; has been 
drain commissioner and school insp(Ctor. Address, 
E.Keter. 

HARRIET PALMER, of London, was born in 
Oneida county, N. Y., Sept. «, 18'28. In 1835 her 
parents came to Michigan. Mrs. Palmer married 
A. F. Palmer, of London, Sept. 22, 1850. He enlisted 
in Co. I. 11th Mich. Vol Inf. as private Aug. 24, 1861; 
was promoted to 1st scrgt. of the company April 1, 
186i; he took charge of the compin3',the commissioned 
officers having been captured, and while peiforming 



this duly was killed at the battle of Stone River, Jan. 
2, 1863. Their five children are all living. 

WILSON B. PALMITEU. of London, was born in 
Ohio May 24. 1830. Nov. lb, ls.52, he nmrried Jaoelte 
Haitivell, who was born at Canton, Midi., April 19, 
1836. In 1879 they came to London. Four children 
W(re born to ihrni. He is a mea her of the Free 
Methodist Society of London; an active farmer and 
mechanic. Addre.'^s, London. 

CHARLES I. PEASE, a farm r of London, was 
born in Courllunl county, N. Y , May 24, 1814. In 
1829 liccameto Michii-an, sta\ingl8 monihs; relumed 
to New York Stale, and in 1834 lina'ed in Oakland 
county, Miciiigan. October 20, 1837, he marri(d 
Sophia Tracy, of Detroit; she was born in JIalden, 
Canada. Oct. 14, 18'23. In 1839 he moved to Ohio, 
and in 1877 located in London, Mich., where he now 
resides. Eis farm consists of 40 acres. Six children 
have been born to them : Elsie, Margaret, Martha, 
Jane, John and Gaina, 

EDGAR S. PILUEAM, of London, was born at 
Ridgeway. .Mich., April 20, 1848. Parents came to 
Michigan in 1S35. Edgar, when 17yeaisof ase, learned 
carpenter and joiner s trade. Jlanli 6, 1878. married 
Clara E. Ebersole, of Milan, who was born in Ohio, 
August 6, 1858. They lived at Ridgeway until June, 
l!r87, when ihej- came to London, locating up in 80 
acres of land. They have five children. Address, 
Loadon. 

JOHN POOL, of London, was born at Lodi, Mich., 
July 22, 1831. His father was in the war of 1812. 
Septembers, 18114, John enlisted in Co H, 18lh Mich. 
Vol Inf. Was discharged at Nashville, Tenn , June 

20, 186.5. In 1879 he purchased 40 aeres of land on 
section 5, in London, August 29, 1H37, married Mary 
A. Kidder, who was born in New York .State, Oct. 28, 
1841. They have four children. Mr. Pool is a mem- 
ber of Lucius Taylor Post, No. 274, of Milan. H is been 
constable of the township several years, and in 1884 
was appointed deputy sheriff of .Monroe county. 

ISAAC T. POTTER was born in Conneclicut, Nov. 
13,1811. His father was a sea captain for over25 
years. He died in 1868, at the age of 105 years. Oct. 

21, 1833, Isaac T. married Betsey M. Jamee, who was 
born in Conneclicut, Feb. 5, 1810. He resided at 
Frankfort, N. Y. ; engaged in farming until 1871, 
when he came to London, Mich., purchasing 70 acres 
of l-nd on section 32. His wife died Jan. 12, 1877, 
leaving four children. Istac. Julia M., Silas .1. and 
Emily^. Silas J. enlisted July, 1863, in 71st N. Y. 
Inf. He died Jan. 28, 1871. Mr. Potli r married for 
his sfC(md wife, Mrs. Bets'-y Merritt, Dec. 29. 1877. 
who was born Sept. 12, 1816. She was the widow of 
Charles Merritt, of Dundee, Mich. Mr. Potter's ad- 
dress is L'indon, Mich. 

DAN'EL PRESrON, born in Oneida county, N Y., 
June 21, 1827, is an active farmer of London. In 
1855 he came to .Michigan, locating on a farm of 40 
acres. In 1H69 he sold out and came to London. In 
1852 he married Clarissa Allen, of New York State. 
Four children were born to them. Mrs. Preston died 
at Jlilan, when 27 years of age. March, 18t>8, he 
married Ilelcn Barnes, of London. Two children 
were born to ibem. She died in tlic spring of 1873. 
Mr. Preston married for his third wife, Mis. Francis 
Wollcolt Miller, of Raisinville. Feb. 14, 18«1, who 
was born May 9, 1X50. She had two children at the 
time of her marriage with Mr. Preston. 

REUBEN JI. REYNOLDS, an active farmer of 
Loudon, .Mich., was born in lj«ster, Livingston county, 
N. Y., Feb. 27, 1829. His parents were eastein 
people. His falherdi(d when he was seven j-ears 
old, and from that lime until his eleventh year he 
lived with an older sifter. In 1847 he went to French 
Creek, Ohio, to learn the t licksmilhs trade. In 1853 
he Icbiued ihe cooper's trade, and cuinc to Wayne 



32 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



county, erected a cooper's shop. He sold this for a 
right in three counties of a patent farming mill, and 
engaged in the sale of mills. In ISjti he came to 
Oakville, Monroe county, and purchased some prop- 
erty, and erected a house. Dec. 21, 1856, he mar- 
ried Esther M. Wheaton, of London, Mich, She 
was horn in Andover, Allegany county, N. Y., Feb. 
V-j, 1836. Her jiarents were residents of London town- 
ship, »nd her father a carpenter and joiner. In 1857 
he erected a manufacturing and repair shop of barrels 
and repairing wagons and carriages ; he continued 
this until Aug. 18, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. K, 
1st Mich. Cav., as a private, but was detailed as com- 
pany blacksmith. He was with the regiment in the 
l>atlle of Cedar Mountain, and the battle of Bull Run. 
He returned to Oakville, Mich., April 7, 1864. Since 
his return ho has been unable to do any hard work. 
In 1883 he was placed upon the pension rolls, and has 
had one increase in the same. At present he manages 
his farm, and from a patented wagon jack he has 
received quite an income. Mr. Reynolds is the father 
of five cliildren: Sylvanus G., born Oct. 12, 1857; 
Francis L., born Jan. 7, 1865; Reuben M., jr., born 
Jan, 31, 1871; Newton G., born Sept, 22, 1873; and 
Besi-ie M., born Jan. 8, 1875. Sylvanus G. was mar- 
ried Jan. 17, 1883, to Sarah C. Magraw, of Augusta, 
Midi. She was born Sept. 4, 1861, in New York 
Slate They have two children, Viola W., born Dec. 
39, 1884, and Minnie M , born May 30, 1886; Mabel 
M., born May 8, 1889. Reuben M. Reynolds, sr., is 
member of Lucius Taylor Post 274, G. A, R. In 
1888 exchanged his farm for village property in Esse.x 
Centre, Ont., and moved there; in 1889 exchanged his 
Canida property for a farm in Lawton, Van Buren 
County, Jlich., where he now lives. 

GEO. B. RICHARDS, farmer, of London, was 
birn in York, Washtenaw county, Mich., Oct. 23, 
1853. When 18 years of age he began farming for 
himself. Dec. 33, 1874, married Alma Drury, of 
York, who was born at East Townsend, Huron county, 
Ohio, Aug. 27, 1854. They moved to Milan, where 
Mr. Richards engaged in drawing goods from Ypsil- 
anti to Milan, prior to the completion of the Toledo 
and Ann Arbor R. R. Alter three years he purchased 
a farm of 106 acres in London. In 1881 he was 
elected town treasurerof London, and was re-elected 
in 1882; also in 1885 and 1886. In 1887 was chosen 
as recorder, and attends to the business interests of 
the town. His family conssls of five children. 

HARRY ROSS, a manufacturing blacksmith of 
Oakville, was born iu Huntingdon county. Pa., Jan. 
11, 1828. When 18 years of aye he learned the lilack- 
smith's trade at Saulsburgh, JPa. In 1881 he came to 
Michigan, locating at Tecumsch, where he remained 
until Jan., 1882. Nov., 1886, he settled at Oakville, 
where he now resides. Married May, 1S4S, Catherine 
Stetlie, ot Huntingdon county. Pa., who was born 
Oct. 31, 1833. Two children were born to them. Mrs. 
Ross died at Pittsburg, Pa., in 1880. 

ROBERT ROYAL was born in England, Feb. 12, 
1844. Came with his parents to America in 1851. 
Feb. 13, 1864, he enlisted in Co. D, 1st Mich. Cav., as 
private; joined the- regiment at Camp Stoneman, 
Maryland. Was discharged by Order of President, 
Aug. 1865, as private, but during the last year 
of service received saddler's pay, and had charge of 
men most of the time. Nov. 19, 1871, married Sarah 
Armstrong, of London, who was born Jlarch 16, 1818. 
Nov. 30, 1871, came to London, and began farming. 
Mr. Roval is a member of I. O. O. F.,'No. 197, Wol- 
verine Lodge. Has been deputy sheriff four years, 
justice of peace, constable and drain commissioner. 

REUBEN SANFORD, farmer, of London, was born 
in Knox counly, Ohio, Feb. 8, 1839. His parents were 
eastern people. In 1854 they came to Michigan, locating 
at Oakville, London township, purchasing some village 
lots and 80 acres of land. Keub^ enlisted in Co. H, 



18lh Mich. Vol. luf., and with his regiment left for 
Covington, Ky. He was captured with others of his 
regiment, by Morgan, near Covington, on the Lex- 
ington pike. Was taken to Cincinnati by boat, then 
to Covington. Came home by special order to report 
affairs to Adjutant General Robinson, at Detroit. Re- 
mained in Michigan until Jan., 1863, when he was 
ordered to his regiment at Lexington, Ky. ; was finally 
discharged June, 1865. Dec. 24, 1867, married Ellen 
Jane Bliss, of Milan, who was born in 1848. Six chil- 
dren were born to them. Mr. Sanford has an ex- 
tensive farm at London. 

REV. HOLLOWAY SAWY'ER was born at Har- 
vard, Worcester county. Mass., April 19, 1827. His 
father's family consisted of eleven children, and at 
an early aj;e were obliged to care lor themselves. Oct., 
1848, HoUovvay went to Milwaukee, Wis., remaining 
until July, 1849. Sept. 5, 1850, married Julia S. Gris- 
wold, of Tcciimseh, Mich., who was born Sept. 11, 
1828. Two years following they lived in Hillsdale 
county, Mich.: then two yea's at Tecuraseh. In 1855. 
came to London, purchasing 40 acres of land. In 
1865 Mr. Sawyer received from Free Methodist church 
a license as an exhorter, and in 1867 took a work in 
Hillsdale county, Mich., remaining two years, at Ida 
one year, and from one to two years through different 
counties in Michigan. 

ERNEST SCHNURSTEIN, of London, was born 
in Germany, Jan. 25, 1864. Came to America in 1866, 
wiih his pannts. When he was 14 years of age he 
began working for himself, upon a farm. April 17, 
1884, married Minnie Meyer, ot Ida, Monroe county. 
She was born at Ida, March 13, 1865. Id 1885 they 
came from Monroe to Londoji. Two children were 
born to them. Address, London. 

WILLIAM SCIPIO, farmer, of London, was born 
in Erie county, Pa., Oct. 26, 1829. Married iu 1855, 
Sarah A. Travis, of Cool Spring, Pa. She was born 
April 15, 1832. Seven children were born to them. 
Purchased 40 acres of land in London in 1884. 

CORNELIUS M. SCOTT, an active farmer of Lon- 
don, was born February 22, 1861. His father enlisted 
in Co. A, 17th Mich. Vol. Inf. ; was killed in the bat- 
tle of the Wilderness, May 27,. 1863. When 12 years 
old Cornelius began life for himself, working upon a 
farm by the month. April 1, 1881, he married Miss 
M. L. Birkelt, of Exeter, who was born April 11, 1863. 
One ( liild was born to them. In 1881 they lived upon 
a renced farm; tben moved to Cadillac, Mich., work- 
ing for the G. R. & I. Railroad one year. March, 1887, 
purchased of Colonel I. R. Grosvenor, of Monroe, 80 
acres of land, where he now resides. 

ELIZABETH A. SCOTT, of London, was born in 
New Yiirk Stale, May 25 1835; came with her parents 
to Michigan in 1843. July 13, 1857, she married Cor- 
nelius Scott, of London, who was born in New York 
Stale, November 1, 1834. In 1864 he enlisted in the 
18tli Mich. Vol. Inf. ; the latter part of January. 1864, 
enlisted in Co. A, 17th Mich. Vol. Inf., and at "the bat- 
tle ot Spottsy 1 vania Court House was killed and buried 
at that place, May, 1864. Mrs. Scott is the mother of 
four children— three living. Mrs, Scott receives a 
pension. Address, London. 

RICHARD SCOTT, a farmer of London, came to 
Michigan iu 1836 and settled at London. May 9, 
1848, he married Anna Van Schoick, of London. 
Seven children were born to them. In 1879, having 
the western fever, Mr. Scott and familj' of six chil- 
dren went to Raymond, Rice county, Kan., locating 
upon a farm of 160 acres of land, but the droughts 
and insects drove them back to Michigan. Richard 
Scott having poor health his wife manages the farm. 
Address, London. 

BURTON H. SNELL, an active farmer and veterin- 
ary surgeon of London, was born in New York State 
March 8, 1842. August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



33 



Sttli 111. Inf., as private; went loSl. Louis, Mo., going 
into the western army, the regiment being linown iis 
the Fremont Rifles. He was discharged at Chicago 
Sept. 20, 1S(>4. He began the study of medicine after 
liis discbarge, merely for his own benefit. Becoming 
well versed in the study, be was often called upon 
lo prescribe for others. He purchased a farm and 
gave up the practice of medicine. .July Ki, 1.'<().5, he 
married Alice M. Humphrey, of London, who was 
born in New York 8iate in 184.5. Seven children to 
them were born. .Vddress. London. 

MILTOX W. SNELL, farmer, of London, was born 
in Madison county, N. Y., April ."i, 1S44. September 
1H, 1S(!I, he enlisted in Co. I. 37th III Vol. Inf., as 
jirivate; was in the battles of Pea Kidge, Prairie 
(J rove, Blakeley and siege of Vicksburg; was mustered 
out Feb. 28, 18(i4, and re-enlisled, serving until May 
l.">. IHlili. In the f.dl of lS(j(j he came to .Michigan. 
August 22, IHTl, he married Amanda E. Simonds, who 
was born in New York State in 1S41. Three children 
have been born to them. Mr. Snell is a member of 
William Bell Post, No. 10, G. A. H., of Dundee. 

ABNER S.VIITH, an active farmer of London, 
Mich., was born Oct. 2."(, 1824, in Erie county, Ohio. 
His early life was spen*. at home with his parents, re- 
ceiving what advantages he could in (dncation at dis- 
trict schools. When 21 years old he left home to do 
for himself, working upon a farm until 18."i0, when, 
with a company from Indiana, be started for Califor- 
nia by overland route, makine the trip in about five 
months They went directly to the gold mines, buy- 
ing a claitu. He remained in California until the 
svmmier of 18.V2, when he relumed to Oxford, Erie 
county, Ohio, going home to look after the interests of 
the farm. October 24. 18.-.a, Mr. Smith married Ellen 
O'Leary, of Oxford. Ohio. Mr. f mith remained on 
his father's farm until September, is.").";. He then pur- 
cbasei! a farm of 30 acres and lived on it until 18S2, 
when he moved to London on a farm of <i8i acres, 
where he now resides. They have nine children, 
eight of whom are living. Mrs. Smith died March 10, 
is7!t, at O.xford, Ohio. 

HIRAM SMITH, a retired farmer of London, 
Mich., was born at Batavia, N. Y., May 11, 1808. His 
early life was spent at home. When be became of age 
he learned the saddler and barnessmaker's trade, 
working at it about three years in Ohio. .lanuary 29, 
is;i4. he married .\my B. Throop, of Michigan. She 
was born al Middlebury, Vt.,.July 8. 1812. She came 
to Michigan with her parents in i.H33. After his mar- 
riage they lived at Milan, Huron county, Ohio, until 
.\u>;u<-l, 1M3.>, when they moved to Michigan, locating 
in York township, Washtenaw county, and engaged 
in farming, living here a >ear and a half; then going lo 
S'ilin'-, engaging in saddle and barillas manufactur- 
ing. After three j-ears he moved lo Lon<lon upon a 
farm of 215 acie.s, living there 40 years, and then sold 
it to his son and son-in-law. and built upon the farm 
he now owns of 85 acres. Seven children have been 
burn to Mr. and Mrs. Smith : Sarah, Mary, Horatio, 
Sabrina L.. Phoebe. Eliza .Ian(^ and Alzina C; all are 
living with tlie exception of Mary, who died Aug. 7, 
ls,04,ai!d Piioebe, <lied March 4, 1M7.5. 

HIRAM H. SMITH, of London, enlisted Aug. 22, 
I8(jl. as setgeanl in Co. D, "lb Mich. Vol. Inf.; was 
promoted to 1st sergeant Nov. I, 1861 ; was taken sick 
and moved to Craney Island hospital .luly. 1S(>2; was 
discharged Sept. 28, lH(i2, on surgeon's certificate of 
disability. He re-enlisted Sept 24, 18l>4, iu Co. G, 8th 
Mich. Vol. Inf., as private; was promoted lo corporal 
for bravery and meritorious conduct at the capture of 
Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865: was discharged by 
special ouler .luiie 1, 186"). 

JEROME WILLIAM SMITH was Iwrn in London 
January I'J, 1845. May 3, 1869, he married Rebecca 
Wirth. of London, who was born in Pennsylvania 
January (i, 1845. Seven children were born to them. 



Mr. Smith purchased his present firm of SO acres of 
land in 1871. Address. London. 

EZRA S. STEPHENS, a farmer of London, was 
bom in Richfield, N. Y., November 30, \KiO. In 1854 
be married .Maria S. Carnev, of Erie county, N. Y. 
Worked at his trade, that o( shoemaker, until 18(14, 
when he came lo Michigan, locating at London upon 
a farm of 20 acres. Seven children were born iDlbeni. 
Mrs. Stephens was born Sept. 13, 1830. .Mr. Stephens 
baa been employed by the General Collection Agency, 
Address, London. 

HARRY S. STEPHENS, a farmer of London, was 
born in New York Stale July 15, 18(12. His parents 
came to Michigan when he was 10 years old. When 
he was 13 be began work for himself in the town of 
London. In 1882 he returned to New York Stale. 
August 13, 1884, he married Mav Hudson, of Ellon, 
N. Y. ; she was born Sept. 20," 1862. October 20, 
1886, he relumed to London township, Michigan, and 
purcha.sed a farm. 

HIRAM A. STEVENS was horn March 22. 1k57, 
at Wales, Erie county, N. Y. He came with his par- 
ents to Michigan in 1875, locating at London. He 
learned the carpenter and joiners' trade; also worked 
al general mechanical business. In 1882 he engaged 
iu the carpenter business with P, L. Allen, of Milan, 
a year after in brick works. In April, 1887, Ik; began 
farming at London. He married Feb. 23, 1881, In'ua 
Clymer, who was born Sept. 5, 18(15, at Leslie, Mich. 
Mr. Stevens works, at his trade in connection with 
farroimr. 

NATHAN STUART, a retired farmer of London, 
Mich., was born in Washington county, Kingsbury 
township, N. Y., April 2, lsil8. He remained al home 
until his I4th year, and l>egan working out on a farm. 
In September, 1S35, be came to London and secutcd 
work with Mr. John Spaulding, remaining with him 
two years. He then bought a farm of Jlr. Spauliling 
for |400. October 24, ls44, Mr. Stuart married Rose- 
line Butler, of Monroe, Mich.: she was born in New 
York Eitale in 1822. Three chiMren were born to 
Iben. : Alonzo, Henry L., and Volney. Alonzo en- 
listed Aug. 11, 1861, in Co. I, lllh Mich. Inf. In the 
fall of 1802 he was taken sick with pneumonia at 
Nashville, Tenn.. his father going after him; he died 
al home Jan. 7, 18(i3. Mrs. Stuarl died Muy 19, 18.50, 
aged 2f< years. Mr. Stuart married for hiBse<'ond wife 
Elizabeth M. Shaw, who was born in Bellville, Mich., 
Jan. 29, 1829. No children were born lo then. Mrs. 
ElizatX'th Stuart died May 30, 1852. He then married 
for his third wife Rachel J. Young. York, Mich., Oct. 
22, 18.54; she was born Dec. 11, 18:10, .at Mendon. N.Y. 
By this marriage einbt children were i)orn : Giorse E., 
born August 28, 1855; Mary, Decemlx'r 16. ^8.56; 
Nathan A., April 19, 1858; Inez, July 22, 1861 ; Alia C, 
January SO, 1864; Lucv J., January 12. 1866: Alesia, 
May 20, 18GH, and Julia, October 11, 1S70. They are 
all living except Julia, who died December '.I, 1871. 
Since Mr. Stuart's 21st year he h:is been in public ser- 
vice almost constantly. Al present he is justice ol the 
peace, having held the oflice for 14 years; has also 
been coroner of Monroe county for two terras, super- 
visor and treasurer's clerk. 

NATHAN A. STIART. carpenter and joiner, of 
London, Wiis born April 19, 185s. Jan. 17, 1S87. he 
niarriel Ilattie J. Gannett, of New York Slat". She 
was born Sept. 20, 1869. Mr. Stuart gives bis entire 
altenlion to contract work. 

CHARI.ES W. TEALL, an active farmer of Lon- 
don, was born al Erie, Monroe county, Mich., Feb. 
22, 1H43 In 1863 purcha.'-ed 80 acres r)f land wlnrche 
resides. May 25, I8ii2, he enlisted in Co. I), 86lh Ohio 
Vol. Inf., as private. February, I.HIU, he hired nut to 
the government as nighl-walcli, at Nasliville, I'ean. 
March 21, lHti4, he enlisted in 6th .Mich. H. .Vrt.. in 
Co, C. Was <li.scharged Aug 30, 1865, by general or- 
der. March 10, I86(i. he married Cornelia Overacker, 
of Loudon, born Oct. 27, 1847. Eight children were 



34 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



born to tUem. Mr. Teall owns 120 acres of land. 
Address, London. 

WILLIAM H. TERRELL, a farmer of London, 
Mich., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May l."i, 18-13. 
His parents came to Michigan in 1856, making 
Adrian their liome. William began the trade of his 
father, that of shoemaker. At the breaking out of tiie 
war he enlisted, in lS(i3, in Co. E, isth Mich. Vol. Inf., 
as private. He was taken prisoner and sent to Charles- 
Ion, Tenn., but was soon discharged. He returned to 
his regiment and remained until final discharge. He 
contracted disease while in the army, and has never 
been in good health since, and lives in hopes of re- 
ceiving a pension, as he has applied for it. After his 
discbarge he went to Tompkins Centre, Jackson 
county, Mich., living there until 18T5. when he re- 
turned to Adrian, and Dec. 25, 1875, married Louisa 
Reynolds, of Adrian. She was born in Sherman, 
Ohio, April 23, 1842. She came to Michigan when 
about six years old, and has since resided in the 
Slate. He moved from one place to another until at 
last he settled in London, in 1^86, purchasing 80 acres 
of land. To Mr. and Mrs. Terrell four children li:ive 
been born: William Henry, Warren E., Wesley and 
Ruth. 

PHILIP TITUS, a retired black smith and farmer, 
was born in Wheeling, W. Va., Feb. 23, 1804. He began 
his trade with his father when eight years old, his 
people then living in Ohio. He lived at home un- 
til 21, caring for his mother, his father having died. 
In 1826 he married Louisa Oxiey, of Brown county, 
Ohio. She was born in Virginia in 1802. By this 
marriage one child, a son, was born to them, who only 
lived 11 months. Louisa Titus died in 1831. In 1842 
Mr. Titus married Catherine Sulby, of Medina count}', 
Ohio. She was born in Richmond, Va., in 1820. In 
1845 Philip and his faniilj' started for Monroe, work- 
mg there six mouths at his trade. He then went to 
Raisinville, remaining there three years. In 1850 he 
moved upon his farm, erecting a tavern and keeping 
the same; also was appointed gate-keeper of the 
Satune and Monroe Plank Road Co. They never had 
any children of their own, but adopted a girl, now 
Mrs. Loyal .Jones. Mrs. Titus died Sept. 13, 1885, 
aged 65 years. 

ALFRED TOLER, farmer, of London, was born at 
East Milan, May 18, 1857. His parents came from the 
East to Michigan in 1837. At is years Alfred learned 
the carpenter and joiner's trade. Married, July 3, 
1879, Ella E. Bonney, who was born in Eaton county, 
Oct 31.1863. After their marriage, moved to D.ikoia 
and Arkansas. In 1886 moved his family to London, 
Mich., upon a farm of 40 acres of land. Four children 
were born to them. Address, London. 

SOLO.MON TRAVIS, fanner and builder, was 
born at Cool Spring, Pa., May 22, 1852. His parents 
were German. Settled in Canada in 18CS. Solomon 
left home, and in 1884 came to London. He is un- 
married, his sister being his housekeeper. He leases 
part of his properly, and most of his time is devoted 
to fence building. 

WILLIAM D. TUTTLE, a farmer of London, was 
born June 30, 1823. Married Permelia P. Horton, 
Feb. 6, 1850. She was born at Campbell, N. Y., Dec. 
9, 1829. In 1855 they came to Superior, Mich. In 
1878 they kept a hotel at Midland City, remaining one 
year, when they came to London, purchasing 77 acres 
of land. They have no children of their own, but 
have three adopted, two boys and a girl. 

MRS. E.MMA J. VAXDERLIP was born in London, 
Oct. 22, 1842. Married, Jan. 10, 1864, Augustine 
McLaughlin, of Petersburgh. He enlisted, December, 
1863, in Co. D, 6th Mich. H. Art.; discharged in 1865. 
He died June 6, 1873. Two children were born to 
them. Dec. 23, 1877, .she married Charles S. Vander- 
lip, of Detroit. In 1885 they came to London. No 



children by the union. Mr. Vanderlip is in the lurn* 
ber business, and his wife attends to the farm. 

RICHARD P. WANLY, farmer, of London, was 
born in England, Nov. 10, 1825. When 14 year.s of 
age he left home to learn the bricklayer's trade. In 
1847 married Eliznbeth Swinn, who was born in Eng- 
land, Nov. 28, 1820. In 1827, with his wife and lam- 
ily of seven children he came to Ameiica, locating 
in Washtenaw county, Mich. In 1887, purchased a 
farm at London, of .58 acres. To them 15 children 
have been born. Address, London. 

JAMES WATLING, a farmer of Oakville. Mich., 
was born in England, April 28, 1830. In 1836 came 
to America with his parents. In 18.59 he came to 
London township, Mich. During the same j'ear he 
married Mary E. Gillett. of Ohio, who was born at 
Bloomfield, Ohio. May 16. 1830. Two children were 
born to them, Alice and Elva, both deceased. Ad- 
dress, Oakville, London township, Michigan. 

JOHN WHEATON, Jr.. a retired carpenter and 
joiner of London, was born in Burlington, Otsego 
county, N, Y., April 15, 1808. His parents were of 
American birth. John jr. lived at home on a farm 
until he wa? 21 j'ears old. He then learned the car- 
penter and joiner's trade, and being a natural me- 
chanic, soon mastered his trade. During the winter 
he worked at the shoemaker's trade. June 19, 1831, 
he married Eliza Miller Ball, of Eseter, Otsego 
county, N. Y , who was born in Exeter. N. Y , Feb. 
10, 1809. In the year 1852 he moved to Oakville, 
where he has since resided. They have ten children: 
Eliza M., born April 14, 18.32; Sarah Electa, born 
Feb. 15, 1834; Esther M., born Feb. 13, 1836; Eveline 
.M., born April 22, 1838; Emiline M , born June 8, 
1840; John M., May 20, 1842; William Penn, Sept. 
30, 1844: Mary L., Aug. 30, 1846; Albert M., July 23, 
1850; Melva J., Jan. 9, 18.52. John, a son of Mr. 
Wheaton, enlisted Sept. 20, 1861, in Co. K, 1st Mich. 
Cav. (Broadhead's Regiment). He whs captured at the 
battle of Cedar Mountain and was confined in Lihby 
prison seven weeks. He had two horses shot from 
under him, and carries the marks of war to-day upon 
his person. 

LEVI WHITE was born in Potter county. Penn., 
March 2. 1830. When 14 years of age learned the ma- 
chinist trade; also, carpenter and joiner. Enlisted 
August 23, 1861, in Co. I, 11th Mich. Vol. Inf., as a 
private. Was wounded December 28, 1862, and sent 
to hospital at Nashville, remauiing three months; was 
di-charged May 13. J8r>3. Married May 30, 1852, 
Nancy J. Greene, of Alfred Centre, N. Y., who was 
born "August 24, 1827. In 1860 came to Michigan, 
locating at London. One child was born to them: 
Amanda G., born February 4, 18.54. Mr. White is a 
member of Dundee Lodge, No. 472, F. & A. M. Held 
ofiices of justice of the peace, highway commissioner 
and drain commissioner. Address. London. 

OSCAR WILKINS. of London, was born .at Bloom- 
field, Ontario county, N. Y., April 18, 1817. April 8, 
1840, married Amelia M. Pasko, of Chautauqua county, 
N. Y., who was born in Ira township, N. Y., Septem- 
ber 4, 1831. Six children were born to them. In 1843 
they came to Michigan, purchased 40 acres of land 
for speculation, sold the farm the following year 
and purchased 160 acres in Summit township. In 
1865 came to London, locating upon the farm where 
they now reside. Asa A., oldest son of Mr. Wilkius, 
enlisted February, 1862, in Co. L, 113lli Reg't Penn, 
Vol. Cav.; was transferred to 12th Penn. Cav.; was 
taken prisoner at battle of Getty.sburg, and died in 
Andersonville prison, March 17, 1864. Address, Lon- 
don. 

ISAAC WILSON was born February 27, 1827, in 
New Y'ork State. In June, 1846, he married Elizabeth 
Viely, of Heartsville, N. Y., who was born at Beek- 
man, N. Y., in 1830. In 1856 Mr. Wilson and family 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



35 



moved to Michigan. .lamiary 27, Ihiu, he enlisUil in 
Gth Mich. Heavy Artillery a.-^'a private. While in Ihc 
service tie was taken sick, and has heen unable to do 
any manual labor since. He was discbarcol at New 
Orlians. August 20. lM(i.-;. and returned to Oakville, 
Mich., where he now resides. To Mr. and Mrs. kViUoii 
four children were born: Ceorge, Emma. Phoebe, and 
William. Mr. Wil.aon is a member of Tavlor Post, 
No. 274, (i. A. U., of Milan, Jlichigan. 

.\IKS. SISAN A. WH.SON, of London, was born 
in Haisinville. March lit, 1S3H. .January 6, ls"i9, mar- 
ried E'astus r. Hawkes, of Otsego. Mich. Six chil- 
dren were born. .July 3, 1H77. she married her second 
husband, Ira Wilson, of New York State. lie was 
born in 1K49. In Is'.'j they moved upon the farm 
where they now reside. A divorce was granted Mrs. 
Wilson from her firsl husband, E. P. Hawkes, in the 
fall of 1M77. with alimony. 

SYLVENDER WOODWARD, an active farmer of 
London, Mich., was born in Orleans county. N. Y., 
June M, 1>^20. He remained at home with his parents, 
Nathaniel and Ruth (.Jackson) Woodward, until his 
thirteenth year, then went to work on a farm. In l>*'i') 
his parents came to what is now known as London 
township. Sylvender the first four years engaged in 
clearing the farm, which consisted of >iO acres He 
then secured work as a carpenter and joiner, and 
worked a portion of the time as a millwright. .June 
10, 1H47, he married Khoda Ann Shaw, of Sellville, 
Mich. She was born .January 11, IS23, at Uochester, 
Mich. Four children have been born to them: Fran- 
cis, born March 21, l^'4x: Ruth, born February 2<>, 
ls.")4; Waller, born September 2. l><i(), and Chester, 
born November 12, IHtil. Chester die<J Aui;u6t 10, 
lsi;.1. .Mrs. Woodward died .September 12, 180-"), On 
February 14, \Hli', Mr. Wowhvard married for his 
second wife, .Martha Ann Wales, of Washtenaw coun- 
ty, Mich. She wa.s ixjrn in New York Stale, ls.S«. 
Four children have been born lo them: Ora, born 
Septembers, 1x72; Don, born May 17, IHl'); Koscoc, 
born May 'ix, ls7'J. They are all living. In the year 
lx4!(, Mr. Woodward removed with his family to the 
farm of his father, and has added lo it, and is now the 
possessor of 2C0 acres. 

WALTER N. WOODWARD, farmer, was born in 
London township, September 2, 18.')6, upon the farm 
settled by his grandfather in lN3<i. He was married 
Kovcmljer 22, IhkJ, with Emtna Alban, of Ypsilaiiti. 
Mich. She was iMirn August 2ti, ls(il. Two children 
were born to them. Mr. Woodward worked upon his 
father's farm, renting it upon shares until 1h84. In 
1X82 he came in possession of the farm he now own-, 
and rented it until ixf<-'), when he came to reside upon 
it himself. 

WILLIA.M .VRTHIR WOOD, of London, was born 
in Milan, Monroe county, Mich., December :50, IhC;. 
His mother died when he was si.\ years old. When 
he was ten years old he- began working out by the 
month and saving his earnings. AV'hen l--) years old he 
■was owner of a team and tools. .June 10, 18Kj, he 
married .Jane Pool, of Milan, Mich. She was born in 
Dundee. .Mtinroe county, Octobers, IKtJl. .\fter his 
marriage they took the llently farm to work for one 
year, and then the Buntz farm; then moved on the 
farm known as the Raber farm, renting it for :i num- 
ber of years. One child has been born to them: Edna, 
bom .January 29, l>«i7. 

9IILA!« TOIJVNSHIP. 

HIRAM ALLEN, one of the oldest citizens of 
Milan, was born m Chittenden county, near Burling- 
ton, Vl., Febiuary 12, 1810. He remained Ihere until 
1832, when be came to Monroe county, settling on a 
farm one mile from Milan village, and has been in (he 
township ever since, engaged in farming and survey- 
ing. Ue was married in 183.j to Clari.sea Andrews, of 



Vermont, who died in I'm. His second wife was 
Laura Shilling, whom he married .March 29, 1842. and 
who died Decmbsr 30, 1h-,2. He again married Octo- 
l)er 9. 1S.53, M.iry S. Taylor, who is still living. His 
children are : Carlos, born April 4, 1h:jO; Horace IL, 
born Oclobcr 21, 1k37; .Jerome, born December 11, 
ls:59; Eugene E, born February (i, !m4.-;. and Elvin 
C. born April 3, 1H49. Mr. Allen w:is a Demo<rit 
until |M.">6, and has since been a Republican. He has 
been supervisor of the township manv v< ars, and in 
lx.56 represented the county in the Slate legislature. 

JEROME ALLE.N was born in Milan in 1x39. His 
parents were fiom V'ermont. Jerome lived at home 
until the breakimr out of the war, when he enlisted in 
Co. K, 1st Mich. Cav., August, I8(fl. Company K was 
broken up and he Wiis transferred to Co O of the same 
regiment. He was engaged in all the actions of the 
regiment, at Gettysburg and theGettysburg campaign; 
was wounded in the slsoulder at Buckland's Mill Oct. 
19, 18«3. Augusr, 1804, he wa-s discharged. He re- 
turned to Milan, attended school one year, and then 
taught scho j|. His fathc-r being a surveyor he engag- 
ed with him, and has followed the businrss more or 
le.ss up lo the present time. He married Delia S. 
Allen, of Milan, in I8ti9. Her parents were from New 
York Stale, and cnme to Michigan in the year 1800. 
Mr. an<i Mrs. Jerome Allen have four children living: 
Cora Uelle, Ella Mabel, Maud Elizi and IJIaiiche Fav. 
Baby Allen, born November 26, 1874, lived l>ut ten 
months. Mr. Allen is at present commissioner of 
highways of Milan. His farm consists of 120 acres. 
Mr. Allen is a member of I^ucius Taylor Post, No. 274, 
and was the first comm:inder. 

MRS. MARY AYLESUttRTH. of Milan, was born 
October 11. IslO, in Sparli, N. Y. She was marrii-d 
to her first husband. Willi im E. M;irvin. May 0, 1h41, 
who WHS at that time engage I in the mercantile business 
in Springwater V'allcy. N, Y. In September, 1844, be 
came to Michigan anil seitled in Milan township, upon 
a farm where he remained seven years, when he sold 
the farm and engaired in mercantile business in Moore- 
ville, Mich. He died April 21, 1809. To tliem five 
children were born. Mrs. .Marvin m irried for her sec- 
ond husband Daniel .Vylesworth, of .Mdan, in 1873. 

CATHERINE WALLING BAKER, born in Yates 
county, N. Y., in 1823. In 18.'>0 she married Charles 
Baker. They moved to Michigan in 18.'i7. locating at 
Macon, Monn^e county, where they engaged in clear- 
ing a farm of so acres. Mr. Baker enlisted in 1x62 in 
the 4th Cav., but was dis<harged as being unable t.) 
perform the duties. Mrs Baker ia the mother of three 
children: ICrnest, Alice and Minnie. 

DAVID BLACKMER, of Milan, was born in Ilamp 
shire county, Mass., October l."i, 1"803. When 1.5year.s 
of age he learned the shoemaker's trade. In ls21 he 
entered into partnership with a hoot and shoe firm at 
Northfi^ld, Franklin county, Ma.ss.. where he remain- 
ed three and one-half years. May 9, 1x20. he married 
Zeviah Parmanter,of Northbormeh Worcester county, 
Mass., whi> wiLS born July 4. ISC';. David lilackmer 
came to Michigan M.iy 2, 18."><;, going lo Ypsihinti. In 
18.>9 he moved to Saline, where he remained until IxTl. 
In 1872 he came to .Milan and engaged in the mercan- 
tile business. Mrs. Blackmer died from the effects of 
a cancer October 13. I x71. Four children were born 
to them. Mr. Blackmer is a member of the Baptist 
church of Milan. In ix,x.", iie purchased a bell for the 
church, whicli cost f I.OOD. 

JOHN BINTZ, of .Mibti. was born August 22, 
1803. He came to Michigan with his parents in 18:J3. 
Mr. Buntz married the widow of Dr. Isaac Hurd, Feb- 
ruary 3, Ix.'iO. Dr. Ilurd ilicd at Milan village in 1844, 
leaving the care of five children to his widow: Maria, 
born IS30; tJeorge, 183X: Andrew, 1X40: Hannah, 
1842, and Mary Ann; 1x44. Mr. and Mrs. Buntz 
move<l from their farm in London township to Milan 
in 188:5. 



36 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



JOB BURNAP, a retired farmer of Milan, was born 
at Charleston, Moutgomery county, N. Y., November 
0, 1816. Mr. Burnap was married three times; mar- 
ried bis first wife when 23 yeais of age, and settled in 
Chenango, N. Y. Three rears later was elected post- 
master under William Henry Harrison, for German, 
N. Y. In 1849 he married his second wife, Olive 
Spencer, of Cherry Valley, Otsego county, N. Y. By 
this mnrriage ten children were born. January 10, 
1804, Olive, liis second wife, died at the age of 43. He 
married for his third wife. Mrs. Rebecca Johnson, 
February 18, IsCi, of Ash, Monroe county, Mich., who 
died in 1880^ at the age of 59. He was again married 
January 35, 1881, with Mrs. Mary A. Gilmore, of Graf- 
ton, Mich., where they remained until 1885, when they 
moved to Milan, where they own a farm of 240 acres. 
Mr. Bitmap has held many offices of trust. Is always 
ready to aiil the needy. 

FRANKLIN CAMPBELL, a farmer of Milan, was 
born October 2, 1854. His parents came to Milan in 
1851. He married February 11, 1878, Ellen Dunlap, 
of LaSalle. Tliree children were born to them : Edgar 
F. Campbell, born July 18, 1879; Alice M., born Jan- 
uary 10, 1883, and Harry J., born Novembers, 1K80. 
Address, Milan, Michigan. 

SAMUEL CAMPBELL was born March 25, 1831, in 
Orleans county, N. Y. ; came to Michigan in 1831. 
Married Liddie Oles, of Allegany county, N. Y. Seven 
children were born to them: FrankUn. born October 
2, 1854; Charles, born February 7, 1857; Annie E. 
born August 20, 1800, died April 7, 1803; Albert ami 
Alfred (twins), born September 15, 1860; Minor born 
March 7, 1868, and Peter, born October 27, 1873. Ad- 
dress, Milan, Michigan. 

THOMAS CARRUTH, of Milan, was born at Marl- 
borough, Mass., in 1849, His parents died when he 
was very young. When 14 years of age learned the 
blacksmith trade, and soon after shipped as cabin-boy 
on a vessel bound for Liverpool, remaming in England 
four years. In 1808 he returned to America. In 1883 
he came to Michigan and began blacksmilhing. and 
the past two years has been engaged in the stave busi- 
ness. Address, Milan, Michigan. 

DANIEL CASE, a farmer of Milan, was born in 
London township, July 1, 1830. His father. Barnard 
Case, came to Monroe countv in 1832, and was a sur 
veyor by profession. He died in 1855. Daniel Case 
settled in Milan township in 1873. He enlisted August 
24, 1801, in Co. I, 11th Mich. Inf., and was mustered 
out September 13, 1864, serving with his regiment in 
all its hard-fought battles. He was married Novem- 
ber 7, 1808, to Catl-.eiine C. Dean, also a native of 
Monroe county. Their one child. Clara A., was born 
August 5, 1872. 

JOHN CHASE, of Milan, was born at Mt. Morri.s 
N. Y., Feb. 24, 1817. His father died when John was 
ten years old, when his mother moved to Monroe- 
ville, Ohio. In 1S36 he came to Monroe county- 
worked in the Waterloo saw mill, and in 1840 went in 
busmess for himself. In 1844 he married Emily Jane 
Miller, of Monroe. April, 1848, he purchased a farm 
in Milan, on section 23, of 80 acres. In 18,50 he pur- 
chased one-half interest in the Brookmcr mill at 
RaisinviUe, and before 1851 had purchased the entire 
mill. Aprd 5, 1853, his wife died; for his second 
wife lie married Susan Sherman, Aug. 15 1853 who 
was born July 23, 1832, at Edmeston, N. Y. Mr 
Chase sold his interest at RaisinviUe, and purchased 
a null at Milan, where he continued in the business 
until 1881. Since then has followed farminsr Mr 
Chase has seven children, three by his first wife 
Alma Savira, born Nov. 10, 1840, died Oct. 15 1800- 
George Il.botn Sept. 4, 1849, now resident of Nebraska! 
oo\m F, born Aug. 27, 1851, noiv resident of Om .ha 
Vj-'^'i"".'',^^ '^^ second, Emely Jane, born June 23, 
18o4, died May 18, 1800; Edward K.,born May 1 1,S56 
now resident of Milan; Edgar Frank, born May 2' 



1858, now resident of Dexter; Anna Belli', born ,Ian. 
18, 1873, now resident of Milan. Address, Milan. 

PETER COMPEAU, of Mil .n, was born Aug. 1, 
1837, at Bedford, Monroe county. His parents were 
born at Detroit. His father died wlien Peter was five 
years of age, and at the age of ten he was an orphan. 
When 14 years old he began life as a fisherman and a 
sailor on Lake Erie. August, 1864, he enlisted in 
Co. A, 18lh Mich. Inf.; was di charged July, 1865. 
He returned to Monroe county and learned the liarness- 
roaker's trade Feb. 22, 1&70, he married Mary De 
Sherler, of Bedford, Mich. One child was born to 
them, Alida, Nov. 26. 1870. Mr Compeau is a mem- 
ber of Taylor Post, No. 274, G. A. R , of Milan. 

MRS. EVELINE DAHM, of East Milan, Mich, was 
born in Wayne county, Mich., in 1850. and has always 
lived there up to 1875, when she, with her husbind, 
Peter (Dahm) moved to Milan, Monroe county. Mr. 
Dahm was a blacksmith, and always worked at his 
trade. He enlisted at the commencement of the 
Rebellion, in Co. C. 9th Mich. Cav. Six children 
were born to them, two of whom are now living, 
Benjamin F. and Alma. Mr. Dahm died May 4, 1885. 
MRS. ANN J. DAVIS, of Milan, was ' born in 
Orleans county, New York, in 1830. Her parents, 
Isaac P. and Esther (Clark) Horton, were residents of 
New York State, and in 1835 they moved to Moore- 
ville, Mich , where Mr. Horton had a saw mill. He 
died September 29, 1869; his wife March 27, 188-3. 
Ann J. HortOD married Cyrus A. Davi-i, April 9, 1857. 
He was born in New York State, September 26, 1827. 
He moved with his parents in 1838 to York, Mich. 
He was a carpenter and joiner, and worked at his 
trade until his death. He died January 28, 1882. 

JOSIAH P. DEXTER, of Milan, was born July 21, 
1853,at York, Mich. At 18 years of ageheleft home and 
began engineering. In 1883 he opened a blacksmith 
shop with U. Steffy for a partner. November 1, 1875, 
he married Rlioda R. Throop, of York, Mich., who 
was born Augu t 31, 1857. Thiee children were born 
to them, Louisa, Edwin and Amy. In 1887 he was 
made constable of Milan. Addrcssj .Milan, Mich. 

ELBERT W. DRURY, of Milan, was born Oct. 26, 
1828, in Madison county, N. Y. He learned the car- 
penter's trade of his father. In 1846 he moved to 
Wood county, Ohio, where he vvorked at his trade. 
He lived at Toledo, Ohio, 14 years, and from there he 
moved to Monroe county, Mich. He married Chalists 
Peck, March 0, 18.50. Three children were born to 
them. In 1865 Mr. Drury enlisted in Co. I, 55th Ohio 
Inf. He was discharged Dec. 23, 1865. He is a mem- 
ber of the Taylor Post, G. A. R., of Milan. 

NORMAN M. ENfJLE, a famer of Milan township, 
was born 111 York, Washtenaw county. April 15, 1835. 
His father, Tho.s. L , was born in Steuben county, N.Y., 
in 1789, and died in 1843. He came to Monroe, Mich., 
in 1832, and purchased of government one-fourih of 
section 15 in Milan township, upon a portion of which 
Norman now resides. The latter was married in 18.59 
to Anne Knowles. Their children are Thomas, Miola 
and Elizabeth. Mr. Engle enlisted in the Union army 
in 1804; served about ten months, and participated in 
three engagements. 

CHARLES FOURNIA, of Milan, was born at De- 
troit in 1839. His parents were born in Canada, and 
came to Michigan in 1820. In the fall of 1800 Charles 
purchased a farm of 40 acres in RaisinviUe. In 1861 
he enlisted in Co. D, 7th Mich. Inf., under Capt. 
Darr. Was in the following battles: Fair Oaks, Sav- 
age Station, White Oak Swamp, Midvern Hill and 2d 
Bull Run. He was wounded Sept. 17, 1863, and was 
discharged Oct. 27, 1803, on account of wounds re- 
ceived. He returned to Monroe and canvassed for 
sewing machines until Feb. 23, 1864, when he en- 
listed in the 6tli Mich. II. Art , and was sent to Port 
Hudson, Miss. He did garrison duty until 1865, when 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



37 



hi' was muslereii out by General Orcler No. 19, at New 
Orleans. March 17, 1864, he married Amy Sherman, 
who was horn at Milan in 1842, and died in Sept( mber, 
1871). leavint; two children. He married for his sec- 
ond wife Mary K. Calhoun, of London, who was born 
in Ohio in 1847. Two chililren were born to them. 
Mr. Fournia has been engaged in several occupalions. 
In \f>*4 he purchased his present farm aud dairy, lie 
is a first-class mechanic and machinist. 

SIMEON A. FRINK was born in Monroe county 
in 1853. Married Catherine Bruckner in 187.') She 
was tiorn in New York State in 185.'). Four children 
were burn to Ihem : Stephen, age 11 years, EIner E. 
8 years, Lizzie N., 6 years, and Edna M, 3 years. Mr. 
Frink owns a tine farm of 80 acres in Milan. 

STEPHEN FHINK, of East Milan, was born in 
Baih lowiiship, Steuben county, N. V., in 1S2I. He 
came to Michigan in 18:!7 and lueated on the farm he 
now owns, on section 20, .Milan township. In 1S42 he 
man led Miss Sallie M. Holcomb; she was born in 
Stall'ord, Orleans county, N. Y., in 182:J. They had 
four children. Miles, their son, enlisted in U. S. A., 
in 1862, as private; was promoted to corporal, and 
was killed by the explosion of Ihe steamboat "Sul- 
tana," in 1865. He was at the lime on his way home, 
as an exchanged prisoner of w.ar. He was captured at 
Athens while charging the fort at said place" He re- 
enlisted in Co. H, 121 h Mich. Vol. Inf. Two of their 
children died from disease, and they have one son, 
Simeon Frink, living. 

.SIMON H. GAY. of Milan, was born in Herkimer 
county, N. Y., in 1832. His parents came to Michi 
gan in 183.-1. locating on a farm in LaSalle. In ls"5 
Simon married Susan M. llarwood, of Saline, Mich. 
In 18.j8 he moved to Milan, and opened a blacksmith 
shop. In 18()4 he opened a general supply store. Mr. 
Gay owns considerable land around .Milan, which is 
known as " Gay's Addition." Three sons were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Gay: William, CharUs and Edward. 
Mr. Gay has been postmaster at Milan, and in ls72 was 
appointed juslicc of the peace, which otlice he held 
four years. 

MRS. POLLY GREENFIELD, of East Milan, was 
born in New York State in 1825; was married in 1814, 
and came to Ohio in 1845. In 18.52 came to Michigan. 
In 1876 settled in Monroe county. Mrs. Greenfield is 
the mother of ten children, si.v living: Albert H., 
Calvin, Amanda, Emma, Orville D. aud .John, 'i'he 
deceased are LaFayelte, Lucy A., Sylvia and Daviil. 
David was born in 1845, and enlisted in 1H64 in Co. H, 
8th Mich. Cav. , under General Hood. Was taken 
sick with measles and died in Tennessee, May 20, 
1865. 

BETIU'EL HACK, who died in l!s72, was born in 
Greenwich, Mass., July 17, 1796, and came to Milan in 
1832. and settled on a farm, where he remained until 
his death. He was married to Sallie Payne in 1S26. 
who still survives him. Their children are: Emeline, 
bom August 3, 1829, died in infancy; Sarah Adahne 
born September 27, 1834, wife of William Oslrander; 
William II. Hack, born July 2, 1837, who resides in 
Milan, and James B., born August 7, 1845, who died 
in the Union service, March 24, 1862. Mr. Hack was 
a justice of the peace and an influential citizen of 
Milan. 

MAVEL G. HAIGHT, farmer of London township, 
was born at Casanovia, N. Y., in 1811. and is a car- 
penter by trade, in 1833 he came to Washtenaw 
county, Mich., and three years after stttlcd in London, 
where he has remained ever since. He s rved as n 
musician in the Toledo war. He was niariied in 1^32 
toC\nlhia Orcult, who died in 1849. He aflerw;irds 
married Roxanna Drcwey, who died in 18H1. They 
have had four children. He is a Republican in poli- 
tics. 

LEWIS HALL, of Milan, was born February 18, 
1854, iu the town of York, Washtenaw county. His 



parents, Aaron and .lane Hall, were natives of Michi- 
gan, being among the people who were born prior to 
1^30. Aaron Hall enlisted during the war of the Rubel- 
lum in Co E, 18th Mich. Vol. Inf., in 1862, remain- 
ing in the service two years and ten months. He was 
captured at the bailie of Stone River, and wjis held 
prisoner for four months. He died at Palmyra, Mich., 
October 21. 1876. Lewis left home when 13 years old 
to do for himself, working on a farm three years, and 
then he secured work on the L. S. & M. S. railroad, 
working for them four years. In March, IHSl, he be- 
came an employee of the Wabash & Si. Louis railroad. 
Mr. Hali married Julia .Mills, of Ogden, .Mich., March 
21, 1879. His wife lived but a few months after her 
marriage. Died December 9, ls79, :iwl 17 years. In 
December, 1861, Mr Hall again married, Alma Fields, 
of Rai>iiiville, Monroe couiilv. Three children have 
been horn to them: K'la. who died when 15 months 
old; Ellsworth and Frank. 

MRS. ABIGAIL HANSON, of Milan, was born at 
Saratoga Springs, N. Y., July 23, 1824. Her father, 
Mr. Lawrence, came to Michigan in 1838, settled on a 
farm in Jackson county, Mich. Mrs. Hanson was 
married to Geo. M. Hanson, of York, Washtenaw 
county, .Alich., October 1.5, 1843. Eight years after 
he removed to Milan, where he purchased a share in 
a saw and grist mill. After a few years he sold his 
share in this mill and purcha.sed the Toland mill, and 
after three years sold out and went to Jackson to live. 
In 1867 they returned to Milan, where they have since 
lesided. .Mr. Hanson was born in lsr,> in the Slate of 
Maine. Mrs. Hanson is the mother of five children. 
Herbert A. Taylor, a grandson, enlisted in the army 
July 21, 1S62, at the age of 16 years. He is a member 
I,ucius Taylor Post, No. 274, and is the youngest sol- 
dier belonging to any Post in Monroe county. 

ALBERT S. II. ilAYDEN was born November 0, 
1K58, at Tecumseh, Mich. His parents located at 
Tecumseh in 1857; his father being proprietor of the 
Globe Flour .Mills at that place. Albert attended 
DeVeau.v College at Niagara Falls, N. Y., from which 
he graduated in 1876. On his return home he entered 
the mill with his father, but was obliged to give it up 
on account of ill health. January 6, 18M1, he married 
Eva Lacy Tiimble, of Tecumseh. During 18.^1 Mr. 
Haydeu attended lo the shipping department at the 
Globe Mills. In Is.s2 he came to Milan, aud erected 
the sl;ive and heading works of which he is manager. 
Mr. Hayden is a Mason, having taken his :i2d degree. 
He has b(en a prime mover in many improvements 
which Milan people now enjoy. 

DANIEL WASHINGTON HUNTER was born 
February 22, 1^32. Daniil remained at home until 21 
years of age. He learned his father's trade, that of 
carpenter and joiner. He went to Cleveland, where 
he worked at his trade four years, when he went to 
Kelley's Island, where he was employed by the 
United Slates Government to survey the islands of 
Lake Erie. .Mr. Hunter was twice married. His first 
wife was Elizabeth Taylor. To lliem four children 
were horn. His second wife, Eva Fisher, was born at 
Maumee, Ohio, in 1S3S. aud was nmiTied JIarch 6, 
l.HSl. In ISST Mr. Hunter came to Milan, and is a 
member of the M. E. church of that village. 

ANDREW D. JACKSON was horn in Ontario 
county, N. Y., July 16, ls41. He enlisted in Co. G, 
Olh .Mich. Cav., as private, going direct to Washing- 
ton, D. C ; was in the battles of (Jetlysburg, Hanover, 
Vr'illiamsport, Boonsborough, Brandy Station imd 
othirs; was l;iken prisoner .September 16, l.S(i3; ujis iu 
Libby iirison thiee days; was ilischarged in March, 
lH65,when they dismounted and rejoined Ihe command 
afli r the surrender at Petersburg; was finally dis- 
charged at Jackson, Mich., in December, 1865." No- 
vember IS, 1S68, he married Frances .\. Richards, of 
York; hive no children of their own; have an adopted 
son; moved to Milan village where he resided in 1884; 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



has been town clerk of York township, and at present 
assessor ol Milan. He is a member of I,ucius Taylor 
Post, No. 374; also justice of the peace for four years 
at York. 

UIRAM .TACOBS, of Milan, was born at Raisinville, 
Monroe county, March 19,1835. At the age of 16 he left 
home to learn the blacksmith's trade. He married 
Eliza C'hikls, of Milan. To them eight children were 
born, five of whom are living. Mr. .facobs enlisted in 
Co. I, l.")lh Mich. Inf., as a private. On April 6, 1802, 
he was wounded and was discharged in July on 
account of injuries received. He lived upon a farm of 
40 acres until 1882, when he sold it and came to 
Milan. He is a member of Taylor Post, No. 274, 
G. A. R., of Milan. 

MRS. MARY' .lONE.S was born in Niagara county. 
New York, in 1834. She followed hou.sekeeping until 
,Iune 11, 18.59, when she was married to Rev. Henry 
Jones, of Monroe county, Mich. Rev. Jones was a 
Free Methodist. Henry came with his parents to 
Monroe county when a lad. He was in Ohio one year, 
but most of Ills lime was spent in Michigan. He died 
April 1, 1874, aged 43, at Ida, Michigan. Four chil- 
dren were born to them, the oldest being but ten years 
at the time of Rev Jones' death. In 1879 Mrs. Jones 
moved to East Milan, remaining here until 1884, when 
she came to Milan Village. She had three brothers 
in the late Rebellion, Schuyler McFall, a member of 
17th ]\Iich. Inf., who was wounded, but returned, and 
is living in Augusta, Mich.; Daniel McFall was injured 
and receives a pension. Harrison McFall, also of the 
same regiment, was captured and supposed to have 
starved to death in Andersonville prison. 

ELI II. KINEAR, of Milan, was born at Lima, 
New Yovk, Feb. 37, 1827. He left home at the age 
of 11 years, working upon a farm, and in 1853 came 
to Michigan, locating at Milan. August 17, 1863, he 
enlisted in Co. C, 5th Mich. Cav., under General 
Custei', until General Custer was promoted, was then 
under General Staggs. He was mustered out July 3, 
1865, and returned to Milan and commenced farming; 
married July 3, 1851, Rosetta Chamberlin, of New 
Y^ork State. To them four children were born. He 
is a member of Taylor Post, No. 374, G. A. R. of 
Milan. His farm consists of 100 acres. 

EDGAR F. KNICKERBOCKER, merchant tailor, 
of Milan, was born in York, Mich., July 13, 1862. 
His father was born in New Y'ork vState in 1832, and 
is of the old Knickerbocker family. Edgar attended 
school at what was then called the Old Town Line 
school house; he then came to Milan, attended the 
Union school for three years, when he began teaching 
at PiltsfieUl Junction. August 30, 1883, he married 
Minnie M. Harper, of Milan. One child, Edgar 
Harper, was born Oct. 20, 1884. Mr. Knickerbocker 
was appointed principal of the first ward school at 
Cadillac, Mich., in 1883. He taught until healih 
failed, and then entered gents' furnishing store at 
Milan. In 1887 he opened a store of his own, the 
exclusive one of the kind in Milan. 

MRS. MARY KNITTLE, of East Milan, was born 
at Baltimore, Md., in 1850. Ht-r parents came to 
Michigan in 1865, and located at Blue Bush, Monroe 
county. Mrs. Knittle's maiden name was Haag; she 
married Louie Knittle in 1863. at Monroe City, Mich. 
They came to East Milan, where Mr. Knittle worked 
at the blacksmith trade. In 1885 he died of Bright's 
disease. 

PATRICK KNOWLES, a farmer of Milan, wos 
born in Queen's county, Ireland, September 39, 1803. 
He attended school until III years of age. September 
29, 1836, he married Bridget Doherty, of Queen's 
county, Ireland. In 1830 they came to America, and 
worked U]-on a farm in New York State. In 1838 
came to Michigan, locating upon a farm in Monroe 
county, Mich. In 1856 he carried the mail for two 



and a half years tri- weekly, between Monroe and Ann 
Arbor, Mich. In 1875 he purchased the place in 
Milan. Eleven children were born to them, four 
living. Thomas, a son of Patrick, enlisted in Oct., 
1861, in Co. K, 3d Mich. Cav. He was discharged 
as corporal, Jan. 19, 1804; re-enlisted same day in Co. 
G, 3d Michigan Cav., and was discharged Feb. 12, 
1866. 

THOMAS LACY, of Milan, was born Feb. 1, 1817, 
in Monroe county, N. J. When 17 years of age he 
learned the carriage trade, and in 1839 commenced 
the manufacture of carriages at Jersey City. As busi- 
ness increased he was obliged to take a partner, and 
the firm Hutton & Lacy continued business until 1873, 
when Mr. Lncy sold out his interest, and moved to 
Tecumseh, Mich., where he resided on a farm for 
seven years, when he came to Milan and opened a sup- 
ply store, which he sold after three years, and has now 
retired from active life. December, 1839, he married 
Anna Kilpalrick, of Eliziibelh, N.J. Eight childriu 
were born to them. In 1863 Mrs Lacy died. Mr. 
Lacy married for his second wife Mr.". Elizahelh 
Trimble, of Ohio, whose family cocsistcd of two 
children. One child was born to Ihcni, Thomas 
T., jr., July, 1866, who is now a photographer, at 
Milan. 

BENJAMIN W. LAMKIN was born at Raisinville, 
Monroe county, Mich., Dec. 10, 1836. His parents 
were eastern people, and came to Michigan while it 
was still a wilderness. April, 1861, he married Eunice 
Johnson, of Raisinville She was born in New York 
State, Dec. 1, 1836. Her parents came to Michiuan in 
1853 or '54. To Mr. and Mrs. Limkiu eight children 
were born, four of whom are living. In 1887 Mr. 
Lamkin built a foundry and blacksmith shop, a long- 
felt want in Milan, this being the only complete works 
in that section. 

MRS. CHARLOTTE E. LAMKIN, of Milan, was 
born in Otsego county, N. Y., Oct. 13, 1833. Her 
parents were eastern ptople, and came to Michigan in 
1842, locating on a farm in Hudson. Charlotte re- 
mained ht homi' until Oct. 16, 1860, when she was 
married to Dr. Silas A. Newcomb, of Clayton, Mich. 
In 1861 they moved to Oakville, where the doctor 
continued his practice until 1871, when his health 
failed him. The doctor opened a general store, and 
in 1870 put in a slock of drugs, and gave what atten- 
tion his health would permit to the store. December 
22, 187(i, after an illness of two weeks, he died. Four 
children were born to them, David, Asahel, Julia 
and David Curtis, all living. After the doctor's death 
his wife continued the business until the year 1879, 
when she married Robert A. M. Lamkin, Wayne 
county, Mich. In 1883 they moved on a farm near 
Oakville, and the yeir following moved to Milan vil- 
lage. 

ALBERT H. LEWIS, a brick and stonemason of 
Milan, was born in New York State, April 1, 1845. 
He enlisted Auaust 16, 1861, in Co. M, 1st Mich. Cav. 
Was in the battle of Gettysburg, and numerous others; 
was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison; was 
discharged March 25, 1860, at Fort Bridges, Wyoming 
Territory. In 1881 married Sarah Stay, of Detroit, 
Mich. He is a member of Lucius Taylor Post, No. 
274, of Milan. Address, Milan, Michigan. 

E. M. LEWIS, of East Milan, was born in Steuben 
county,N.Y. in 1849. Came to Michigan in 1874, work- 
ing upon a farm. In 1874 purchased a farm in Dundee 
township. In 1874 married Amelia Critchett, of Lon- 
don township. They have no children of their own, 
but have an adopted daughter. In 1877 Mr. Lewis 
opened a general store at East Milan, which he con- 
tinues to manage. In 1881 erected a charcoal kiln, and 
at present has seven kilns in operation— the annual 
consumption of wood being 4,000 cords, producing 
130.000 bushels of charcoal. In 1884 erected a brick 
and tile works. In 1886, 450,000 brick and 350,000 



PERSONAL IIISTOKIES. 



39 



tile were produced, iriving eniploviiieiit to fourteen 
men. He also lias in operation a portable saw mill. 
Owns 200 acres of farniins; land, upon which lie has 
Poland China lioi^s and thoroughbred cattle. 

MRS. BETSKY LYON, of Milan, was born in Ver- 
mont in ISO!). In isi,") her parents came to Micliiiian, 
loc-atiuK in London township, Monroe county, on UiO 
acres they had purchased of the United Stales Gov- 
eminent, where she resided until the death of both 
father and mother. Mrs. Lyon was married in 1874, 
and removed with her husband to Saline, Mith., 
where they resided until September, lfs4. They then 
came to Milan, where Mr. Lyon died February 27, 
ISMl. Mrs. I^yon still resides at Milan. 

C. \V. M.VRHLE, a justice of the peace of Milan 
township, was born in Litchlield, ('onn., August 17, 
1.S21. Me has since resid( d in Lake and Portage coun- 
ties and other places in Ohio, Galena, 111., and in the 
Stattt of New York, lie came to Milan in ISIIO, and 
fi)r fourteen years has been a justice of the peace . He 
was first married in 1847 to Ilopestill T. Ketcliuni, 
who died in 18l!0. His second wife was Hannah Wil- 
cox, whom he married in \H{>H. She died August '.'S, 
ISSG. They have two children: Joel L. and Mary A., 
wife of Winfiekl S. Wallace. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. P. 

NEWCOMB MEAD, a farmer of Milan township, 
was born in Livinirston county, N Y., in ISUJ, and 
settled on present farm in lS;i4. He was married in 
early manhood to Diana Sanford. They have had 
three children: Lucilla, AVinfield and Elmer, all of 
whom reside in Milan. Fie is a Kepublican in politics, 
and has been highway commissioner and township 
treasurer, and has tilled various other offices. 

CHARLES A. MOORE, of .Alilan, was born at 
Raisinville, Monroe county, .Mich., April 4, iyr>2. His 
parents caine to Michigan in 1833. Charles attended 
the district school until 13 years of age. In 1874 he 
went to Oberlin, Ohio, to study telegraphy. In 1S7G 
he mairicd Emma A. Bennett, of Augusta, Midi. 
Three children were horn to them. Mr. Moore has 
held several township ofEces, and at present is clerk 
of .Milan village, having held the office since the in- 
corponition of the village in 18S4; also has charge of 
the Pacific E.\pres8 Company's business at Milan. 

.JERUSHA CLARK PAINE, born in New York 
Stale in ISIO, came to Michigan in is, 7. She married 
Samuel Paine in New York State in 1824. He was 
born in IHOO, died in IS.jO. Horatio and Winsor, sons 
of Samuel Paine, enlisted in the war, Horatio in istil 
in Co. F, Gth Mich Inf.. and was killed at bitlle of 
Baton Rouge. Winsor enlisted in 18(i3 in 20tli Mich. 
Inf., died al hospital in Kentucky from disease con- 
tracted while in the army. Jacob, another son, enlist- 
ed in 1862 in .illi Mich. Cav., in Co. M., and is still 
living Mrs. Paine has one son, C. M., who Is a rail- 
road carpenter on the Toledo & Ann Arbor Railroad. 
B F. Paine is engaiied as bookkeeper and clerk of the 
same road. One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Paine. Address, Milan. 

MRS ABIGAIL PHILLIPS was born at Romulus, 
Sentca county, N. Y., November l.j, 1813. She mar- 
ried Mr. Phillips December 27, 1840. He was born ai 
Candor Tioga county, N. Y., April 29, 1813. He died 
August 30, iS81, from paraljsis; be held many oflicc< 
of Inist One child was born to them, Clarence D, 
born June 26, 1842. At the breaking out of the Re- 
bellion he enlisted in Hall's Independent t-liarp 
Shooters. He died at army corps hospital at City 
Point February I'J, 1865. He was buried at Rice 
Cemetery, Milan. 

EMMITT F. PY'LE, M. D., of Milan, was born De- 
cember 20, 1846, at Pckin, N. Y. He attended Gene- 
see Weslevan Seminary, at Lima, N.Y.,lIobarl College, 
at Geneva, N. Y. lie entered the hospital of the 
Sisters of Charity as steward; he remained there two 



years. In 1866 hegraduated from the Buffalo Medical 
University; he began the practice of medicine al 
Pekin. N. Y'. In 1882 he came to Milan. He married 
in 1875 Etta Menzic, of Niagara Falls, N. Y. One 
child was horn to them. Dr. Pyle was instrumental 
in the incorporating of Milan village, and was a mem- 
ber of the tiisl b(i:ird of trustees; is president of village; 
lor a number of years li:is been a director of the villnge 
union school; is a member of many different secret 
societies; is member of the Michigan Sovereign Consis- 
tory, 'Valley of Detroit, Orientof Michigan, A. A. S. R., 
32d degree Mason. 

MRS. JESSE REDMAN, of Milan, was born in 
York, Washtenaw county, Mich., April 15, 1846. Her 
parents, Edward and Sarah Rawson, were eastern 
people. and came to Michigan al an early date, teltlitig 
al York. Mrs. Redman, iiec Rosina Rawson, was mar- 
ried Seplemher 16, 1866. Her husband, Jesse Redman, 
was born in London, England, in 1843. At the break- 
in; out of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. .M, 2d 
Mich. Cav. He was discharged from service by Gen- 
eral Order No. 83 June 21 , 181)5. He returned to'Milan, 
where he eng.iged in farming until his death on Aug. 
31, 1S85. Mrs. Redman is the mother of five children: 
Rosa Lena, born June 10, 1867; Anna Nellie, born 
July 21, 186'.>; William Edward, born February 24, 
187!); Addie Lurcna, born March 19. 1873, and Walter 
B, born April 27, 1881. Mrs. Redman manages her 
farm of I'JO acres, looking after its interests in all its 
details herself. 

THO.M.VS RICHARDS, of Milan, was born in 
England September 17, 1825. In 1830 his parents 
came to Michigan. Thomas remained at home until 
his 18lli year; having learned the cooper's triidc, he 
went to Grand Rapiils, Mich., for employment. Sep- 
tember, 1848. be married Urania Blakesley, of Madi- 
son county, N. Y'. They located upon a farm in llic 
town of 'York, wiierc they remained until 1856, when 
they came to Milan. Two children were born to them: 
George B and Elizabeth P. In IStiO he began tiie 
mail and e.Npress business from Milan to Monroe 
which he continued 12 years. IMrs Richards died Sep- 
tember 10, 1f^65. April 8, 1885, he married Elsie E. 
Campbell, of Milan, wuo was born in Eric county. Pa., 
March 20, 1k57. One son was born to them, Waller T. 
Mr. Richards is a member of no church, but con- 
tributes largely to three churches in Milan. 

DR, RANDAL SCIiUY'LER was born in Wash- 
tenaw county, Mich., May, 1854. He graduated from 
Michigan University, Medical Department, in IS77. 
In June, 1877, he came to East Milan, and com- 
menced practicing. In 18.S6 he built a store, and 
now carries an entire stock of drugs anil medicines. 
In 1880 he married Mary E. Simpson. To tlicin two 
children were horn, Edith and Nellie. Dr. Schuyler 
has a good practice, and owns a line residence. " At 
one lime had charge of Washtenaw Insane Asylum. 
Address, Milan, Michigan. 

MRS. SARAH L. SIMMONS was born in Wayne 
coiuily. New Y'ork, Feb. 1811» Her parents came to 
Y'ork, Mich., in 1832. .Mrs. Simmons' brother, Syl- 
vester Davis, wius the first white man buried in the 
township. Durfee Siinmoiis came to Michigiin in the 
spring of 18;j6, and married October, isy7. He 
was a carpenter and joiner by trade. He was born at 
Madison, -Madison county, N"ew York, October 12, 
1805, and died at Milan, Mich., November 5, ISMl. 
Six children were born to them. At the time of Mr. 
Simmons' marriage he was lieutenant-colonel of 
heavy artillery of New Y'ork, holding the appoint- 
ment from Gov. Massey. He was prime mover in 
the organization of the Baptist church al Milan. 

MRS. DESIRE SMITH, of Milan, was born in 
Lodi. Mich., in 1830. July 3, 1s56, Mrs. Smith mar- 
ried Edward P. Smith, of Augusta, Mich. He died 
June 24, 1885. He enlisted in 1861 as private, and 
was promoted to second lieutenant. Mrs. Smith is 



40 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



X 



the mother of four children, three of whom are living. 
Address, Milan. 

DEWITT C. STEEVER, of Milan, was born at 
Ypsilanti, Michigan, Januarj- 14, 1837. When 17 
years of age he learned the wagonmaker's trade. June 
37, 18.57, he went to Fond du Lac, Wis- , to work at his 
trade, returning to Ypsilanti the following October. 
In IrttiO lie went to Mooreville, Michigan, opening a 
shop for himself. He married October 14, 1860, 
Joanna Throop, of York, who was born Dec. 13, 
1837. August 3, 1863, he enlisted as private in Co. B, 
20th Mich. Inf. Wa.s discharged July 3, 1865, at 
Detroit, Michigan. He returned to Milan and en- 
gaged in wagon manufacturing. Six children were 
horn to them, five living. Mr. S. is a member of 
Taylor Post, No. 374; also of the Maccabees. Owns 
a farm of 40 acres at Milan. 

UKIAH STEFFY was born November 26, 1845, at 
Swartzburg, Wayne county, Mich. He learned the 
blacksmith's trade of his father. At 17 years he en- 
listed in Co. B, 14th Mioh. Inf., as a private. He was 
in the batdes of Atlanta, Pittsburg Landing, and 
Sherman's Maich to the Sea. He was veteraned in 
1864, and re-enhsted in the same regiment. He was 
discharged as sergeant July 32, 1865. He married 
Mary LaFountain, of Rockwood, in 1868. She was 
born June 1, 1844. He is a member of Taylor Post, 
No. 374, G. A. R. His address is Milan, Michigan. 

J. W. STODDARD, of Milan, was born in Gene-see 
county. New York, Dec. 14, 1841. In the fall of 1861 
he came to Milan, Michigan. April 22, 1862, he mar- 
ried Harriet Enieline Allen, of Milan. He enlisted 
in Co. H, 18th Mich. Inf., August, 18G4. Was dis- 
charged at Jackson, June 5, 1865. Owns a fine 
farm of 80 acres, one mile west of Milan, where he 
now resides. Their family consists of four children, 
three girls and one son, Ada, Lewis M., Hattie, and 
Nellie. 

MRS. REBECCA TAYLOR was born at Peekskill, 
N. Y., April 24, 1816. Mr. Wm. I. Taylor was born 
in Burlington. Vermont, Nov. 2671814. She met Mr. 
Taylor in Peekskill in 1833, and they were married 
March 10, 1835, and moved from New York City to 
Michigan in 1855; had two children born in Michigan. 
Mr. Taylor enlisted as corporal in Co. M, l.st Mich. 
Engs. and Mechs,, in Sept., 1863, for three years. Was 
with Sherman on his March to the Sea, and contracted 
paralysis, was sent to the hospital in the South, was 
sent from there to Detroit, and from there discharged 
Aug. 9, 1865. He died Dec. 7, 1878. Mrs, Taylor is 
the uiol-her of seven children, and is in her 74lh year. 

MRS. EUNICE S. THOMPSON, of East Milan, 
was born in New York State, in 1831, In 1840 she 
came with her parents to Monroe City. In 1851 Miss 
Eunice S. Warner married Edmond L. Thompson. 
In 1863 Mr. Thompson enlisted as a private in Co. C, 
17lh Mich. Vol. Inf. He was wounded at the battle 
of Antietam. He died from the effects of wound, 
March 28, 1863, at Monroe City. Edward T. Warner, 
brother of Mrs. Thompson, enlisted in 1861, under 
Col. Grosvenor, in 15th Mich. Vol. Inf. He died at 
Pittsburg Landing. Mrs. Eunice S. Thompson died 
Aug. 9th, 1889. 

CHARLES E. THROOP was born at York, Wash- 
tenaw county, Mich , April 10, 1860. His parents 
were eastern people, his father being born in Vermont, 
and his mother in Alban}', N. Y. They came to Mich- 
igan in 1860, settling u])on a farm. Charles remained 
at home until 1886, when he purchased a grocer's 
stock and engaged in the grocery busine.ss. Previous 
to this he had worked as stationery engraver. April 
10th he married Mary Duboise, of Milan. Slie was 
born in LaSalle, Monroe county, Mich., July 14, 1870. 

JOSEPH TURNER, of Milan, was born in Indiana, 
Sept. 27, 1837. At 31 years of age he began life for 
himself, going to Chicago to sell horses; later on went 



to Terre Haute, Ind., where he was employed as 
driver on a Wabash & Erie canal boat; at the close of 
one year was promoted captain of the boat. He mar- 
ried. Oct. 18, 1854, Elizabeth Brown, of Indianapolis. 
He enlisted in 1864 in Co. H, 28th Ind. Inf.; was ap- 
pointed U. S. recruiting officer for Indiana and Michi- 
gan; was mustered out in 1865. He came to Tecum- 
seh, Mich., where he remained 17 years. In 1883 
came to Milan, where he is engaged in the Globe 
Stave Works. To Mr. and Mrs Turner eight children 
were born, six of whom are living. Address, Milan, 
Michigan. 

CHARLES WARNER, of Milan, was born in York 
township, Washtenaw county, Mich., November 10, 
1845. He married Francelia Wilcox, of Milan, in 
1866. To them one child was born— Alice Ma\ — who 
was married in 1886. Mrs. Wilcox died in 1876. Mr. 
Warner married Jane Eddington, of Ypsilanti, Mich., 
in 1878. They have no children. Mr. Warner enlisted 
in Co. I, August 6, 1863; was in the battles of Look- 
out Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Atlanta, and Crab 
Orchard. Was taken prisoner and confined at Libby 
Prison thirty daj'S, after which he was sent to Colum- 
bus, Ohio, and was discharged on account of disability 
in June, 1864. Us is a member of Taylor Post, No. 
274, of Milan. 

WILLIAM W. WHALEY, of Milan, was born in 
London, Monroe county. Mich., November 33, 1834. 
His parents wore eastern people, coming from New 
York in 1832, and taking up 80 acres of Government 
land. When William was ten years old his mother 
died, and he left home to do for himself. On Septem- 
ber 39, 1853, he married Sarah Vealey, of London 
township, Mich. Mr. Whaley was a cooper by trade. 
In January, 1864, he enlisted as corporal in Co. B, 1st 
Cavalry. He remained with his regiment during all 
ils engagements of 1864. He was discharged from 
the service August 5, 1865. He returned to London 
and engagid in farming until 1874, when he sold out 
and came to Milan village, Mich , erecting a cooper 
shop and cider mill, doing the work at the mill with 
horse power. His business so increased that he was 
obliged to enlarge his works, and in 1884 put in a 
40-horse power engine. In 1886 he used 25,000 bush- 
els of apples and produced 3,000 barrels of cider. He 
ships his cider all over the United States. In 1886 he 
manufactured 3,000 gallons of apple-butter, for which 
he found ready sale. Mr. Whaley is a member of the 
Cider Makeis' Association of the State of Ohio, and 
is considered the representative cider maker of the 
Association. Mr. Whaley has four children, one an 
adopted daugnter. He is a member of the Lucius 
Taylor Post, No. 374. 

CHARLES W. WILCOX was born at Milan, Mich., 
Februarys, 1817. His parents came to Michigan in 
1837, his father working at his trade— that of black- 
smithing. September 18, 1870 married Ellen Bar- 
tholomew, vvho was born in Medina county, Ohio, 
August 8, 1845. To ihem one child was born. Mr. 
Wilcox commenced furming in 1874 on a farm of 
twenty acres. He now owns two fine farms, one in 
London. Address, Milan, Michigan. 

JOHN C. WILSON was born January 6, 1850, in 
New York State. Came west with his parents, who 
settled at Ann Arbor, Mich., where they remained one 
year, when they purchased a farm of eighty acres at 
Milan, on section seven. June 30. 1873. he married 
Maria McCardy, of Ann Arbor. Mr. Wilson engaged 
in the grocery business at Ann Arbor until April 38, 
1886, when his store was destroyed by fire. In the fall 
of 1886 he returned to Milan, and with his sister en- 
gaged in photography, and is now one of the leading 
photographers in that place. February 1, 1886, his 
wife died, leaving five children to his care. Mr. Wil- 
son is a member of the Knights of Maccabees, of 
Milan, Champion Tent, No. 434. 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



41 



SARAH S. WILSON was born at t^abot, AVasIiing- 
ton county. Vt.. in 1S22. In ls3ri lier fiillirr csnu- to 
Milan, Mieb. In ls{(> she niarripil Chester Wilcox, 
who was born at Livoniri. N. Y., isi.j. To them eight 
children were born live of whom are living: Francis, 
Helen, Charles, Rus'ell and Florence. 

THOMAS WILSON, a Miller .if Milan lownship, 
was born in Yorkshire, Englan I, in 180(i. and came to 
America in 1833 and settled in New York Stato. He 
is a miller by trade. He came to Monroe Cilv in 1x43, 
and to Milan in IWG. He was married in ls3') lo.lane 
Dodge Tluy have had six children, three of whom 
are living. He is u member of the Universalist 
church. 

nioisRoi-: Tow^NSHip. 

CHARLES L. ALH.VIN was born in Monroe conn 
ly, December '.;.), 1S.V,J. Married Dora Case, Uecem- 
b' r 23, 1x7'). She was born in Michigan, October !), 
1S.')5. Their children are: Leonard C, born Dicem- 
ber .'), 187G; Bennett, born August 38, 1878: Samuel 
IJ., born .June 3. 1880; Talcott. born May 13, 1S83; 
Myrl I)., born April •,'«, 1887 : Edith Pearl. Iiorn July 
7, 1889. He is a Democrat Has been justice of the 
peace for four years, town treasurer two years, and 
was elected township clerk in 188!) but resigned on 
account of sickness of his father. His business is 
farming. 

S.\Ml'EL ALBAIN, a farmer of Monroe township, 
was born in Canada. Augusts, 1813; settled in Mon- 
roe county in 1S17. Married Maria Leonard, of Mon- 
roe, March 14 1833. She was born in New Y'ork 
State, September 1, 1817. Their children livintr are: 
Acelia, Samuel, .Maria, Clurles Alma, K'la, Adelaide, 
andJamca. He is a Democrat. Has been a hool direc- 
tor and road commissioner for a good m luy ye irs. 

.lACOB BRO.ST, born in Germany, January 29, 
1830; came to Sandusky, Ohio, 184'j; settled in Mon- 
roe county, .Mich., on the farm formerly o vned by 
Maj. Moore. Married Mrs. Ca harine Steinard, .Jan. 29, 
1849. Eight children were born, seven of w horn are 
living. Jacob and George, sons of Mrs. Steinard, were 
in the L'nion army. George enlisted in the 49th Ohio 
Vol. Inf.; J:»cob enlisted in the 73d Mich. Vol. Inf. 
Mr. Brost is a hirraer. Address, Monroe, Michigan. 

EMERSON CHOATE. who died May 18, 1883, was 
a farmer of .Monroe township. He was born in Can- 
ada, Au'.;usl 28, 1x07; came to Monroe county in 18lt5. 
Married .Martha Thayer, Februarv 28 ls3|. She was 
born in Rhode Island. Decembcr'8, 1809. Their chil- 
dren are: Emerson H.. born August 3, 1837; Caro- 
line, born May 38, 1833; Louisa, born February 17, 
1834; Mary M., born August 27, 1835; Maria, 'imrn 
April 26, 1839: Edward, born August 3, 1843; Sher- 
man, born November 13, 184i. died March 10, 1816; 
Frank, born January 10, 1848. Mr. Choate w;is a 
Democrat; was supervisor for 28 years, and was a 
member of the State legislature for two years. 

FRANK C. CHO.VTE, a farmer of Monroe town- 
ship, was born in Monroe. January 10, 1848. Married 
Adeline Pitts, February 19. 1878. She was born April 
13. 1S42. She was the daughter of Samuel and Cath- 
arine Pitts, of Raisinville, who settled here in 1833. 
Mr. Choate is a Demooral. 

JAMES CULLEY, a farmer of Monroe township, 
was born in Canada. Dec. 14, 1844 ; c:ime to Monroe 
county in 18.V3. Marritd Catherine Keeg<n, April 29, 
18(i9. She was born in New Yoik Stale, May 21, 
1838. Had one child. Mary, born July 22. 1870, "died 
July 22, 1871. Mr. CuUey servid several years in the 
regular iirmy. 

HORACE R. DAVIS, who died Dec. 10, 1820, was 
born in New York State, July 6, 1820, and settled in 
Monroe county in 1844. He married Rosela Andrews 



Feb. 6, 1843, of New York Slate. Their children are: 
Charles H.. (Jeorge W., Daniel K., Jennie, Libbie, 
Carrie, William, and Eddie. His busineas was 
farming. 

HERBERT DUVAL was born in Monroe countv in 
HI 8, and died Oct. 31, 18.S0. He married Eiiiily 
Robert, of Monroe, Oct. 3, IKJl. She was born in 
.Monroe, .Sept. 7, 1830. They had eight children, live 
of whom are llvini:. His Imsiness was larming, and 
siiice his death Mrs. Duval carries on the business. 
Mr. Duval served in the Toledo war . 

WM, P. GALE was born Vov. 2. 1818, in Monroe 
township, Monroe county, Mich. June U, 1X43, he m.ir- 
ried Harriet Dusenbery, of New York State. She wiia 
horn ill the State of New York, Dec. 14, 1814. Tliree 
children have been born to them: Eut'ene. born Feb. 1, 
1x4."); Mary .'V., born March 37, IH-'yi; Austin W.. born 
May 31, rs.")8. Mr. (Jale was enu'iigeil in lie' s iw anil 
jiaper mill of Kiisinville township! In pililirs was a 
Republican. Was a member of the Prcsbyteri in 
church. He died June 19, 1S73. 

JOSEPH C. GARWOOD, born in New Jerxy, 
Sept, 4, 1803; settled in Monroe countv in ]xiA He 
was twice married. He ni:iriied his first wife. Char- 
lotte Lawrence, in 182(5. She died in 1814. Married 
Martha N. Bell, his second wife, M:iy 2»lh, 183(i; 
she was born in Vermont, March 29. 1x14. They had 
seven children, six living: Harriet A , born June 4 
18:^7: John Janes, Dec. 19, 1838; Martha E, Oct. 31. 
1840. died June 20. 18112; Joseph F . Nov .■>, 184:1; 
Sarah C, .May 21. 1847:Mary H., M!iv21, 18")2: Fannie 
W.. Sept. 13," 1854. His cl'iildreo bV first wife w.-re: 
William, born March 13, 18-38; Charlotte A.. .Sept. 
28, 1830: Mary A.. Oct. 36, 1833. Mr. Garwood was a 
blacksniiili bv trade. In politics a Repiiblii-an; mem- 
ber of M E." church. He died July 13, I80I. Mrs. 
Martha N. Ga:wood died Jan, Ki, 1889. 

CIIAS. E W. GREENING.who is the junior menilier 
of the lainous nursery firm The River Raisin Valley 
Nurseries, was born in .Monr e, Sept. 28, 1H.")X. M«r- 
ried Fredericka Janson, of Eist Sairin.iw, Mich., Feb. 
24, 1881; she was born .\ug. 11, 18i>.'. Tniy have one 
boy, Benjamin (i J., born Feb. 5. 1882. Mr (Jieening 
has been in the nursery business for 28 years. He is a 
Democrat; his been school inspector lor Monroe lown- 
i-hip for four years, and i- now justice of the peace. 
Is a member of the Lutheran church of Monroe. 

JACOB HECK, a farmer of Monr.'C to» nship, was 
born in Monroe county December 20. 1832. He mar- 
ried Rosina Herrmann Febru.irv 18. 1X(!4; she «as 
born in Germany Septeniln r 9, ls4,",. Their children 
are : Matilda, born February 14, 181)."); Emilia, born 
August 10, isiiti: Edwin, Octobr-r 3il, lxt;x; Aiini L, 
born Aprir>(), 1X70: Bertha A., b .rn July l."i. 1873, 
died Febiuaiy (i, 1883: Nalh.inii 1. born June l.'i. 1875; 
Elenora, borii September 13, 1879; .laol), born May 2, 
1x74, and died in infancy. Jaiol) Ibck has be-n a 
farmer all his lif.-. 

NELSON J AUIiOE was born at WaOiinglon. D. C, 
October, 1X09. His parents were Ma tliew and Eliza- 
beth (Nelsoni Jarboe, wliowere natives of .Mirylanit. 
He nnirried Kalhetinc Moon, of Wa-hiiigion, D. C. 
Eleven children were born .Mr .larbue moved 10 
Monroe county in 1834. Hi- was engag>-d in sailing on 
Lake Erie, and for some lime wasdipliiii of a Ijoat 
playing between .Monroe and Buffalo. In 1S40 he en- 
gaged in farmim; in Lenawre coiinly, Micliinaii After 
ten years he returmd to Monroi'. In 1x71 he sold his 
farm and moved to MonrcM- Cilv; for a number of 
years held town otlices. Me died'.liily 31, 1879, Mr.s. 
jarboe die<l February 3. IxsT. .She was an :ictive mem- 
ber of the Baptist cliuich. 

SEBASTIAN KI.OTZ was born in Monroe county 
March 8, 1X.V3. He married B:irbara .Maurer. of 
A<lrian, .\ug'ust 3li, 1876; she was bom Auiiust 10, 
1859, and died February 11, 1883. Had five chililren: 



42 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Frank, Benjamin, Isabi'lla, Nor.a and Irva. He mar- 
ried his second wife, Cordelia Babcocls, January l.T, 
1886; she was born August 4, 1801; have one child, 
Frank. His business is farming. 

JACOB LANDERS, a farmer of Monroe town.ship, 
was born in Pennsylvania in October, 1812; came to 
Monroe county in 1H,50. He married Elizabeth Black 
in 1844; .she was born in Pennsylvania July 24, 1816, 
i\nd died in Monroe February 1.1, 1885. Their chil- 
dren living are : Mnry, John, Edward, Henry, Jacob, 
Lavinie, Natlianiel and Lizzie. He is a Republican; 
has been road commissioner for 34 vears. 

GEORGE R. MILLER, a farmer of Monroe town- 
ship, was born in Monroe county, July 12, 184.5 Mar- 
ried Mary A. Campeau, Oct. 31. 1879. She was born 
in Monroe county, Jan. 18, 18.54 They have two 
cliildren, Finnk J., born JNov. 7, 1881, and Harry L., 
born Sept. 1.5, 1883. He is a Rejiublican. He has al- 
ways liccn a furmer. 

DANIEL MULIIOLLEN, a farmer of Monroe 
township, \\as born in Ohio March 6, 1813; settled 
here m 1810 ; died March 4, 1887. He married 
Elizabeth Choatc September 9, 1836; she was born in 
Canada November 29, 1813. Their children are: 
Samuel, born June 7, 1837, and died in infancy; 
Laura, liorn November 16. 1838; Sarah, born June 1.5, 
1840; Daniel C, born March 8. 1841; Mary E., born 
April 1.5. 1844, and died in infancy; Emma M., born 
Oct. 21, 184.5 ; AnnaM., born May 25, 1848; Frank, 
born April 0, 1850. He was a Republican; was town- 
.ship treasurer a number ofyears. 

ELI NAVARRE, who died in Monroe. Sept. 15, 
1885, was born in Monroe county, Feb. 22, 1819. Mar- 
ried Fannie Jeneros, of Monroe, Dec. 30, 1849. She 
was born in Mnnroe, May 15, 1827. Tlieir children 
are: James, born Nov. 24, 1851: .Toseph, born 
July 5, 1853; Libbic, born Ans;. 27, 1855; Peter, born 
April 7, 1857; Tousaiut, liorn^April 31, 18.59; Rosa, 
born July 10, 1864; Samuel, born June 5, 180^*. Mr. 
Navarre was a Democrat; had always been :i farmer. 

GREGORY NAVARRE, who died March 17, 1880, 
was a farmer of Monroe township; was born in Mon- 
ro"^, March 17, 1812. Married Adaline Genron, Jan. 
12, 1852. She was born in Monroe, July 15, 1833. 
Their children are: Ely, bnrn Dec. 12, 1852; Isadore, 
born March 2, 1857; Charles, born Oct. 27. 18.59; 
Stephen, born July 11, 1862; Mary, born Nov. 10, 
1865; Gregory, born July 19, 1868, died in infancy; 
Susan, born Nov. 10. 1K69; Josepli, born Oct. 13, 
1872, died Feb. 17, 1873. Mr. Navarre h.ul always 
been a farmer up to the time of his death. 

JAMES J. NAVARRE, who died in Monroe town- 
ship. May 20, 1877, wns born in Monroe county, Oct. 
8, 1802. Marrie<i to Mrs. Adaline Bennoe, riaushter 
of Col. Hubert Lacroi.v, of .Monroe, Nov. 23, 1858. 
She was born in Monroe. Sept. 24 1824. Their chil- 
dren living are: Lucille, boiu Oct. 20, I860; Montcalm, 
born May 2, 1862; Oscar N., born Sept. 15, 1864; 
Minnie E., May 3, 1867. Mr. Navarre had always 
been a farmer. 

SAMUEL NAVARRE, a farmer of Monroe town- 
.ship, was born in Monioe, Nov. 20, 1829. Married to 
Matilda DuViill iu Dec. 1853; she was Dorn in Mon- 
roe. July 10, 1835, and died Aug 12, 1882. Their 
children are: Philip, born Sept. 11, 1854; Dennis, 
born Jan. 11, 1854; Diunis, born Jan. 11. 18.57; Fred- 
die, boiu Oct. 19, 1805: Mary, born June 30, 1874. He 
is a Democrat; has been grain commissioner for five 
years. 

SAMUEL I. ROBERT, born Dec. 3, 1835, in Mon- 
roe county, Mich. His lather, Ignaoe Robert, was 
born in Monrne county, in 1799, on the River Raisin, 
and .served during the war of 1812. His nu ther, 
Catherine Duval, wat born in Monroe county in 1801. 
Mr. Robert at present is snperviiior, and has held the 
office of street commissioner. In politics he is a 
Democrat. Address, Monroe City. 



RAISINVILLE XOWIVSHIP. 

ANDREW J. BICE, a farmer of Raisinville, was 
born in Monroe City Sept. 20, 1833. He married 
Ellen McCadden, of Stark county, O., April 26, 1857; 
she was born in Ireland April 4, 1836. Their chil- 
dren are: Anna E., born Jan. 9, LSliO; Louisa S., Oct. 
24, 1801; Franklin W., April 14, 18154; John B., June 
21, 186(1; George E., Feb. 12, 1S70; Ella E., Aug. 24, 
1S72, and Winifred Grace, March 17, 1877. He is a 
Republican ; lias been justice of the peace seven 
years. 

ALFRED BICE, a farmer of Raisinville, was born 
in Fayette county. Pa., Feb. 5, 1820, settled in this 
county in \H'29 with his parents. He married Eliza- 
beth Scitz Sejit. 19, 1,H12; she w'as born in Germany 
Jan. :!1, 1.S19. Their children are: Louisa, Alfred, 
William. Elizabeth, llattie andLucy. He has been a 
farmer all his life. 

LEWIS W. BOND, a farmer of Raisinville, was born 
on Sandy Creek May 5, ]S;>8. October 27, 1866, he 
married Victoria Navarre, who died March 3, 1879. 
Three cliildren were born to them. September 8, 
l.s.KO, Lewis W. Bond was married to Elizabeth C. 
Caldwell, who was born at Monroe July 3, 1847. Mr. 
Bond enlisted Aug. 8, 1.862, in Co. K, 18th Mich. V. I.; 
was discli;irged by order of the War Department 
June 26, IstM. 

ELIAS BRIGHTBILL was born in West Hanover. 
Pa., April 28, 1830; came with his parents to this 
county in October, 18.55, and settled at Raisinville, 
where he now resides. He married March 22, 18.5.5, 
Juliette R. IJmberger, of West Hanover. Five chil- 
dren were born to them, three of whom are living. 
Elias Brightbill is a Republican in politics, a farmer; 
address, Monroe. 

JACOB BROST, a farmer living in Raisinville, re- 
ceives his mail at Monroe. He was born in Wuertem- 
burg, Germany, Jan. 29, 1826, his parents Iieing 
Jacob and Catherine (Pflugc^r) Brost. On coming to 
America he settled near Sandusky, O., where, .Ian. 
29, 1847, he married Catherine, daughter of James 
and Jennie (Steiner) Cauchie, who has four boys and 
four girls living and one boy dead. Jacob Brost is a 
niemljer of the Evangelical church in Raisinville, and 
generally votes the Republican ticket. In 1865 be 
came to Raisinville. 

WILLIAM CAUCHIE is the son of Alexander and 
Ellen (McCnlloch) Cauchie, and was born in Wigdon- 
.shire, Scotland, April (i, 1831, and came to America in 
1.851, living near Albany, N. Y., for some three yeans, 
and coming to Raisinville in 1.854. June 1, 1861, he 
enlisted at Adrian in Co. A, 4th Mich. V. I , and 
after three years' service re-enlisted in Hancock's 
Veteran Corps, from which he was discharged April 
(>, 1.8(16. He is a Democrat, and April 1, 1881, mar- 
ried Ella, daughter of James and Isabella (Weir) 
Miller. All liis children, three boys, are living at 
home. 

EDWIN CHOATE, a farmer of Raisinville, was 
born in this county Aug. 3, 1842. He married Anna 
Skinner, of Fremont, 0., Dec. 25, 1872; she was born 
May 25, 1.843. Their children are: Alice, born Oct. 
16, 1873; Ella, April 7, 1877; Addie, Dec. 16, 1880, and 
Carrie, April 5, 1884. He is engaged in threshing 
most of the time. 

CALVIN CLARK, born Dec. 23, 1821, in Farsalia, 
Chenango county, N. Y., moved to Norwich, N. Y., 
three years later." Settled in Monroe in 1844. He was 
married to Clarinda A. Palmer, of London, Sept. 25, 
1844. She died Aug. 20, 1887. Four children were 
liorn to them: Carl S., Carlton, Carrie, and Clara, 
who died in September, 1883, at the ageof 25. Calvin 
Clark's address is Raisinville. 

JEROME MARION DAVENPORT was born in 
Wolcott, England, Sept. 21, 1830, and came to Raisin- 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



4.'5 



ville in Marcli, 1S4G. He is tlit- son of James iind 
Louisa (Wade) Davenport, and letters diroited to 
liim at Maytiee are ilehvered i)ronii(tly. I5v ocoiipa- 
tion a farmer. lie is a Kepuljlicaii, and a nlenilier nf 
the MeMiodist cliureh. 

CIIAKLKSDOKnEHLEIN istl.e son of Leonard 
and Maijraret (Croolc) Doederlein, and was born at 
Monroe March :.'!», IS.'iO, to wlneh (ilace lie still noes 
for his mail. After livinj; in Frenehtown a few yeai-s 
he came to Kaisinville in 1.SS4. He is a member of 
the Lutheran church, a farmer with .')0 acres of land 
to till. He still votes the Republican ticket. 

JOHN R FRANCISCO, a farmer of Raisinville 
township, was born in New York State iJec. 17, 1<S;;0. 
In IS.!:!, with his father, Jolin Francisco, became to 
this county. John F. Francisco married Jan. l(i, 
|.S(i4. Sarah A. Gates, wlin was l)orn Feb. is, 1S4I. 
Their children are: William, born Sept. II, lS(i4; 
.Vda L.. born ,Ian. I.') isiis. and Ora M., born May .'), 
1S7:!. The farm on which Mr. Francisco re.sides was 
cleared by him His father clied in ISCI; served dur- 
ing the war of isli'. 

DANIKL HANSBKKGKR, a farmer of Raisinville, 
was born in Penn.sylvania March 1 1, ls:!7, and settled 
in this county in IStil. He married Julia Walters 
Nov. 1, ISllO; she was born in Sandusky, O., Dec. IS, 
1S4(I. Their children are: Joel W., born March l'.5, 
isiii.'; Mary E., born Mav 4, 1S()4; Annais, born June 
•S-). lS()t>; .Toshua. Auji. ;!0. IS(5S; Henry, Nov. 1!), Is71; 
llaltie, Sei>t. 4, 187:!; Eli, Jan. L".), 1,S77. Daniel 
llansljcrger is a carpenter by trade. 

THOMAS 11 ANSBI;K( ; KH, a farmer of Riiisinville, 
was born in ( )lno Anir. 27, 1S4."), settled in this county 
in 1S7:3. He married iMiima Rutherford March (i, 
1S78; she was born in Fairlield county. ()., Nov. 12, 
1847. Their children are : Dellon L.. born Feb. 2, 
1S74; Martha, Aug. 21, lH7<i; Thomas, Nov. 1!», ISSO; 
Lizzie Belle, Aug. 18, ISSH. His business is farming 
and stock raising. 

CHARLES L. KNAB, a farmer of Raisinville, was 
born in Germany Feb. 22, 1S2(); cann; to America in 
lS2il. and settled in this county. He marrie<i Mary 
Martin, of Monroe. Jan. :10, 1S45. Their children 
are: Charles. Christina, Mary. Adam, William, 
Jacob and Catherine. He married his second wife, 
Elizabeth Dcntle, Nov. 12, 18()5. She was born in 
Germany Feb. 3, 1833. He has always been a 
farmer. 

C. D. LOOSE was born in the State of Ohio Jan. 0, 
184fl. His parent,s, Elias and Sophia C. (Dressbach) 
Loo.se, came with a large family to Monroe, Ajiril IS, 
1862. C. D. Ix)ose married Carrie O. DeI.,ong March 
19, 1872. They have six children. Mr. Loose is a 
farmer and deals largely in stock. Address, Monroe. 

JAMES MILLS, engaged in the lumber busineasat 
Riiisinville, was born in Wisconsin f)ct. 4, IS.53; can)e 
to this countv in 18<iO. He niarrie<l Ella Acklev, of 
Dundee, Oct." 31, 187(1; .she was born Dec. I(>, 18.54. 
Their children are : Iva, born Oct. 4. ISSO; Henrietta, 
Sept. 2:!. 18.S3; Bertha Belle, Nov. »!, IS.Sil. He has 
always been in the lumber and mill business. 

GEORGE L. KNAB, a farmer of Raisinville, was 
born in Germany Jan. s, 1.S24; came to America in 
182!l with his parents, and scttleil in this county. He 
was married to Louisa Gresle Dec. :il, l.s4!i; she 
was born in Germany July 2, ls27. Their children 
are: Ilenrv, born Jan. 31, ls.")2; Catherine, June 27, 
18,-)3; Christian, April 11, 18.5!l; Rosina, Dec. in, l.S(i(); 
Elizabeth, Feb. 28, 18(i2; Andrew. July HI, IS(;(i. He 
is a carpenter by trade, but h-is been farming for 40 
years. 

HENRY W. MOSES, whose postotfice address is 
Grape, served through the war in the :!d O. V. C, 
and isamendierof the (i. A. R. Post at Monroe. His 
parents were Adam and -Mary (Sill) Moses, and he was 



horn in Bedford county. Pa.. May Hi, ls;is. In Is'I 
he left Ohio, anil came to Rjiisiiiville. He was mar- 
ried at Fremont, (»., July 4, Isiil, to Sarah li'kes, and 
Sept. 14, ISdli, at ItaisinVille, to Susan, daughter of 
Ehas and Sophia (Dreisbach) Loose. He is a mem- 
ber of the Evangelical Association, and is a staunch 
Republican. 

JOSEPH W. MORRIS, the .son of David Even and 
Bassinath (Wil.son) Morris, was Ixirn in Romulus, 
Seneca county, N.Y., Nov. d, l,s:!S, and came to Raisin- 
ville in IS4(). His poslollice adilreRs Is (i rape. He 
was married at Raisinville April 2, IS72, to Alargery, 
ilaughter of John and .Ann (Bacon) Hunter. 

LEWIS W. NEWCOMER, a merchant of .Mras- 
burgh, Raisinville township. w;us born at Elmore, 
Ohio Nov. 0, l.SOl; was nuirrieil lo Ada R<iilch. Oct. 
1, 1884; she was born in Ida, Jan. :!l, Isii:',. They 
have one child, Irving A., born July Is, l.ss.'). He 
has a general store, and is station agent of Slras- 
burgh. 

VICTOR PFLUGE, whose mail is haiidle.l by 
the i"istm.isler at Maybee, is a Democratic farmer, 
who settled in Raisinville in 1874. He is the .son of 
Aust and Catherine (Thoman) Pllnge. and was born 
in Thurodone, Switzerland. Oct. 2S, 1S44, coming to 
this country in I8(i(i. After living in New York, 
Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit, settled in Raisinville 
in 1874. He was married at Detroit, .lune 17, isii'.i, to 
^LiL'dalena, daughter of .loseph and .\nna Maria 
(I'llugei Wolg-aniar, and has six children, four girls 
and two boys. He attends the Roman Catholic 
church. 

CHARLES H. PITTS, who died Dec. !i, ls74. w.-is 
a farmer of Raisinville: was born in New York State, 
Dec. 28. ]82li, and settleil in this county in is:!2. He 
married Bridget Doyle, Dec. 2S, |.S(i4. ,'<|ie was born 
in Ireland, Aug. 20, is:;"). Their chililren are Carrie, 
born Dec. I>, ISIm; Louis, born March 2:1. I.siio, and 
Maggie, born July lil, 1874. He was a carpenter by 
trade; wasa Democrat; wassupervisor ten years, mem- 
ber of the assembly two years. 

JOHN P. ROE,<SLER, the son of John and Cath- 
erine (Rui)p) Roes.sler, was born in Wuertemberg, 
Germany, Nov. li), 1840, ami came to Raisinville 
with his parents in 1S4S. He is a member of the 
Lutheran chiinh, where he was marrieil, Nov. 2!l, 
18()(i, to Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Peter and Eliza- 
beth (Claver) .Seitz, whose three girls, now living at 
home, believe in the Democratic principles, whose 
party ticket their father votes. 

HENRY 11. RAUCH is the .son of John ami Maria 
(Bridenliaugh) Ranch. and wiisboru near Hiirrisbiirgh. 
Pa., April 4, l.S2!l. where be lived until 1S4H, when 
he moved to I.aSalle, and in Is.'Wi came to Raisinville. 
January HI, I8.'i3, he was marrieil to Mary Henry; 
she died in ls.i4 ; was married again in l.s.")S to Mary 
Aekley. He has six boys and live girls living; is a 
Republican ami Free Methodist. 

JOHN S. .SCHASRERGER. a farmer living in 
Raisinville. goes to Monroe for his mail. He was 
born in this county, Jan. 10, isjs, on the farm of his 
father, Jasper, and Aug. I(i. IS74, was married to 
Catherine Ix^ipert,and has six children, all living at 
home. 

KATHERINE SEITZ was born in Wuertemberg, 
(termany, July 27, ls:!!i, and emigrated to this county 
in LSI.."), .settling in Raisinville. She is the daughter 
of naltbes aiiil Baibiira (Roes.-ler) (ioetz, and the 
willow of Peter, .son of Peter and Klizalielh .S-ilz. 
She has six children, four boys and two girls living 
at home, and one girl dead. Mr. .Seitz dieil July 27, 
ISSI, of inllauimation of the bowels. .She is a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran church. 



44 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



GEORGE SHAFER, a fanner of Raisinville, was 
born in Germany, April 9, 1823; came to America in 
1849, went to California in 1851 during the gold ex- 
citement, and returned and settled in this county in 
1855. He was married to Catherine Strack, in Novem- 
ber, 1855; slie was born in Germany, Sept. 26, 1830. 
Their childnii are William, George, John, Emma, 
Fred, Katie, Henry and Charles. He was drafted in 
Co. I, 91h Mich. Inf., Oct. 5, 1864, and was mustered 
out June 20, 1865. Has been elder of the German 
Reformed church, of Ida, for six years. 

HENRY WEIPERT, a farmer of Raisinville, was 
born in Germany, Oct. 10, 1845: came to America in 
1853, and settled in this county. Jan. 18, 1872, he 
was married to Mary Leahr; she is a native of this 
county, the date of her birth June 25, 1K52. Their 
children are: Henry, born April 25, 1873; William, 
boni June 9, 1875; Katie, born July 19, 1877; Carrie, 
born Nov. 24, 1882; Urban, born March 16, 1886. He 
has always been a farmer. 

JOHN L. ZIMMERMAN, postmaster of Stras- 
burgh, Raisinville township, was born in West- 
moreland county, Pa., Feb. 24, 1827, and settled in 
this county in 1865. He was married to Alice Smith, 
Oct. 4, 1860; she was born in Westmoreland, Pa., 
Sept. 19, 1839. His Inisiness is farming; has been 
postmaster live years. 

SIJIMMERFIELD TOWKSHIP. 

WILLIAM ARNOLD was born in Perry county. Pa., 
in 1825; came to this county in 1852, locating about 
six miles south of Monroe, and remained thereabout 
four years. In 18.56 he made Petersburgh his per- 
manent home. He is by trade a carpenter and joiner, 
and in pursuit of his vocation has had the superin- 
tendence in constructing many of the finest buildings 
(jf the liicality, and among them the present beauti- 
ful high school buildingof Petersburg!!, which shows 
his skill as a master mechanic. 

SAMUEL W. BEVERLY was born at sea in 1816. 
His early life was spent in New Hampshire and 
Massachusetts. His father was a seaman, Init left 
the ocean and removed with his family to Kentucky, 
and from that State Samuel went to Ogdensburg, 
N. Y., and from thence, in 1836, came to Cleveland, 
O., where he engaged as a contractor on the Cleve- 
land, Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad, and built 
the first mile of that road west of the Cuyahoga 
River. He has been twice married, first to Mary 
Garrison, by whom he had eight (children; and next 
to Mary Phillips, by whom he has seven chil- 
dren. He came to Sunimerfielil from Lenawee Co. in 
1884, and purchased the farm of 130 acres on which 
he now resides. 

JOHN E. BISHOP, the son of Nehemiah and 
Ke/.iah Bisho]i, is a native of the State of New York, 
his birthplace being in Saratoga county, and 1842 the 
date. His parents reniuved to ^lichigan in the year 
18.55, the fauiily locating on land which is now part 
of the town of Dundee. The subject of this sketch 
settled in this township in the year 1882. Mary C. 
Noble, of this township, is Mi. Bishop's wife, and 
they are the parents of two children. The father of 
Mr. Bishop is still residing with his son at the ad- 
vanced age of 83. Postotfice, Dundee. 

IRA D. BOARDMAN, proprietor and editor of the 
Petersburgh Bulletin, is the son of George M. and 
Lavina (Osborne) Boardman, and was born in Or- 
leans county, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1848, coming to Michi- 
gan with his parents in 1849. He enlisted as a 
private in Co. M", 8th Mich. Cav., in August,1864. He 
was married at Hillsdale Feb. 22, 1871, to Deborah 
Ann, <laughter of Francis and Catherine (Decker) 
McCartv, whose children are ; P>dith I., born June 
30, 1872; Viola E., Sept. 19, 1881, and Ira D., jr., Julv 
4, 1885,Willis N., June 25, 1889. lu the spring of 1861 



became to Petersburgh, and May 1, 1880, published 
the first number of the Bulletin. In 1880 he joined 
Patrick Lodge, No. 157, and Kilwining Encampment, 
No. 52, 1.O.O.F. In 1882 he joined Blanchard Lodge, 
No. 102. F. &. A.M. In politics he has always lieen a 
Republican, and has served seven years on the school 
board, several years as director, and as trustee and 
recorder in the village. 

GEORGE M. BOECKLER, better known in Peters- 
burgh as '• Uncle George," was born March 19, 1807, 
in Winilspach, Province of Bavaria, Germany. He 
was the oldest of five children, his parents being 
Leonhardt and Maria ( Woerline) Boeckler. He came 
to Monroe county in October. 1837, and j)urchased a 
forty-acre farm about five miles west of LaSalle, and 
leaving his family with Ludwig Knapp put up a log 
house, into which he moved Jan. 1, 18:!8. He has 
been married four times. In Germany to Marie 
Kurtz in 1831, who is the motlier of all his children : 
John Martin, born Dec. 19, 1832; Margaret Barbara, 
March 14, 1834; John Philip, Oct. 25, 1835, and Henry, 
Dec. 8, 1837. Marie died July 1, 1840, and he worked 
at his trade as a tailor in Monroe until he moved to 
Petersburgh in 1844. In July, 1842, he married 
Catherine Strable, with whom he lived until her 
death, Jan. 1, 1875. In April, 1875, he married 
Barbara Koetzle, and on her death in January, 1882, 
he married his present witi', Magdelena Yackey, 
April 8, 1882. He is a Presbyterian, and at the in- 
corporation of Petersburgh was trustee for three 
years. 

WILLIAM H. BRACKETT was born at Lynn, Mass., 
in 1841. In 1857 he wentto Rutland county, Vt. In 
1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 10th Vt. Inf., and served 
three years; was at the battles of the Wilderness, 
Gettysburg, Cold Harbor and otiiers; was discharged 
at Washington, D. C, in 1865. and returnd to Rut- 
land county, Vt. There he was married to Ellen L. 
Chittenden, of Rutland county, Vt. They have two 
children He came to this county in 1871, and pur- 
chased 80 acres of land of H. B. Chittenden about 
one mile north of Petersliurgh, in Summerfield, 
w here he now resides. 

ABRAHAM BRENINGSTALL, of Summerfield 
townshij), was born in Niagara county, N. Y., Feb. 7, 
183S. In 1840, with his parents, he came to Dundee 
township. In 1862 he settled in Summerfield town- 
ship. He enlisted in the 1st Mich. Engineer and 
Mechanic Regiment, Co. F, July 1, 1863, and was 
mustered out Sept. 22, 1865. He is a member of 
Morgan Parker Post, No. 281. He was married Nov. 
22, 1861, to Amelia Richland, who died in 1872. His 
present wife is Phila Ludrick, whom he married in 
1878. Their children are: Mary E., born Nov. 12, 
1872 ; Harriet, born May lit, 1882, and Benjamin, born 
Nov. 4, 1884. Mr. Breningstall is a farmer. His post- 
office address is Petersburgh. 

HORACE BRENINGSTALL, of Petersburgh, Sum- 
merfield township, a broom-handle manufacturer, 
was born in Dundee July 18, 1843. His parents were 
Seth and Lucy (Hobart) Breningstall. Horace re- 
mained in Dundee until 1852, when he came to 
Raisinville township, where he remained until the 
breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. He enlist- 
ed May 20, 1861, in Co. A, 4th Mich. Inf., as corporal, 
reniaining with the regiment tmtil it was mustered 
out of service June 30, 1864. He re-enlisted March 
21, 1865, in Co. I, 5th U. S. Vet. Vol., as private, and 
was mustered out March 21, 186(i. Through exposure 
he contracted rheumatism; he participated in the 
battles of New Bridge, Hanover Court House, Mc- 
chanicsville, Gaines Slill, Savage's Station, Antulaus, 
White Oak Swamp, Gainesville, .second Bull Run, 
Malvern Hill, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilder- 
ness, Spottsylvania and several other engagements. 
He is a member of Morgan Parker Post, No. 281, 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



45 



G. A. R., of which he is commander. He wa.^' mar- 
ried July 11, 1868, to Elizabeth Main. Three ehll- 
dren were born to them: Keiiben, born March l!l. 
1869; Susan A., born Nov. IS, IST:;, and Phila Addie, 
l)orn March 14. ISSO. He is a Republican in politics, 
and has held several township othces and postmaster. 
He is also a member of the Alasonic Order. 

PETE;R BURDENAN was born in Summerliel.l 
township in the year 184-"). Hurin;; the war of the 
Rebelliiin he gave hi.s country service, enllstins; in 
1864, in Cci. G, of the 17th Mich. Inf. He parlicipat- 
eil in the battles of .Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor.North 
Anna River and several other.s. His postotliee address 
is Petersburfrh, Monroe county, Mich. 

IIARLOW CAMHIRN", who died Nov. 21, 1880, 
w-a.s a resident of r>tcisl)urf;h from 18ti:', to the time 
of his death. He was born at Lockport, N. Y., Aug. 
17, 1821. He married June 17, IS.").'), Emeline Tracy, 
who was born in Connecticut ,Iuly 17, 18:!:l. and who 
still resides at Petersburgh. They had thi' following 
children: Erank II., born .Vug. 7, 1S.">G; Edwin C, 
born Oct. 2."), 18.')8; Emma J., horn Jan. 1.!, 1860. Mrs. 
Cainburn's father, William E. Tra<y, was born in 
Connecticut Dec. :!, 180:!, and is now living with her. 
Mr. Camburn, at the time of his death, was serving 
as justice of the peace. He was a member of the 
M. K. church. 

ERNEST FREDERICK COOK was born in Baden, 
(iermany, in 18:>2. He came to this country in 18.")7, 
and settled in Lenav\ee county, Mich., and enlisted 
there in 1861 in Co. B, 2d Mich. Inf., and served to 
Septend)er, 1 so:'; discharged at Fortress Monroe, Va.; 
was in l.'> battles, among which were Antietam, Fred- 
ericksburg, 1st and 2d Bull Run, at the last of which 
he received a shock from a shell, from the etl'ects of 
which he never recovered. He returned to I^enawee 
county, and there married Miss Alice Burnor. They 
have had eight children, seven now living. He came 
to Summertield in 1884, and purchased the farm of 1.') 
acres on which he now resides. He is a member of 
Rider Po.st, No. 12; he is also a memljcr of Tracv 
Lodge, No. 167, F. & A. .M., of Deerticld, and has at- 
tained the degree of Knight Templar. 

JOHN CRONOWERT was horn in Monroe, Mich., 
in l.S;!!t. His parents were Michael and Phoebe Cro- 
nowert. He married Miss Janet .'^weeney, of Mon- 
roe, by whom he has four children living and one 
deceased. He came to Sumn)erlield in 1871, and 
purcha.sed the farm of 8U acres on which he now 
resides. 

MYRON B. DAVIS w;us born in Rush, Monroe 
county, N, Y., Dec. 24, 182:!, and with his i)arcnts, 
Ethan and Alice ,M. (Ca.se) Davis, moved from there 
to Monroe county in 18:!."), settling near Dundee. 
March •'>, 184.'), he married Mary T., daughter of 
Justus and Lura (Uushnell) Tremain. Their chililren 
are: Lucius B., born Feb. !•, 1847; Myron A., .May 2::. 
18.32; Lura M., June 2!t, 1.S62, died May 12, 1874. 
Mr. Davis was always an active mcndier of the Pres- 
byterian church, he'beingthe secon<l elder elected on 
it.s organization in Petersburgh. l"or many yearw was 
superintendent of the .''nmlay-school, trustee in 
cluirch 3(1 vears, and trciusurer for several years. 
.\mong the'ollices he has held townsliii) clerk for 
nearly two yeais, raendier of village, council one or 
two years, and treasurer about the same length of 
time. For a number of years he was activelv eng-aged 
in business in Petersburgh, ami through his means 
the first steam grist mill was built in ISK!. He died 
April !P, iNVt. 

.•VAR(»N DILLENBACK was horn in the town of 
Stark, Herkimer c.mnty, N. Y., in 1S24. His parents 
were Isaac and Nancy Dillenback, who removed to 
Steuben county, N. Y., in 1841, and .settleil in the 
town of Wheeler, and .lleil there, .Mrs. D. In 1»'.<I ami 
the husband in 1881. With the exception of four 



years in Ohio Aaron remained in Wheeler until 18r.t'), 
when he came to Monroe county, Mieh., ant! pur- 
cha.sed the farm of 2."> acres in ihe town ot Sum- 
merlield to which he removed liis family in 1S67, and 
has made this his home to the present time. He 
marrieil Miss Olive Kelley, of l{eeilt(nvn, Si-neca 
county, Ohio, formerly of VVheeler, N. Y. They havi- 
one daughter. Miss I.illie F. Dillenbaek. 

CORNELIIS DINti.MAN was born in Ihe Mo- 
hawk Valley near Canajoharie, in isil. The fannly 
located at .\nadia, N. V.. about the year 1S21; from 
there Cornelius located at h'ochesler, N. Y., and 
here married Sarah Ann Wonlen. of .\ von, Livingston 
county, N. Y., and has three children njw living. In 
ls:lO Mr. D. came to Monroe i-ouiily. Miib., and .set- 
tleil in Dundee township. Hy trade a carpenli-r, but 
has followed various otiier occupations. For twelve 
years he was postmaster in Ihe town of ICxeter, and 
served there also as a magistrate for thirleeii yeaif*. 
He came to Summerlield about the year 1872, anil 
purchiused the home lot of twelve acres where he 
now resides. His wife died in 1874. 

JOHN H. DUNBAR wa.s horn in Cortland county, 
N. Y.. in 183:!. He came to Michigan in isill and lo- 
cated in Lenawee county, and enlisted in ls62in Co. F, 
26th Mich. Inf., and served till the do.se of the war; 
discharged at Jackson, .Mich., in 186."). He married 
Adelia Gilhnan, of Tecutnseh; they have had four 
children, of whom but one is now living. He came 
to Summertield in 187:! and remained I here for a 
time, then returned to Lenawee county, and in lss:l 
again located in Summertield and purchased the farm 
of 40 acres on which he now resides. 

N. CURTIS DUNHAM is a native of Ihe town of 
Dundee, in this county, where he was born in the 
year 1848. He settled in the township of Summer- 
field in the year 18,")li. Miss Delia Ellis, of this 
township, became the wife of Mr. Dunham, and they 
are the parent.s of three children. Petersburgh, 
Monroe county, Mich., is the oHice where Mr. Dun- 
ham receives ids mail. 

ISAAC EAlINCE was born in Trumbull county, 
Ohio, in 184(>. Enlisted in isiil in Co. I, tjth Ohio 
Cav., and served to the dose of the war; was dis- 
charged at Petersburg, Va., in 186'); was at the bat- 
tles of Antietam. Wilderness, (iettysburg, 2d Hull 
Run, and others. In 1866 Mr. Faunre located in 
Allen countv, Ohio, and there married .Miss Nancy 

Clark, of Allen countv, by wh he has two ehildren 

now living. His wife died in 1S70, and in 1S7I he wils 
a^aiii joined in marriage willi Miss Alcinda Bacon, 
o? Trumbull county, Ohio. They havi- four childreii 
living. In 187:! Mr. Faunce came to Monroe county, 
Mich., and purchased 80 acres of unimproved land. 
He has now 1(K) acres of land nmler cultivation, with 
line residence and good out-buildings. He is a mem- 
ber of .Morgan Parker Post, No. 281, (i. A. R. 

JOHN W. FILLMORE, a son of Calvin T. and 
.Maranda Fillmore, and a nephew of ex-Presidenl 
Millard Fillmore, was born in Washtenaw county, 
Mich., in 18:17. He enlisted Aug. 6. IHCc'. in Co. D, 
20th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and was disiharged at De- 
Troit, Mich., in 186:!, having served over one year. 
He was in the battles of Antietam, South .Mountain 
and Frederick.sburg. He came to the town of Sum- 
merlield in 1868, and soon after purchased the farm 
of 66 acres on which he now resides. He was mar- 
ried in 1S(1,5 to Mrs. Margaret Fdlmore, relict of Clar- 
ence Fillmore, of Wa.shlenaw county, Mich. They 
liave four children. He was chosen as a magistrate 
in 1881, and held Ihe ollice four years. He is a mem- 
ber of Morgan Parker Post, No. 2sl His parents 
located in Wa-shtenaw county, from Biillalo, N.Y., 
in 18:1.'., and lived therethrough life. 

J\MES H.tJAGi; was born in Cuero, Onondaga 
couiity N Y Aug. 28, 1820. When but a lad he 



46 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



with his grandparents went to Auburn, N. Y., where 
he attended school with a view of becoming a civil 
engineer, but defective eye-sight compelled him to 
abandon the project. In 1841 he moved to Romulus, 
Seneca county. New York, and May 1, 1.S4-I, was 
married to Lettice, youngest daughter of, Robert 
Fleming. He engaged in farming and school teach- 
ing until the spring of l.SGl, when he moved to 
Michigan with his wife and children, Henry F., born 
June 1, 1845, Robert L., born Nov. IL', 1849, and Dora 
K., born Jan. 21, 1859, settling in Petrrsburgh in May, 
1863, taking an active social and liusiness course. He 
was the pioneer druggist from 18(i5 to 18(>9, during 
which time he was postmaster. In partnershij) with 
his son he started the Petersburgh .4oatanc7i.(%June,'71. 
In 1870 he was elected township clerk, which beheld 
two terms; coroner in 1872 and justice of the peace 
in 1873, to which he has been re-elected each term 
since. In politics he is a Republican; in religion a 
member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is 
an elder. 

EDWIN ALOEKNON (ilLBERT, the proprietor 
of the Peterslmrgh .lunrual, is the son of Peter H. and 
Harriet K. (Jenkins) (iilbert, being born January 27, 
1802 in Tekonsha, Calhoun county, Mich. He served 
his time as a printer in the Enterprise office at Gales 
liurg. In 1887 he moved to Petersburgh and pur- 
chased the Joainal. May 27, 1888, he married Carrie 
E. Hafer, then living with her sister, Mrs. Theodore 
Cook, in Eckford township, near Homer, Mich., who 
died April 25, 1889, was buried in the cemetery at 
Homer. She left one son born April 7, 1889. Ed- 
win is the youngest of four brothers, and contrary 
to the traditional custom of his craft is a total ab- 
stainer, and since 18S1 has been an active member of 
the Good Templars, and although only thirteen are 
with him, is a strong I'rohibitionist. While in Bur- 
lington he united with the Free Baptist church, with 
which faith he still holds communion. 

CLINTON 8. (tILLETT is a native of this town- 
ship, his liirth taking place in the year 1843. He is 
the owner of a beautiful farm of 40 acres. His wife's 
maiden name was Nancy Gould, a native of Lenawee 
county, Mich. They were married in the year 1870, 
and are the parents of one child. Mr. Gillett's post- 
olhce address is Dundee, Michigan. 

WILBUR GREENFIELD was born in Steuben 
county, N. Y., in 1839. His parents were James and 
Mary Greenfield, who removed to Huron county, 0., 
in 1840, and in 1852 came to Lenawee county, Mich., 
and settled in the town of Macon. Wilbur enlisted 
in 1802 in Co. E, 18th Mich. Int., and served to the 
close of the war, being discharged at Jackson, Mich., 
in 1865. He was at the battles of Athens and Deca- 
tur, Ala., and the siege of Nashville. He received a 
gunshot wound at Decatur, from the effects of which 
lie lost the sight of his right eye. He was married in 
January, 18ti6, to Miss Jane Olds, of Macon, Lenawee 
county, Mich., by whom he has four children. 

WILLIAM H. HEATH, justice of the peace of 
Petersburgh, was born in England Dec. 21, 1822, and 
came to America in 1839. He settled in Petersburgh 
in 1843. He was married to Esther Breningstall. 
Their children who are now living are: Ansel V., 
born March 4, 1857; George T., born Feb. 12, 1854, 
and Edwin E., born March 7, 18.5(). Mr. Heath is a 
shoemaker by trade. He has held the office of con- 
stable, village treasurer, clerk, postmaster and justice 
of the peace. He is a member of the M. E. church ; 
postoffice address, Petersburgh. 

JOHN E. HOLCOMB, a prosperous farmer of Sum- 
merfield, is a native of the town of Canaan, Litchlield 
county. Conn., 1837 the year of his birth. He came 
west at the age of 20 years in the year 1857, and set- 
tled in Lucas county, O., where he was married to 
Miss Eliza French, of Sylvania. He came to this 



township in the year 1884. Petersburgh, Monroe Co., 
Mich., is his i)ostoffice address. 

EMANUEL S. LAUER, a native of Monroe City 
and the present representative of the leading dry 
goods house in the village of Petersburgh, was born in 
Monroe in 1850. His parents were Sebastian and Phil- 
opena Lauer. He came to Petersburgh in February, 
1887, and engaged in the dry goods business, in which 
his success is manifest by his large and increasing 
traile. 

JOHN LONG, son of Morris and Hannah Long, was 
born in Franklin county, N. Y., in 1836, and came 
with his father's family to Lenawee county, Mich., 
in 1855, where the family made a permanent settle- 
ment in the town of Dover. John was married on 
the 25th day of October, 1858, to Miss Temperance 
A. Cleveland, daughter of Jonas and Sarah Cleve- 
land, of Dover, Mich., by whom he has three sons. 
He came to Monroe county in 1877, locating at Terr}'- 
ville, in Summerfield. and remained thereabout five 
years, then purchased a mill at Deerfield, and re- 
mained until 18S3, then purchased 107 acres of land 
in Summerfield, where he now resides. He served 
as corami.ssioner of highways in Lenawee county two 
vears. He is a member of Tracy Lodge, No' 167, 
F. & A. M., of Deerfield. 

JACOB W. McCARTY, son of Francis and Cath- 
eriue McCarty, was born in the town of Phelps, On- 
tario county, N. Y., in 1840, locating in Petersburgh, 
this county, in 1861. He enlisted In 1864 in Co. K, 
(ith Mich. H. Art.; was at the siege of Spanish Fort 
and Tracy, Ala.; was discharged Aug. 20, 1865, and 
returned to Petersburgh. Was married in 1866 to Miss 
Helen E. Hill, of Petersburgh; they have five chil- 
dren. Was appointed constable in and for the town of 
.Summerfield in 1871, and in 1876 deputy sheriflf, both 
of which offices he has held successively to the pres- 
ent time. 

CHAUNCEY B. MEAD, blacksmith of Petersburgh, 
Summerfield township, was born in New Y'ork State 
April 23, 1819. In 1835 he came to Monroe City, 
where he remained two years, then came to Peters- 
burgh, where he has resided ever since. He mar- 
ried Sept. 27, 1842, Elizabeth Ramsey, of Detroit, who 
was born May 17, 1822. Their children have beenas 
follows: Catherine, born Nov. 1, 1844, died in infancy; 
Chauncey A., born Jan. 10, 1846; Philip J., born Jaii. 
14, 1848; George E., born March 13, 1850; Maria E., 
born Feb. 12, 18.55; Charles E., born Oct. 11, 1857; 
Caroline, born Feb. 27, 1801, died March 7, 1862. 
Mrs. Mead died April 20, 1874. George E. married 
Victoria E. Trombley Feb. 6, 1878, who was born in 
Petersburgh Aug. 27, 1848. Their children have 
been: Mabel C, born July 11, 1879, died May 27, 
1882; Margarets., born Aug. 8, 1881; M.iry E., born 
Jan. 28, 1883; Chauncey L., born Nov. 7,1886, died in 
infancy. 

JOHN MILLER was born near the city of Wooster, 
Wayne county, O., Aug. 25, 1825. In 1831 the family 
removed to Huron county, O., and in 1836 to Wood 
county. These moves were ma<le by his parents, 
Michael and Nancy Miller. In IS47 John came to 
Monroe county, Mich., and located at Vienna, and en- 
g:iged in blacksmitliing, remaining there until 1849, 
then went to Lambertville. In 1800 he located at 
Petersburgh, in Summerfield township, working at 
his trade until 1870, then purchased and removed to 
the farm of 75 acres where he now resides. He en- 
listed July 17, 1862, in Co. K, 18tli Mich. V. I., and 
served to the close of the war as a musician. He was 
married in 1846 toHarrietE. Kirk, of Wayne county, 
Mich , by whom he had five children, all now de- 
ceased. His wife died in 1887. He was chosen 
magistrate in 1884, and now holds that office. He 
is a member of Morgan Parker Post, No. 281, G. A. R. 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



47 



HENRY MOORE, who ilic.l Wiis a 

resilient of Moiiroe county from lS.'iS until tlic tiiuc 
of his (leatli, and cnjiaKi'il in farming. lie was born 
on the IsU' i)f Man, Kn-;lanil, in 1S24, mul came to 
America in 1S4!I, settliiif; in i)nn<lee township in ISoS. 
He was married to Anna Waterson .Ian. 7, l.s.')4, who 
wa.s also born in England Jan. 7, IS:!4, ami who now 
resides on her deceased husband's farm. Eleven 
children were born to them, of whom nine are now 
living, bi>rn as follows: Eleanor. Dec. 2((. l.S."i4; 
l/)uisa, Feb. 2."), ls.-it) ; Eliza, Aug. l:!, 1S.">7; William, 
Nov. l:;, l.si;i; Melissa. .lulv I'S. IS(14; John, Oct. L'.'i, 
lS(i.i; Thomas, Feb. 7, ISOS; Robert. Jan. 7, 1S71; 
Irwin, May -■>, 1S7S, and Harry, April .'), hS74. Mrs. 
Moore is a mendver of the M. E. church. Postollice 
address, Petersburgh. 

CALVIN PALMER, afarmerof Sunimcrtield lown- 
shi|i, wa.« born in the State of Pennsylvania Oct. I'l', 
isi"). He afterwards removed to New York .State, 
and lived there "iD years. In ISS:! hecauie to Peters- 
burgh. He enlisted Aug. 2(1, l.SliL', in Co. D, of the 
ii7th Regt.,N. Y. V. I., and served with the regiment 
in all its engagements until the battle of the Wilder- 
ness, when he was severely wounded in the hip, knee 
and hand, incapacitating him for active service. His 
father, James Palmer, was horn in New York .State in 
1S(M1. Calvin was the ol.lest child in a fannly of 
seven children. He married Eunice Green March 1, 
1S.57. Their children are: William, born Nov. 4, 
IS.")-; Eliza, born April 2, l.SliO, and Eleanor, born 
Aug. I, ISti."). His i)ostoMice address is Petersburgh. 

JOHN PETERS was born in HarpersdeUl, Dela- 
ware county, N. Y., Dec. 2:!, l.S2:>, and with his i)ar- 
ents, Richard and Pollv (Wilcox) Petere, came to 
Petersburgh in 1S24. He took the gold fever and 
in ls"i2 went to California ami entered into mining 
and speculating, returning to Petersburgh in l,s()2. 
He was married .March S, l.S(;4,to Ellen .M., ilanghter 
of Calvin and Mary .\. (Bruce) Burnham. She died 
.\ug. I), 1S7(>, leaving him the father of three children: 
Francis, born Jan. s, ISIi."), died July ."), 1.SS2; Marv A., 
born March 2:i, ISliii, and lOllen L, Dec. 17, is7-">. 
Like the rest of his family, he has been a lifelong 
Republican, and though never takingany active part 
in the councils of his ]iarty, at the incorporation of 
the village was elected trustee, wlii<li he lielil for 
three years, and in ls7:! village president, to which 
he was re-elected for three terms. 

THOMAS JEI-FERSON PETTY, son of Thomas 
and Mary Petty, was born in the town of Henrietta, 
Lorain countv. O., in ISMS. He enlisted in 1S(;4 in 
Co. I), l7Slli Regt. O. V. I., and .-erved to the closeof 
the war. He was at the battles of Stone River and 
Mnrfreesboro, Tenn. ; was mustered out at 
Charlotte, N. C, and <lischarged at Columbus, O., 
in 18(15. He was married in IS(j(l to Mi.ss Antoinette 
Jay, datighterof William and Permelia Jay. of Lorain 
county, O., by whom he h.as three ihildren now 
living and three decejised. He canut to Monroe 
CItv in 1S7(). and in company with John Wellman 
engaged in business as carpenter and joiner ami 
builder, which be followed eight years. In ls7.s or 
|s7',t became to the town of .Suinmerfield and piir- 
cha.sed the farm on which he now resides, of 120 
acres, Hi.s postolhue address is Decrlield. 

MRS. ALICE L. PIERCE was born in Cuyahoga 
county, O , in ls4S. ]\i-r i)arenls were Joshua and 
Lucina Turner. She married James Pierce of 
Franklin county, O., by whom she has live children. 
She came to Monroe county, Mich., with her family 
in 1S71, locating at Petersburgh, where she now 
resides. 

WILLIAM L. PIERCE was born in the town of 
Whiteford, this county, in 184(1. His parents were 
William and Mary Pierce. He mhrried .Mary Lee, of 
Milan,ErieC<:).,0. Her parents were Jacob and .lerusha 



I>ee, who were formerly residents of Seneca countv, 
N. Y. Wm. L. Pierce and wife have three children. 
He came to Siimmerlield in I.s7:'i. and purchased the 
farm of S() acres on wbiib he now resides. He en- 
listed in l.S(i4 in the .Mechanics ami Engineering 
Corps, and was dischiirgeilat Niushville, Tenn., in llie 
same year. 

DAVID RAINSBERGER was born in Tuscarawas 
county, OU'iK, in ls.')2. His pari-nis were Lewis and 
Sarah Rainsberger, and in |x."i(> tliev removed lo 
Blackford county, Ind., wbire tliey'died. Daviil 
married Miss Lucy J. (irimes, o(" Blackford connly, 
Ind., and they have six chili ren living. In |n77 Mr, 
Rainslierger relurneil to Ohio and settled in .\llen 
county. In 1S7S he came to Moinne county, Miili., 
ami pmvhased :!ll acres of land in Summerlield, 
where he now resides. 

THOMAS ALLEN REA was born at Darlmoulh, 
Crystal county, Ma.ss., in 1.S2:!. In early life he eam«' 
with bis parents to Wyondng county, N. Y., where 
in IS4S he was married to Miss Ksther E. Mann, by 
whom he had two ihililren. From Wyoming county 
he nextst'ttled at Aurora, Erie county, N, Y,, where 
his wile <lied in I.s.")!i, and in ISdl be was mar- 
ried to Miss Harriet E. Havens, ol Auroia, by whom 
he has three cinldren now living. In I.MIS Mr. Rea 
came to Monroe county, Mich., with his family, ami 
located on ()l) acres of land abixd one-half iidie east 
of Petei-sburpb, wiiere his widow still resides, ;inil 
where he ilied May l!i, 1.S.S7, He bad been a mem- 
ber of the Presbyteiian church for .seventeen years. 

N. MYRON ROBERTSON isa n.alive of New York 
Slate, horn in the year I8(1S in Oswego county. He 
accoinpanieil his parents lo Huron county. Ohio, at 
an carlv age. He .settK'd in Summerliehl township 
in the" year ISS7. Miss Ros<' Adel Pearl, of Erie 
county, Ohio, became the wife of Mr. Robertson pre- 
vious to his arrival in .Michig:in. His postollice ad- 
dress is Petersburgh. 

LEWIS ROE, son of Dominick and Julia Roe, 
was born in the tow n of Isrie, .Monroe county. Mich., 
in isr)4. His father, Dominiik Roe, was also born in 
the town of Erie, about the year 1S17; hi' dicci in 
is.sl. In ls7!i Lewis left the town of Erie and located 
in the town of Dundee on a farm of 4(1 acres, and re- 
mained then' until IS7(l, then purchased .Ml acres of 
land in SuunnerlieM, on which be now resides. He 
marrie.l Miss Sarah Hrenar, of Beilford. Mich, They 
have three children, two of whom are now living. 

EIXiAR W. SPENCER came to the Slate ..f Mich- 
igan in the year Isii7 and located at Coldwater. He 
settled in Summerlield township the follow;ing year. 
He was born in Erie county. Pa.; his wife, .Mary 
DeWolf, wa.-^ born in Connecticut. They are the par- 
ents of four interesting children. Mr. Spencer is a 
ilealer in commercial fertilizers and machinery ; also 
a shipper to a considerable extent. He receives Ids 
mail at Petersburgh, .Monroe county. 

WILLIAM C. STAIIL is a native of Union county, 
Pa., where he was born in the year ls.'<'.i, sellling in 
this township in 1K.S2. He is the owner of a f.'irm of 
72 acres. Previous to purchasing the farm be taught 
scliool for nine vears in this countv. .Mi.'-s Bosella B. 
Kna).)), of Raisinville, became the wif<' d .Mr. Staid, 
and they are the parents of two children. Peters- 
burgh is" the iK)sto(lice adclress of Wm. C. Staid. 

PI':TER STA I; I'"FKR was bi.rn in the tow n of Riley, 
Pvitnam county, Ohio, in 184:'.. His pannl-s we're 
David ami Catherine Slauller. Tln' laudly removed 
to AdaTus countv, Ind., and remained there until 
IS.'),!, then return"ed to Allen county, Ohio, ami there 
Peter Wiu< married in ISCi.s to .Sirah A. Faiim-e, by 
whom he luu- eight children. In 1S7.'> Peter .Saidl'er 
came to Monroe county an^l purcha.sed .s(l acri-s of 
land in Summerlield, where he now re«lile«. 



48 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ALEXANDER E. STEWART, a native of Edin- 
burgh, Scotland, came to this county in 1863, locating 
first at the city of Monroe and remained there until 
1867, and then came to Petersburgh, which has since 
been his principal jilace of business. He has been 
twice iiiariied, first to Eliza Edwards, by whom he 
had I'isrht cliildren; next to Mary E. Todd, of Sum- 
nu'ilicld, by wliom he has four children. Now owns 
20 acres of land in southeast part of section 37 of 
Summerfleld township. 

ADOLPH SULIER was born in Bedford, this 
county, in 1S38, and was married in 1861 to Adeline 
Cuseno, of Bedford. They have had five children, 
four of them now living. He came to Summerfleld 
in 1862 and engaged in the harness-making business 
at Petersburgh, and in 1865 purchased the farm of 
175 acres in Summerfleld, on which he now resides. 
He has served as drain commissioner for six years. 
His parents were Benjamin and Mary Sulier, of Bed- 
ford. Himself and wife are members of the Roman 
Catluilic church. 

BENJAMIN H.THAYER was born in the town 
of Macedon, Wayne county, N. Y., in 1829. He 
came to this State with his parents in 18-10, locating 
in Livingston county. He soon went to Detroit, re- 
maining there six or seven years, thence to Monroe. 
Enlisted in 1861 in Co. F, 1st Mich. Engs. and Mechs.; 
was at the battle of Mill Springs, Ky., in 1862, also at 
Perryville and others; discharged at Atlanta, Ga., 
Oct. 12, 1864, returning to Petersburgh. Engaged in 
business as a carpenter and joiner, which has since 
been his principal business. He has been twice 
married, flrst to Ann Humphrey, of Monroe, next to 
Lizzie Zibbel, of Petersburgh. He has no children. 

LEWIS TROMBLEY was born at Chazy, Clinton 
county, N. Y., March 24, 180.^; died Feb. 13, 1880, 
aged nearly 75. He was married in 1831 to Sophia 
Gregory, of Isle of Mott, Vt. He emigrated to this 
State in June, 1833, when he settled in this county, 
near the i)resent village of Petersburgh. He was ac- 
companied by Horace Hill and wife, the latter being 
a sister to Lewis Trombley. They came on the flrst 
steamboat that landed in Toledo, then in the Terri- 
tory of Michigan. The steamer was named "Walk- 
in-the-water." There was at that day but 25 or 30 
families in what now comprises the township of 
Summerfleld. The country was yet comparatively 
a wilderness. Wild game was abundant, and Lewis, 
who was passionately fond of hunting, secured many 
a trophy in the shape of deer and wild turkeys, and 
an occasional bear. He located on a small farm, 
which he worked when not occui>ied in hunting. He 
vi'as al.so for many years in the luujbcr business. He 
became familiar with every uninbabiled portion of 
Summerfleld at an early day; could guide any one 
(hrough the woods to any desired sjiot, and thus be- 
came useful on more than one occasion. He was the 
first butcher in Petersliurgh, supplying the village 
and vicinity for a few years. He also held public 
oflices of trust, among them being township treas- 
urer, in w lilch capacity he served several terms. He 
was a zealous supporter of the old Whig party, and 
afterwards became a firm member of the new Repub- 
lican party until his death. He became the father of 
ten children, but four, however, attaining the age of 
manhood, viz.: Jerome, William, Lewis E. and Vic- 
toria E., who are now living in and near Peters- 
burgh. 

MOSES TROMBLEY, son of Lewis and Victoria 
Trombley, was born in Clinton county, N. Y., in 
1820. He came to this county in 1839, and in 1849 
took 44 acres of land in section 5 of Summerfield 
township, which he still owns and occupies. He was 
married in 1847 to Edith Drewior, daughter of 
John and Catherine Drewior, of the town of 
LaSalle, this county. They have two children. 



HORACE JEROME TROMBLEY was born Nov. 
20, 1837, about three-quarters of a mile north of the 
village of Petersburgh, in this county. His parents 
were Lewis Trombley, of Chazy, Clinton county, 
N. Y., and Sophia (Gregory) Trombley, of Isle of 
Mott, Vt. He at an early age manifested a fondness 
for music. When 13 years of age he became posses- 
sor of his flrst violin, on which he soon became quite 
a performer for a boy self-taught. His younger 
brothers, William and Lewis E.,also having a musical 
turn of mind, the three brothers formed themselves 
into a band, which became known as the " Trombley's 
Quadrille Band." This little trio was much sought 
after to furnish music on all occasions, and for many 
years enjoyed the reputation of being the best in the 
county. Jerome, in after years, liecame a traveling 
musician in connection with circus and theatrical 
companies, being leader of orchestra for eight or ten 
years. This gave him an opportunity of seeing much 
of this great and glorious country and its people. He 
gave up traveling in 1874 and has since lived on the 
old homestead, one mile west of Petersburgh. For 
several terms he has been elected treasurer of the 
township of Summerfield, and is the present town- 
.ship treasurer (1887). For the last few years he has 
devoted considerable time to the study of natural 
history, his favorite branches being ornithology and 
conchology. He now possesses a fine collection of 
bird's eggs, which it is believed will compare favor- 
ably with any in the State, there being over 300 
species of eggs in chitches and comprising nearly 
1,.500 specimens. The eggs of every species of bird in 
the country is represented. His collection of shells, 
consistmg of land, fresh water and marine, includes 
over ,500 species, and his library, chiefly devoted to 
natural history, contains about 200 volumes. 

JOHN N. WADSWORTH was born in Monroe Co., 
N. Y., in the year 1801. In the month of October, 
1824, he (^ame to this county and took up about 100 
acres of unimproved land in what is now Summer- 
fleld township, about two miles northeast of Peters- 
burgh, remaining thereon through the winter of 
1824-5. making a clearnig of five acres. The follow- 
ing spring he returned to Rochester, N. Y., and there 
married Martha Cox, by whom he had one son, now 
deceased. In 1829 he returned to his farm in this 
county, and remained there until his death in 1877. 
Having lost his flrst wife he was married again in 18.30 
to Maria Ward, a native of New Jer.sey, who came to 
this county with her parents, Elilui and Rebecca 
Ward, in 1825; by this marriage there were eight 
children, six of whom are now living, thi'ee sons and 
three daughters. Mrs. Wadsworth, his widow, is now 
living with her daughter, Mrs. Emma Baker, on the 
old homesteail, and is now 79 years of age. 

CHARLES WERTHER, a farmer of Summerfleld 
township, was born in Germany Nov. 25, 1819; caiue 
to America in 1849, settled in this county in 18,54. 
He married, December, 1862, Harriet Sortore, who 
was born in Germany Dec. 25, 1816. Mr. Werther 
enlisted in Co. K, 15th Mich. V. I., December, 1862, 
and was mustered out Aug. 0, 1862. He was wounded 
in the knee at the liattle of Pittsburg Landing. He 
is a member of the G. A. R. Order, of Petersburgh, 
and of the Lutheran church. 

GORDON R. WOLF, who is agent of the Lake 
Shore and Michigan Southern Railway at Petersburgh, 
was born at Morenci, Mich., in the year 1863. In the 
year 1884 he settled in Petersljurgh, where he was 
married to Mamie Piper, of Deerfield, in 1886. His 
postofflce address is Petersburgh. 

MICHAEL YOST was born in Franklin county. 
Pa., in 1839. His parents were Peter and Elizabeth 
Yost, who now reside in Wood county, O. Michael 
married Sarah C. Griffin, daughter of David F. and 
Sarah Griffin, of Wayne county, O. They have ten 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



49 



chililicn, live t)oys and live ijiils. Mr. Yost rame 
to this county in ISS.'). ainl located on the farm 
of F. R. .'Stewart in Suiunu'rlield, where he now re- 
sides. He enlisted in Wayne county, O. (wheri> liis 
Sarents had lived for L'O years), in ISiii!, in Co. F, liiL'd 
I. V. I., and served to the close of the war, and was 
discharged at Chica^'O in lHi>.">. He was at the haUle 
of Nashville, Teiui. 

AVHIXKFORD TOWNSHIP. 

ELMER E. B.\KKR was born in Whiteford in 
1861, son of Jesse and Jane Baker. His father 
was a native of Massachusetts, and came to this 
county in 1S47. settling first at Ottawa Lake; in 
18.59 lie bought the farm wliere his widow now re- 
sides. Elmer E. married Sarah Friess, daughter of 
Elias and 8oj)hia Fiiess, by whom he has three 
children. His occupation is painting, graining and 
paper hanging ; postottice address, t)ttawa Lake. 

WILLIA.M BEI-L was born in Lincolnsliirc, Eng- 
land, in 1S28, son of Tliomas and Sarah Bell. He 
was married in 18.50 to Sarah Ann Mayfield, of Lin- 
colnshire, by whom he has live children. In the 
year of his marriage he came with his wife to Amer- 
ica, and located at North t'hili, Monroe county, N. 
Y., and remaine<l there three years. He came to 
this State from Fairport, N. Y., in 1853, and settled 
at Ottiiwa Uike, where he jnirchased SO acres of land, 
on which he now resides. Mrs. Bell died in 1S72, 
and in 1877 he was married to Mrs. Mary Ann 
Whalin, of Toledo. 

CHARLES S. BEMIS, son of Abel and Esther 
Bemis, was born in the town of Springticld, Lucas 
countv, Ohio, in 1841. Enlisted Sept. 2i), 18(11, in 
Bat. ii, 1st 0. L. A., and served with said battery till 
September, 18G4, wlien lie was discharged, his term 
of three years for which he enlisted having then ex- 
pired. On the 8th day of the following March he 
re-enlisted in Co. H, 3d Ohio Cav., and was dis- 
charged at Columbus, Ohio, during the tirst part of 
August, 18G5. He was in tlie battles of Fredericks- 
burgh, Wilderness and Cold Harbor, and also at the 
siege of Petersburg from June to October. He was 
married on the liHh day of March, ISIili, to LucettaA. 
Osborne, daughter of J Dhn W. and Mary W. Osborne, of 
Tecumseh, by whom he has six children. At the 
close of the war he came to Whiteford, this county, 
and settled on the farm of 57 acres where he now re- 
sides. He has tilled the oHicc of treasurer of White- 
ford two terms; is a iiieiuber of Pago Po.st, No. 471, 
G. A. R., of Svlvania. Lucas countv. Ohio. 

JOHN M. BOTIMEU, son of Christian and Susan 
Botimer, was born at LaSalle in 1S4.'!. He was mar- 
ried in isno to Caroline Bischolf, of Whiteford. by 
whom he has four children: John C, born Feb. 
29, 1868; Margaretta F., born Sept. 4, 1869; Magda- 
lena J., born July 29, 1S72; Caroline M. C, born 
May 31, 1880. Mr. Botimer came to Whitefonl 
from LaSalle in 1881, ami purcha.sed the farm 
of 120 acres on which he now resides. Himself 
and wife are members of the I.,utlieran church, of 
Whitefonl Centre. His father. Christian Boti- 
mer, was a native of Germany, and came to 
America with his parents in 1832. The family 
first settled at Monroe City and remained there 
about two years, and then removed to LaSalle and 
remained there through the balance of life. Chris- 
tian married Susan Denninger, of LaSalle, for his first 
wife, and by her had two children, of whom John M., 
of Whiteford, is the only remaining one. Christian 
was married twice after his first wife died. 

CHARLES CYRUS BROWN Wius horn in the city 
of Toledo, Nov. 22, 18.56, son of Jonathan and Harriet 
Brown, anrl maile Lucas county his home until .\pril 
1, 1862. He then came to Monroe county and lociited 
on the farm of O D. Johnston, in the town of White- 
ford, where he now resid.-s. He was married in 1881 



to Fannie L. Taylor, ilaughter of George and Susan 
Taylor, who were natives of Eiiglaml, hut at Ibis 
time residents of Lucas counly, Ohio, Cliarlcs Brown 
and wife have three children; his business is farm- 
in!;; his postoflice address is Ottawa Lake. 

WILLIAM F. BKOWN was born at Trcmaines- 
ville, Lucas county. Ohio, in ls,5l). His father died 
when he was a child, and the mother w;is married to 
a Mr, Holainer and loc;ited at Lauibertville. this 
county, to which place William w.is brought in 
childhood. In l.s.s,5 he married Lucy A. Wood, 
daughter of Joseph and Rosiiia Wood, who were 
early settlers of Whiteford township. In LSS.! he 
settled on the farm of :!3 acres which he now owns, 
in Whiteford. 

WILLIAM CLAMPITT, son of Gabriel and Mary 
Clampitt, was born at Hevonshire, in the parish of 
Chagionl, England, in 1828, He married Eli^cabeth 
Thorn, of the same parish, in ls.50, by whom he had 
twelve children, eight of whom are now living. In 
1852 Mr. Clampitt left his native country and family, 
and came to .\merica, and made his (irst permanent 
stop at Sylvania, Lucas county, Ohio, where he 
landed with rmly -50 cents in money and ^10 in debt, 
and it was not until 1854 that he was able to procure 
a pa.ssage for his wife to this country. He remained 
at Sylvania until 1864, turning his lime to the best 
account; he then i>urchased tiO acres of land in 
Whiteford, on which there was a small clearing, and 
settled thereon. He now owns 140 acres of valuable 
land, of which 120 is under cultivation. On his ar- 
rival in .\merica heat once applied for naturalization, 
and cast his first vote for president for John C. Fre- 
mont, and from that time to the present has been 
identified with the Republican party, and has t;iken 
a lively interest in .American institutions and im- 
])rovements. 

EZRA N. D.\NIELS was born in Wolcott, Wayne 
county, N. Y., in 1847, His parents were Orrin and 
Esther Daniels, who came to this county from New- 
York in 1S4S, locating at Whiteford Centre, and re- 
mained there through the balance of life, Ezra N. 
enlisted in 1864, in Co, B, 8th Mich, Cav,, and served 
to the close of the war; he was in the engagement at 
Atlantji, Ga,, and several skirmishes; he was mus- 
tered out at Nashville, Tenn., and discharged at 
Jackson, Mich,, in 1865. He was married in 1877 to 
Ida Gunn, daughter of Solon and Sarah Gunn, of 
Whiteford, by whom he has two children. In 1872 
he pun-based and opened the stone ijuarry near the 
head of Ottawa Lake, where he keeps two men em- 
ployed in getting out buildiiiL' stone, of which he 
turns out from three to five liundrcd cords annu- 
ally. A supply is kept constantly on liand at the 
quarrv. 

JASPER FERRIS was born in the town of White- 
ford, in 1839. His father, Samuel W. Ferris, was 
born in New York City, in l.HOit, and we next find 
him in Montgomery county, N. Y,, from whence he 
came to Lucas county, Ohio, and settled near Toledo, 
and from there to this county, where he lo<'ate<l on 
40 acres of land in the southeast part of section 4, 
and remained there the balance of his life. He was 
married in 1831 to Margaret Cranker. of Montgomery 
county, N. Y., by whom he had eight children, of 
whom' six are now living. His widow still survives 
him, ami resiiies at the ol<l homestead. The address 
of .Jasper is Whitefonl Centre, 

SAMUEL L. FLETCHER wivs born in the town 
of Norwich, Ilun.n county, Ohio, in ls20. His imr- 
ents were John and Ellen Fletcher, who settled in 
Otta wa Co., Mich., at an earl V date, and remained there 
through life. In 1841 Samuel located near Toledo, 
Ohio , and remained there until about the year 1S58, 
and then came to Whitefonl and purchased the farm 
of 82 acres on which he now resides. He wiis mar- 
ried in \Xo~ to Mrs. Anna Cornwall, of Whiteford, 



50 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



by whom lie has two sons and two daughters. He 
served as constable several years in Lucas county. 
Ohio, also as an assessor, school director, etc.; in 18SG 
took contract from the government for carrying the 
mail from Sylvania via Whiteford Centre to Lam- 
bertville, for four years. 

GEORGE FOWLER was born in Columbia 
county. Pa., Sept. 12, ISIS. His grandfather was an 
Englishman, and came to this country as a soldier 
under Cornwallis, during the Revolutionary war; he 
was taken prisoner at Yorktown by the American 
Army, and afterwards settled on Long Island. The 
parents of George Fowler were Benjamin and Eliza- 
beth. George has been twice married, first in 1S41, to 
Caroline Varner,daugl iter of Daniel Varner.of Luzerne 
Co., Pa., by whom he had eight children, five of whom 
are now living; she died in 1.S70. In 1871 he was mar- 
ried to Mrs. Emma Pool, of Whiteford. In 1845 Mr. 
Fowler removed to Licking county, Ohio, where he 
followed milling and the mill-wright business for a 
number of years. In 1863 located on his present 
farm of 80 acres, in Whiteford, to which he was 
obliged to cut his own road through the forest two 
miles; he now has 60 acres under improvement. He 
was originally a member of the old Whig party, but 
afterwards became a Republican and took a deep in- 
terest in the Union cause during the Rebellion, as- 
sisting in the formation of three regiments in Ohio. 

ROSWELL W. GRAHAM was born in Lake 
county, Ohio, in ISii. His lather, David Graham, 
was born in New Hampshire in 1798, and came with 
his parents to Seneca county, N. Y., in 1799; about 
the year 1S20 came to Lake county, Ohio, and there 
married Hope (Jone, liy whom he has seven children, 
of whom Roswell W., of Whiteford, is the only sur- 
viving one; in IS31 he came with his family from 
Lake county, Ohio, to this county, and located in the 
town of Erie, where he purchased a farm; he served 
there as a magistrate, town clerk, etc.; he died in 
1864 at Coldwater, Mich.; his wife died in 1832. In 
1849 Roswell went to California and remained three 
years, and on his return to this county purchased the 
farm on which he now resides, and with the excep- 
tion of eighth years in Fulton county, Ohio, has been 
a resident of Whiteford to the present time. He was 
married in 18.53 to Sarah Smith, daughter of Robert 
and Nancy Smith, of Whiteford, by whom ho has 
had nine children, six of whom aj-e now living. In 
1864 he liecame a traveling agent in the division of 
the Mississippi, in the employ of the government, 
for the protection of railroad property. With the 
exception of one term has held the ottice of magis- 
trate for the past 20 years, and now holds that office. 

' JOSIAH HALL, son of Elihu and Maria (Wilson) 
Hall, was born in Vienna, this county, Dec. 4, 1840; 
graduated from Monroe high school in 1860, came to 
Whiteford in 1867 and taught school for three years. 
On Nov. 23, 1S70, he married Viola, daughter of 
Charles and Cassandra Mallett. Has three children 
living ; Edna, born Feb. 22, 1872; Fay, born Aug. 28, 
1876, and Stephen, born Jan. 23, 1884. Clarence, 
born Sept. 3, 1879, died Aug. 31, 1882. Has held 
the office of supervisor for several years, superinten- 
dent of schools for three years, school inspector and 
teacher in the township most of the time for the past 
twenty years. 

LYMAN R. HINDS was born in Huron county, O., 
in 183('). His parents were Alfred and Sarah Hinds, 
who removed from Huron to ^Muskingum county, O., 
in 1837, and from thence, in 1851, came to this county, 
and settled in the town of Whiteford ; 320 acres of 
land were purchased, on which the parents lived and 
died, and of which Lyman R. now owns 80 acres. 
He was married in 1861 to Phoebe Hopkins, of White- 
ford, by whom he has ten children. He has served 



as commissioner of highways four years. He is a 
member of Sylvania Lodge, F. & A. M. 

CHRISTIAN HOBART was born in the town of 
Pompey, Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1826. His par- 
ents were .lacob and Mary Hobart, who, in 1836, re- 
moved to Huron county, O., and remained there one 
year, going thence to this county, locating first in 
Summerfield, and then in Vienna, in the town of 
Erie, and in 1844 purchased SO acres in the town of 
Whiteford, where they died. Of this family five 
children are now living. Christian was married in 
1852 to Esther Ann Dolby, a native of Detroit, a 
daughter of Robert and Mary Dolby, now of White- 
ford; they have four children. In 1871 Mr. Hobart 
was chosen to the office of magistrate in the town of 
Whiteford, but declined to qualify ; was elected again 
in 1875, and served, by re-election, eight years. In 
1883 was elected drain commissioner, and now holds 
that office ; also hold the office of town clerk four 
years, school inspector, etc., and is now a notary 
public in and for the town of Whiteford. 

SAMUEL C. H0TCHKIS3 was born in the town of 
Harpersfield, Ashtabula county, O., in 1826. He was 
married in 1864 to Helen Tuttle, daughter of Lyman 
and Sabra Tuttle, of Oneida county, N. Y., by whom 
he has two children. In 1861 Samuel C. Hotchkiss 
went to Washington, and was soon after appointed a& 
clerk in the pension office, and on the 14th day of 
April of the same year offered his services in defense 
of the city by enlisting in Co. A, National Rifles, 
which was soon transferred to the 1st Dist. Regt., but 
in conse(iueiice of the pressure of business at the 
pension ofiice, was recalled to his desk, and served 
in that department eleven years. His parents were 
Doctor .\nson and Chloe Hotchkiss, natives of Litch- 
field county, Conn., who came to Ashtabula county, 
O., at an early date. Dr. Hotchkiss there followed 
his profession throuah the business part of his life, 
and in 1853 the family came to Whiteford and pur- 
chased 240 acres of land, now owned by Samuel C. 
and Arthur Hotchkiss. 

HIRAM HUBBARD was the first white child born 
of English parents in the Maumee valley, in 1817. 
His birthplace was Port Lawrence township, then in 
Michigan Territory, now forming a portion of Lucas 
county, O. Up to 1875 made Lucas county his home. 
He has been twice married, first in 1844 to Lettie Mc- 
Millen, of Lucas county, by whom he had eight chil- 
dren, two of whom are now living; she died in 1855. 
In 1858 he was united in marriage with Jane Flint, 
of Lucas county, by whom he has eight children,, 
five of whom are living; she died in 1876. In 1869- 
Hiram Hubbard purchased 110 acres of land in 
Whiteford, on which he now resides, and located 
thereon in 1875. His business for thirty years was 
manufacturing and dealing in lumber. He was 
about 12 years of age when the turnpike from Mau- 
mee to Detroit was constructed, and says that his 
j'outhful imagination led him to believe that the 
Maumee and Detroit turnpike was the greatest won- 
der ever known. 

DAVID LAPOINT was born in the town of Bed- 
ford, this county, in 1839. He was married in 1861 to 
Mary LeVoy, of Erie township, by whom he has 
eight children. He came to Whiteford in 1863, and 
purchased 40 acres of the farm of 224 acres of land 
which he now owns, 154 of which he now has under 
cultivation. His parents were Francis and Angeline 
LaPoint, of Bedford. 

FOWLER McDowell was born at Williams 
Center, Williams countv, 0., in 1844. Enlisted at 
Toledo in the early part of 1865 in Co. A, 189th O.V.I., 
and served nine months; was mustered out at Nash- 
ville, Tenn., and discharged at Columbus, O., Sept. 
28, 1865. He was married in 1869 to Mary Divert, of 
Williams county, 0., by whom he has five sons and 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



51 



two daughters. Came to this county in 1S71, Infatfil 
in the town of Whiteford ; now owns ■')(> acres of land 
on whicli he resides. 

CHAKI.ES .MOROSS. The parents of the .subject 
of tliis sketch arc Jo.seph and Phoebe Moross, the 
father a native of Detroit, lie married Phoebe 
Lemery, of the town of Erie, by wliom he liad 12 
children, six now living, lie sel'llcd in the town of 
Erie at an early date, and remained there until ls(i2, 
then removed to Whiteford, and purchased the farm 
of .50 acres on which he now resides. Charles lives 
with his parents, and his business is faruiiuK. Post- 
ottice addri'ss, Whiteford Centre. Charles was born 
in lS()(i, his father in IS].!. 

IIAR.MANMURl'HEY enlisted March 10, l,Sii.{, in 
Co. L, 1st Mich. Mechs. and Engs-, and served thro' 
the w'ar; was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., and 
discharged at .lackson, this State. Oct. 1, ISO."). He 
■was born in the tow n of Covert, Seneca county, N. Y., 
in 182(>; in lS:i.i his parents, William and Eliza Mur- 
phey.came to this county, and .settled first in the town 
of Raisinville, then in Summertield, and in l.s-18 pur- 
chased 40 acres of land in Whitefonl, now owned and 
occupied by Harmon. Here the parents both died, 
the father in 1S")1 and the mother in IS.').') or l.S.i(i. 
Of this family there are seven children now living. 
Barman was married in 1840 to Esther Randall, of 
Whiteford, by whom he has had ten children, two 
now living. 

^ BENJAMIN F. NOBLE, a son of Avery and Anna 
Noble, was born at Ravenna, Portage county, O., in 
1840, and came to this countv with his parents in 
18.55. He enlisted in Co. H, 1.5th Mich. V. I., Feb. li, 
1862, and served IS months; was at the battle of 
Pittsburg Landing; was discharged at Detroit in 1S64. 
He was nuirried April 25, ]S71, to Viola Robideaux. 
of Whitefonl, by whom he has seven children. Post- 
ofiice address, Whileford Centre. 

ISAAC J. ORDIWAY, son of Is;iac and Sarah 
Ordiway, was born in Warren county, Pa., .Ian. 14, 
1837. He came to this State in 18.52. and .settled in 
Lenawee county ; enlisted there on the ISth day of 
April, l8f!l, in Co. K, 1st Mich. V. I., and served 
three months; was at the battles of first Bull Run 
and Alexandria; re-enlisted in 1802, Co. .\, 17th Mich. 
V. I., and served to the close of the war; was at the 
battles of South Mountain, Antietam and others. He 
was married in ISO*; to Tammed Butts, daughter of 
William and .Jane A. Butts, of Ogden. Lenawee 
county, by whom he has live children. In bS.SO he 
purchased the Mallett mill property at Whiteford 
Centre, and located there, eng:iging in the lumber 
business as a manufacturer and ilealer in all kinds of 
lumber and timber. 

HENRY N. PAQl'ETT, son of Nazareth and Helen 
Paquett, was born at Vienna, in the town of Erie, in 
1S.57. He married Addic M., daughter of J. II. and AI- 
mira Hobart, of Whiteford; they have one child. He 
located at Whiteford Centre in'lSSl, and engaged in 
blacksmithing, which business he now carries on in 
all its branches, doing all kinds of country work in 
his line. He has served as constable one year, and 
is a member of Blancliard Lodge, F. & \. M., of 
Petersburgh. 

HENRY A. PETERS was born in the town of 
Whiteford in 18-50. He was raarrieil in 1878 to Lizzie 
Duguid, daughter of Jan-.es and Elizabeth Duguid.of 
Toledo, O., who were natives of Scotland, and came 
to this country in is.57, an<l located at Sylvania, 
Lucas county, O. Henry A. Peters and wife have 
four children. His parents were David P. and Mary 
Peters, natives of thetown of Sweden, Monroe county, 
N. Y.; they came to Lucas county, t(., in 1S:!7, an<l 
located at West Toledo, remaining there two years. 
In IS.Jilcame to Whiteford, and bought 100 acres of 
land, ten acres of which was then but partly improv- 



ed ; he remained on this farm until his death in I8.S0. 
His widow still survives him, and n-sidcs nn the ohl 
houu-stcad. 

HENRY H. ROBERTS, son of Truman and Betsey 
Roberts, was born at Oak Hill, in the town of Otisco. 
Onondaga county, N. Y., in isi'7. About the year 
1S55 he came to Toledo, <)., ami ri>mained there'one 
vear, then returned to .Seneca Falls, N. Y.; came back 
in 18.5!!, ami located at Jackson, Mich., then went to 
Lucas ctmnty, t)., thence to Lenawee county, .Mich., 
and about the year bSOO came to this countv. In 
187S he purchased the farm of S(( acres on whfch he 
now resides. He was married in ls.50 to Mrs. Mary 
M. Hopkins, of Lucas county. ()., by whom he has 
seven chiMren, six of whom are now living. 

HENRY ROUSE was born in the town of Hart- 
land, Niagara county, N. Y., in IS4I. His jiarents 
were Thomas .1. and tiertrnde Rouse, who came to 
this county in the fall of 185s, and took up .suai-res 
of land in Whitefonl, where thev remained ihiring 
the balance of life : the father die'.l in 1S7:!, and the 
mother in 1874. Henry enli.sted in 1802 in Co. K, 
18th Mich. V. I., and served to do.se of war; was at 
the battle of .-Xthens, A\a., and several skirmishes of 
less importance; was taken prisoner at the battle of 
Athens, and held for si.x months; he was discliarge<l 
at Detroit June 21, 1805. In 1S72 he w;m married to 
Sarah E. Smith, of Summerfield; they have two chil- 
dren. Her parents were William J. and Betsey Smith, 
.who were natives of Cuyahoga county, O. Henry 
Rouse has served one term as commissioner of high- 
wavs, and in 1885 was elected school inspector, and 
re-elected to that olliee in 1SS7. 

JOHN J. SCIINKTZLER was born in Switzerland 
in 1840, and lanie to .\merica in 180:!, locating first in 
Fulton county, O., where he remained until 1.8()7. 
From there he went to the town of Riga, I.enawee 
county, where he was married to Rosina Waggon- 
lender in 1874; they have two children living anil two 
have died. In the spring of 1SS2 John J. Schnetzler 
located at Ottawa I^ke. where he engaged its fore- 
man for the Dewey Stave Company, and still hius 
charge of their works; he isalso a member of the firm 
of W. F. Dewey & Co., dealers in general merchan- 
dise and agricultural implements. 

JACOB L. SLICK, son of Henry and Barbara 
Slick, was born in the town of Ida, this county, in 
1842. He enlisted Jan. 1, iso.i, in Co. A, 18th Mich. 
V. I., and served to the close of the war; was dis- 
charged at Detroit in .lune, 1805; he was made 
l>risoncr of war at the battle of .\thens, .\la., Oct. 24, 
1.804. and held at Caliaba prison until the termina- 
tion of the war: on his return from that prison was 
on boaril the ill-fated steamer Sultana, on her up- 
ward trip on the Mississippi River, with twenty-three 
hundred jiassengerson boani, when boilers exploded, 
sending seventen hundred soulsto a watery grave,Mr. 
Slick being one of the saved; his prison life was one 
of privation and hanlship, living on one pint of corn 
meal and two ounces of meat per day. .•\fter his re- 
turn from army life he followed the trade of carpen- 
ter and joiner up to 1885, when he located at White- 
ford Centre, and engaged in mercantile business. In 
1S86 he was apiiointed postniiister at Whiteford Cen- 
tre, and now holds that ollice. He is a member of 
Page Post, No 471, of Sylvania, t>. Was married in 
1807 to .Sarah Ward, daughter of Collins and Huldah 
Wanl, of Whiteford, bv whom he has four children. 

ROBERT SMITH was born at Paterson, N. J., in 
1827, and came to Whiteford with his parents in IKKi. 
He marrieil Harriet Harp>un, of Sylvania, <»., daugh- 
ter of Daviil and Clara Harroun, who were natives of 
New York State, but then residents of Sylvania; by 
this marriage Robert Smith has seven chililren now 
living and one decejised. He now owns 150 acres of 
choice Ian. I. His father, Robert Smith, was a native 
of the north of Ireland; he married Nancy Crawford, 



HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



who was also a native of the same country, and came 
with her husband to America at an early date, set- 
tling atPaterson, N. J.; in the springot" 1833 removed 
with his family to this county, and settled in White- 
ford, where he took up KiO acres of wild land, which 
he afterwards improved, and remained thereon until 
his death in \Ht.V2; his wife followed in 18S4. Of this 
family there are four sons and two daughters re- 
maining. 

JOUiSI J. SWILLEY, son of John and Catherine 
Swilley, was born in Lucas county, O., in 1842, and 
came to tliis county in 1S47 with liis parents, who 
settled inthe town of Whiteford, on lands now owned 
by Mrs. Rebecca Swilley, to whom John J. was mar- 
ried in 1873; she was a daughter of Christian and 
Catherine Crols, of Whiteford. John J. Swilley met 
liis death by accident on his own farm in 188.5. 
Christian Crots, his father-in-law, was born in Ger- 
many in 1804 ; he married Catherine Terer. by whom 
he had nine children, of whom five are now living; 
with his wife he came to America in 1832. and locat- 
ed first at LaSalle, remained there to 185.3, then set- 
tled in Whiteford, and now resides w ith his daughter, 
Mrs. Swilley ; his wife died in 1872, 

WILLIAM THORNTON was born in the town of 
Ovid, Seneca county, N. Y., in 1819. About the year 
18,3t) his parents, Elienezer and Abigail Thornton, 
started from Camillus, Onondaga county, N. Y., 
with the family with two-horee teams for Illinois. 
After a journey over rough roads for five hundred 
miles, and in consequence of the failing health of 
Mrs. Thornton, on reaching this county the balance 
of the journey was abandoned and a settlement made 
in the town of Bedford, where 480 acres of land was 
purchased, and the remainder of their lives was 
passed The body of Mrs. Thornton was the first one 
interred in the cemetery at Lambertville. Of this 
family there are five children still living. William 
married Polly McArthur, of Summerfield, l)y whom 
he has three sons and one daughter living. He .set- 
tled in Whiteford about the year 18.i2, on the farm 
of 110 acres on which he now resides; he now owns 
130 acres of land. 

ORRIS F. TUBBS was born in Chenango county, 
N. Y., in 1837. His parents were John W. and 
Samantha Tubbs, who came to this county in 1.S44, 
and located in the town of Whiteford, purchasing 
100 acres of land, which is now owned and occupied 
by his only remaining son. Orris F., who now owns 
14.5 acres. He enlisted in 1861 in the Mech. and 
Eng. Corps at Adrian, and served under Col. Bissell 
In Missouri; he was discharged at Otterville, Mo., in 
18t)2, for disability. He was married in 1852 to Mary 
J., daughter of Thomas J. and Gertrude Rouse, who 
came to this county from Wyoming county, N. Y., in 
1850. Orris F. and wife have six children ; his address 
is Ottawa Lake. 

EDWIN VESEY, son of Jonathan and Sophia 
Vesey, was born in Lake county, O., in 1823. At the 
age of about 16 he engaged in grafting fruit trees, and 
followed that business through life, much of the time 
in former years in the Southern States. He came to 
Whiteford in 1S52, and purchased 80 acres of land, on 
which he has since lesided. He was married in 1847 to 
Angeline, daugliter of William and Adeline Merri- 
man, of Lake county, O., by whom he has had ten 
children, of whom seven are now living. He enlist- 
ed in 1864 in Co. K, 24th Mich. V. I., and served to 
the end of the war ; he was in the fight at Hatchers 
Run, Va., and the Weldon Raid; was discharged at 
Detroit in July, 1865; he is a member of Page Post, 
No. 471, at Sy'lvania. O. 

HIRAM WAKELEY was born in Albany, N. Y., 
Aug. 30, 1815, son of Thomas and Amanda Wakoley. 
In 1840 he came to Toledo, 0., engaged in shoemak- 
ing, and remained there 12 years. In 18.52 he pur- 



chased 40 acres of land at Whiteford Centre, and 
located there, still following his trade in connection 
with his farm. In 1866 he opened the first store at 
Whiteford Centre, and has continued the same to the 
present time. Was appointed the first i^ostmaster at 
the Centre, receiving his appointment in 1867, and 
held the office to October, 1886. In 1854 he was 
chosen as supervisor of the town of Whiteford, and 
held that oftice consecutively to 1862; was elected to 
the same office again in 1S64, and served by re-elec- 
tion four years; again in 1S7(), and served to 1881 by 
re-election. In ISiil was ajipointed U. S. marshal, 
and held that office to the close of the war. He mar- 
ried Caroline Thomas, of Lucas county, O., by whom 
he has three children now living and one deceased. 

COLLINS WARD was born in the town of Huron, 
Erie county, O., in 1812. He married Laura Thomas, 
of Lucas county, O., by whom he had seven children, 
six of whom are still living. He settled in Lucas 
county at an early age, and remained there until 
about the year 1837, and then purchaged 120 acres of 
wild land in Whiteford, near the Centre, of which 
about 60 acres was improved under his supervision. 
He settled on this farm at the time of purchase, and 
remained there until his death in 1886; his wife died 
there also. 

EDMUND WARD.sonof Henry and Martha Ward, 
was born at Litchfield, Lucas county, O.. in 1866, and 
came with his parents to this county in 1872, and 
located in the town of Whiteford. He was married 
in 1886, to Jennie, ilaughter of Lewis and Mary 
Potter, a native of Lenawee county. His occupation 
is farming; his address is Sylvania, Lucas county, O. 

JARED WARD, son of Collins and Laura Ward, 
was born in Lucas county, O., in 1834, and came with 
his parents to Whiteford in 1837. He married Mar- 
garet Dolby, a daughter of Robert and Mary Dolby, 
now of Whiteford, by whom lie has four children. 
He enlisted in 1862 in Co. F, 26th Mich. V. I., and 
served to the end of the war; was mustered out at 
Ale.vandria, Va.. and discharged at Jackson, this 
State, in 1865. Was elected treasurer of Whiteford 
in 1879, and served two terms by re-election; was 
elected to the office of magistrate in 1884, and now 
holds that office He is a member of Page Post, 
No. 471, of Sylvania, Ohio. 

AZARIAli WEBB, son of Thomas F. and Sarah 
Webb, was born at Lunenburg, Essex county, Vt.,in 
181:!. In 1837 he made his first trip to the West, and 
landed at Milwaukee, Wis., remaining there 18 
months; from that place he came to this county and 
located in the town of Summerfield, where he pur- 
chased a farm, and lemained there for a time ; then 
went to the city of Monroe and worked for Austin 
Wing for some time ; in 1840 he came to Whiteford 
and purchased a farm now owned by George H. 
Nahr; in 1845 purchased 190 acres, where he now re- 
sides, 57 of which he still retains as a homestead. 
He was married in 1840 to Matilda E. Nahr, daughter 
of David and Margaret Nahr, of Summerfield, for- 
merly of Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, N. Y.. by 
whom he has nine children now living. He has held 
the office of supervisor one term and the office of 
town clerk nine years, and other minor offices. 

JOHN WEBB, a son of William and Harriet Webb, 
was born at Perrysburg, Wood county, O., in 1857. 
In iss- he was married to Lucy A., daughter of 
John and Julia A. White, of Lucas county, O.; they 
liave three children. He became a resident of this 
county in 1880, locating at Lambertville, in the town 
of Bedford, where he remained two years, and from 
thence to Whiteford, where he now resides. 

WILLIAM J. WEBB, a son of Azariah and Ma- 
tilda Webb, was born in the town of Summerfield, 
this county, in 1840, and came to Whiteford with his 



PERSONAL HISTORIES. 



53 



parents in infancy. He wa,* married in l.Stil to .Adclia 
Isenhour, of Whitefoni; they havi- ninechililren. He 
enli.sted in .\iij.'ust, I.sii4, in' Co. K, .Stli Mieli. Cav., 
and serveii to the clo.se of tlie war; was in the en- 
gagement.s at Franklin ami Nashville, Tenn.. and 
others; was dischartieil in .lune, lSli.5, at Louisville, 
Ky. He is a memher of Pajjte Post, No. 471. of .'^yl- 
vania, Ohio. 

HARRl.'^ON C. WILLIAMS was horn in Illinois 
in 1840. In 1842 the family removed to Lorain 
county, Ohio, and from there to Lucas county, locat- 
ing in the township of Washington, and from thence 
in 18.31 to Whiteford, where Harrison is still a resi- 
dent and farmer, and owns 81) acres of land. lie en- 
listed April L>0, 1S()1, in Co. B, 14th Ohio Vol. Inf., in 
answer to the first call for volunteers at the lireaking 
out of the Rebellion; the time of his enlistment be- 
ing only for three months, he was honorably di.s- 
charged on the l.Sth day of August of the same year, 
but again in 18(12 he enlisted in Co. L of the Ist Mich. 
Engs. and Mechs., and served to the do.se of the war; 
he was niustere(i out at Nashville, Tenn., and dis- 
charged at .lackson, Alich., Oct. 1, 180.5. He was 
married in 1884 to Polly, a daughter of Charles and 
Nancy Fox, of Whiteford. 

DAYTON P. WHITING was born in the Dominion 
of Canada in 18;i(). His first settlement in the 
States was in Washtenaw county, this .'<tate. He 
was married in 18t)l to .losie Hall, daughter of .Joseph 
and Sally Hall, of l^iPorte, Ind., by whom be lias 
two children living and one decea.sed. He enlisted 
in 18(j4 in Co. A, 4th 111. Cav., and serve<l to the close 
of the war; was discharged at Houston, Tex., Octo- 
ber, 18(i.5. In 1872 came to this county from Kanka- 
kee county. 111., and located on the farm of (iO acres 
of land, in Whiteford, whi(di he now owns and occu- 
pies. He is a member of Page Post, No. 471; of Syl- 
vania, Lucas county. Ohio. 

JOSEPH WOODBURY was born in Portage county, 
Ohio, in 183-5, and came to this county with his par- 
ents in 1.S57. He was married in 1802 to Rosina 
Burnham, daughter of Francis and Margaret Burn- 



ham, of Whitefoni, by wboni be has six c-hihlren. 
His occupatiiin is fariidng; he owns 42 acres of land. 
His father was Daniel Wiioilliury, who was born in 
the State of Vermont in 1788, anil at the age of 20 
entered the army of the V. S., and served a length 
of time iluring the war of 1812; during his s<'rvice 
was taken i>ri.soner of war by the British forces, and 
held for more than a year, and afterwanls received a 
pension from the U" .'^. (iovcrinnent. He came to 
Ohio at an early elate and stopped a while at Cleve- 
land, and from thence settled in Portage county, and 
from there came to Monroe in 18.57, and located lirst 
in Bedford, and then in UlisslieM, and linally Im.aicd 
in the north part of Whiteford, where be' died in 
1878. He married Experience Duruee of New York 
State, by whom he had 14 children, of whom live 
are now living. Joseph Woodbury now owns and 
occupies the original farm settled by his (athi'r. 

DINAKBl'S B. YOl'Nt; was born in what is now- 
West Toledo, then belonging in this S|at<-, in l.s;i|. 
His father was a native of Ontario county, N. Y.. and 
came west in 1.H:!1, locating on 70 ai-res of wild land, 
now owned by S. R. Hathaway, in the town of 
Whiteford. Dinarbus ha.s been twice married: First 
to Betsey Bemis, daughter of Abel and Esther Bemis, 
of Lucas county, Ohio, by whom he had four chil- 
dren, of whom only one is now living, Mrs. Rosaline 
Shults, who with her husband is living with her 
father on the home farm; he was married again in 
1877 to Mary Crowell, of Bedford, whose parents 
were VanRensaler and Electa Crowell. In 1H.50 Mr. 
Young began the clearing of the farm of 87 acres, on 
which be now resides; purcha.sing his first ax where- 
with to work on credit, he now has 7.5 acres under 
cultivation, with fine lirick dwelling, the first one of 
brick built in the town. His opportunities for an 
early e<Iucation were limited, being de|irived of the 
advantages of school up to i:! years of age. His prin- 
cipal associates in early life were the young Indians 
of the vicinity, with whom bis leisure hours were us- 
ually spent. 



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